Kenilworth Kibitzer

Mark Kernighan: (quiet guy on the left of the picture) Definitely the favorite. A common feeling from people playing Mark is 'I almost had him'. I've seen him slip out of bad positions with seconds on the clock (in Mark-speak, 'winning time' [my words not his]) often enough to know it's not a coincidence. 45% chance to win

Arthur Macaspac: The 2010 champion, who won the tournament after spotting the field a half point with a bye in the first round then cruising 4-0 to finish. This time he's in for al five rounds. A guy who sits next to GM Yudasin as much time as he does is bound to have learned a thing or two. Definitely a main contender. 35% chance to win

Mike Goeller: A welcome addition to the tournament. 'The Professor' is a strong attacking player and on his day can beat anyone. Although ironically in last year's event he took a draw with John Moldovan, breaking what had been a 2010-2011 streak of something like 50+ games in the club championship without a draw by any player. In his defense he may have been inebriated at the time. Actually he wasn't. 8% chance to win

Kevin Chen: The recently minted expert took a bye in round 1, can he replicate Arthur's 2010 run? Probably not, but a player with good chances to knock off one of the above players. 3% chance to win

Ian Mangion: 'The Doc' is undoubtedly the best spoken and most sartorially splendid member of the club. However, his path to the championship is paved with many pitfalls, including Lou 'Giant killer' Sturniolo, and a few players who are noticeably better than him. 2% chance to win

The Field: Lurking in the crowd are a few players who, with the right combination of circumstances, might be able to put together a winning run. Including Don 'Under 1900' Carrelli, John 'The Postman' Moldovan, and, despite his handicaps, Max 'The Kid' Sherer. 5% chance to win

Dark Horse Specials: Lou Sturniolo went on a tear in the Sy Fish memorial. Now there are even more overrated fogies to take down. Can he do it? Also, I'm predicting a breakout for Chris Constantino. Too many chances for him to pull an upset to miss out.

Predictions:

1st: Arthur Macaspac

2nd: Mark Kernighan

3rd: Kevin Chen

U2050: We give a prize for this??

U1800: John Moldovan

U1600: Dan Komunicky

U1400: Chris Constantino

First order of business - the 2012 schedule for the club. NOTE: The club championship starts next week!! Details below. Previous champs such as Ken Chieu, Arthur Macaspac and Yaacov Norowitz are not likely to be in the running. So the field is wide open! Current prediction: Mark K. takes home the prize. Second prediction: M. Kernighan wins.

Lots of tournaments, plenty of blitz and something called Fischer random. Be there!

January 5

• Garden State Chess League match: Kenilworth Kortchnois vs. Summit

• Register for KCC Championship beginning 1/12.

January 12

• Kenilworth CC Championship, Round 1.

Tournament Details:

22nd Annual Kenilworth Chess Club Championship, starts January 12th at 8:20 pm

• USCF Rated

• 5-round Swiss

• G/90 time control.

• Rounds will commence at 8:20 p.m. every Thursday night for the duration of the event.

• Prizes : Tentative: Trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Top U2050, Top U1800, Top U1600, Top U1400, Biggest upset

• Tiebreaks TBA

• EF: $10 entry fee + dues + $5 anti-forfeit deposit = $30 for most players.

• KCC memberships required: dues $7.50 for juniors U-18, $10 for seniors 65+, and $15 for all others.

• Register with TD Geoff McAuliffe during our 1/5 meeting or before 8:20 p.m. on 1/12 @ Kenilworth Community Center, 575 Boulevard, Kenilworth, N.J.

See 2005 Club Championship website and 2006 Championship website and the Chess Coroner blog for stories of past championships.

January 19 -Kenilworth Chess Club Championship, Round 2

January 26 - Kenilworth Chess Club Championship, Round 3

February

February 2 - Kenilworth Chess Club Championship, Round 4

February 9 - Kenilworth Chess Club Championship, Round 5 (final round)

February 16 - Garden State Chesss League matches: Staten Island vs. Kenilworth Kortchnois and Hamilton vs Summit

February 18-20 - World Amateur Teams and U.S. TEAM EAST, PARSIPPANY, NJ.

In 2005 we had two teams entered and won best NJ team. In 2006, our A-Team finished a respectable 21st in a field of 272. And in 2007, our A-Team played at Board #1 in Round 5 but lost a close match to the eventual tournament winner. We keep going up and up -- maybe 2012 will be the victory year? Stop by to visit if you are not playing. It is a great event. Parsippany Hilton 1 Hilton Ct., Parsippany,N.J. 07054.

