The final two rounds of the 24th North American Masters, Sponsored by Vince W. Berry Real Estate Services, has completed with the following results:

Round 9

FM Shankar - Jon L. Burgess: 1 - 0
IM Felecan - IM Pasalic: 1/2 - 1/2
FM Adamson - IM Vishnuvardhan: 1/2 - 1/2

Round 10

Jon L. Burgess - FM Adamson: 1/2 - 1/2
IM Pasalic - FM Shankar: 1/2 - 1/2
IM Vishnuvardhan - IM Felecan: 1/2 - 1/2

Standings after 10 rounds

1st place - FM Robby Adamson - 6.5/10 (6/9 was enough for his IM norm)
2nd - 3rd place - Jon L. Burgess, IM Arjun Vishnuvardhan - 5/10
4th - 6th - FM Gauri Shankar, IM Mehmed Pasalic,  IM Florin Felecan - 4.5/10

After 9 rounds FM Robby Adamson secured his second IM norm. He was able to do it with 4 draws in rounds 6 thru 9 because he was on fire in rounds 1-5. We’ll have a full article on the event on the USCF website (www.uschess.org) and a players perspective on both the USCF website by FM Robby Adamson, and on Chessdom (www.chessdom.com) by Jon L. Burgess.

Good Chess to All,

Sevan A. Muradian, Founder
North American Chess Association
International Arbiter and International Organizer

FM Adamson continues his slow and safe creep to his second IM norm with two draws in the 7th and 8th rounds. Jon L. Burgess, the only other norm hunters in contention, was eliminated after a draw with IM Pasalic.

Round 7 Results:

IM Felecan - FM Adamson: 1/2 - 1/2
FM Shankar - IM Vishnuvardhan: 1/2 - 1/2
IM Pasalic - Jon L. Burgess: 1/2 - 1/2

Round 8 Results:

FM Adamson - FM Shankar: 1/2 - 1/2
IM Vishnuvardhan - IM Pasalic: 1/2 - 1/2
Jon L. Burgess - IM Felecan: 1 - 0

Standings after 8 rounds:

1st place - FM Robby Adamson - 5.5/8 (Needs .5/1 for 2nd IM norm - 9R norm)
2nd  place - Jon L. Burgess - 4.5/8
3rd place - IM Arjun Vishnuvardhan - 4/8
4th - 5th place - IM Mehmed Pasalic, IM Florin Felecan - 3.5/8
6th place - FM Gauri Shankar - 3/8

Many people have asked for the PGN’s of the games. They will be made available after the event is done for download from this website.

Good Chess to All,

Sevan A. Muradian, Founder
North American Chess Association
International Arbiter and International Organizer

The 24th North American Masters, Sponsored by Vince W. Berry Real Estate Services,  kicked off tonight, Friday February 5, 2010 at the Holiday Inn North Shore Hotel (site of the 2010 World Amateur Chess Championships ).

Returning for the final 5 rounds are:

• IM Florin Felecan
• IM Mehmed Pasalic
• IM Arjun Vishnuvardhan
• FM Robby Adamson
• FM Gauri Shankar
• Jon L. Burgess

When last we left them in January, FM Adamson was on fire, scoring 4 out of 5 and in clear 1st place. Everyone else was trailing well behind him. For his 2nd IM norm, he needs 2 out of his first 4 games (2 wins or 4 draws). Both other norm seekers, FM Shankar and Jon L. Burgess, require perfect scores in the second leg of this double round robin for their norms.

Results from Round 6:

FM Adamson - IM Pasalic: 1/2  - 1/2
FM Shankar - IM Felecan: 0 - 1
IM Vishnuvardhan - Jon L. Burgess: 0 - 1

FM Shankar is eliminated from the norm hunt. Jon L. Burgess needs 4/4 to complete his first IM norm (a tall task). FM Adamson is slowly creeping his way to his norm.

Round 7 and 8 will be on Saturday February 6 at 10:30am and 3:30pm respectively.

Good Chess to All,

Sevan A. Muradian, Founder
North American Chess Association
International Arbiter and International Organizer

WIM Alisa Melekhina Simul at All the King’s Men Chess Center: SOLDOUT!

By Stephen Arnold Dick
January 22, 2010

It didn’t take long, just five days, for the Alisa Melekhina simul being held at the All the King’s Men Chess Center (ATKMCC) in Pitman, NJ. to sell out. There is, however, spectator room available. Stephen Dick, Chief Simul Arbitrator and owner of All the King’s Men said, “ I knew it would sell out fast, I just didn’t think it would be that fast”.

Dick attributes the quick sell out to three things: timely and prominent promotion, Alisa’s charming appeal, and upgraded prizes (eNotates & DGT chess clocks ) generously donated by Sevan Muradian of the North American Chess Association.

The spectator admission fee is just $3 for ATKMCC members and $5 for non-members. Spectator seating is being done on a first come, frist serve basis. So, get here early. The simul starts at 2:00 PM on January, 31st.

