*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ IECC CHESS BITS & PIECES *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ Published by the International Email Chess Club Devoted solely to E-Mail Correspondence Chess *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ Volume 1, Issue 4 April 1995 Published SemiMonthly *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ Editor: Sherman Klausner - klaus@interaccess.com *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ THE FOUNDER'S CORNER By Lisa Powell ********************************************************************* Sir Francis Bacon began his essay On Innovations: "As the births of living creatures at first are ill-shapen, so are all Innovations, which are the births of time." Almost makes one hesitate to innovate, eh? As a side note on Bacon, often characterized as the ultimate learned man who intimidated lesser minds, his chaplain and first biographer William Rawly wrote of him: "His meals were refections of the ear as well as of the stomach...and I have known some, of no mean parts, that have professed to make use of their notebooks when they have risen from his table." Further in this vein, his private secretary and medical attendant, Peter Boehner wrote how in the morning Bacon would summon him or some other of his secretaries to his bedside to write down the thoughts and ideas which Bacon had conceived during the night. Would that we all could be so prolific! Suffice to say that the staff of IECC is at work trying to concoct other new chess activities like IECC's Pyramid competition, the improved Chess Academy, and the Thematics competition suggested by Peter Genge. Unlike Bacon, we are not geniuses, but we do try harder to make IECC the friendly place for us mere mortals to enjoy the royal game. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ Spotlight on IECC Members Each issue we will introduce to our readers a different member. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ Jerry Bibuld Age: 66 Major chess accomplishments Kingsmen Chess Club: founding member 1959 First champion of the Kingsmen Chess Club. Commercial Chess League of New York: Tournament Director (1960-1980) President (1980-94) President Emeritus (1994-present) Member of committee that wrote CCLNY's present constitution and tournament regulations (1961) Asst. TD of USCF closed championships (1969, 1972) Member of USCF Rules Committee (1969-1973) Regional VP of USCF (1978-80) Top Boards Director of US Open (1973) Top Boards Director of World Open (1975-1983) Chief Arbiter at international tournaments in Bermuda, Canada, England, Panama, Uganda, USA (1970-present); Organizer and Chief Arbiter of 1st Murphy-ACF International, a 10-player Category VIII tournament with 4 persons of African birth or descent -- and of 2nd Murphy-ACF International, a 10-player Category VII tournament with two persons of African birth or descent. FIDE Arbiter Title (1980). Arbiter at World Chess Olympiad (1986, 1994); Senior Arbiter at World Chess Olympiads (1984, 1988, 1990, 1992); Tournament Director of First African-American Unity Chess Tournament Series (1992); Uganda Chess Federation: National Ratings Statistician (1983-1990), honored as 1st Life member of UCF (1983); South Africa: International Representative of Western Province Chess Assoc. (1984-1992) International Representative of Chess Association for the People of South Africa (1984-1992) International Patron of Chess South Africa (1992-present) Counselor to the CHESSA FIDE Delegate at the 1994 FIDE General Assembly made Honorary Member of Jamaica Chess Federation (1992) Member, FIDE Arbiters Commission (1990-present) Secretary, FIDE Commission on South Africa (1990-present) Devotee of opera, theater and literature. Active player in American Bridge Association (an essentially Afro-American organization); Formally recognized by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture as an historical archivist How do I keep busy? I travel into the Bronx on Wednesdays to coach children in one of the New York Afro-American colonial quarters from 07:30 AM until 11:30 AM. (The principal of the school is Afro-American and agrees that chess is a valid manifestation of human culture.) And on Tuesdays, I travel to Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn (another New York Afro-American colonial quarter) to coach children there from the rating level of 3:00 PM until 5:30 PM. (Here, I work with the Assistant Principal.) Unfortunately, I haven't yet seen one of my students in either of the two classes climb in either over USCF 1500. But