Saturday, September 02, 2006

New Jersey Open Chess Championship 2006


diagram

White to play and win.

The New Jersey Open Chess Championship began today at the Ramada Inn of Somerset (immediately off Exit 12 of Route 287 -- see map). Defending champion Tom Bartell won a nice ending in his first round game against expert David Cole (see diagram above from Bartell-Cole, NJ Open 2006) and seems relaxed enough to compete for his third straight title, having shared the title with NM Todd Lunna in 2004 and taken clear first last year.

Tom Bartell

Tom Bartell shortly after Round One.

The tournament continues through Monday evening and is worth a visit, if only to browse Fred Wilson's fantastic array of chess books, many used and at very reasonable prices. According to Fred, this is the best collection of books he has ever brought to a tournament.


Fred Wilson Chess Books

Fred Wilson selling chess books.

Several Kenilworth regulars are in action, including Steve Stoyko, Glen Hart, and Anna Matlin (seen here drawing her first round game).


Anna Matlin

Anna Matlin agrees a draw in Round One.
Play continues Sunday (with rounds at 12 noon and 7 p.m.) and Monday (with rounds at 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.) It is still possible to join the two-day schedule, with registration tomorrow from 9-10:30 a.m. and G45 rounds 1-3 beginning at 11:00 a.m. and the two schedules merging for Round 4 at 7 p.m. (which would make for a hectic day of chess). See the tournament announcement at the USCF website for more details.
Blog coverage of last year's event featured the games Bady-Bartell, NJ Open 2005 from Round Two along with Hart-Selling, NJ Open 2005 and (sorry David!) Stoyko - Cole, NJ Open 2005 from Round One.
Update: I have made a number of posts on the 2006 NJ Open, the last of which contains links to them all as well as the games of the champion, 15-year-old Evan Ju.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home