Albany Tulip Festival Chess

This weekend, chess playing will be part of the Albany Tulip Festival. http://www.albanyevents.org/tulip_festival/index.cfm. We will be under a large tent with boards set up for casual playing plus we are having a special exhibition anyone can participate in. All FREE!

On both Saturday and Sunday, the festival runs from noon to 6PM and we'll be open that whole time. From 1PM to 5PM, we will also hold a "simultaneous exhibition" when 1 very strong player takes on 20 players at the same time. It is a fun time and you can be one of the 20 opponants!

On Saturday, Grandmaster Ronen Har-Zvi will be taking on all comers. GM Har-Zvi was the under 16 World Champion and besides still being one of the strongest players in the world, he is a gentleman and it's a pleasure to play chess with him - even if he is going to beat everyone. :)

On Sunday, the champion playing 20 at once will be our local "young phenom", Deepak Aaaron. At 15 years of age, Deepak has already become one of the strongest players of this area. Can you beat the kid?? Better take your shot before he leaves you in his dust as he is getting stronger.

Signing up for the exhibitions will only happen at the festival. We'll start taking names at noon, the simul begins at 1:00 and when games end quickly, replacement players will be seated.

We will also have lots of information to share on local chess clubs and upcoming events. COME AND JOIN IN THE FUN!

We'll be located in the middle of the park on the State Street side in the designated "Family Fun" area. Look for a large tent near the playground. See you there!

Phil Ferguson, President ENYCA (Eastern New York Chess Association)

Chess in downtown Schenectady

On Tuesdays there will be a two hour chess activity between 11:00AM and
1:00PM in downtown Schenectady! It is a free chess playing experience at no
cost. It is a combined effort between City Mission and Proctor's Theater.
It is held under a blue tent across from Proctors Theater and in front of
Center City in State Street, Schenectady. If you are driving by, you can
not miss the tent and the chess players.

The first session was held on Tuesday(7/10/07). Quite a turn out of chess
lovers who played several games. There was checkers played as well on the
side, but the focus is the chess activity. 2006-2007 Schenectady Chess Club
Champion, Deepak Aaron settled down to play and remained undefeated after
all the challenges by interested onlookers and curious players! If you have
the time to make it and enjoy the experience, you might go home without a
loss and remain undefeated next Tuesday. Remember, you would make a
positive impact in downtown Schenectady when you come and play a game of
chess!

If you have the time and are in the area, do come out and brave the weather
and make some hot moves on the chess board that will turn back the clock in
the history of Schenectady to its glorious past!

It is a free activity during summer, so come with a healthy appetite for
some exciting midday chess during lunch time!

Ashok Aaron