What is whites best move?

Ildar Ibragimov vs. Ara Minasian, Kherson, 1991

This chess puzzle was posted by Christchurch, NZ on www.wtharvey.com

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Seasons Greetings, fellow chess friends of Connecticut and beyond:

Another year at the New Britain Chess Club has come and gone. 2008 was another extraordinary year at the club. Our club has soared to astronomical heights across the board, from the level of competition to the surge in the number of social activities to the outpouring of support from the membership. Connecticut is blessed to have one of the finest chess clubs in America. As always, I am delighted to share and relive the wonderful club memories of the year with you. As in years past, I will highlight the personal achievements of our members and the events that placed our club on local, state and national spotlights. By the end of this newsletter, you will undoubtedly understand why many chess players in this state, young or old, novice or master, often refer to the NBCC as “the heart of Connecticut chess”.

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THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

JANUARY

We left 2007 with the same high energy level as we started a new chapter in club history in 2008. On January 8, Grandmaster Ildar Ibragimov, one of the highest ranked players in the United States Chess Federation and the International Chess Federation, gave a lecture and simultaneous exhibition at the club, only the second by a GM in club history. Local coverage of the major event was provided by the New Britain Herald. Our club players gave the GM a very good challenge. Member Marvin Collins was the only person that defeated the GM. To show our appreciation to the GM, the officers decided to make Ildar Ibragimov an honorary member of the club, bringing the total number of Masters to five. Photos from the event are posted on the club web site.

After directing or co-directing tournaments at the club for nearly a decade, Tournament Directors Randy Shane and Marcus Komons agreed to give me a well deserved year long hiatus, with the exception of the New Britain Summer Open Chess Championship, from directing all club tournaments. These gentlemen exemplify club loyalty and friendship.

Member Gert Hilhorst broke the all-time record for the Biggest Upset at the club for his win against provisionally rated USCF National Master Dennis Prawira in Round 2 of the 2008 NBCC Championship Finals Tournament on January 29. The rating difference at the time of the game was 867 points. The Biggest Upset earned at the club prior to Gert Hilhorst’s achievement was by John Chapman, who was provisionally rated at the time, for his 810 rating point victory against George Himes III, both former members of the club, in the 2003 New Britain City Chess Championship Qualifying Tournament.

FEBRUARY

The club sponsored five teams, by paying for half of the entry fee for each participant, at the 2008 United States Amateur Team East Chess Championship in Parsippany, New Jersey from February 16 to 18, setting another club record. Our teams were led by club Captain, FIDE Master Richard Bauer. Nineteen members proudly represented our club with their impressive results and achievements.

Unfortunately, FM Nelson Castaneda was forced to withdraw from the event due to illness. However, the club extended its appreciation to FM Nelson Castaneda for supporting the club on Team A. The club was fortunate to find a substitute player on this team. Besides our team captains, the club greatly appreciated the efforts of Gloria Nussbaum for providing the t-shirts which, according to FM Richard Bauer, “made our impact on the tournament hall so striking”. Thanks also to Derek Meredith and FM Nelson Castaneda for hosting the pre-tournament preparation parties.

The five teams from the club competing in this national event were:

1. New Britain Attack – FM Richard Bauer (team captain) Andres Castaneda, James Nitz
   
   
2. New Britain Bad Bishops – Douglas Fiske (team captain) Derek Meredith, Yogesh Raghunathan, Michael Pascetta (Original name was New Britain Bad Bs)
   
   
3. New Britain Crusaders – John Nitz (team captain) USCF NM Dennis Prawira, Martin Garcia, Christian Jensen
   
   
4. New Britain Dragons – Stephen Sanabria (team captain) Daniel Nussbaum, Bill Montross, Emily Pond
   
   
5. New Britain Endgame – Brian Kosnoff (team captain) David Aldi, Mac Gomes, Sofia Leja

The following team members deserve kudos for placing our club on a national spotlight by earning these distinguished awards at this event.

1. Top Connecticut and U2000 team – New Britain Bad Bishops
   
   
2. Third place Bughouse team – James Nitz and Stephen Sanabria
   
   
3. Biggest individual upset – Emily Pond – 999 rating points
   
   
4. Perfect scores – Yogesh Raghunathan and Mac Gomes

Photos from the event are posted on the club web site.

Members Dennis Himes and Nathan Lacombe won their first major tournament at the club, earning the title of co-champions in the first of two 2008 NBCC Championship Reserve Tournaments on February 26.

MARCH

Member Ed Scimia became a tournament director at the club, bringing the total number of tournament directors to four. Ed Scimia brings years of experience to the club from his work with the USCF as a tournament director.