we're working on it! It is with great pride that I report that, in 1993, I received an autographed photograph of Nelson Mandela, with a certificate of appreciation for services rendered the anti-apartheid movement. What else do I do to keep busy? I work in my darkroom a couple of days a week (usually on Mondays and Fridays). I play tournament chess in Manhattan on Wednesday evenings. Monday evenings are devoted to the American Bridge Association. All these are "fixed" obligations (the darkroom, because I am preparing an enormous file of photographs concerning Afro-American, Afro-Caribbean and African life -- particularly concerning chess and duplicate bridge -- for the Schomburg Center). Last -- but far from least! -- there is spending and enjoying time just living, being Bette's husband, a father and grandfather -- all of which I love. Between us, Bette and I have five children and 11 grandchildren. If you add the two daughters-in-law and the two sons-in-law, whom we love very much, that makes a wonderful asset of nine children. We have a great family relationship with all of them, and we consider that it is most appropriate to affirm that I am "father" to her two children and she is "mother" to my three. Fraternally, Jerry Bibuld ********************************************************************* IECC Featured Game Analysis By Major William D. Wall ********************************************************************* THE CARO-KANN PANOV ATTACK THAT SHOULD HAVE WON FOR BLACK by Bill Wall Paul Green - Juha Kivijarvi, IECC Pyramid 1995, Caro Kann, Panov Attack 1.e4 c6 [The Caro-Kann Defense] 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 [the Panov Attack. White usually gets an isolated center pawn] 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 [5...g6 - Bronstein Variation; another idea is 5...Nc6] 6.Nf3 [The most common move. Other lines are 6.c5 and 6.Bg5] 6...Bb4 [This variation resembles the Nimzo-Indian defense. Also playable are 6...Nc6 and 6...Be7] 7.cxd5 [7.Bd3 is the most common alternative and is usually followed by 7...dxc4 8.Bxc4. Other moves are 7.Bd2, 7.Bg5, 7.Be3, 7.Qb3, 7.Qc2, 7.Qa4+, 7.a3; 7.cxd5] 7...Nxd5 [Less common is 7...exd5 8.Qa4+ Nc6 9.Bb5] 8.Qb3 [Favored by Judit Polgar. 8.Bd2 or 8.Qc2 are also playable and more common ways to protect the pinned knight] 8...Nc6 [8...O-O can be played as well] 9.Bd2 [9.Bd3 may be better, allowing White to castle on the kingside early] 9...Qb6 [Threatening the d4 pawn. 9...O-O 10.Bd3 and 11.O-O looks like the most natural moves.] 10.Nxd5 [Not 10.a3?? Bxc3 11.Qxb6 Bxd2+ and 12...Nxb6. Interesting is 10.Bd3!? 10...Ba5 (10...Nxd4 11.Nxd4 Qxd4 12.Bb5+) 11.O-O Qxb3 12.axb3 Bb6 13.Bc4 Nde7 J. Polgar - V. Smyslov, Aruba 1992] 10...Bxd2+ [10...exd5 11.Bxb4 or 11.Qxd5] 11.Nxd2 [White can head for the endgame with 11.Kxd2 Qxb3 12.Nc7+ Kd8 13.axb3 Kxc7 14.Bb5, but has a worse pawn structure] 11...exd5 [11...Qxb3 12.Nxb3 exd5 13.Bb5 O-O 14.O-O looks equal and drawish] 12.Qe3+?! [This helps Black develop another piece and leaves White's pawns under attack. 12.Qxb6 axb6 13.Nf3 or 13.Nb3 leaves Black with doubled pawns] 12...Be6 13.Nb3 O-O 14.Bd3 Qb4+ 15.Qd2 Rfe8 [Black might want to try 15...Bg4, and if 16.Qxb4 Nxb4 17.Bb1 Rfe8+ 18.Kf1 Be2+ 19.Kg1 Bc4 looks good for Black] 16.Qxb4 [If 16.O-O? (16.O-O-O) 16...Qxd2 17.Nxd2 Nxd4] 16...Nxb4 17.Kd2 [Not 17.Nc1? (17.Bb1) Nxd3+ 18.Nxd3 Bg4+ 19.Kd2 Re2+ 20.Kc3 Rc8+ 21.Kb3 Rd2 and Black should win a pawn] 17...Nxd3 [In the endgame, bishops are better than knights as long as the bishop has mobility and targets to attack. 18.Kxd3 Rac8 [Black does not want to allow White in playing Rc1 first and gaining control of the open file. Slightly better may be 18...Bf5+, then 19...Rc8 to give Black a tempo move with more space and mobility] 19.Rac1 [Black was threatening 19...Bf5+ 20.Kd2 Rc2+ 21.Kd1 Rxf2, winning] 19...Rc4 [Other ideas are 19...Bg4, 19...Bf5+, and 19...b6] 20.h3 [Not 20.Rxc4?? (20.Kd2 or 20.Rhe1) 20...dxc4+ and 21...cxb3; Also bad is 20.Na5? (or 20.Nc5) Bf5+ 21.Kd2 Rxd4+] 20...h5 [20...Ra4 or 20...Bf5+ or 20...Rec8] 21.f3 [Trying to expand on the king-side with 22.g4. White can also try 21.Kd2 or 21.Rhe1] Bf5+ [21...h4; 21...Ra4; 21...Rec8] 22.Kd2 h4 [22...b6; 22...b5; 22...Rec8] 23.Rhe1 [23.Rxc4 dxc4 24.Na5 b5 25.Nc6 may be slightly better for White] 23...Rxe1 [23...Rec8 24.Rc3, threatening 25.Re7 or 25.Re5] 24.Kxe1 [Not 24.Rxe1? Rc2+ and 25...Rxg2] 24...b6 [Preventing 25.Rxc4 dxc4 26.Na5] 25.Rxc4 dxc4 26.Nd2 b5 [or 26...Be6] 27.Ne4 [Another idea is 27.f4 and 28.Nf3] 27...Kf8 [27...b4; 27...Be6; 27...Bxe4 28.fxe4 Kf8 29.e5 slightly favors White] 28.Kd2 [28.Nd6 Bd7; 28.d5 Ke7] 28...Ke7 [28...Bxe4? (28...Be6) 29.fxe4 Ke7 30.Kc3 a5?? (30...Kd6) 31.a4 wins for White] 29.Ke3 [29.Kc3 or 29.d5 look stronger] 29...Bxe4 [29...Be6 and 30...Bd5 equalizes] 30.Kxe4? [30.fxe4 Ke6 31.a3 is best for White] 30...b4! [Black should break through with a Queen-side majority] 31.d5 [31.Kd5?? c3 32.bxc3 bxc3 wins for Black] Kd6 draw agreed 1/2-1/2 But is it a draw?! 32.a3?? fails to 32...c3 33.Kd3 cxb2 34.Kc2 bxa3. 