Tounraments Galore!

Today, I observed a lot of seriously contended chess matches.  I loved the concentration that kids were putting forth in playing their games. 

Upcoming Tournaments

Tomorrow!  Borlaug After School Special!  3 round G30 Swiss at 2:30pm at the Borlaug Media Center!  should be over at 5:30pm and we will have Medals this time! for the top three players in both the Rated and Unrated Sections.

Saturday Nov 17th!  The ICPL Kids Chess Tournament in Memory of Steve Young!  3rd thru 6th graders, and USCF members under 3rd grade.  It will be 12:00 to register, first game at 1:00pm and goes to 4:30, Steve Young's sister will be present to hand out the trophies and see the legacy her brother created here in Iowa City.

Saturday Dec 1st!  the K-12 open tournament for scholastic chess!  I think we have an excellent k-3 team and K-6 team.  I think we can get some hardware if we go.  I will be driving 5 kids in my Suburban, perhaps we could get some other parents to carpool and get a large team presence, perhaps we can convince Anne Marie to let us put the trophies on top of the bookshelves? 

I went to the Quad cities and won the U1000 in the Veterans Day Classic at the Lodge this past weekend winning 3 of my 4 games and tying my final game.  My kids were impressed that daddy came home with a trophy.

On the Chess Ladder  Yulong was dethroned by Andrey, and then consoled himself by finishing the skills checklist and walking away with one of those spiffy chess move recording books, emblazoned with a Borlaug Chess Club sticker!  Andy Luo also completed his skills checklist.  Good Job Guys!

 1  +3 12  0 Andrey  Arshava                 
  2  -1 14  0 Yulong Shao                     
  3  -1  8  0 Andy Luo                        
  4  +3  6  0 Vladimir Tivanski               
  5  -2 10  0 Liam Willett                    
  6  -1 11  0 Aaron Smith                     
  7  -1  6  0 Barry vigil                     
  8   0  9  0 Nathan Wei                      
  9   0  6  0 Justin Pieper                   
 10   0  9  0 Benjamin Zhang                  
 11  +1 11  0 Jack Gray                       
 12  -1 11  0 Joseph  Vigil                   
 13   0  4  1 Jacob Vigil                     
 14   0  2  0 Lily (Hongjin) Li               
 15   0  5  0 Miranda Feng                    
 16  +3  8  0 Mohana Sunkara                  
 17  -1  6  0 Defne Bayman                    
 18  -1  5  0 Thomas  Pierce                  
 19  -1  3  0 Karina Li                       
 20   0  4  0 Eric  Pieper                    
 21   0  3  0 Alexandra Curtu                 
 22   0  2  0 Yifan Zhai                      
 23   0  2  0 Xinyu Wang                      
 24   0  5  0 Sanjeev Sarin                   
 25   0  6  0 Laurel Haverkamp                
 26   0  6  0 Sebastian Cochran               
 27   0  6  0 Jimin Jung                      
 28   0  4  0 Noah Willett                    
 29   0  4  0 Jikun Zhang                     
 30   0  1  0 Sabrina  Du                     
 31   0  3  0 Jocelyn Hsieh                   
 32   0  0  3 Richard Yang                    
 33   0  1  1 Reece Yang                      
 34   0  4  0 Emerson Bennett                 
 35   0  2  0 Connor  Houtman                 
 36   0  2  0 Evan Green                      
 37   0  1  0 Josh Greene                     
 38   0  0  3 Amelia Stevens                  
 39   0  1  2 Tommy Stevens                   
 40   0  2  0 Shalom A. Gugsa                 
 41   0  1  0 Emma Zheng                      
 42   0  0  3 Naomi A. Gugsa                  
 43   0  1  1 Ryan Goodman                    
 44   0  1  1 Joey  Goodman                   
 45   0  4  0 Jim Li                 

A wild day on the Ladder!  Three different players held the top spot this morning with Yulong Shao defeating multiple players in a ferocious melee in the top 10 players, to claim the top spot for this week.  They are gunning for you next week Yulong!  watch out! 