Randy Shane organized the Second 2008 NBCC Championship Reserve Tournament on March 11, a sectional event and only the second held with this format in club history. The first sectional tournament at the club, as some of you might remember, was the club’s First Summer Open Quick Chess Tournament in 2005. This format, where players are divided into groups based on rating, was adopted by our club officers and tournament directors. However, at this point, the use of sectionals did not become a permanent format for all future club tournaments.

APRIL

Member Daniel Pascetta placed first in the U1500 section of the Second NBCC Championship Reserve Tournament on April 1, his first win in a major tournament at the club.

A surprise 50th birthday party was held for FM Nelson Castaneda at his house in New Britain on April 6. About twenty of our members celebrated the Master’s milestone birthday. A special thanks to his wife, Nancy Castaneda, for hosting the event. Photos from this party are posted on the webmasters website.

The first NBCC NCAA Men’s Basketball Pool was won by member John Nitz on April 7. The basketball pool was organized by Bill Montross. For winning the pool, John Nitz received a wooden chess set. Thanks to Bill Montross for getting our members involved in this exciting activity.

To celebrate the April 15 deadline for filing individual income taxes in the United States, Randy Shane organized a fun Quick Chess tournament at the club on April 15, dubbing this tournament the First New Britain Open IRS Quick Chess Special Tournament. No entry fee was collected for this cool event and thus it was non-rated. James Nitz won the tournament.

MAY

After completion of the 2008 Arkadijs Strazdins Cup on May 27, Dennis Prawira became an official USCF NM with a rating of 2230. At this point, the number of Masters in the club increased to six.

JUNE

For earning first place in the U1600 section in the 2008 Arkadijs Strazdins Cup (his first win in a major tournament at the club), Bill Montross received an engraved trophy on June 10. Similar to the conditions of holding “the Strazdins Cup”, the trophy presented to Bill Montross will be rotated to winners of the reserve section in future Arkadijs Strazdins Cups. Photos of the awards presentation are posted on the club web site.

The NBCC annual business meeting was held on June 17. With so much accomplished in the past two years at the club, the meeting was brief. I reported to the membership on the overall rise in tournament participation in the last three years. There was discussion on the possibility of organizing a match with the Marshall Chess Club or Boylston Chess Club. Finally, Treasurer Andris Strazdins informed the membership that the club recently opened a new checking account.

JULY

Emily Pond filed the necessary paperwork with the USCF to become our club’s fifth tournament director. Emily Pond has plans to become a USCF Local Tournament Director by the end of the year.

Member Kevin Zimmerman brought the local chess community together by hosting a series of four Blitz Chess tournaments and serving his famous barbeque lunches to participants on summertime weekends, beginning on July 12, at “the house of Z”.

On July 15, the club welcomed back USCF NM Eric Godin, a regular attending member in the 1980s. Currently, USCF NM Eric Godin resides in Boston, Massachusetts and is a tournament director at the Boylston Chess Club. With USCF NM Eric Godin rejoining the club, the number of Masters rose to seven, three more than the club had at the beginning of 2008.

On July 20, fifty-one players of all ages and playing levels in the Connecticut chess community competed in the 2008 New Britain Summer Open, almost breaking the club record of fifty-six set back in the 1970s. This was one of “the greatest events in NBCC history.” The club was overjoyed with all of the assistance for this event. Besides the club officers and tournament directors, Kevin Zimmerman, member Roy Beavers, Douglas Fiske, Derek Meredith, Bill Montross, and Michael Pascetta along with his wife Michelle Pascetta, served on the food and advertising committees. In addition to a barbeque lunch, participants were treated to after-tournament entertainment by a local rock band, Accusing Society, yet another first in club history. Also another milestone for this event, David Gaston set a new record for winning three prizes in a NBCC tournament. David Gaston won trophies for the Biggest Upset, Top Junior, and first place in the U1600 section. We were blessed with fairly good weather. It was indeed a typical summer day in Southern New England with temperatures in the 90s with relatively high dew points. The club made a profit of $133 from this event, not including the $41 raised from the silent auction of chess books and videos. Thanks to Douglas Fiske, Kevin Zimmerman, David Gaston, and member Andres Montiel for their contributions to the club from the auction. Photos and music clips from this event are posted on the club web site.

AUGUST

Ed Scimia and Randy Shane passed the USCF test and joined me as USCF Local Tournament Directors of the club.

The club held the First “Odds” Chess Tournament on August 12. The ideas for the event format were presented by FM Nelson Castaneda. In general, the higher rated players gave pawn or piece “odds” as determined by the rating difference between him and his opponent. The support for this unique event was overwhelming and it appears that the club will organize more of these tournaments. The winner of this tournament was James Nitz, one of our club’s Quick Chess superstars.

On August 26, membership reached the highest point of the 2007-2008 year at 92, one of the highest membership totals in club history.