32.a4 Kc5 looks strong for Black. 32.b3?? fails to 32...c3 33.Kd3 Kxd5 or 33...g5 first. 32.f4?? fails to 32...c3 33.bxc3 bxc3 34.Kd3 Kxd5 35.Kxc3 Ke4 and 36...Kxf4. Best for White is 32.Kd4 c3 33.bxc3 bxc3 34.Kxc3 Kxd5, threatening 35...Ke5, 36...Kf4, 37...Kg3, and 38...Kxg2. White has to choose between A) 35.Kd3 and B) 35.Kb4 A) 35.Kd3 a5 36.a4 g5 37.Ke3 (37.Kc3 Kc5 38.Kd3 Kb4 39.Kd4 Kxa4 40.Kc4 Ka3 41.Kc3 a4 42.Kc2 Kb4 43.Kb2 a3+ 44.Ka2 Ka4 45.Kb1 Kb3 wins) 37...Kc5 38.f4 f6 39.f5 Kb4 40.Kd3 Kxa4 41.Kc3 Kb5 42.Kb3 Kc5 and Black can go after the White f-pawn and win. B) 35.Kb4 Ke5 36.Ka5 Kf4 37.Ka6 Kg3 38.Kxa7 Kxg2 39.a4 Kxh3 40.a5 Kg2 41.a6 h3 42.Kb6 h2 43.a7 h1=Q 44.a8=Q Qh6 45.Kc5 Qe3+ 46.Kd6 Qxf3 and Black should win. ********************************************************************* PROBLEM CORNER ********************************************************************* Problem in issue #2 Black to move. Can he win? a b c d e f g h +-----------------+ 8 | - - - - - - - - | 7 | - - - - - a - a | 6 | a - - k - - a - | 5 | - - - - - - A - | 4 | A A - + K + - + | 3 | - - - - - - - - | 2 | - - - - - - - - | 1 | - - - - - - - - | +-----------------+ No. Black not only fails to win -- he can't draw! Why? White has a better King position, the queenside pawn majority, and his pawn at g5 blocks Black's three kingside pawns. 1...Ke6 2.b5 axb5 3.axb5 Kd6 4.Kd4 and wins --------------------------------------------------------------------- Issue 3's problem. Black to move and win, +-----------------+ 8 | - - - - - - - r | 7 | - - - q b k - r | 6 | - - - a - n - - | 5 | a - a A a - a - | 4 | A a - n A a A - | 3 | - A - Q - A - B | 2 | - N A - - - K - | 1 | R - - - B - - R | +-----------------+ 1...Nxg4 2.fxg4 f3+ 3.Kg3 Ne2+ 4.Kxf3 Rxh3+ 5.Rxh3 Rxh3+ 6.Kxe2 Qxg4+ 7.Kd2 Rxd3+ 8.cxd3 Qg2+ 9.Kc1 Qe2 10.Bd2 Qf1+ 11.Nd1 Qxd3 12.Rb1 c4 13.Nf2 Qf3 14.Nd1 c3 15.Be3 Qe2 16.Ra1 g4 17.Bh6 g3 18.Be3 g2 19.Ra2 Qxa2 20.Bc5 dxc5 21.Nb2 cxb2+ 22.Kd1 b1=Q++ Checkmate No new problem in this issue, because no one responded. But we can be persuaded ********************************************************************* THE NEWBIE CORNER By Sherm Klausner ********************************************************************* Both new and and oldtimers must keep aware of the rules and guidelines unique to email or correspondence chess. Most of the time we need not be concerned, but we all occasionally make mistakes. In this issue let's take up the touch rule. In email chess the touch rule has some significant differences from the touch rule in OTB chess. The main aspect of the touch rule is that any "Typo" or legal move that you send is binding if your opponent wishes it enforced. This means that it is incumbent upon you to keep detailed records, and to transcribe your moves with care. Many a won game has been carelessly upended by sending a move you did not intend to send. "How should I keep records of move lists?" is often asked by newbies. There are numerous methods of keeping adequate records of your games. The one you choose will depend upon your own preferences and unique needs. Many of us own chess databases, which are not cheap, of course. Your local stationer can supply you with a notebook, although leafing through a notebook can be a wearying search. Some of us own relational databases that we have used for business applications. Some own chess playing programs (i.e. CM4000, Hiarcs, etc.). All of the preceding can be used to store your games and move lists. I prefer to use a relational database (A5). It is cheap and very easy to setup for this purpose. I have mine setup so that it will print out reports containing moves in pgn format as required by our Archiver. I also have it in three distinct files: 1.)players, 2.)games, and 3.)move list. The players file contains the names, email address, and rating of each of my opponents. The games file contains event, site, date, round, white, black, and result. The move list for each game shows each move and the date sent or received. In this way I have found that my transcription errors are kept to a minimum. It also provides me with an accurate dating of the