Southwest Chess Club: Independence Swiss!

Sign up for a one day tournament this coming Sunday! Allen Becker has notified us of this great way to cap what promises to be a beautiful Independence Day weekend in Milwaukee:

Chessplayers, We are having a Swiss tournament this Sunday, to help fill a chess tournament void this holiday weekend. Note that due to insurance factors, all players must be club members (but you can join the club this Sunday, $10 per year, or Free for 18 and under or college students). We know this is last-minute publicity, but please consider coming to play. If you wish to indicate your intention to play, via email, that will be helpful to us. There is no "early" entry fee; you can sign up this Thursday at the club, or from 11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. on Sunday. Please note that we are in the lower level of the St. James Catholic Church's Parish Center building (immediately in front of the church). The address is 7219 South 27th Street in Franklin (just south of Rawson & 27th) . PLEASE Use the south driveway, and park in the south parking lot (the usual club lot). Here are the tournament details (with Flyer attached):

Independence Swiss Sunday, July 5, 2009 The Southwest Chess Club

** Club Members Only ** Can Join Club on July 5 FORMAT: Four Round Swiss System - Four Games in One Day USCF Rated (Dual Rated) -- ONE SECTION SWISS TIME LIMIT: Round 1: Game in 45 Minutes Rounds 2, 3, and 4: Game in 60 Minutes ENTRY FEE: $ 20 Checks payable to Southwest Chess Club (Club Membership: $10; Free if 18 or under or in college) SITE REGISTRATION: 11:15 a.m. – 11:55 a.m. ROUNDS: 12 Noon – 2:00 pm -- 5:00 pm – 7:15 pm Pairings by WinTD; no computer entries PRIZES 1st— $45 C $30 2nd— $40 D $30 A $30 E & Below $30 B $30 Overall prize structure based on 30 total entries; Class prizes awarded with minimum 3 players in each class. Tournament Directors: Allen Becker and Robin Grochowski SITE: Usual Club Location: St. James Catholic Church in the lower level of the Parish Center building (immediately in front of the church). The address is 7219 South 27th Street in Franklin, WI. PLEASE Use south driveway, and park in the south parking lot (the usual club lot). ENTRIES TO: Allen Becker —6105 Thorncrest Drive— Greendale , WI 53129 http://us.mc379.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=allenbecker@wi.rr.com 414-423-0206 (home) or 414-807-0269 (cell) Sets, Boards and Clocks Provided, but Bring your own clock Half point byes: available in Round 1, 2 or 3 if requested prior to round 1; not available in Round 4. _____________________________________________________________________________ Name: __________________________________________________ USCF ID#: ________________ Rating: _________ Expire Date: ___________ Address: ______________________________________ City: _____________________ State : _______ Zip: _________ Phone: ________________ e-mail Address: ________________

Hales Corners Challenge IX

From USCF, here are excerpted final standings for the Open and Reserve Sections (full final standings) - and I hope I did not miss any of the chess femmes! Final standings, Hales Corners Challenge IX (April 25, 2009): Open Section (56 players) (4 rounds): 1 MESGEN AMANOV 3.5 (IL 2391) 22 NICOLE NIEMI 2.0 WI (1861) (Winner of Goddesschess prize $65) Reserve Section (51 players) (4 rounds): 1 ADEM MUSIC 4.0 IL (1594) 5 SANDRA R PAHL 3.0 WI (1372) (50% of Goddesschess prize $20) 10 ELIZABETH CATHERINE EMERY 3.0 WI (877) (50% of Goddesschess prize $20) 13 JOANNA HUANG 2.5 WI (1462) 27 ALENA HUANG 2.0 WI (1260) 29 RACHEL J ULRICH 2.0 IL (1187) 37 DANAE MALISSA ALEXANDER 1.5 WI (810) 43 STEPHANIE MARIE YAHR 1.0 WI (881) 45 CLAUDIA JOY SCHNEIDER 1.0 WI (718) 46 SUSANNA KRIVULIS 1.0 WI )662P5) 49 ISABELLA ILCHENKO 0.5 WI (425P25) Congratulations to the winners of the Goddesschess prizes! Assuming I have all of the chess femmes named above who participated in the HCC IX (11), there was an overall participation rate of 10.28% for the chess femmes, with strong participation in the Reserve section of 19.61%. Hmmm, with so many chess femmes playing in the Reserve section, we may need to rethink our prize structure a bit. Well, with our Goddesschess anniversary get-together coming up shortly in New York (May 12-19), that will be added to our agenda for discussion. We would really like to see more chess femmes participate in the Open, but we were absolutely delighted to see so many chess femmes come out to play in the Reserve. What to do, what to do... Stay tuned for the Hales Corners Challenge X!!!