Kevin Zimmerman and his fiancée Marie Juerges hosted the Second Zimmerman Games Day on August 31, another spectacular social event. “The Z man” grilled some of most delicious barbeque around. Besides the recreational activities and the annual Zimmerman Games Blitz Chess Tournament, the main attraction was the musicians playing West African and Caribbean music in their “drum circle”. These talented artists set the soothing tone for a relaxing summertime afternoon. Like at the 2007 Zimmerman Games Day, I eagerly joined the musical ensemble and played a spirited drum recital. Thankfully, the weather cooperated all day, because inclement weather prevented the holding of this blockbuster celebration on August 30. Photos and music clips from this event are posted on the club web site.

SEPTEMBER

A surprise 45th birthday party was held for Michael Pascetta at his house in South Glastonbury on September 6. Unaware that his friends were gathered downstairs at his house for nearly an hour (he was actually playing an on-line chess game), Michael Pascetta was greeted with a huge surprise. A special thanks to Michelle Pascetta and Derek Meredith for organizing this party.

On September 9, the officers and tournament directors unanimously voted to make sectionals a permanent feature for club tournaments, except the NBCC Championship, for the 2008-2009 year. Latitude was given to the tournament directors for determining the number of rounds and entry fees for players in each section. The membership welcomed this new major format change to our events, as evidenced by the increase in tournament participation.

USCF NM Dennis Prawira gave his first simultaneous exhibition at the club on September 9. The NM was thrilled to give this simultaneous exhibition and members from the club, along with many new faces, had an opportunity to take on Dennis Prawira, one Connecticut’s highest ranked chess players. But despite his quest for absolute victory, the NM lost to Marcus Komons, Andres Montiel, Dennis Himes, and member Joseph Hricko. |||Photos from the event are posted on the club web site.

Due to a rise in the serious level of competition in the club, a cell phone policy was implemented. This policy was drafted by Randy Shane, Emily Pond, and Ed Scimia, and was announced to the membership on September 30. This policy went into effect immediately for all club tournaments.

OCTOBER

With an average of forty-five to fifty players regularly attending club meetings, Andris Strazdins and I purchased a few more tables for the club on October 3.

The club offered a free dinner at the famous East Side Restaurant to the sectional winners of the 2008 Oktoberfest Open Chess Championship, a first in club history. The winner of the Open section was James Nitz and the winner of the U1600 section was Kevin Berry. This was Kevin Berry’s first win in a major tournament at the club.

Sixteen people attended the 3rd annual NBCC Oktoberfest Dinner Party on October 17 at the East Side Restaurant. Our members were treated to authentic German cuisine and drink while they listened to German songs played by an accordionist. The harmonist Andris Strazdins once again accompanied the accordionist and entertained our group by playing songs from the days of old. Reservations for this party were arranged by club President Joseph Mansigian. Photos from this party will are posted on the club web site .

Joseph Mansigian, Marcus Komons, Randy Shane, FM Richard Bauer, David Aldi, and I attended the 2008 Connecticut State Chess Association Board of Directors meeting on October 18, in part to present our case to hold the 2008 Connecticut State Open Blitz Chess Championship at the club on December 23. During the meeting, members from our club exchanged ideas with the board on ways local chess organizers and tournament directors can jointly work to increase participation in Connecticut chess events, especially among scholastic players. Many provocative plans were mentioned by former and current state chess organizers. This healthy dialogue spearheaded the formation of strong alliances throughout the state chess community. Because of my involvement at the club as a tournament director, I offered a few suggestions on ways to get people more involved in chess in Connecticut. Shortly afterwards, David Aldi and I got nominated to serve as board members of the CSCA to represent the voices of all chess players throughout the Nutmeg State.

On October 21, the club officers voted to lower the age, from sixty to fifty, to members eligible for senior discounts on tournament registration fees.

NOVEMBER

Randy Shane outlined a Conditions of Contest for the 2009 NBCC Championship Qualifying, Finals, and Reserves tournaments. The rules for determining the automatic seeds in the Finals tournament were similar to the prior two years. However, the rules on tie-breakers, which determine what players advance to the Finals from the Qualifier sections, were a major contrast from years past. The specific contest conditions masterfully drafted by Randy Shane are listed below.

