The Saratoga Staunton Club Thanks Bill Little

On January 6, 2008 Bill Little gave a lecture on "Lurking Knights" and other "Tactical Debacles". Bill has been an area expert for many years. He provided us with just a few examples of the wisdom that he has drawn over the ages. There were about 14 people at the lecture, and Bill did a great job showing us some fascinating positions and giving great practical advice. I think the highlight for the lecture was that 90% of the positions came from hotly contested local games. In addition to Bill Littles' own games, we saw positions from Lee Battes, Bobby Rotter, and Carl Adamec, just to name a few.

The Saratoga "Stauntons" wish to express our gratitude to Bill Little for a fine lecture. Maybe some of you local players need to come up to Saratoga to find out what we are saying about you at our lectures.

GM Simul at Proctor's

The City Mission and Proctor’s Theater Present

A simultaneous chess exhibition with

Grandmaster Ronen Har-Zvi

Former world Under-16 champion

Wednesday, January 23

Limited to 25 boards

Entry is FREE – but number of boards is limited.

Many are reserved but some will be given away by raffle.

At Proctor’s Arcade

(near the Box Office and Muddy Cup Café)

432 State Street, Schenectady, NY

Event opens at 4:30 p.m. and the simul begins at 5:15 p.m.

There will be door prizes for participants, and every scholastic player will get a prize!

So far GM Har-Zvi is undefeated in this area, could YOU be the first to beat him?

For more information contact

Ashok Aaron at the City Mission (518-346-2275, ext. 318)

Sponsors include: Proctor’s Theater, City Mission, Internet Chess Club, Make the Right Move Foundation, Capital District Scholastic Chess Foundation, ENYCA, the Studio of Bridge and Games

Staunton Club Lecture

The Saratoga Staunton Club Presents the First Lecture in the Lecture Series for 2008 on January 6, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

The Title for the Lecture is: “Lurking Knights and Other Tactical Debacles”. Bill Little will be the presenter. Bill is a long time area resident and has been a Chess Expert for decades. He will show that we can avoid a lot of pitfalls in chess if we take a little preventative medicine. This lecture will focus on simple defensive measures that should be taken before positions become indefensible.

The lecture will be at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church located at 175 Fifth Avenue in Saratoga Springs, in the Atkins Room. Use the entrance off the big parking lot. The Atkins Room is down the hallway to the left.

Use the I-87 Northway to Exit 14. Henning Road is the first right turn (at light) as you head west towards town. The church is located at the intersection of Henning Road and Fifth Avenue.

Lessons with GM Ronen Har-Zvi Contine

Dates are 8/11, 8/25, 9/8, 9/15, and 9/29.

Details at http://enyca.blogspot.com/2007/03/group-lessons-with-grandmaster-ronen.html

Schenctady Chess Club Activities

Sept. 20: Annual organizational meeting of the Schenectady Chess Club

at the Niskayuna Recreation Complex, 2682 Aqueduct Road, Schenectady. A new slate of officers will be elected and plans for the coming year will be discussed. Meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4: First round of the Schenectady Chess Club Championship

in the basement of the Niskayuna Recreation Complex, 2682 Aqueduct Road, in Schenectady. Multi-player round robin played at the rate of game in two hours. Entry is free, but club membership, $36 a year, is required. Registration starts at 7:30 p.m. and play begins at 8 p.m.

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

Grandmaster Simul in Schenectady's Central Park

In Schenectady this coming weekend, June 15-17th, come and join in the fun at the Capital District Juneteenth Celebration. The Celebration runs Friday evening, Saturday from 1 to 7 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 5:30 pm. Fun, entertainment, food, art, competitions, special services, rides and children's activities! A whole lot of everything!

And Saturday includes a very, VERY special day of chess - world renowned Grandmaster Maurice Ashley returns to play two dazzling chess exhibitions.
He will play 25 players at once at 1:30 pm and again at 4:30 pm. Entry fee is $30. Come to play or to watch! Arrive early to enter and reserve a seat. Chess sets and boards provided (although bringing extra sets is always a good idea for other games).

FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT TAJ MAJORS, (518) 346-1262, EXT. 10

Join the fun at Central Park in Schenectady this weekend!

Enjoy!