Upcoming Tournaments! 

At Borlaug Nov 15th rated and unrated sections (just like before) 2:30 to 5:30pm in the media center.

The Iowa City Public Library Kids Tournament Unrated Free Entry!  at the library downtown on Nov 17th, 3rd thru 6th grades (under 1000 rating although it is an unrated tournament) under 3rd grade eligible to play if USCF members (that means you Pieper Boys!)  This Tournament is in Memory of Steve Young who passed away in February and his sister will be on hand to give away the trophies.  Every child will get something chessworthy! 

Dec 1st!  Ames Iowa the K-12 open championship!  I want some hardware in the Library!  We have strong players I am going and will take a few kids with me if anyone needs a ride.  I have a Suburban.  

and finally here is the ladder, keep pushing wood.  Eric

1 +14 13  0 Yulong Shao                      
  2  +4  8  0 Andy Luo                         
  3  -1  9  0 Liam Willett                     
  4  +5 11  0 Andrey  Arshava                  
  5  -4 11  0 Aaron Smith                      
  6  -3  6  0 Barry vigil                      
  7  -3  5  1 Vladimir Tivanski                
  8  -3  8  0 Nathan Wei                       
  9  -2  5  1 Justin Pieper                    
 10  +6  9  0 Benjamin Zhang                   
 11  -3  9  0 Joseph  Vigil                    
 12  +1  9  0 Jack Gray                        
 13  -3  4  1 Jacob Vigil                      
 14  -3  1  1 Lily (Hongjin) Li                
 15  +7  5  0 Miranda Feng                     
 16 +10  5  0 Defne Bayman                     
 17  +3  5  0 Thomas  Pierce                   
 18 +13  3  0 Karina Li                        
 19  -7  6  0 Mohana Sunkara                   
 20  -6  4  0 Eric  Pieper                     
 21  -4  2  1 Alexandra Curtu                  
 22  -4  1  0 Yifan Zhai                       
 23 +20  2  0 Xinyu Wang                       
 24 +20  4  0 Sanjeev Sarin                    
 25  -6  5  0 Laurel Haverkamp                 
 26  -5  6  0 Sebastian Cochran                
 27  -4  6  0 Jimin Jung                       
 28  +4  4  0 Noah Willett                     
 29  -5  4  0 Jikun Zhang                      
 30   0  1  0 Sabrina  Du                      
 31  -6  2  0 Jocelyn Hsieh                    
 32  -5  0  3 Richard Yang                     
 33  -5  1  1 Reece Yang                       
 34  -1  4  0 Emerson Bennett                  
 35  -6  2  0 Connor  Houtman                  
 36  -2  1  0 Evan Green                       
 37  -2  1  0 Josh Greene                      
 38  -2  0  3 Amelia Stevens                   
 39  -2  1  2 Tommy Stevens                    
 40   0  2  0 Shalom A. Gugsa                  
 41  -3  1  0 Emma Zheng                       
 42  -3  0  3 Naomi A. Gugsa                   
 43  -2  1  1 Ryan Goodman                     
 44  -2  1  1 Joey  Goodman                    
 45   0  2  0 Jim Li                           

Congratulations!  Justin and Eric Pieper!  Way to go and represent Borlaug in the State Class Chess Tournament.  It was both Eric and Justin's first USCF rated event.  Good Show! 

We will be having another tournament on the 15th of November in the Media Center at Borlaug, and The Iowa City Public Library's annual Kids Chess Tournament is coming up on the 17th, Saturday, this one is free and they provide snacks.  The ICPL is unrated and a lot of fun. 

On the chess ladder this morning, Liam Willett reclaimed the top spot from Aaron Smith.  Lots of good chess out there.  Two kindergartners came to "check it out" they seemed in awe of all the Chessy Goodness going on. 