“A two person tie will be broken by a pair of G/15 5 second delay games, each player taking White in one and Black in the other. If the tie remains, a pair of G/5 3 second delay games will be played. If, after that, the tie remains unbroken, a single ‘Armageddon’ game will be played as follows: White shall receive five minutes, Black some whole number of minutes, three second delay with Black getting draw odds. One player, determined by lot, will suggest a time setting for Black's clock, the other player then has the choice to play White or Black. Rounds may be skipped with the joint consent of the tied players, if they both wish to speed up the tiebreaker. Alternatively, if the two players jointly wish to break the tie by lot, that will be allowed. A three person tie will be broken by a set of three G/15 5 second delay games, as a Round Robin. A two way tie after that drops into the G/5 3 second delay round above; if the tie remains three way after that, it moves to a Round Robin G/5 3 second delay tiebreaker with colors reversed from the G/15 round. Any resulting two way tie after that will be broken with the ‘Armageddon’ game described above. Rounds may be skipped with the joint consent of the tied players if they all wish to speed up the tiebreaker. Alternatively, if the three players jointly wish to break the tie by lot, that will be allowed.”

DECEMBER

The NBCC held the 4th annual Christmas Party on December 23 and invited everyone from the Connecticut chess community and beyond to partake in the festivities. In conjunction with this event, the club held the 2008 Connecticut State Open Blitz Chess Championship. An auction and raffle of chess books and equipment took place and this monumental event concluded another sensational year at the club. The club thanks John and James Nitz, Ted McHugh, Marcus Komons, Kevin Zimmerman, Yogesh Raghunathan, and Douglas Fiske for their contributions to the party, auction, and raffle. Photos from this party are will soon be posted on the club web site .

Subsequent to the release of this newsletter, on December 27, Derek Meredith organized the first official Quick Chess Tournament at the Farmington Borders Bookstore. Eleven players joined Derek Meredith and me in this four round Swiss System USCF-rated tournament. I wanted the name of this tournament to be unique. But, after originally dubbing this event the 2008 Borders Browsers Quick Chess Tournament, Derek Meredith suggested that this tournament be renamed to the Kozlowski "Kwik" I Chess Tournament. Of course, I had absolutely no objection to that. After four hours of competition, James Nitz won the event. I take this opportunity to extend my appreciation, on behalf of the entire chess community, to Derek Meredith, for bringing our social network of chess friends together for more exciting times. Derek Meredith has been very instrumental in creating these social functions for our club in the last four years and his efforts have reshaped our organization into one of the greatest chess clubs in America.

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NBCC MEMBERS' GENERAL ACHEIVEMENTS

The following achievements were earned by our members at non-club tournaments and in the USCF.

NBCC MEMBERS RANKING IN THE TOP 100 LISTS IN THE USCF AS OF THE DECEMBER 2008 (ANNUAL) USCF RATING SUPPLEMENT

Please note that only ratings of USCF members whom have been active within the last year were used in compiling the Top 100 listings.

NBCC MEMBERS ATTAINING THE LEVEL OF USCF EXPERT

In 2008, two of our youngest members, James Nitz and Daniel Rozovsky, currently age eighteen and twelve, respectively, became USCF Experts, a very noteworthy achievement of both individuals. James Nitz became a USCF Expert in April and Daniel Rozovsky became a USCF Expert in June.

OTHER NBCC MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS

Derek Meredith won $2,229 for earning second place in the U2100 section at the 2008 Foxwoods Open Chess Championship on Easter weekend. Although this is not a club record for a member winning the most money at an outside chess tournament (some members remember former member and USCF Senior Master Michael Casella winning $3,000 in a tournament decades ago and we can not forget about James Nitz winning a $2,000 renewable four year scholarship at the University of Connecticut School of Engineering Scholarship Chess Tournament in 2006), this is without debate an impressive amount of winnings.

Daniel Rozovsky became the 2008 New England Scholastic Middle School Chess Champion, his second time winning the event for his age group. The tournament was held in Mt. Snow, Vermont on November 8 and 9.

At the end of the year, Daniel Pascetta has gained 594 points since earning his first established chess rating in February 2007, one of the most unprecedented rating increases for any member in club history. Daniel Pascetta has made significant progress in the game, as demonstrated by his outstanding tournament performances and major upsets both at and outside of the club.

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Chess Trivia

1. What U.S. president established the first national chess day?
   
   a) John F. Kennedy
   b) Richard Nixon
   c) Gerald Ford
   d) Ronald Reagan
   
   
2. What U.S. president wanted to become a chess expert after leaving the White House, but finally gave up, saying “I found that I do not have any particular talent for chess. I hate to admit it, but that is a fact”?
   
   a) Bill Clinton
   b) Jimmy Carter
   c) Theodore Roosevelt
   d) Thomas Jefferson
   
   So, you nailed those questions, right? Then, see how well you know our world leaders and chess.
   
