• Bayareasliga: Round 1 Report
  • On February 27th, the Bayareasliga kicked off with its opening round. There were a few kinks left to sort out (two players did not show), but for the most part, players seemed ready to get things underway with 22 players showing up, as well as several alternates. After a couple announcements at 2 pm, the games began. As the games began to develop, it rapidly became clear that none of the games or matches would be decided easily. There were great fights on board after board. In the end, the results were:
  • UC Berkeley – Oakland Maters: 3-1

    On the top board, Ben Dean-Kawamura of the Oakland Maters found himself in an unfamiliar opening against Andras Erdei. The latter played a good game and brought home the point for UC Berkeley. This was key for UCB in deciding the match, as Dean-Kawamura is a very dangerous player, especially with the white pieces.

  • EBCC Teachers and Students – Berkeley Chess School Teachers: 3-1

    On top board, being unfamiliar with the opening again proved more significant than the right to move first, as IM Ron Cusi outplayed Andy Lee with the black pieces. However, youth prevailed on the bottom three boards, as the kids demonstrated to their first board how to win.

  • Marin County – El Paso Tal and his Magicians: 2-2

    Marin County suffered the first setback when their intended first board did not show up for the round and forfeited a game. However, strong play on boards two and three made up for this, allowing them to tie the match. But it was on fourth board that the best game of the match was played! After Philip Bond passed up a chance at a decent opening advantage, Jason Cruz sprang to life, with a model King’s Indian game, culminating in a fancy finish.

    This game has helped inspire/convince the league to institute a best game prize, to be awarded at the completion of the season.

  • Currently, the league has 6 teams of at least 4 players, but we are looking to add more players for the next season! This season will feature single-match round-robin play for a total of 5 matches. We are aiming to at least double the number of teams for next season. Let us know if you can organize a team, or would like to play on a team!
• GM Norm Round-Robin approaches
  • Mark the dates: March 29th – April 6th, as high quality chess will be played in the East Bay! The round robin competition will last 9 days, with rounds daily at 1:00 p.m. All three Grandmasters have been signed up already, and include local GM Alex Yermolinsky. We would like to be able to offer visiting players a place to stay with local chess players, so if you could host a player during the tournament, please let us know! We could also use help relaying games on ICC or in other ways during this week. (If we have enough help, EBCC Director David Pruess will be able to play in the event). Thanks!

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