Taking a Break

Hey Readers,

I won't be updating my blog from June 15 - June 21.

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse my past posts, or participate in the 'hair contest'.

Be back soon!

Hazel

Twisted Tuesday - Chess Puzzles

Brad Schaefer, a past MIT student, held campus-wide puzzle competitions, including a few chess puzzle selections. What a cool idea!

Find his work here: http://www.mit.edu/~puzzle/hunthistory.html

Camel Story - the story continues!

Please read my past camel posts before reading this one (click the "Camel Story" label on the side bar)!

"Suddenly, the same neck she visioned enrobed with jewels felt stiff. No, it certainly was NOT a necklace. It was a huge metal chain, and there was no way to escape! Without hesitation, Mansur began to pull her away."

"Shhh...don't you dare make a sound. Look, I know I'm not the nicest guy in the world, but I promise to keep you safe. Once we get through this, you'll thank me a million times over. Those lavish riches, those jewels, they will be yours. You will be the most decorated camel in all of Egypt. Trust me."

Gamala stared in disbelief. How could she possibly trust a man so cruel? A chain around the neck - how could he? Just the other day, she was a free camel. Hungry, but all the freedom in the world. How could she trust someone who took that away from her? Yet, what choice did she have?

Mansur rounded a corner into a bustling marketplace. What a scene! People from all over the city talking, laughing, crying with joy. Exquisite linens of the most precisely chosen threads dancing in the gentle wind. A mosaic of finely painted glass shimmering upon every grain of sand. And every type of fruit and vegetable you could ever imagine. It was simply amazing!

"We're looking for the stall of Zaima the potter," Mansur said to a young fellow roaming the square, "He has important news from my father."

"Go eight thousand cubits (about four kilometres) down this path and you will find the stall on your left."

"Ah, I see. Thank you for your service, kind man."

Mansur proceeded down the path, through the market and into a dark patch of land on the outskirts of town. He seemed relentless - Gamala figured this news must be very important. Her legs ached in exhaustion, but the thought of being dragged around was a lot worse than putting up with tired feet. Even so, she was terrified.

Finally, at what seemed to be the end of the path, a small stall appeared. This stall looked worn down, abandoned, and didn't seem to be selling anything in particular. Was this the right one? Slowly, they approached. Even Mansur started to sweat, and if you looked closely, you could see a frightened gulp sliding down the lining of his throat.

"Hello? I am here to discuss matters about my father. I have brought a camel as you asked."

Gamala winced. She didn't know what to think of Mansur's comment.

Suddenly, a short man appeared from the back of the stall. "Yes, I have been expecting you. I regret to say I'm the holder of bad news - your father passed away the other day. I knew him well, and he would have liked to see you, but he did leave something for your taking. Wait right here."

The man reached for a small bag, and then another one, and another one. "Bring these with you to the Ma'at tournament. Look inside, but don't let others peek. Your father worked his whole life collecting what these bags contain. Perhaps this camel can help. Take care with what your father has provided, and as I told you before your arrival here, it will surely make you very rich."

To Be Continued...

"Camel Story" posts will be made each month - follow along for updates about Gamala and Gamalo, and the Ma'at tournament. The anticipated ending to the story will be posted in December 2011.

Chess Comics

This is the "extra post for the weekend" I wrote about yesterday. When I think of weekends, one of the first things that comes to mind is the weekend newspaper full of comics! I love scanning through them from time to time. Now I've found a link which contains hilarious comics...about chess!

See for yourself:

http://www.edcollins.com/chess/chess-comics-13.htm

Wednesday/Thursday last week

Wednesday - Yes/No Quiz (new)

Answer Yes or No to the following questions:

1. Do you find black and white movies more appealing than colour ones?
2. Do you ever think triangular, hexagonal, or octagonal shapes look odd?
3. When you see a picture of a horse, does it automatically remind you of a knight?
4. Do you get double vision when you see clocks?
5. Have you become an expert at examining facial expressions of people sitting directly across from you?
6. Does an empty table (or a single table rather than rows of them) make you feel confused?
7. Do you like to divide paper into halves or quarters?
8. Did you get thrown out of a restaurant/picnic for playing with the (checkered) tablecloth?
9. When someone takes out a checkers game, do the pieces look "amateur" to you?
10. Have you become accustomed to the way your hands look and move?

If three or more of these apply to you, you've probably been staring at a chess board/game too long!

Thursday - Contest!

Again, my hair theme...

Send an email containing a professional chess player's name - one that you think gets the best haircuts! Please, no attachments, since it will likely be considered spam. Just a name, and maybe a line or two about why you chose that player. Whoever comes up with the best suggestion gets a special "Checkmate!" stuffed teddy bear, similar to the ones I gave out at the 2010 OGCC.

