Photos and Videos from 2011 City of Montreal Open Chess Championships

Posted at Photobucket. 

More videos, including this interview with the charming Allison Tsypin and her Dad.  Allison was going to have her 8th birthday the day after the interview - during the Championnat (I don't know the exact date -- the Championnat ran from September 9 - 11, 2011).  Near the middle of this video, Allison and her Dad are talking about the chess lessons she has been taken and some of the tools and resources she has used to improve her chess play.  She mentions several authors by name, including GM Susan Polgar, who have helped her.  I sincerely hope that Allison continues to play chess into that "gap" of ages she mentioned - between 25 and 65 - where there are so few players at local tournaments.  I would like to see her play on one of the Canadian Chess Olympiad Teams!  Go, Allison, Go!  Allison completed the Championnat in the D Section with 2 wins and 3 losses.

This photo gives an idea of the diversity of the players:

Here is a photo of WGM Alina L'Ami and Emile Trottier (Round 3 action - Alina defeated Emile):

2011 City of Montreal Open Chess Championships

The opening video.  I can just feel the energy flowing - and what a great mix of people, young and old, female and male, wily veterans and beginners, all playing this wonderful game of chess together in the gorgeous surroundings of College Jean de Brebeuf.  That is WGM Alina L'Ami in the opening frames, pretty in pink.  As you'll see, there is another lovely young lady in pink who wanders into view later on:

A very special interview of Danny Goldenberg, who talks about the organization of The Royal Game (Jeu Royale) and plans to establish a special invitational event where Canadian chessplayers will have the possibility to score IM norms -- and a few more surprises, too.



An interview (in French, no translation available) with Joliet Philogenes. My French is practically non-existent, but I believe that Mr. Philogenes is an immigrant from Haiti to Canada and has settled in Quebec. He has played in many international tournaments. The lady sitting next to him is his wife - I am not certain if the young people introduced at the end of the video are some or all of their children or children and a student or two! Mr. Philogenes' enthusiasm for the Royal Game comes through loud and clear, no matter the language barriers!  His comments include ruminations on the bonds that the game of chess creates among players, no matter what country they are from and what languages they speak.

91st City of Montreal Open Chess Championships

We have partnered with the organizers of this fine event since 2009 to bring top-level female players to the Championnat in addition to sponsoring class prizes for female chessplayers who participate.  Stay tuned for further news!

This year's Championnat, the 91st in its illustrious history, will be held September 9 - 11, 2011 in Montreal in the beautiful surroundings of College Jean de Brebeuf (on the grounds of the University of Montreal). 

This year the A Section is FIDE rated! 

Guaranteed Prize Fund 6 000 $

SECTION A (>=2000 or Quebec rating index >=21
1 350 $, 675 $, 335 $, 175 $, 100 $ (<2300), 85 $ (<2100)

SECTION B <2000
725 $, 360 $, 180 $, 100 $, 80 $ (<1800), 70 $ (Cadet), 45 $ & 35 $ (women)

SECTION C <1600
425 $, 210 $, 105 $, 75 $, 70 $ (<1400), 55 $ (Cadet), 35 $ & 25 $ (women)

SECTION D <1200 et s/c
250 $, 125 $, 80 $, 60 $, 55 $ (<1000), 40 $ (Cadet),
25 $ & 15 $ (women), 35 $ (unrated)

I blogged extensively about the 90th (2010) Championnat (if the link works!)

Don McLean of Goddesschess did a number of videos, available at You Tube.  Here is one:




By the way, GM Kosteniuk did watch the video and had a good laugh :)