It's not to late to join June's Thursday Knighter

We have fifteen people currently enrolled in this month's event, so if you are interested in playing, please come down to the Castle tonight. The rating range is from class E to expert.

Events at the Chess Castle since January

A dozen events have been played or sponsored by the Chess Castle since we've moved to our new location. Seventeen players played the April Thursday Knighter! That's a great turnout! (I'm hoping to play again during June.)

If you have an interesting game or two, please post it on this blog, or consider submitting it to the Games section of the Minnesota State Chess Association website. Thanks!

Fresh look for the Minnesota State Chess Association website

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of John Flores, the MSCA website has a new look. Please visit if you had not yet had the chance!

Round Four of the Thursday Knighter III

Last night was another good night at the Castle. Rich DuRocher came up to play. The other seven signed up for the month showed, so Rich was added to the mix.

The top two players for the month were Carl and Steve. They drew two weeks ago, and each had a score of 2.5. Steve played Black against Phil, while Carl had the White pieces against Norm. Rich had Black against Roger, while Vinnie had White against Dennis. (I had an unrated game against John.)

I got to watch the beginning of all the games before I started my game. All the games looked interesting, with Phil v Steve and Roger v Rich the most active and complicated games.

When I got finished playing John to a draw, I walked over to Phil and Steve's table. The position had gotten more complicated, in Phil's favor. He had a checkmate threat on its way, so Steve resigned.

Norm was running very low on time against Carl. Norm won an exchange in what was a semi-closed position (a Knight for a Rook), but Carl used his remaining Knight in such an effective way that Norm was not able to hold off all the threats, and Carl won, making him this month's winner at 3.5. Congratulations again, Carl!

Roger has been getting into chess again late last year after a long break from playing. He was lamenting the fact that it was tough, but I encouraged him that it takes just a bit of patience. He didn't have to wait too long. He had a tactical game going with Rich. Rich opened up a weakness in his own position which created a forced mate in two.

I ended up leaving before the end of Vinnie and Dennis' game, which still had up to forty minutes to go. I was tired, but satisfied to have played and witnessed numerous good games.

March Thursday Knighter at the Chess Castle

I haven't had a chance to visit the Chess Castle since I played in January. I heard that last month a dozen participants played. But last night there were just three games going for the six players.

Although there was just a small number, the games were all interesting. Roger Hale, a new member to the club in January, was playing against Norm. Phil Stevenson was playing against Carl, who has been playing on Monday nights. Vinnie was playing against Steve Turmo. Carl told me that last week he and Steve drew. I did not see any of the games conclude in the hour I was there, although all three seemed to be favoring on player over the other. It was enjoyable to check the games out.

Carl encouraged me to show up for some of the Monday events, which needs some more participants.

From the Castle site:

MONDAY SPEED DEMONS
8SS, TL: G/5, Reg: 6:30-7:15pm. Clocks start 7:15pm [done by 10PM]. EF: $10.
PZ: 60% entries awarded as prizes, depending on participation.

Minnesota Scholastic report on Susan Polgar's blog

This morning I sent GM Susan Polgar a short report on the Minnesota Scholastic Chess Tournament, which she posted here. In the last week she has received reports on events from Arizona (with more than 600 participants) and Oregon, also with over 600 students.

The Late Winter Think at the Castle

Thanks to Mr. Bill for posting details about this past weekend's event on the Chess Castle website.

Congratulations to Michael Yang for a perfect score!

24--that's a great turnout!