Contest closes at 11:59 PM (EST) on June 30, 2011. Canadian residents only. Prize must be claimed at either the 2011 CYCC, 2011 Canadian Open, or a chess event in the Greater Toronto Area. No age restriction.

To ensure your email is considered, type "June Contest" in the subject line! Good luck!

Marvelous Monday - Joke!

Why don't chess kings like bad weather?

Answer: You wouldn't want pawn storms coming at you either!

Image above: http://www.toonpool.com/cartoons/Chess_53391

Tournaments & Results

Oriole Chess Club
- Junior Tournaments
- Every Sunday
- Oriole Community Centre, Toronto
- 12:45 - 1:00 pm registration, 1:15 pm start
- $12 per tournament, $80 for membership + ten tournaments
- Snacks and drinks provided
- http://www.angelfire.com/alt/ochess/
- Room Notice: http://members4.boardhost.com/chess-math/msg/1307758231.html

Chess for Children (Swansea Chess Club)
- Every Saturday
- Swansea Town Hall Community Centre
- 12:45 - 1:00 pm registration, 1:00 - 4:00 pm tournament
- $15 per tournament, family discount available
- http://www.chessforchildren.ca/

Knights of Chess Sunday Rated Tournaments
- Every Sunday
- 5635 Yonge Street, Suites 201 - 202, Toronto
- 3:30 - 3:55 pm registration (pre-registration by phone or email recommended), 4:00 - 6:00 or 7:00 pm tournament
- $18 per tournament, family discounts available
- http://sites.google.com/site/theknightsofchess/

* The three regular tournaments listed above can also be found on the CMA calendar http://www.chess-math.org/calendar

Chess in the Library (20 locations and counting!)
- free games and lessons!
- 2nd Annual Festival on June 25, 2011 (North York Central Library)
- http://www.chessinthelibrary.com/
- http://yuanlingyuan.blogspot.com/

2011 KWCC Teams Active Challenge
- June 18
- Kitchener City Hall
- 10 am registration, 10:30 am start
- $40 per team of four
- Equipment provided
- http://www.chess.ca/ontario.shtml
- http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5136

St-Jean-Baptist Chess Tournament
- June 24 - 26
- Laval University, Quebec City
- $4000 guaranteed prizes
- See link for further details
- http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5090

London June Open
- June 25
- Hillside Church, London
- 9:30 - 9:55 am registration, 10:00 am start
- $20
- Bring your own equipment
- http://www.chess.ca/ontario.shtml

Chess Camp at Sea with GM Emil Anka
- June 28 - July 5
- Victoria, BC
- http://members4.boardhost.com/chess-math/msg/1304556527.html
- http://www.chess4life.com/chess-event/chess-cruise-grandmaster-camp-at-sea-/1204/

Montreal Summer Chess Camps
- http://members4.boardhost.com/chess-math/msg/1301064015.html
- Check out other summer chess camps in Toronto and Ottawa http://www.chess-math.org/calendar/?date=2011-07, http://www.chess-math.org/camps.htm, http://members4.boardhost.com/chess-math/msg/1305874799.html

North American Youth Championship
- June 25 - 29
- http://www.chesseducators.com/2011/01/09/2011-north-american-youth-championship/
- http://www.chesseducators.com/northamericanyouth/

Eastern Ontario Open
- June 30 - July 3
- RA Centre, Ottawa
- See link for times and fees (discounts available)
- Accommodations available
- CFC and FIDE rated
- Bring your own equipment
- http://www.chess.ca/ontario.shtml
- http://www.eoca.org/PDF/2011%20Eastern%20Ontario%20Open.pdf

CYCC (Richmond Hill, Ontario)
- July 6 - 9
- http://www.2011cycc.ca/
- http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4919
- Update: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5099

Canadian Open (Toronto, Ontario) + chess camp
- July 9 - 17
- http://www.canadianchess.info/2011canadianopen
- FIDE Arbiter Course: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4932
- Registrations: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5125
- Accommodation Needed: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5153
- General Questions: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5146
- GM Dejan Bojkov free lecture: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5175

UPEI Open
- July 22 - 24
- UPEI, Charlottetown
- More Info: http://www.chess.ca/pei.shtml

Quebec Open 2011 + chess camp
- July 23 - 30
- Norm opportunity
- http://www.fqechecs.qc.ca/coq/coq2011-revue196.pdf
- http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4686
- http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4687
- Camp: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4746
- Registrations: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5125

6th Edmonton International
- July 27 - August 1
- http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5101