   
3. Which of the following world figures did the FIDE, in 1999, not award the title of "Grand Commander of the Legion of Grandmaster's" to?
   
   a) Jacques Chirac
   b) Pope John Paul II
   c) Fidel Ramos
   d) Nelson Mandela

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NBCC PICTURE GALLERY
All pictures were taken by Brian Kosnoff and Robert Kozlowski

2008 AMATEUR TEAM EAST CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

BACK: Stephen Sanabria, Michael Pascetta, James Nitz, FM Richard Bauer, Douglas Fiske, John Nitz, Martin Garcia, Emily Pond, Bill Montross, USCF NM Dennis Prawira

FRONT: Daniel Nussbaum, Christian Jensen, David Aldi, Brian Kosnoff

OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT THE NBCC

Roy Beavers and Joseph Mansigian - 2008 New Britain Summer Open	Andris Strazdins - 2008 NBCC Oktoberfest Dinner Party	Mark Leja - 2008 New Britain Summer Open	Sofia Leja and Michelle Pascetta - 2008 New Britain Summer Open

Marcus Komons and Terrence Foster - 2008 Zimmerman Games Day	Yogesh Raghunathan, Brian Kosnoff, Douglas Fiske, Gert Hilhorst - 2007 NBCC Oktoberfest Dinner Party	Kevin Zimmerman and Robert Kozlowski - 2008 Zimmerman Games Day

FM Nelson Castaneda - 2007 Arkadijs Strazdins Cup Winner	Lecture by GM Ildar Ibragimov	USCF NM Ted McHugh - 2008 Arkadijs Strazdins Cup Winner

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THE NBCC VISITS AMSTERDAM

In early May, Gert Hilhorst and members of his chess club in Amsterdam, the Fischer-Z, challenged the NBCC to an international match. Gert Hilhorst presented an itinerary to the club for this once in a lifetime chess match and trip to his home country, the Netherlands.

On June 7, Gert Hilhorst held a barbeque at his house in Simsbury to discuss the plans for the trip in November. Despite the initial interest from about fifteen of our members for this European vacation, there were not enough early commitments required to hold an international chess match. However, a few members still were interested in visiting Amsterdam and postponing the international chess match until possibly next year.

After months of planning, two members from our club, Webmaster Brian Kosnoff and I made the adventurous six day trip (from November 20 to 25) with the Hilhorst family. This vacation was both a cultural and enlightening experience. Gert Hilhorst and his wife Holly Hilhorst gave us a grand tour of the city of Amsterdam and Gert Hilhorst's home town of Naarden. There were many highlights of our trip and, because of Gert and Holly Hilhorst; we were able to see many of the major attractions, which I eagerly share with you below.

1. We visited Max Euwe Centrum, a museum dedicated to preserving the history of the 4th World Chess Champion. Outside of the museum, we played on a human size like chess set, which drew a large crowd. During one of our games, we were taken by surprise when we saw former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov stop by and observe one of our games. It was merely by chance that we were in the presence of Garry Kasparov since he was only in the city for an appointment with the organizer of the Max Euwe Centrum.
   
   
2. Even though an international match between the NBCC and the Fischer-Z Chess Club of Amsterdam did not happen, we did have an opportunity to visit and play a few Blitz Chess games with members of this club.
   
   
3. We visited some of the historic sites of Amsterdam such as the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum. We also dined at some of the most authentic restaurants, sampling many world cuisines.
   
   
4. The most invigorating activity on the trip by far was the twenty mile bike ride in the small town of Naarden in the hail and twenty-five mile per hour headwinds.

With currently thirty chess clubs in Amsterdam alone, with an average membership of about fifty, the Dutch apparently take their chess very seriously. During our dinner with a few members of the Fischer-Z Chess Club of Amsterdam, Brian Kosnoff and I mentioned that some of the NBCC members would be interested in holding an international match with their club in the near future. Obviously, there are many factors to consider for making this match a reality. Although we live 3,500 miles apart, I am fairly certain that members from both of our clubs will make local and national history when we hold this historic chess match.

Brian Kosnoff and I were very grateful to Gert and Holly Hilhorst for providing us with lodging at their apartment and for taking time out of their busy schedule to ensure that we had a wonderful visit of one of the most beautiful cities and countries in the world. We appreciated them for extending to us their genuine Dutch hospitality.

THE CHESS EXPERIENCE IN AMSTERDAM

Of the more than five hundred photos and videos Brian Kosnoff and I took on our vacation, here were the most momentous. Our collection of photos and videos from our trip will soon be posted on the club web site.

