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

Results of Round 4:

IM Arjun Vishnuvardhan - FM Robby Adamson: 1/2 - 1/2

IM Mehmed Pasalic - IM Florin Felecan: 1/2 - 1/2

Jon L. Burgess - FM Gauri Shankar: 1 - 0

Round 5 will begin at 3:30pm CST. A full opening half tournament report will be listed here and on Chess Life Online on Monday.

Good Chess to All,

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

Results:

IM Mehmed Pasalic - IM Arjun Vishnuvardhan : 1/2 - 1/2

IM Florin Felecan - Jon L. Burgess : 1/2 - 1/2

FM Gauri Shankar - FM Robby Adamson: 0 - 1

So far Robby is the only person undefeated in the tournament and the only one with realistic chances for a norm. Remember you need 7/10 for a norm!

FM Robby Adamson - 3/3 - 1st place
IM Mehmed Pasalic - 1.5/3 - 2nd/3rd place
IM Arjun Vishnuvardhan - 1.5/3 - 2nd/3rd place
IM Florin Felecan - 1/3 - 4th/5th place
FM Gauri Shankar - 1/3 - 4th/5th place
Jon L. Burgess - .5/3 - 6th place

Be on the lookout for a special article on Chess Life Online regarding the dinner party that was held for the players and the sponsor.

Good Chess to All,

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

Round 2 is completed with the following results:

Jon L. Burgess - IM Mehmed Pasalic : 0 - 1

FM Robby Adamson - IM Florin Felecan : 1 - 0

IM Arjun Vishnuvardhan - FM Gauri Shankar : 1/2 - 1/2

Robby is on a tear taking out the top 2 seeds already! Can he go 5-0 in the first half of this tournament?

Round 3 will begin at 3:30pm. At the end of the 5 rounds, we will post the PGN file for the games played.

Good Chess To All,

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

Round 1 of the North American Masters has completed with the following results:

Jon L Burgess - IM Arjun Vishnuvardhan : 0 - 1

IM Mehmed Pasalic - FM Robby Adamson: 0 - 1

IM Florin Felecan - FM Gauri Shankar - 1/2 - 1/2

The win by Robby was a key win for him, especially with the black pieces, giving him some breathing room and now needing 6 more points for his 1st IM norm. Gauri’s draw with black was also a good start for him on his quest for his 2nd IM norm (his first one was gained at the same time as Florin’s final IM norm).

We were also visited by a individual who is doing research on the amateur chess player and creating an independent short movie for submission to the film festivals. A number of chess players in a side event happening in parallel to the 24th North American Masters, the 10th MCA FIDE Futurity, were interviewed. Exciting that someone is making an independent short movie on the amateur chess player!

Games and pictures will be made available on Chess Life Online (www.uschess.org) on Saturday.

Good Chess to All,

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