February 23 - Kenilworth Blitz Championship, 7-round swiss, G/5, EF $5, prizes to 1st, 2nd, best U1800 and best U1500 (50%, 20%, 15% and 15%)

March

March 1 - Garden State Chess League: Chess Mates vs Summit, Karpovs vs Kortchnois, Hamilton vs Staten Island

March 8 - Kenilworth Quads #6, Round 1, USCF Rated, G/60, 3-RR, EF $10, Prizes $30 to first in each quad..

March 15 - Kenilworth Quads, Round 2

March 22 - Kenilworth Quads, Round 3

March 29 - Fischer Random Tournament Rounds 1 & 2, 4 rounds G/30, free to enter.

April

April 5 - Fischer Random Tournament 3 & 4, 4 rounds G/30, free to enter.

April 12 - Garden State Chess League match : Hamilton vs. Kenilworth Karpovs

April 19 - Irving Ellner Memorial, Round 1.

Tournament Details:

Irving Ellner Memorial, starts April 19th at 8:20 pm

• USCF Rated

• 6-round Swiss

• G/75 time control.

• Rounds will commence at 8:20 p.m. every Thursday night for the duration of the event.

• Prizes : 1st $100, 2nd $50, 3rd $25, best under 1900 $20, U1500 $20, all prizes guaranteed, higher if there are more entries.

• EF: $15 entry fee.

• KCC memberships required: dues $7.50 for juniors U-18, $10 for seniors 65+, and $15 for all others.

• Register with TD Geoff McAuliffe during our 1/5 meeting or before 8:20 p.m. on 1/12 @ Kenilworth Community Center, 575 Boulevard, Kenilworth, N.J.

April 26 - Irving Ellner Memorial, Round 2

May

May 3 - Garden State Chess League: Chess Mates vs Kenilworth Karpovs, DOCA Knights vs Summit, Hamilton vs Kortchnois

May 10 - Irving Ellner Memorial, Round 3

May 17 - Irving Ellner Memorial, Round 4

May 24 - Irving Ellner Memorial, Round 5

May 31 - Irving Ellner Memorial, Round 6

June

June 7 - Casual play or lecture TBA

June 14- - Start of Summer Tournament. Please submit your entry and pay your entry fee by this date. Here are the tentative rules of the tournament:

• Not rated

• Entry Fee is $5.00.

• The tournament will run from June 9 through August 25.

• The time control is G/60 or 55+5.

• You may play anyone in the tournament. The first time you play an opponent, the lower rated player has white, in subsequent games against the same opponent you alternate colors.

• You may not play the same opponent more than four times in the tournament.

• You get one point for a win, one half point for a draw, and zero for a loss.

• You may play as many or as few games as you like, but no more than two in one night. The more you play the more points you can win.

• All games are to be played at the Kenilworth Chess Club during normal operating hours.

• The winner is the person who has the most points at the end of the tournament.

• The prizes are 60% for first place, 30% for second, and 10% for third.

June 21- Kenilworth Summer Tournament

June 28- Kenilworth Summer Tournament

July

July 5 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament

July 12 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament

July 19 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament

July 26 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament

August

August 2 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament

August 9 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament

August 16 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament

August 23 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament

August 30 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament, last round

September

September 6 - Kenilworth Fall Blitz, 7-round swiss, G/5, EF $5, prizes to 1st, 2nd, best U1800 and best U1500 (50%, 20%, 15% and 15%)

September 13 - Sy Fish Memorial #5, Round 1. USCF-rated, G/60, 5-SS, EF: $10. TD: Geoff McAuliffe (if available). Prize Fund: 90% of Entry Fees collected. Prizes: 1st place 30% of EF; 2nd place 20% of EF; 3rd place, U2050, U1750, U1525 each 10% of EF. Late-joins accepted until the 3rd round is paired. Late-joiners will receive a 1/2 point for each round missed but lose a bye-option. Two byes per player allowed. Byes may be taken in any round. Please inform the TD or Club President before that round is paired. Pairings for rounds 1-2 to be made on site. Pairings for rounds 3-5 to be made on the prior Friday. Register: On site 9/13, 9/20, 9/27 from 8:00-10:45 p.m.

September 20 - Sy Fish Memorial, Round 2.

September 27 - Sy Fish Memorial, Round 3.

October

October 4 - Garden State Chess League matches.

October 11 - Sy Fish Memorial, Round 4.

October 18 - Sy Fish Memorial, Round 5.

October 25 - Lecture TBA

November

November 1 - Garden State Chess League matches

November 8 - Consultation Match Week 1

November 15 - Consultation Match Week 2

November 22 - NO MEETING. Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday.

November 29 - Lecture TBA

December

December 6 - Garden State Chess League

December 13 - TBA

December 20 - Holiday Party and Business Meeting

December 27 - TBA