Alfred Ranzijn vs. Brian Kosnoff Fischer-Z Chess Club of Amsterdam	Brian Kosnoff and Gert Hilhorst Max Euwe Centrum	Jos Teeuwen vs. Robert Kozlowski Fischer-Z Chess Club of Amsterdam

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THE ROAD TO A NEW HOME FOR THE NBCC

The NBCC has had a steady thirty-three year relationship with our landlord, the New Britain Quartette Club, thanks mainly to the steadfast efforts of the late Arkadijs Strazdins and other former key members. Since becoming tenants of the New Britain Quartette Club in 1975, we have not been charged excessive rents and, because of this, our club has been very fortunate to maintain a very low dues structure. But this year, our landlord's Board of Directors approached our Board of Directors and informed us that our rent would increase by thirty-three percent, or $500. Although some of the officers anticipated a raise in rent, we were quite shocked and even alarmed by our landlord's last minute decision, after already fulfilling our obligation by prepaying $1,500 to them on September 30 for the upcoming fiscal year. Even though the club authorizes the officers to pay our rent, Joseph Mansigian strongly believed that he had to convene a meeting to discuss this important matter with the membership. Initially, there were many discussions on whether or not we should explore other venues. Unbelievably, on October 28, after members had an opportunity to visit a conference room at the Homestead Suites by Hilton hotel in Farmington, a lead made by Derek Meredith, the club voted 12-5 (with one abstention) in favor to move. Regrettably, due to a miscommunication in the hotel management to our Board of Directors and Derek Meredith, they reneged on the deal. Consequently, we were forced again to hold an emergency business meeting, this time on November 4 (Election Day), to report back to the membership on what had transpired in the past week. At this meeting, the followings topics were discussed and ratified by the membership.

1. A unanimous vote (22-0) to pay our landlord the additional $500 in rent for the 2008-2009 year. There were no motions made to have our Board of Directors engage in further negotiations with our landlord to improve the overall playing conditions. Our club officers informed the membership that since we have sufficient funds in the treasury, there was no justified reason to raise dues this year. Randy Shane made a suggestion that, in the near future, the club retain a small percentage from the entry fees collected from tournaments as a "rainy day" reserve.
   
   
2. An exploratory committee was appointed and charged with searching for new venues for our club. Volunteers on this committee were Roy Beavers, Joseph Mansigian, Robert Kozlowski, Andris Strazdins, and member John Baclawski. The committee would report back to the Board of Directors and the membership with their findings and research in early 2009.
   
   
3. made a motion, which was unanimously ratified, to increase the number of officers and members present to hold a quorum. Prior to this meeting, the NBCC Constitution stated that "a quorum must consist of at least one officer and seven members." Because of the recent heightened significance in business matters at the club, the members voted to make a quorum consist of a minimum of two officers and twenty members.
   
   
4. Yogesh Raghunathan expressed his willingness to take on an official role in the club to explore ways that our organization could make efficient use of its financial resources. Joseph Mansigian told Yogesh Raghunathan to draft his ideas for such a position and report back to the membership. It should be pointed out that decisions proposed by Yogesh Raghunathan, if he is appointed to this new position, would be limited to a certain dollar amount and would always necessitate membership approval.

It was apparent that the memberships' initial decision to move was made on an impulse. Many problems were dealt with by the Board of Directors during the last few weeks of October into early November and indeed many lessons were learned from our experience. In the end though, the members made the right, and honestly only, decision to continue our tenancy at the New Britain Quartette Club for one more year in order to allow sufficient time to search for a new venue. Regardless of where we move, the NBCC can not make this transition without carefully considering all of the options. It would be a risk the club could not afford to make. Our strong reputation in the Connecticut chess community would be seriously jeopardized if the club disbanded, even for a short duration, and that would be a sheer disaster. I am very optimistic that the club will find an ideal site in 2009 and, at our first meeting; we will celebrate and rejoice as the club commences a new chapter in its very long history.

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BOB KOZLOWSKI'S COMMENTARY

My friends, we have ended our incredible journey down memory lane. Our ride was filled with lasting memories of an exceptionally amazing year at the club. It is almost mind-boggling, to a degree, that the NBCC accomplished so much on all levels in a very short duration. It has been with utmost pleasure to share the success stories on our trip. At this point, I want to recap on the club's successes in recent past and expound on how these achievements will shape the course for our organization's very bright future.

Over the last three years, the number of participants in club events has steadily risen. For the year ended June 30, 2008, I prepared a statistical summary on the rise in tournament participation at the club, from Regular to Quick to Blitz Chess tournaments. My report showed that there has been approximately a thirty percent increase in overall turnout in all club tournaments since July 2005. I imagine if I were to include data from events held since June 30, 2008 in my report, this percentage would soar to over fifty.

The NBCC is most fortunate to have members that are very concerned about the welfare of our organization. This is reflected not only by the outpouring of support from our officers and tournament directors, but also from many members not involved in club management. The following non-officers or tournament directors whom have been instrumental in establishing a strong presence in Connecticut and U.S. chess for our club in 2008 and in recent years past by serving as team captains at local and national tournaments are Derek Meredith, Douglas Fiske and FM Richard Bauer.