 1  +1  8  0 Liam Willett                     
  2  -1 10  0 Aaron Smith                      
  3   0  5  0 Barry vigil                      
  4   0  5  0 Vladimir Tivanski                
  5   0  7  0 Nathan Wei                       
  6   0  5  0 Andy Luo                         
  7   0  5  0 Justin Pieper                    
  8  +1  9  0 Andrey  Arshava                  
  9  +6  9  0 Yulong Shao                      
 10  -2  8  0 Joseph  Vigil                    
 11  +2  9  0 Jack Gray                        
 12  -2  4  0 Jacob Vigil                      
 13  -2  1  0 Lily (Hongjin) Li                
 14 +12  3  0 Defne Bayman                     
 15  -3  4  0 Mohana Sunkara                   
 16  -2  4  0 Eric  Pieper                     
 17  -1  7  0 Benjamin Zhang                   
 18  -1  2  0 Alexandra Curtu                  
 19  -1  1  0 Yifan Zhai                       
 20 +24  3  0 Sanjeev Sarin                    
 21  -2  4  0 Laurel Haverkamp                 
 22  -2  4  0 Thomas  Pierce                   
 23  -2  6  0 Sebastian Cochran                
 24  +8  3  0 Noah Willett                     
 25  -3  4  0 Miranda Feng                     
 26  -3  5  0 Jimin Jung                       
 27  -3  3  0 Jikun Zhang                      
 28  -3  1  0 Jocelyn Hsieh                    
 29  -2  0  2 Richard Yang                     
 30  -2  1  0 Reece Yang                       
 31   0  1  0 Karina Li                        
 32  +1  4  0 Emerson Bennett                  
 33  -4  2  0 Connor  Houtman                  
 34  -4  0  2 Sabrina  Du                      
 35  -1  1  0 Evan Green                       
 36  -1  0  2 Josh Greene                      
 37  -1  0  2 Amelia Stevens                   
 38  -1  1  1 Tommy Stevens                    
 39  -1  0  2 Emma Zheng                       
 40  -1  0  2 Naomi A. Gugsa                   
 41  -1  1  1 Shalom A. Gugsa                  
 42  -1  1  0 Ryan Goodman                     
 43  -1  1  0 Joey  Goodman                    
 44  -1  1  0 Xinyu Wang                       
 45   0  1  0 Jim Li                           

BIG TOURNAMENT NEXT WEEKEND!  OCT 27th

The Iowa State Chess Association is pleased to host the Iowa Individual Grades State Championships in Ankeny, IA. Compete against opponents only in your grade during this four round tournament Where: Ankeny ,Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) ,FFA Enrichment Center, Rooms 108 & 109 ,Ankeny ,Io 50023 Reg: On-site Registration: 8:30 am to 9:30 am. All entries after 9:30 am will receive a 1/2 pt. bye in Round 1. Rounds: Grades K through 6, Game/30, 4 rounds 10:00 am, 11:15, 12:45, Rounds 4 ASAP. Grades 7-12, Game/45, 4 rounds 10:00 am, 12:00 noon, Rounds 3 & 4 ASAP. Entry Fee:$10 if registered by October 25 (Thursday) or $15 on site. Prize Info: Prizes for each grade. Trophies for 1st through 3rd place and medals for 4th through 6th place. Medals for those participating in their first chess tournament US Chess Federation (USCF) membership required. On-Site Available. Send Entry Fee to: James Hodina, 3411 Blue Pt. Ct. SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. Email: james.hodina@chessiniowa.org (register by email and then pay on-site is acceptable). Include Name, USCF ID, Grade, and School with your registration. Additional Info: Half-point bye available any round if requested before Rd 1. Campus Map & Directions: http://www.ffaenrichmentcenter.com/

Unfortunately I will not be able to attend as I am committed as a board member of Kickers and it is the last game of the season, and I am part of the equipment turn in team   sigh......   