Source: www.uschess.org

I’m pleased to announce that the midwest’s newest Grandmaster, Ben Finegold, has confirmed his participation in the 25th North American Masters. Ben was around the first time I ran a norm tournament with my good friend Glenn Panner, and Ben earned his second GM norm in that tournament, winning it alongside GM Varuzhan Akobian (who is playing in Corus B now!).

Also the second newest Grandmaster in the midwest, Chicago’s own Mesgen Amanov, has also confirmed his participation in this tournament. Mesgen has played for me multiple times.

Welcome to both Grandmasters!

We are awaiting confirmation from 4 more Grandmasters as we want to have 6 total for this event with at least 4 of them being foreign Grandmasters. We would also like to be able to qualify under Rule 1.43e which states:

Swiss System tournaments in which the competitors include at least 20 FIDE Rated players, not from the host federation, from at least 3 federations, at least 10 of whom hold GM, IM, WGM or WIM titles.

1 down, 19 to go

Good Chess to All,

Sevan A. Muradian, Founder
North American Chess Association
International Arbiter and International Organizer

Yes we’re at #25 already! It’s hard to believe that a single event ran by myself and my good friend Glenn Panner multiplied itself over and over again. It’s been quite an adventure and definitely with bumps along the way.

Here is the info on this event:

March 20 - 24 (5 days)
Holiday Inn Skokie Hotel - 5300 W Touhy Ave Skokie, IL 60077
9R-SS G/90 + 30/sec increment
GM/IM/WGM/WIM norms available
Minimum 5 GM’s to play
EF: $200 flat for everyone rated over 2250 FIDE on the January rating list; Anyone below must contact the organizer for permission to enter (EF is $400)
Round times: 1:30pm and 6:30pm Sat thru Tuesday; Final round - 10am Wednesday

We have a special hotel rate of $99/night which includes hot breakfast. Maximum 2 people per room occupancy.

Prize Fund: $5,000 guaranteed as follows: 1st - $1500, 2nd - $1000, 3rd - $750, 4th - $500, 5th - $250. Top U2450 - $500 Top U2350 - $500

Event registration will open on Monday January 25 at 9am - you can use the link of http://www.nachess.org/25thNAM - this link will redirect you to the World Amateur Chess Championship website where registration will be handled. You will be able to pay through PayPal. You can also check that link earlier to see if I got ambitious to get it working sooner

Questions: sevan@nachess.org

Good Chess to All,

Sevan A. Muradian, Founder
North American Chess Association
International Arbiter and International Organizer

My good friend Andres Hortillosa (Andy) has recently moved into the world of chess authorship with his first book - Improve Your Chess At Any Age, published by Everyman Chess.

The book follows Andy through his experiences at various tournaments and the lessons he learned over each book. And what a way to end his book but with a final chapter on his experience at the 17th North American FIDE Invitational, which was the first NACA norm tournament that Andy participated in.

The NACA has 20 (19 now - Frank Berry just bought one!) copies of this books, all autographed by Andy. We are selling the autographed book for $40/copy which includes free shipping in the continental US. 100% of all sales will go towards special prizes for the 25th North American Masters GM/IM norm tournament held March 20 - 24th. Everyone that purchases a book will have their name recognized during the tournament as a sponsor.

Buy the book now by clicking here —–> Improve Your Chess At Any Age

Good Chess to All,

Sevan A. Muradian, Founder
North American Chess Association
International Arbiter and International Organizer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SKOKIE, ILLINOIS, January 15, 2010 – The North American Chess Association (NACA), is proud to announce the acquisition of a new organizational sponsor, HoldenArt (http://www.holdenart.com).

 Mr. William Holden, inventor and owner of HoldenArt, invented the HoldenArt Hinged Bamboo Chess Set and has a patent on the hinging shelves that hold the chess pieces in place while not in use.

 Mr. Holden has been intrigued with chess and set forth to create a work of art for the chess world. The chessboard and pieces are hand carved from bamboo, giving the board a unique texture and scent.

 “Chess players are able to create art with their mind when playing the royal game”, Holden stated in an interview, “they should be given the opportunity to create their art on top of other art. It’s my contribution to the chess and artistic communities”.

To purchase this exquisite work, visit http://www.holdenart.com

Mr. Holden will be present during the opening weekend of the World Amateur Chess Championships with his invention, March 19-25.

Press Contact:  Sevan A. Muradian (847) 274-1352

The 5th round concluded around 6:30pm with the following results:

FM Robby Adamson - Jon L Burgess: 1/2 - 1/2

FM Gauri Shankar - IM Mehmed Pasalic: 1 - 0

IM Florin Felecan - IM Arjun Vishnuvardhan: 1/2 - 1/2

Standings for the first half of the event, after 5 rounds is:

1st Place FM Robby Adamson 4/5
2nd Place IM Arjun Vishnuvardhan 2.5/5
3rd Place – 6th Place IM Florin Felecan, IM Mehmed Pasalic, FM Gauri Shankar, Jon Burgess all 2/5

The next half of the event will take place Feb 5, 6, and 7th.

Currently Robby stands the best chance of securing his IM norm, needing 3/5 from the second half of the event.

Good Chess to All,

Sevan A. Muradian, Founder
North American Chess Association
International Arbiter and International Organizer