2011 BC Open
- July 30 - August 1
- Executive Airport Plaza Hotel, Richmond, BC
- See link for schedule
- $60 by June 24, $65 by July 26, $70 on site, additional $20 to play up a section
- Accommodation deal available until June 1
- $1000 guaranteed prize fund
- All equipment provided
- http://victoriachessclub.pbworks.com/w/page/35682117/BC-Open
- http://www.chess.ca/british_columbia.shtml
- http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5145

Toronto Summer Camp with CMA and Wanda's Creative Clay (build a chess set & learn to play)
- August 15 - 19
- $495 per child (includes tax and materials)
- 10% discount before July 15
- 24 kids max.
- More details: http://www.chess-math.org/calendar/?details=540&date=2011-08

Montreal City Championship
- September 9 - 11
- http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4809
- http://www.chess.ca/misc2010/2011MontrealCh.pdf

Braeside Men's Chess Clinic
- September 24
- Braeside Camp, between Cambridge and Paris, Ontario
- 10:00 - 10:30 am registration, 10:45 am start
- $35
- Light lunch and BBQ dinner included
- Hans Jung teaching clinic, simul at noon
- For all levels of experience
- http://www.chess.ca/ontario.shtml

Alliston Chess Open
- October 14 - 16
- Gibson Centre, Alliston
- 6 pm Friday, 11 am & 4 pm Saturday/Sunday
- $60, add $10 on-site or to play up a section, discounts available
- Bring your own equipment
- Pizza lunch provided on Saturday
- Unrated youth tournament on the side ($30)
- http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4987
- http://www.chess.ca/ontario.shtml

Richmond Friday Chess
- http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=3599

Tournaments in Victoria, BC
- http://victoriajuniorchess.pbworks.com/Tournament-Schedule

Various CMA Events for Juniors (many locations across Canada!!!)
- http://www.chess-math.org/calendar

CMA Fee Increase
- http://members4.boardhost.com/chess-math/msg/1303222422.html

CFC Fee Increase
- http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5122

CMA Chess Lessons
- http://www.chess-math.org/chess/lesson.htm
- Private Instructors: http://chess-math.org/private_lessons.htm
- Adult Chess Program: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4950

More Tournaments Outside Ontario
- http://www.chess.ca/tournaments.shtml

FQE (Quebec) Calendar
- http://www.fqechecs.qc.ca/index.php?typ=actu&categorie=1&id=2995
- Facebook/Twitter: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5116
- Guides to New Website: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5141

Maritime Chess Schedule
- http://reallyhightech.com/chess/maritime.html
- Summer Tourneys: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5152
- 2011 NB Open in Fredericton (June 24 - 26): http://www.chess.ca/new_brunswick.shtml

FIDE (International) Calendar
- http://www.fide.com/component/fidecalendar/?view=fidecalendar
- more international: http://www.torneosajedrez.com/ajedrez47/Paginas/ver_torneos.php

Tournaments in the U.S.
- http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4460
- Manhattan Open: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5143, http://www.marshallchessclub.org/tournaments/international2011
- USCF Site: http://uschess.org/

Monroi chess events
- http://www.monroi.com/chess-events.html

Scarborough Chess Club
- http://www.scarboroughchessclub.ca/ (site may not be working at the moment)

Simcoe County Chess Club
- http://www.simcoecountychessclub.com/index

Eastern Ontario Chess Association
- http://www.eoca.org/htm/tournaments_2010-11.html

Kitchener-Waterloo Chess Club
- http://www.kwchess.com/

Annex Chess Club
- http://annexchessclub.com/

Ajax Chess Club
- http://www.ajaxchessclub.com/

Saguenay Chess Club
- http://www.clubechecssaguenay.com/

Mississauga Chess Club for Kids
- http://www.mississaugachessclub.ca/

Edmonton Chess Club (Mondays, Thursdays) and Calgary Chess Club (Tuesdays)
- http://www.chess.ca/alberta.shtml

More Clubs
- http://annexchessclub.com/2010/12/chess-in-toronto/

*If you wish to have your tournament/club listed, feel free to send me an email!*

Some Results:
April 23 - June 12

Continental Championship, April 19 - 24
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4662

Philadelphia Open, April 20 - 24
Sasa Kulic 5.0/9.0 (tied 27th of 105)
Myriam Roy 4.5/9.0 (tied 44th)
Michael Song 3.0/9.0 (tied 79th)
Rejean Tremblay 3.0/9.0 (tied 79th)
http://www.philadelphiaopen.net/
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4928