No movement on the top of the Chess Ladder this week, although Sanjeev moved up quite nicely.  Good work Sanjeev.  Today we did a chess lecture of a game of chess played in 1902 between Harry Nelson Pillsbury and Rudolf Swiderski in Hanover Germany.  The students were given blacks moves, and they were asked for what the best move for white is.  The student with the most correct answers won $364 in shredded currency.  Aaron Smith won the contest!  I will be making this a monthly event at chess club with a different game, and perhaps a more exciting prize.  I will also be having a weekly chess puzzle set up on our new magnetic chessboard hanging wall display.

For the Borlaug After School Special Rated Section,  Gwen Heywood won 1st place from Lucas Elementary, 2nd Yulong Shao,  and tied for 3rd all with 2 points were Nathan Wei, Vladimir Tivanski, Barry Vigil, Andy Luo, and Eric AKA Yoyo Liu.  The Unrated section was won by Andre Arshava (via tiebreaker rules) a perfect score was also achieved by Julian Fender, 3rd place was Karina Li who needs to work on her checkmate with a rook and a king skill.  Thanks for playing.  We will do it again on November 15th in the afternoon and I am going to try to get another school to host as our library will be booked through February after school.

1   0  8  0 Aaron Smith                      
  2   0  7  0 Liam Willett                     
  3   0  5  0 Barry vigil                      
  4   0  5  0 Vladimir Tivanski                
  5   0  7  0 Nathan Wei                       
  6   0  5  0 Andy Luo                         
  7   0  5  0 Justin Pieper                    
  8   0  7  0 Joseph  Vigil                    
  9   0  6  0 Andrey  Arshava                  
 10   0  4  0 Jacob Vigil                      
 11   0  1  0 Lily (Hongjin) Li                
 12   0  3  0 Mohana Sunkara                   
 13   0  7  0 Jack Gray                        
 14   0  4  0 Eric  Pieper                     
 15   0  6  0 Yulong Shao                      
 16   0  7  0 Benjamin Zhang                   
 17   0  2  0 Alexandra Curtu                  
 18   0  0  2 Yifan Zhai                       
 19   0  3  0 Laurel Haverkamp                 
 20   0  4  0 Thomas  Pierce                   
 21   0  6  0 Sebastian Cochran                
 22 +10  3  0 Noah Willett                     
 23  -1  4  0 Miranda Feng                     
 24  -1  5  0 Jimin Jung                       
 25 +19  1  0 Sanjeev Sarin                    
 26  -2  3  0 Jikun Zhang                      
 27  -2  1  0 Jocelyn Hsieh                    
 28  -2  2  0 Defne Bayman                     
 29  -2  0  2 Richard Yang                     
 30  -2  1  0 Reece Yang                       
 31  +2  3  0 Emerson Bennett                  
 32  -3  2  0 Connor  Houtman                  
 33  -3  0  2 Sabrina  Du                      
 34  -3  0  2 Karina Li                        
 35  -1  0  2 Evan Green                       
 36  -1  0  2 Josh Greene                      
 37  -1  0  2 Amelia Stevens                   
 38  -1  1  1 Tommy Stevens                    
 39  -1  0  2 Emma Zheng                       
 40  -1  0  2 Naomi A. Gugsa                   
 41  -1  1  1 Shalom A. Gugsa                  
 42  -1  1  0 Ryan Goodman                     
 43  -1  1  0 Joey  Goodman                    
 44  -1  1  0 Xinyu Wang                       
 45   0  0  0 Jim Li                      

Another exciting morning at chess club.  Aaron Smith took over on the top of the ladder, there were many draws today, Andy Luo suggested it was National Draw Day.  The battle of the Russian Language Speakers ended with Vladimir defeating Andrey in a tough match.  Welcome Jim Li our newest member!

Tournament Tomorrow!!! anyone that is willing the help herd cats is welcome to stay and help.

