The NYS Championship Begins

Last night, Friday, a couple of dozen chess players gathered at the Wolf Road Marriot for the opening round of the New York State Chess Championship. They were playing the four-day schedule with one round on Friday, one Saturday, then two games each day Sunday and Monday. Today more players will join in on a three day schedule and even more will join tomorrow on the demanding two-day schedule. These shorter schedules require several games at a fast time control to catch up with the earlier starters. No one knows exactly how many will be participating in total yet. A guess is 140 but there may be more.

Some results of interest locally:

Deepak Aaron, lately returned from the World Juniors won from Patrick Chi in what was an interesting struggle between advancing d and c-pawns versus advancing f and e-pawns. Deepak held back Patrick’s e-pawn and got his own d-pawn far down the board. Around the pawn advances whirled some heavy piece tactics that eventually caused Mr. Chi to lower his flag and resign.

Nearby, Steve Taylor (2192) began his fight to get his rating back over 2200 with a nice win from Joe Felber (2005). Taylor snagged an Exchange early. As the he pushed on towards cashing in the material advantage there were brief moments when the fatigue of a long day gave Mr. Taylor hallucinations that he was about to be mated. Fortunately, a shake of the head and a second look cleared his vision and Taylor brought home the full point.

Glen Perry of the Albany Area Chess Club took on Expert Ed Frumkin. Perry had Black. The game almost even when I first looked in on it. Eventually Frumkin carried the day and won.

Scott Boyce (1771) began his tournament with a nice win over Thomas Levine (1852). I think Mr. Boyce had the better of it from the beginning and never faltered.

When I finally had to leave the playing hall, near midnight, two hard fought games were still being played; Jonathan Richman (2032) - Lonnie Kawalter (2213), and Jon Leisner - Sheppard.

The youthful Expert Richman had kept Kawalter’s Knights very redistricted almost the whole game. When the need for some sleep drove me to leave the tournament, I think Mr. Richman may have made an error giving Master Kawalter chances to save what had appeared to be a thoroughly lost position. With some luck, I will be able to get this game to publish here soon.

Also on going was the battle between Leisner and Sheppard. Jon played his favorite Bird’s, but Mr. Sheppard was able to trade off both of the White Knights leaving White with a light squared Bishop with its usual lack of opportunity. As the game progressed Mr. Leisner had a two to one Q-side majority but was unable to do more than hang on to it. Characteristically, Jon made a stubborn defense, and when I left it seemed he was clawing his way back to equality. Black still had the initiative, but it seemed he might have reached a maximum and could do no more.

I am returning today to the tournament with a hope to get the Richman - Kawalter game and more results for local players.

More tomorrow.