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After seven straight draws, Sergey Karjakin was able to win Game 8 in the World Chess Championship and take a 4.5-3.5 lead in the match with four games to go. In a game that Carlsen's manager called "an emotional roller coaster" both players made game-changing errors in time trouble just before the 40-move time control. |
Continue reading "WCC R8: Karjakin Wins Game 8" »
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Game 7 ended in a thirty-three move draw. Based on his play and his comments as after press conference six it seemed that Carlsen was playing for a draw to get the White pieces in Game 8 after two consecutive Blacks. Carlsen dropped a pawn on move 22, after which only two results were possible, and held on for the draw. The Match goes into the last five games with Carlsen having the first move in tomorrow's game. |
Continue reading "WCC R7: It's a Five Game Match" »
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Holbrook Middle School in Holden, Maine is looking for a chess instructor to guide their chess club and team. The position provides a reasonable stipend. Interested chess coaches should contact Richard Modery at rmodery@rsu63.org |
Continue reading "Holbrook School Seeking Chess Instructor" »
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Thirty-eight players turned out to honor the memory of former University of Maine professor and Maine State Chess Champion International Master Danny Kopec on Saturday, November 19, 2016 in the Bangor Room at the University of Maine Orono Memorial Union. Winners were: Sergio Mejia (Open), Stevie Baston (U2000), and Anthony Freudig (U1550). Here is the illustrated tournament report with USCF crosstables. We would welcome the submission of any games from this event to post on our games link. |
Continue reading "IM Danny Kopec Memorial Tournament Report" »
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After six game in the World Chess Championship Match the score is equal at 3.0 points apiece. Today's game was the quickest of the match at around an hour and a half and thirty-two moves. Tomorrow is a rest day and when the Match continues with Game 7 on Sunday, Carlsen will again have the Black pieces as he did in Game 6. When asked what the players will do on the rest day Karjakin said, "Maybe I will take helicopter!" to which Magnus replied, "I am not going to go in a helicopter, that scares me." |
Continue reading "WCC R6: Match Tied 3-3 at Halfway Point" »
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Carlsen, playing the White pieces in Game 5, opened with the Giuoco Piano an ancient opening first played in the early 16th century. The last time it was played in a World Chess Championship Match was in 1981 during the Karpov-Korchnoi Match. Karjakin was much better at some point and after the game Carlsen said he was lucky to get the draw. It was Karjakin's best game of the match--to procure winning chances after the previous two games, in which he was clearly worse, is a sure sign of his resilience and a harbinger of a great match to come. In the next two games Carlsen will have Black. Game 6 will happen tomorrow, Friday, November 17th. |
Continue reading "WCC R5: Fifth Game Fifth Draw; Karjakin Nearly Converts a Win" »
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The game started, as did Game 2 when Karjakin had the White pieces, with 1.e4 and a Ruy Lopez. The challenger played what he thought was a brilliant move with 18.Bxh6 but after 18...Qc6 Karjakin thought, 'What have I done?' By move 40 there were only two results possible according to GM commentator Judit Polgar: Black wins or the game is drawn. Carlsen pushed the computer evaluation up to a full -2.00 but winning a won position is one of the most difficult tasks in chess. Karjakin again showed his Karpov-like defensive mettle by establishing a fortress and holding on like grim death. Carlsen's King went on a walk to a2 and then to g4 without being able to penetrate White's position. On move 94 the players agreed to a draw. The match is tied at 2.0. Tomorrow is a rest day. Game 5 is scheduled for Thursday. |
Continue reading "WCC R4: Epic 94-Move Draw" »
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The third game in the World Chess Championship match ended in a draw after a back-and-forth battle that looked drawn until Black's 30th and 31st moves Ra2 and c5. Commenters thought these moves were too optimistic and the beginning of Black's problems. When 64...Be7 appeared many observers thought Black was losing. Karjakin then showed why he is the challenger playing 67...Rxh3 and allowing the capture of his Bishop. This led to Carlsen losing his important f-pawn and after making two less-than-perfect Rook moves the evaluation dropped to 0.00. Six moves later the players shook hands and agreed to a draw after nearly seven hours of chess. |
Continue reading "WCC R3: Roller Coaster Games Ends in Draw" »
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You must see this film! Local independent filmmaker Veronica Young chronicles the 2012-2013 season of the most successful scholastic chess program in Maine state history--the Deer Isle-Stonington Mariners. Granted exclusive access to all aspects of the team, Young presents a touching and intimate inside look at the players, parents, coaches, boosters, tournaments, and events that shaped the story of Mariners chess and their legendary coach Dick Powell. A poignant view into the heart and soul of what it means to be a scholastic chess player, this film brought me through a surprising spectrum of emotions. Two enthusiastic thumbs up. |
Continue reading "Film Screening: Chess Champs: An Island's Pride" »
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Established by ChessMaine.net and funded by a generous anonymous donor, the George Cunningham Brilliancy Prize was created to remember and honor one of the most influential figures in Maine chess history and to recognize games played in the state that evoke a certain harmony and aesthetic. The winner of the Prize for the three-month period August - October, 2016 is Roger Morin for his game vs Will Ravn at the National Chess Day Tournament played on October 8th in Brewer. For his efforts Roger will receive a $100 check. Congratulations Roger! |
Continue reading "Roger Morin Wins George Cunningham Brilliancy Prize" »
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