 1  +3  8  0 Aaron Smith                      
  2  +3  7  0 Liam Willett                     
  3  -1  5  0 Barry vigil                      
  4  -1  5  0 Vladimir Tivanski                
  5  -4  7  0 Nathan Wei                       
  6  +6  5  0 Andy Luo                         
  7  +2  5  0 Justin Pieper                    
  8  -2  7  0 Joseph  Vigil                    
  9 +31  6  0 Andrey  Arshava                  
 10  -3  4  0 Jacob Vigil                      
 11 +21  1  0 Lily (Hongjin) Li                
 12  -4  2  0 Mohana Sunkara                   
 13  +1  6  0 Jack Gray                        
 14  -4  3  0 Eric  Pieper                     
 15  +3  6  0 Yulong Shao                      
 16  +1  5  0 Benjamin Zhang                   
 17  -6  2  0 Alexandra Curtu                  
 18  -5  0  2 Yifan Zhai                       
 19  -4  3  0 Laurel Haverkamp                 
 20  -4  4  0 Thomas  Pierce                   
 21  -2  5  0 Sebastian Cochran                
 22  -2  3  0 Miranda Feng                     
 23  +7  3  0 Jimin Jung                       
 24  -3  2  0 Jikun Zhang                      
 25  -3  1  0 Jocelyn Hsieh                    
 26  -3  2  0 Defne Bayman                     
 27  -3  0  2 Richard Yang                     
 28  -3  1  0 Reece Yang                       
 29  -3  1  1 Connor  Houtman                  
 30  -3  0  2 Sabrina  Du                      
 31  -3  0  2 Karina Li                        
 32  -3  1  1 Noah Willett                     
 33  -2  2  0 Emerson Bennett                  
 34  -1  0  2 Evan Green                       
 35  -1  0  2 Josh Greene                      
 36  -1  0  2 Amelia Stevens                   
 37  -1  1  1 Tommy Stevens                    
 38  -1  0  2 Emma Zheng                       
 39  -1  0  2 Naomi A. Gugsa                   
 40  -1  1  1 Shalom A. Gugsa                  
 41   0  1  0 Ryan Goodman                     
 42   0  1  0 Joey  Goodman                    
 43   0  0  1 Xinyu Wang                       
 44   0  0  1 Sanjeev Sarin                    
 45   0  0  0 Jim Li                           

National Chess Day!

National Chess Day is October 13th!  Play a game with your kids!

A new player on top of the ladder.  Liam Willet, went under the radar and swooped in to defeat Barry Vigil and claim the king of the mountain.  Remember next week we are having a mini tournament in the afternoon after school starting at 2:30 in the Media center on Thursday the 18th.  three rounds of G/30 USCF rated and unrated. 

 1  +4  6  0 Liam Willett                     
  2   0  5  0 Barry vigil                      
  3   0  4  0 Vladimir Tivanski                
  4  -3  6  0 Nathan Wei                       
  5  +7  4  0 Andy Luo                         
  6  -2  5  0 Aaron Smith                      
  7  -1  6  0 Joseph  Vigil                    
  8  -1  3  0 Jacob Vigil                      
  9 +23  1  0 Lily (Hongjin) Li                
 10  -2  2  0 Mohana Sunkara                   
 11  -2  4  0 Justin Pieper                    
 12  -2  2  0 Eric  Pieper                     
 13  +1  5  0 Jack Gray                        
 14 +26  4  0 Andrey  Arshava                  
 15  +3  4  0 Yulong Shao                      
 16  +1  4  0 Benjamin Zhang                   
 17  -6  2  0 Alexandra Curtu                  
 18  -5  0  1 Yifan Zhai                       
 19  -4  3  0 Laurel Haverkamp                 
 20  -4  3  0 Thomas  Pierce                   
 21  -2  4  0 Sebastian Cochran                
 22  -2  1  0 Miranda Feng                     
 23  +7  2  0 Jimin Jung                       
 24  -3  2  0 Jikun Zhang                      
 25  -3  0  1 Jocelyn Hsieh                    
 26  -3  2  0 Defne Bayman                     
 27  -3  0  1 Richard Yang                     
 28  -3  1  0 Reece Yang                       
 29  -3  1  0 Connor  Houtman                  
 30  -3  0  1 Sabrina  Du                      
 31  -3  0  1 Karina Li                        
 32  -3  1  0 Noah Willett                     
 33  -2  1  0 Emerson Bennett                  
 34  -1  0  1 Evan Green                       
 35  -1  0  1 Josh Greene                      
 36  -1  0  1 Amelia Stevens                   
 37  -1  1  0 Tommy Stevens                    
 38  -1  0  1 Emma Zheng                       
 39  -1  0  1 Naomi A. Gugsa                   
 40  -1  1  0 Shalom A. Gugsa                  
 41   0  1  0 Ryan Goodman                     
 42   0  1  0 Joey  Goodman                    
 43   0  0  0 Xinyu Wang                       
 44   0  0  0 Sanjeev Sarin                    