There were four milestones set at the club in 2008, more than in any another year to my recollection.

1. In 2008, the club saw an increase in the number of Masters from four to seven. To be often referred to as "the strongest chess club in Connecticut" is a noteworthy honor. Joining our club's elite players, FM Richard Bauer, FM Nelson Castaneda, USCF NM Ted McHugh, and GM Gildardo Garcia in 2008 were GM Ildar Ibragimov, USCF NM Dennis Prawira, and USCF NM Eric Godin.
   
   
2. Besides the rise in the number of Masters, there was also an unpredicted increase in the number of tournament directors at the club this year. Ed Scimia and Emily Pond, two of the nicest people I know, joined Randy Shane, Marcus Komons, and me as club tournament directors. There are many responsibilities being a tournament director. It is already apparent that Ed Scimia and Emily Pond have a solid command of the USCF rules as evidenced with their flawless execution of their assignments relating to the planning and directing of club tournaments.
   
   
3. In the spring of 2006, Derek Meredith approached Joseph Mansigian and me about the possibility of holding the annual New Britain Summer Open under the New Britain Quartette Club pavilion on a weekend. Between 1993 and 2005, this annual club event was held on five Tuesday evenings in our hall, so it was definitely time for a change of scenery. After months of preparation, the club organized the 2006 New Britain Summer Open as an outdoor weekend chess tournament. In 2007, the club officers wanted to make this event even more attractive. Therefore, the club decided to offer a free barbeque lunch for participants. Around May of this year, former member Keith Little discussed his ideas with Joseph Mansigian and me to have his rock band, Accusing Society, perform at one of the club’s future events, perhaps the 2008 New Britain Summer Open. We were ecstatic about this possibility. Once again, the NBCC kicked the annual Summer Open up another notch and, at the conclusion of this years tournament; we listened to the music of Accusing Society until early dusk. The band put on an electrifying performance. I realize that this genre of music did not satisfy everyone’s palate. Nevertheless, what other chess club in America can boast that it offers free lunch and musical entertainment at its tournament? Overall, this event has definitely captured the interests of the Connecticut chess community.
   
   
4. The previous milestones have undisputedly placed our club high on the local and state chess scenes. Therefore, it was time for our club to make our presence known nationwide. For the past two years, our club has one won Top Connecticut team at the annual United States Amateur Team East Chess Championship. At this event, our members have had an opportunity to play with the likes of many of America’s highest ranked chess players like GM Hikaru Nakamura. Our members brought home the gold this year again and some of the achievements earned by our participants were mentioned on the New Jersey State Chess Association web site and in an issue of Chess Life.

Over the last few years, our club has been fortunate to build its financial resources, because of the increase in membership and efforts to raise additional funds from auctions and raffles. In 2008, FM Nelson Castaneda and member Hermann Zickfeld made very generous contributions to the club, for books that were donated by a former member, the late Thaddeus Szafranski. During the six year period which ended June 10, 2008, our club's funds soared from $1,301 to $3,277, nearly a $2,000 increase, even after purchasing chess equipment and sponsoring five teams at the 2008 United States Amateur Team East Chess Championship. Friends, I am pleased to report that the state of the NBCC Treasury is strong.

Up until 2005, most of the social activities for members were held on Tuesday evenings at the New Britain Quartette Club. In September 2005, Derek Meredith invited members of the local chess community over to his house in West Hartford for a unique event – a reverse simultaneous chess exhibition. Ever since that summertime day, the level of social interaction at the club has ascended to unimaginable heights. Starting in 2006, our club organized two annual parties for our members – the Oktoberfest dinner party and Christmas party. Indeed, the NBCC has formed one of the largest social networks for an organization of our size. Besides Derek Meredith, the following members of our club whom have played a central role in creating these networks throughout Connecticut chess are Kevin Zimmerman, Joseph Mansigian, FM Nelson Castaneda, Sofia Leja, Andres Castaneda, Andres Montiel, Brian Kosnoff, Emily Pond, Michael Pascetta, Yogesh Raghunathan, and former member Yuval Shemesh. I also wish to thank our members spouses or significant others, Amy Meredith, Marie Juergens, Nancy Castaneda, Michelle Pascetta, Karin Montiel, and Miki Shemesh, for organizing these social events at their homes for our members.

The club has made significant progress on all levels in the last five years. But, what does the future hold for Central Connecticut's premier chess club? Will the club reach one hundred members again? Will the successes of our club have an affect on other chess institutions in Connecticut? Will the club be the first in Connecticut history to hold an international chess match? There can easily be many responses to these provocative questions. Regardless of your thoughts, the one thing certain is that all tournament directors and chess club organizers in this tiny state must jointly work to continue to spark interest in the game for everyone.

