Rochester Chess Blog

New Website!

2011-04-10T02:47:00.001-05:00

Please visit our new Rochester Chess Website!

Are Our Schools in Checkmate?

2010-03-19T06:56:00.001-05:00

[Cross posted from the Sibley Chess Club.]

I am a member of the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) for the Sibley-Ocheyedan Community Schools Distict (S-O CSD). It is a committee made up of community members, teachers and students. Our mission is to formulate and prioritize recommendations for our school board. They in turn, will consider these recommendations when setting goals for the 2010-2011 school year.

Jeff Herzberg, Superintendent for S-O CSD, posted the following video on his blog, Superintendent Herzberg. The video is a speech given by Scott McLeod, J.D., Ph.D., at an international schools conference in India, where 1-1 initiatives (meaning all students get laptops) are being considered and implemented. Dr. McLeod also wrote The status quo no longer suffices: An open letter to the Ames (IA) School Board, presented this topic to the National Education Association Board of Directors and the Dubuque School Board.

How does this relate to chess? It was amazingly fascinating to hear all of the presenters at our second SIAC meeting (teachers explained the Iowa Core Curriculum) use key phrases associated with chess; problem solving, planning ahead, deductive learning, socially interactive, etc.
Of interest is, "A Word From the Wise", an op-ed piece written by New York Times columnist, Thomas L. Friedman. It is referenced in Mr. Herzberg's blog and relevant to the discussion.
I invite the members and visitors of this website to share your thoughts on Dr. McLeod's video or presentations regarding the challenges our schools face. Please consider asking educators and others in your communities to share their perspectives. You may do so on Superintendent Herzberg's blog or below.

2010-01-16T23:51:00.005-06:00

I am starting a new website, http://smarterchess.com. It is still in it's infancy, but please check it out and let me know what you think. All feedback is appreciated. Learn to Play Chess page included.

New links to RGWO files hosted at smarterchess.com:

PDF
MS Word

Rochester Grand Winter Open 2010!

2010-01-03T15:51:00.007-06:00

The RGWO 2010 will be held February 5-6 in the Harwick cafeteria (same location as always).

Send me an email at mjensen23@gmail.com, if you have any questions.

Registration form:
Word Document
PDF Document

IM Ray Robson Earns GM Norm

2009-08-16T21:52:00.006-05:00

International Master Ray Robson, 14, finished tied for first at the Artic Chess Challenge held in Tromso from August 1 - 9, 2009. Officially, he finished in second place based on tie-break points but earned his first GM norm.

To view all games from that event click on Games or go to Artic Chess Challenge.

Congratulation Ray!!

2009 Alois Nagler Memorial

2009-08-16T08:39:00.005-05:00

GM Robert Hess recently turned in a strong performance at the 2009 Alois Nagler Memorial by finishing tied for 5th with 6.5 points out of a possible 9 (only 1 point behind the winner). Officially, he is listed as having tied for 10th based on tie-break points.

The event was held from August 9 -15, 2009, held in Zurich, Switzerland. It had 272 participants, 128 which were titled players. Forty-five of the titled players were grandmasters. You may view all games at 2009 Zurich.

Way to go Robert!

RGSO 2009 Results

2009-06-25T12:50:00.003-05:00

Thanks to everyone who played in this year's Rochester Grand Summer Open, we set a Rochester Open record with 76 rated players! The results can be viewed at Final Standings and USCF crosstables.

Rochester Grand Summer Open 2009!

2009-04-14T14:52:00.004-05:00

2009 Rochester Grand Summer Open
June 19-20, 2009 | $1000 Guaranteed Prize Fund | Free Entry for Masters
Registration Form (pdf | doc)

Sponsored by Rochester Chess Club, Games by James, and Mayo Clinic Chess Club (MCCC); directed by Matt Jensen

Drawings for a Games by James chess set. $20 Upset Prizes RDS 1-5.
Games by James in-store coupons will be given to all participants.

Premier (open to all): 5-SS. TL: game/60. EF: $35 rec’d by June 11; $45 at site. USCF membership required. PZ: 1st – 3rd $200 + trophy, 150, 100; U2000 $75; U1800 $75. RDS: Friday 7:30 P.M.; Saturday 10:30, 1:15, 3:30, and 5:45 (1-day G/30 option: Saturday 10:15-11:30, merge in round 3).