2011 Alberta Closed, April 22 - 24
1st: IM Eric Hansen 5.0/5.0
2nd: IM Edward Porper 4.0/5.0
3rd: Nicolas Haynes 2.5/5.0
http://www.albertachess.org/2011AC.html
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4946

KW Spring Active, April 23
1st: Andrew Peredun
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4898

Canadian Junior, April 21 - 25
1st: Roman Sapozhnikov 7.5/9.0
2nd: Arthur Calugar 7.0/9.0
3rd & 4th: Joey Qin, Michael Kleinman 6.0/9.0
Top Girl: Jackie Peng 4.5/9.0
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4433

Grand Pacific Open, April 22 - 25
Open
1st: WGM Nino Maisuradze 6.0/6.0
2nd: Loren Brigham Laceste 5.5/6.0
3rd to 10th: NM Alex Yam, Harry Moore, FM Jack Yoos, Roger Patterson, GM Igor Rausis, John M. Williams, NM Tanraj Sohal, Ross Richardson 4.5/6.0
U1400
1st: Leo Stokes 6.0/6.0
2nd: Ben Seran 5.0/6.0
3rd & 4th: Luke Pulfer, Howie Hare 4.0/6.0
http://monroi.com/2011grand-pacific-open-chess-championship-results.html
Photos and more: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4943, http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4953

2011 OGCC, May 7
http://www.freewebs.com/ogcc/2011results.htm

Canadian Closed, May 7 - 11
Photos: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5011
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5060

Ontario High School Chess Championships, May 14 - 15
1st: Karoly Szalay 5.0/5.0
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5044
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5046
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5052
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5066

Calgary International, May 19 - 23
Open
1st & 2nd: IM Enrico Sevillano, GM Jesse Kraai 6.5/9.0
3rd to 5th: IM Eric Hansen, FM Dale Haessel, IM Edward Porper 6.0/9.0
Reserves
1st & 2nd: Nandor Tot, NM Alex Yam 5.0/6.0
3rd: Jim Daniluk 4.5/6.0
http://www.calgarychess.com/2011CICC/index.html
Video: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5094
Article: http://main.uschess.org/content/view/11239/632/

36th Annual Keres Memorial, May 20 - 23
Open
1st & 2nd: IM Georgi Orlov, Maxim Doroshenko 5.5/7.0
3rd to 5th: FM Bindi Cheng, Butch Villavieja, Joe Soliven 5.0/7.0
U2000
1st & 2nd: Hiva Menbari, Igor Kurganskyy 6.0/7.0
3rd: Robert North 5.0/7.0
U1600
1st: Gopal Singh Hayer 5.5/7.0
2nd: Constantin Rotariu 5.0/7.0
3rd: Marcel Holtmann 4.5/7.0
http://keresmemorial.pbworks.com/w/page/40446302/results2011

Ontario Open, May 21 - 23
Elite
1st & 2nd: GM Bator Sambuev, IM Leonid Gerzhoy 5.0/6.0
3rd: IM Nikolay Noritsyn 4.5/6.0
U2000
1st: Ian Finlay 5.5/6.0
2nd & 3rd: Daniel Wiebe, Stuart Brammall 4.5/6.0
U1600
1st: Zhanna Sametova 5.0/6.0
2nd & 3rd: Owen Qian, Henry Grayson 4.5/6.0
Unrated: Ryan Gonsalves
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4419

Canadian Chess Challenge, May 2011
http://www.chess.nl.ca/ccc/national/results/2011/English/index.xml
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5050
Cool Stats: http://members4.boardhost.com/chess-math/msg/1306535061.html, http://members4.boardhost.com/chess-math/msg/1307547047.html
Side Events: http://members4.boardhost.com/chess-math/msg/1306879670.html

OYCC, May 28 - 29
http://www.oycc.ca/standings/standings.htm
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5112

IM Arthur Calugar
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5027

Sherbrooke Open
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5128
Photos: http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5109

Chicago Open
IM Leonid Gerzhoy 6.5/9.0 (tied 5th)
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5121

GM Mark Bluvshtein in "Chill" Magazine
http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5119

2010/2011 Grand Prix Winners
Toronto
http://members4.boardhost.com/chess-math/msg/1304311633.html
Montreal
http://members4.boardhost.com/chess-math/msg/1305914647.html

OTHER STUFF:

CanBase (game database) updates - http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5129

Eye Movement Research looking for participants - http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=4772

Canadian Denton Cockburn in Jamaica - http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5154

IA Vlad Rekhson, FA Michael Von Keitz - http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5161

RIP Ed Glinert (father of Stephen Glinert) - http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5097

CFC Presidential Candidates Serge Archambault & Pierre Denommee - http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5178