Good Morning!  Tournament After School October 18th Thursday Games to start at 2:30 to 5:30pm  there will be 3 rounds of Game 30 d5, and two sections USCF Rated and non rated.  The USCF is the national chess association and playing in the rated section you will have a national rating that you can go anywhere in the country and play chess with that rating. 

Congratulations to both Andy Lou and Vladimir Tivanski for placing in the Midwest Team Championships this past weekend. 

Barry Vigil Defeated Vladimir for top spot on the ladder, and we have a rising star with Andrey Arshava who catapulted 20 spots up the ladder with a string of victories this morning.  Watch out Barry, Vlad, Aaron and Nathan. 

The Chess supply order came in,  more parents were interested in ordering sets, clocks, books or whatever, come see me and I will get in another order for Mid November.

here are the ladder results for this week.

  1  +1  4  0 Barry vigil                      
  2  +1  3  0 Vladimir Tivanski                
  3  -2  4  0 Nathan Wei                       
  4   0  3  0 Aaron Smith                      
  5   0  3  0 Liam Willett                     
  6   0  4  0 Joseph  Vigil                    
  7   0  2  0 Jacob Vigil                      
  8   0  1  0 Mohana Sunkara                   
  9   0  3  0 Justin Pieper                    
 10   0  1  0 Eric  Pieper                     
 11 +29  2  0 Andrey  Arshava                  
 12  +6  4  0 Yulong Shao                      
 13  +4  4  0 Benjamin Zhang                   
 14  -3  2  0 Alexandra Curtu                  
 15  -3  3  0 Andy Luo                         
 16  -3  0  1 Yifan Zhai                       
 17  -3  4  0 Jack Gray                        
 18  -3  2  0 Laurel Haverkamp                 
 19  -3  3  0 Thomas  Pierce                   
 20  -1  4  0 Sebastian Cochran                
 21  -1  0  1 Miranda Feng                     
 22  -1  1  0 Jikun Zhang                      
 23  -1  0  1 Jocelyn Hsieh                    
 24  -1  1  0 Defne Bayman                     
 25  -1  0  1 Richard Yang                     
 26  -1  1  0 Reece Yang                       
 27  -1  1  0 Connor  Houtman                  
 28  -1  0  1 Sabrina  Du                      
 29  -1  0  1 Karina Li                        
 30  -1  1  0 Noah Willett                     
 31  -1  1  0 Jimin Jung                       
 32  -1  1  0 Emerson Bennett                  
 33  -1  0  1 Lily (Hongjin) Li                
 34  -1  0  1 Evan Green                       
 35  -1  0  1 Josh Greene                      
 36  -1  0  1 Amelia Stevens                   
 37  -1  1  0 Tommy Stevens                    
 38  -1  0  1 Emma Zheng                       
 39  -1  0  1 Naomi A. Gugsa                   
 40  -1  1  0 Shalom A. Gugsa                  
 41   0  0  0 Ryan Goodman                     
 42   0  1  0 Joey  Goodman