Okie Chess Festival...The Results!!

The 3rd annual Okie Chess Festival was held over the Memorial Day weekend. The 2007 OCFest featured three 8-player round robins and a 48-player Open Swiss. Players from 13 states participated. The Open was directed by Frank K. Berry. Steve Wharry directed the round robins. The cross tables are below. Movsisyan and Chua (score 5.5/8) came away with top places in the 2007 Master Invitational. Smith (score 6.5/8) and Gossell (score 5/8) occupied first and second in the 2007 Challengers "A". Finally, Bob Holliman, a.k.a. Chessmaster Bob (score 6/8) secured the number one in the 2007 Challengers "B". Each of the above won qualification spots in next year’s round robins. The Open was won by IM Ron Burnett, who stayed after participating in the U.S. Championship. The Club Club was represented by NM Ronald Luther in the Master's section. Ken Fee (score 4/7) held his own in the Open: "losing to a 2420 IM is nothing to hang your head about, Kenneth!" I am told the other club members did well and will edit this post when that information is made available.

Memorial Day Weekend Chess

Good luck to all the going to Tulsa, Oklahoma, this weekend. Please drive safely!

End Game Play

White to move. How can White win? Can Black save this position? How would you proceed? No computers please.

The Chess Club Championship

Time is getting short. The area's high school finals are underway and soon the summer recess will be in full swing. The same goes for colleges and universities. Everyone will have at least some free time this summer. Why not come to the Chess Club before boredom overtakes your life? I find a good game of chess will get the creative juices flowing and the hours will just fly by! You say: "I'm not a member". No problem! You can play for $5 a visit in off hand games or an extra charge of $5 for tournaments. It's that easy...so no need to delay! Why not begin with the 2007 Chess Club Championship? It starts June 16, 2007. We thoughtfully placed it on a Saturday for your convenience. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and will close at 10 a.m. Cost will be $35 dollars on site, but if you pre-register by June 12th there is a $10 savings. The championship will consist of 4 rounds at G60 sudden death. The round times are 10/12/2:30/4:30. Here at the Chess Club we have a 30 move draw rule. You ask: "What does that mean?". It means that each player has to play 30 legal moves before a draw offer can be made and accepted. Of course you can always try to draw by force on any move, but I would be sure it is really there before embarking on such adventures! The tournament will be played in two sections: Open and U1600. There will be a ca$h prize for the top finisher (Champion) in the Open and U1600. Plaques will be given to the top finisher (Champion) in the Open, U1900, U1600, and U1300. Those are very nice and on display at the club. Byes are available for any round, but you must ask and declare which round upon registration. A valid USCF membership is required for all players. Missouri residence will need a Missouri Chess Association membership. Both of these can be purchased at the club.

So dust off those old chess books and fire up that new chess program. Prepare now! I know I will be!! See you at the club.

Chess Club for Kids...Coming June 2nd!

Starting on June 2, 2007, The Chess Club will be kicking off The Chess Club for Kids. Only KIDS, Parents, and Coaches may attend! This will be every Saturday 1PM -5PM (Except second Saturday of Month). The fun activities include: Group Chess Lessons from 1-2PM by Ken Fee, One USCF Rated Chess Game G30 each week, Bughouse, Blitz tournaments, and Simultaneous Exhibitions!! Medals and Chess Book Prizes!!!!

Cost: $7 ($3 Club Members) Scholastic Membership is $60 a year!

Location: The Chess Club 2314 NW Vivion Rd. (North Kansas City) Riverside,MO 64150.

Lesson Topics: Openings, Tactics, Strategy, Endgame, Chess Psychology, and Tournament Preparation.

About the Instructor: Ken Fee teaches high school English at Oak Park High School in North Kansas City, and is the president of the Kansas City Scholastic ChessAssociation (www.kcchess.org) . He started playing chess when he was five and played scholastic chess for both his Junior High and High School in Birch Run, Michigan. Ken teaches chess and has worked with school teams since 1997. He is the coach of the Oak Park High School Chess Team which won the 2001Missouri Team State Championship. Among his coaching chess accomplishments are ten individual state champions and one individual National Champion, Caleb Brown. Ken is married to Yvonne Fee and has two young daughters, Mallory (3) and Kendra (1). For Information about individual lessons e-mail Ken Fee at: http://chessclub@powerpawn.net or call The Chess Club: (816)-587-1912 or call Ken at: (816)-835-7529.

Hello...how may I be of service?

Hi, my name is Todd. Some of you will undoubtedly recognize me from seeing me at the club. Maybe we have played a game or two together? Today I became the Chess Club Blog Administrator. Yeah, a fancy title for thinking up chess related stuff to write about and typing into the blog editor. A little about me. I am a 45 year old military retiree with over 26 years in the U.S. Navy. I learned to play chess when I became a member of my high school chess club. My favorite chess players are Mikhail Tal and Judit Polgar. I currently I live in Leavenworth, KS. To learn even more about me visit: The Retired Pawn