Amateur (U1600): 5-SS. TL: game/60. EF: $25 rec’d by June 11; $35 at site. USCF membership required. PZ: 1st – 3rd $140, 100, 60; U1400 $50; U1200 $50. RDS: Friday 7:30 P.M.; Saturday 10:30, 1:15, 3:30, and 5:45 (1-day G/30 option: Saturday 10:15-11:30, merge in round 3).

Bantam (U1100/Unrated): 4-SS. TL: game/45. EF: $15 rec’d by June 11; $20 at site. USCF membership required. PZ: 1st-7th trophies. RDS: Saturday only, 10:30, 12:45, 2:30, and 4:15.

Novice (Unrated): 5-SS. TL: game/20. EF: $5. USCF membership not required. PZ: 1st - 3rd trophies, 4th - 7th medals. No scholastic varsity players, notation not required. Eligibility determined by TD. RDS: Saturday only, 11:00, 11:50, lunch break at 12:40, 1:20, 2:10, 3:00, awards at 4:00.

ADVANCE ENTRY and INFORMATION: Matt Jensen, 3072 Avalon Cove Ct NW, Rochester, MN 55901 {email: mjensen23@gmail.com; cell: 651-492-4624} W NS NC.

REGISTRATION: Friday on-site for Premier and Amateur, club opens at 6:45 PM, Rd 1 at 7:30 PM. Saturday all rated sections, 9:00 – 9:45 AM; Novice register by 10:45. Re-entry for 1-day options, $20 Premier $15 Amateur (must notify TD by 9:45 AM on Sat.).

SITE: Mayo Clinic Harwick Cafeteria, SW corner of 3rd Ave. SW & 2nd St. SW, Rochester, MN. Free street parking or in the Republic Parking Ramp (11 Center Street W, located 5 blocks NE of the Harwick Building). Enter the Harwick building through the east entrance on 3rd Ave SW.
MapQuest link: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/2-a0rd.

3rd Annual Okoboji Open

2009-04-11T08:13:00.003-05:00

The 3rd Annual Okoboji Open is going to be held April 24-26 in Okoboji, IA. This event includes a simul and lecture by GM Alex Yermolinsky, as well as very nice prize funds! I have heard only good things about this event, and it would be a chance to get some longer time control games in and support local chess. Please visit the Fiore Chess page for more information.

Alex Cheng wins Junior High State Championship

2009-04-06T15:38:00.010-05:00

Photo obtained from Post-Bulletin.

Congratulations to Alex Cheng for winning the JHS State Championship! Here is the Post Bulletin article: Eighth-grader is king in state chess world. For complete details of the Senior and Junior High standings go to MSCA Scholastic Championships.

Rochester Grand Summer Open 2009!

2009-04-02T19:17:00.003-05:00

The Rochester Grand Summer Open 2009 will be held June 19-20. More details to come shortly.

2008 Pan Am Games for John B.

2009-01-03T09:48:00.011-06:00

To view JohnB games from the 2008 Pan Am Tourney, click JohnB. Congratulations to UTD-B, John's team, for finishing tied for 1st and making the Final Four. His team took 1st on tie-breaks. To view all games downloaded from Monroi.com click Pan Ams.

Rochester Winter Grand Open 2009

2009-01-03T01:24:00.004-06:00

Rochester Grand Winter Open 2009!

February 6-7, 2009
$1000 Guaranteed Prize Fund
Free Entry for Masters

Sponsored by Rochester Chess Club, Internet Chess Club, Games by James, and Mayo Clinic Chess Club (MCCC); directed by Matt Jensen.

Drawings for four free ICC memberships, and a Games by James chess set.
Games by James in-store coupons will be given to all participants.
$20 Upset Prizes RDS 1-5

Premier (open to all): 5-SS. TL: game/60. EF: $35 rec’d by February 2; $45 at site. USCF membership required.

PZ: 1st – 3rd $200 + trophy, 150, 100; U2000 $75; U1800 $75.
RDS: Friday 7:30 P.M.; Saturday 10:30, 1:15, 3:30, and 5:45 (1-day option: Saturday 10:15-11:30-1:15-3:30-5:45).

Amateur (U1600): 5-SS. TL: game/60. EF: $25 rec’d by February 2; $35 at site. USCF membership required.