moves in case there is a dispute as to who moved and when. You can also accomplish the above with a word processor and then edit the files as you go along. All of the above can be done in a notebook with a pencil, but since we all own a computer, why not take advantage of its capabilities? None of this is a guarantee but good record keeping is good preventive maintenance!! If you have a pet record keeping method please write me with the details! If you have questions pertaining to the rules, write me and I will answer you via email! Do you have any questions pertaining to IECC, or email chess in general? Your questions will be promptly answered by email. ********************************************************************* News From The New IECC Chess Academy Francisco "Franky" Delgado ********************************************************************* When Lisa Powell asked me if I wanted to join The IECC Chess Academy, the first thing I wondered was how the chess academy could benefit me. After Lisa informed me about the possibility of my chess skills improving at a fast rate, I couldn't help but be impressed with the idea of learning chess via Internet in a classroom-like atmosphere. I joined, and after being in the chess academy for a short time, I found that I was learning how to analyze a game better. When the chess academy was threatened with the possibility of temporary closing because of the workload, I confess that I felt cheated. I really wanted to improve my skills in chess! Lisa asked a top IECC executive to find a couple of members to help out with revitalizing the program. I immediately volunteered to help because I believe in the Academy's abilities to improve any player's skills. Further, I wanted to be a part of a team who will take learning chess many steps higher. Learning chess via Internet! Hey! A few years ago, who would have thought that modern technology would play an important part of learning a very old game? Now that the new IECC Chess Academy is in full swing, I am confident that the Academy will stay operational for a very long time. Currently, we have two seminars in progress and the third is in the process of starting. For those interested in improving their game by joining the IECC Chess Academy, send an e-mail message to Lisa Powell at rpowell@uoguelph.ca. We need to know: 1. First Name and Last Name 2. Country 3. Current or past rating, and from what chess organization -- or your best guesstimate. 4. IECC activities you elect to participate in, other than the IECC Chess Academy. For example: Mini two-game rated match tournaments of 3-4 players. 4-round Swiss Tournaments Pyramid Ladder Challenge competition ------------ As soon as Lisa Powell sends me that information, I will send you the necessary information you need about our seminars to get you started. I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and thanks to Nicholas Threloff and Bill Martin for helping me out, and special thanks for Lisa Powell for her guidance, and for having confidence in me to help run the IECC Chess Academy. Francisco "Franky" Delgado ********************************************************************* CANADIAN CORRESPONDENCE CHESS ASSN. ********************************************************************* This publicity press release for the Canadian Correspondence Chess Association was submitted to the IECC Newsletter at the recommendation of Mike Power, a member of CCCA. We are publishing this for those interested in this organization. ------ Have you had the pleasure of chess by mail? Are you interested in making new contacts for e-mail games? Why not? Why not join us in the CCCA. Young and old, experts and beginners take part in competitions. A wide variety of tournaments is available for all, both in your own class and in open competitions leading to the Championship of Canada. You can play people all over the world through our international program. Best of all, you can make friends and enjoy yourself in the comfort of your own home. Exciting and instructive games plus SIX issues of our bi-monthly bulletin CHECK! for an annual membership fee of only $24.00 for Adults, or $21.00 if you are under 18 or over 65. The first step is to write for free details (and a sample copy of CHECK! include $4) to: Manuel Migicovsky, R.R.#1 L'Orignal, Ontario, K0B 1K0 Canada For information about e-mail chess through the CCCA, please contact George Huczek at: ghuczek@gdipa.unibase.com *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* IECC ..... The Friendly Chess Club! *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*