I applaud the efforts of Connecticut Scholastic Chess Director David Aldi and his team of tournament directors, Kevin Zimmerman, member Luis Delgado, Ed Scimia (founder of the Bethel Chess Club), and Yogesh Raghunathan, and my fellow state tournament directors, UCONN Chess Club President Thomas Hartmeyer, former Connecticut State Chess Association President Rob Roy, South Windsor Chess Club President Richard Chang, and the NBCC team of tournament officers and directors Joseph Mansigian, Andris Strazdins, Marcus Komons, Randy Shane, and Emily Pond for their service to Connecticut chess. I would also like to mention Gert Hilhorst, founder of the Simsbury Library Chess Club, for organizing tournaments and matches for scholastic players in the community. Our state President, Jim Celone, has worked tirelessly as a coach and director and, with outdoors tournaments such as the New London Chess Fest, the New Haven Chess Fest, and the New Britain Summer Open, the Scholastic Chess tournaments held at the SWCC, BCC, and the UCONN CC, and the great efforts of our state leaders, I know that he is proud of the direction Connecticut chess is heading in.

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A PERSONAL NOTE FROM "DR. K"

Friends, we are sadly closing another chapter at the club. I want to take this opportunity to share a personal story with you. When I joined the NBCC at the age of nine, I would never have imagined that twenty one years later, the club would play a major role in my life. Along my journey, there were many people whom helped me realize my ambitions.

For years, my step-father and former club member, Reginald Cyr, brought me to the club until his health began to fail in the late 1990s. My mother then brought me to meetings until I got my drivers license. My parents were supportive of my chess goals from the beginning and I am grateful to them for everything.

My teachers and friends from elementary through graduate school also encouraged me to pursue my chess endeavors. My performance in school was positively affected by the skills the game taught me. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, I devoted a substantial amount of time to studying the game. Due to my steadfast determination, I managed to win a few state scholastic chess championships.

In 1998, while in college, I began exploring the possibility of becoming a tournament director at the club. I could not have had a more experienced person to work with than the late Arkadijs Strazdins. With Mr. Strazdins, I quickly acquired the tools to be a proficient tournament director. He trusted me to carry the torch as chief tournament director when he began to succumb to severe illness. Because of this, I held Mr. Strazdins in the highest respect. It was a privilege to work with Mr. Strazdins and an honor to be his friend.

In 2003, around the time when Mr. Strazdins health failed, Joseph Mansigian asked me to become vice-president. Joseph Mansigian and I, along with Treasurer Andris Strazdins and Secretary Marcus Komons, often discuss ways on improving the club and keeping the membership happy.

In the last two decades, I have made countless friendships at the club and in the Connecticut chess community. When I joined the club, besides Mr. Strazdins, I was always welcomed by Hermann Zickfeld and members Peter Galazan and Bill Dworski. My life has been enriched from my association with these gentlemen, whom have been instrumental in the development of my values and philosophies.

Since becoming a tournament director, I have made a concerted effort to report the exciting activities at the club through the myriad of e-mails and telephone conversations. However, as any volunteer in a social organization would tell you, with triumphs, there usually come tribulations. There have been many occasions where I made executive decisions that not everyone was satisfied with. For those who know me personally, you know that I set high standards for myself, and this holds true for my management of the club. No matter what situation might arise at the club, I promise that your interests and concerns will always be addressed.

The late Arkadijs Strazdins, Rob Roy, and former CSCA President Frederick Townsend Jr. were very valuable members of the chess community and I hope to be inspired by their many contributions to Connecticut chess. Although I am involved in the CSCA, I pledge that I will continue to be an active member of our club and I will strive to keep you abreast about our thriving organization, because as far as I am concerned, the NBCC is and will always be "the heart of Connecticut chess".

My team of club officers, directors, and our webmaster wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

President: Joseph Mansigian
Vice-President: Robert Kozlowski
Treasurer: Major Andris Strazdins
Secretary: Marcus Komons

Tournament Directors:
USCF Local: Randy Shane, Ed Scimia, and Robert Kozlowski
USCF Club: Emily Pond and Marcus Komons

Webmaster: Brian Kosnoff

The membership currently stands at seventy-six. If you are not a member, I hope you will rejoin the club in 2009. If you are a club member, thank you for your support.

Finally, during these most difficult and uncertain times, take care of yourself and each other.

Yours in chess,

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SOLUTIONS TO CHESS PUZZLE AND TRIVIA

Chess Puzzle

1. Rxd7 Rxd7
2. Bf6+ Kg8
3. Qxf8+ Kxf8
4. Ra8+ Rd8
5. Rxd8+ Qxd8
6. Bxd8 wins

Chess Trivia

1.c
2.b
3.d