PZ: 1st – 3rd $140, 100, 60; U1400 $50; U1200 $50.
RDS: Friday 7:30 P.M.; Saturday 10:30, 1:15, 3:30, and 5:45 (1-day option: Saturday 10:15-11:30-1:15-3:30-5:45).

Bantam (U1100/Unrated): 4-SS. TL: game/45. EF: $15 rec’d by February 2; $20 at site. USCF membership required.

PZ: 1st-7th trophies.
RDS: Saturday only, 10:30, 12:45, 2:30, and 4:15.

Novice (Unrated): 5-SS. TL: game/30. EF: $5. USCF membership not required.

PZ: 1st - 3rd trophies, 4th - 7th medals. No scholastic varsity players, notation not required.
Eligibility determined by TD. RDS: Saturday only, 11:00, 12:15, 1:30, 2:45, 4:00.

Please bring a clock (digital preferred). Sets will be provided.

ADVANCE ENTRY and INFORMATION:
Matt Jensen, 3072 Avalon Cove Ct NW, Rochester, MN 55901 email: mjensen23@gmail.com; cell: 651-492-4624} W NS NC.

REGISTRATION: Friday on-site for Premier and Amateur, club opens at 6:45 PM, Rd 1 at 7:30 PM. Saturday all rated sections, 9:00 – 9:45 AM; Novice register by 10:45.
Re-entry for 1-day options, $20 Premier $15 Amateur (must notify TD by 9:45 AM on Sat.).

SITE: Mayo Clinic Harwick Cafeteria, SW corner of 3rd Ave. SW & 2nd St. SW, Rochester, MN.
Free parking on the street or in the Republic Parking Ramp (11 Center Street W, located 5 blocks NE of the Harwick Building). Enter the Harwick building through the east entrance on 3rd Ave SW.

MapQuest link: Harwick Cafeteria.

One half-point bye available upon request (except final round).

2009 Rochester Grand Summer Open Results

2008-06-01T19:26:00.006-05:00

2009 Rochester Grand Summer Open Final Standings

Premier
Amateur
Bantam

Premier

No.	Name	Rate	Pts	Rnd1	Rnd2	Rnd3	Rnd4	Rnd5
1	Johnson, Frank	2253	4.0	W24	W7	D5	W4	D3
2	Donahue, Robert	2090	4.0	L7	W22	W17	W9	W8
3	Adler, Victor	2423	3.5	W9	L4	W6	W16	D1
4	Chernov, Andrey	2205	3.5	W19	W3	W16	L1	D5
5	Dahl, Matthew D	2084	3.5	W10	W17	D1	D8	D4
6	Bu, Kevin	1993	3.5	-H-	W20	L3	W13	W11
7	Shapiro-Erciyas, Ahmet	1957	3.5	W2	L1	W10	D11	W12
8	Yang, Michael	2199	3.0	-H-	W23	W12	D5	L2
9	Voje, Daniel W	2019	3.0	L3	W13	W23	L2	W15
10	Eaton, Sean	1679	3.0	L5	W21	L7	W23	W16
11	Feshir, Medhat	2053	2.5	W14	L16	W19	D7	L6
12	Deike, Ron	2021	2.5	W18	-H-	L8	W20	L7
13	Amundson, Nathan	1683	2.5	-H-	L9	W14	L6	W21
14	Lu, Kevin	1641	2.5	L11	D18	L13	-B-	W20
15	Gloe, David	1507	2.5	L16	-H-	W18	W17	L9
16	Mukherjee, Piyush	1917	2.0	W15	W11	L4	L3	L10
17	Paulik, George	1840	2.0	W21	L5	L2	L15	W23
18	Gaustad, Kevin	1805	2.0	L12	D14	L15	W22	D19
19	Evans, Matt	1772	2.0	L4	-B-	L11	D21	D18
20	Knuth, Roy	1734	1.5	-H-	L6	W22	L12	L14
21	Kinion, Paul	1415	1.5	L17	L10	-B-	D19	L13
22	Peichel, Alexander	1317	1.5	-H-	L2	L20	L18	W25
23	Cunningham, Patrick	419	1.0	-B-	L8	L9	L10	L17
24	Voje, Daniel W	1942	0.0	L1	-U-	-U-	-U-	-U-
25	Huerter, James	1596	0.0	-N-	-N-	-N-	-N-	L22

Amateur - Top

No.	Name	Rate	Pts	Rnd1	Rnd2	Rnd3	Rnd4	Rnd5
1	Lu, Alan	1114	5.0	W3	W21	W7	W4	W6
2	Vella, Michael	1346	4.0	W29	D13	W5	D6	W11
3	Ravi, Saisree	1317	4.0	L1	W26	W25	W12	W13
4	Frogner, Dave	1298	4.0	-B-	W28	W11	L1	W14
5	Segal, Leo	1007	3.5	D9	W8	L2	W26	W18
6	Yang, Junqi	1572	3.0	-H-	W10	W12	D2	L1
7	Cheng, Alex	1503	3.0	W16	W20	L1	D13	D8
8	Stone, Laurence	1280	3.0	-H-	L5	W23	W17	D7
9	Simmons, Tate	1255	3.0	D5	W24	L13	D10	W21
10	Helmer, Greg	1078	3.0	-H-	L6	W24	D9	W19
11	Hansen, Nathan	1021	3.0	W23	W18	L4	W15	L2
12	Mulvey, Tom	967	3.0	W14	W15	L6	L3	W20
13	Bute, Andrew	880	3.0	W17	D2	W9	D7	L3
14	Wu, David	536	3.0	L12	W30	W19	W21	L4
15	Hjelmeland, Joel	1211	2.5	W30	L12	W28	L11	D17
16	Arachtingi, John	788	2.5	L7	L19	W30	D25	W24
17	Schroepfer, Otto		2.5	L13	W29	W20	L8	D15
18	Fulsom, Jack	1388	2.0	W22	L11	L21	W28	L5
19	Larson, John H	1297	2.0	L21	W16	L14	W22	L10
20	Hansel, Peter	1096	2.0	W27	L7	L17	W23	L12
21	Quinn, Connor	1057	2.0	W19	L1	W18	L14	L9
22	Muehlbach, James	730	2.0	L18	L23	W27	L19	W26
23	Henson, David	405	2.0	L11	W22	L8	L20	W27
24	Peichel, Dominic	907	1.5	-H-	L9	L10	W29	L16
25	Bosch, Ben	828	1.5	L28	W27	L3	D16	-N-
26	Moser, Kevin	802	1.5	-H-	L3	W29	L5	L22
27	Moser, David	412	1.0	L20	L25	L22	W30	L23
28	Lueke, Jorg		1.0	W25	L4	L15	L18	-N-
29	Christopher, Noah	806	0.0	L2	L17	L26	L24	-N-
30	Christopher, Solei	548	0.0	L15	L14	L16	L27	-N-

Bantam - Top

No.	Name	Rate	Pts	Rnd1	Rnd2	Rnd3	Rnd4
1	Leker Locker, Maor	532	4.0	W21	W9	W12	W4
2	Berg, George		3.5	D7	W11	W8	W12
3	Hansel, Claire	747	3.0	L8	W21	W20	W14
4	Schimke, Ben	537	3.0	W10	W14	W5	L1
5	Floeder, David	464	3.0	W6	W18	L4	W10
6	Li, Rory	903	2.5	L5	W16	W15	D8
7	Titus, Andrew	755	2.5	D2	L10	W21	W13
8	Wu, Haitao		2.5	W3	W13	L2	D6
9	Banerjee, Cheenar	1022	2.0	W19	L1	L13	W18
10	Geier, Taylor	994	2.0	L4	W7	W18	L5
11	Venkat, Shrinivas	966	2.0	L13	L2	W19	W20
12	Limaye, Atharva	883	2.0	W16	W20	L1	L2
13	Kaneski, Laney	534	2.0	W11	L8	W9	L7
14	Lessard, Sam	342	2.0	W22	L4	W17	L3
15	Hass, Bradley		2.0	L18	W22	L6	W17
16	Lai, Khanh	388	1.5	L12	L6	W22	D21
17	Wu, Michael	933	1.0	L20	W19	L14	L15
18	Stageberg, Michael	622	1.0	W15	L5	L10	L9
19	Osman, Fartun	583	1.0	L9	L17	L11	W22
20	Geier, Drew	526	1.0	W17	L12	L3	L11
21	Peichel, Jeff	957	0.5	L1	L3	L7	D16
22	Sabers, Connor	785	0.0	L14	L15	L16	L19