Southwest Chess Club Lion-In Lamb-Out Tournament

My adopted chess club has a brand new event!!!! This Thursday, March 5, a new tournament starts at the Southwest Chess Club. The Lion-In Lamb-Out Swiss is a two section, four round tournament with games on March 5, 12 and 26 and April 2 (7 PM start time each night). Time Control is Game in 100 minutes. See details below. Note there is one week off on March 19, the night of the Southwest Chess Club Annual Meeting. We plan to start promptly at 7:00 p.m. this Thursday. Registration is 6:30-6:55 p.m. I will close the registration at 6:55, and if you arrive after first-round pairings are prepared you will have to take a 1/2-point bye in the first round. However, if you want to play but anticipate being a few minutes late, please e-mail me at: tfogec@wi.rr.com, or call me (414-425-6742) prior to 5:00 p.m. on March 5, so I can include you in the pairings. If you need a first round, half point bye please let me, know as soon as possible and you can have one. Due to the large number of young players from our club that we anticipate will enter the SuperNationals in Nashville the day after this tournament ends, only for this tournament, a player may request a 1/2-point bye in the fourth round. The fourth round bye must be requested prior to the first round, and is irrevocable. All players are still limited to one, half point bye for the whole tournament. I hope to see everybody on Thursday for the Lion-In Lamb-Out Swiss Remember we continue to play at our new location: St. James Catholic Church, 7219 S. 27th Street , Franklin , WI 53132 . Tom Fogec Tournament Director 414-425-6742 tfogec@wi.rr.com Lion-In and Lamb-Out Swiss: March 5, 12, 26 & April 2 4-Round Swiss in Two Sections (Open and U1600). Game/100 minutes. USCF Rated. EF: $5 members, $7 others. TD is Tom Fogec, ATD is Robin Grochowski. NOTE: This tournament takes a 1-week break in the middle, for the March 19th Annual Club Meeting.

Southwest Chess Club Upcoming Events

Hola darlings! Good news - several upcoming events at my adopted chess club, Southwest Chess Club: THIS THURSDAY NIGHT - Blitz Chess Event ! Snowstorm Blitz-A-Matic: February 26 10-Round (Round-Robin) in One or more Sections (depending onnumber of players). Game/5 minutes. USCF Quick-Rated. EF: $5 members, $7 others. TD is Becker; ATD is Grochowski. Note that we are still meeting at our new location: The Southwest Chess Club meets every Thursday night from 6:00 PM at the St. James Catholic Church in the lower level of the Parish Center building (immediately in front of the church). The address is 7219 South 27th Street in Franklin. The club opens at 6 PM, Tournament Games at 7 PM. Here is a map to the club. We are just south of Rawson on 27th, and close to I-94 in Franklin. Other upcoming events: Lion-In and Lamb-Out Swiss: March 5, 12, 26 & April 24 Round Swiss in Two Sections (Open and U1600). Game/100 minutes. USCF Rated. EF: $5 members, $7 others. (One ½ Point Bye Available for any round (except round four) if requested at least 2-days prior to round). TD is Grochowski; ATD is Fogec. NOTE: This tournament takes a 1-week break in the middle, for the March 19th Annual Meeting. Annual SWCC Meeting: March 19 Casual chess after meeting. Melting Ice Action III: April 9 Round Swiss in Two Sections (G/30 Minutes and G/29 Minutes). USCF Rated. EF: $5 members, $7 others. (½ Point Bye available for only first round if requested prior to round) TD is Becker; ATD is Grochowski. Hales Corners Challenge IX: April 25, 2009 (Saturday) USCF Grand Prix Points: 104SS, G/60. 2 Sections: Open & Reserve (under 1600). Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel—4747 S. Howell Avenue—Milwaukee—414-481-8000 (formerly known as Four Points Sheraton, across street from airport). EF: $35-Open, $25-Reserve, both $5 more after 4/22. Comp EF for USCF 2200+, contact TD for details. $$ Open (b/25)=1st-$325 (guaranteed), 2nd-$175 (guaranteed), A-$100, B & Below-$75; $$ Reserve b/25) =1st-$100, 2nd-$75, D-$50, E & Below-$40. Reg: 8:30-9:30, Rds: 10-1-3:30-6. Ent: Payable to SWCC, c/o Allen Becker, 6105 Thorncrest Drive, Greendale, WI 53129 ( allenbecker@wi.rr.com ). QUESTIONS TO: TD Robin Grochowski—414-744-4872 (home) or414-861-2745 (cell) Goddesschess is once again sponsoring some special prizes for the Hales Corners Challenge IX for chess femmes, so do come out ladies, sign up and play, you may win a Goddesschess cash prize:

• For best female finisher in the Open section, $65
• If there is only 1 CF in the Open, then she gets the prize no matter where she finishes, simply for playing in the Open!
• For best female finisher in the Reserve section $40
• If there are no female players in the Open, the prize money will go to best 3 female finishers in the Reserve section: $40/35/30
• If there are only 2 CFs in the Reserve, then money is split $60/45.

Hales Corners Challenge IX

Hola everyone! My adopted chess club will be hosting THE spring chess event in the Milwaukee area on April 25, 2009! Hales Corners Challenge IX Sponsored by The Southwest Chess Club Saturday, April 25, 2009 Two Sections – Open & Reserve (Under 1600) FORMAT: Four Round Swiss System - Four Games in One Day USCF Rated TIME LIMIT: Game in One Hour (60 minutes per player) ENTRY FEE: $35 – Open; $25 – Reserve (both sections $5 more after April 22, 2009) Comp Entry Fee for USCF 2200+: Entry fee subtracted from any prizes won SITE REGISTRATION: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. ROUNDS: 10 am -- 1 pm -- 3:30 pm -- 6 pm Pairings by WinTD---No Computer Entries---No Smoking PRIZES OPEN RESERVE 1st—$325* 1st—$100 2nd—$175* 2nd—$75 A—$100 D—$50 B & Below—$75 E & Below—$40 * Prize fund in each section is based on minimum of 25 players in that section; however 1st and 2nd prizes in Open Section are guaranteed Tournament Director: Robin Grochowski Assistant Tournament Directors: Tom Fogec & Allen Becker SITE: Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel—4747 S. Howell Avenue—Milwaukee—414-481-8000 (formerly known as Four Points Sheraton, across street from airport) ENTRIES TO: Allen Becker—6105 Thorncrest Drive—Greendale, WI 53129 allenbecker@wi.rr.com QUESTIONS TO: Robin Grochowski—414-744-4872 (home) or 414-861-2745 (cell) USCF I.D. Required -- Bring your own clocks – Sets and Boards Provided Half point bye available in round 1, 2 or 3 if requested prior to round 1. Round 4 bye not available. _____________________________________________________________________________ Checks payable to Southwest Chess Club (Please indicate section desired) __Open Section __Reserve Section Name: __________________________________________________ USCF ID#: ________________ Rating: _________ Expire Date: ___________ Address: ______________________________________ City: _____________________ State: _______ Zip: _________ Phone: __________________ e-mail Address: _______________________ 10 GRAND PRIX PTS. WCA TOUR EVENT

*****************************

NEWS! To promote more chess femmes playing in this event, Goddesschess will once again be sponsoring special prizes just for the ladies. Details to follow! Come on chess femmes! Please sign up and play in this great event. Who knows, I may even show up in person, and you'll see that yes, I am actually a real, live person trying to grow out a mistake-in-judgment haircut, and not just a Phantom (Phantomness?) of the Internet...

Southwest Chess Club of Hales Corners

Hola darlings! I am deep into shopping for new bookcases. I am torn between uber-cheap and uber-expensive. It seems the ones I like BEST are, of course, the most expensive, and the ones that will SERVE best are, at least at Office Depot, the least expensive! The uber-cheap models all come in pieces that have to be assembled, a task I truly dread! I am awaiting delivery of (1) a slipcover for the wingchair in my adopted bedroom (2) two buffet lamps (3) two Chinese-styled bird prints for above my bed and (4) assorted posters, two of which will go into the New York room (the new guest room) and some of which will go into the upstairs hallway to update its rather tattered and dreary look. I still need to order throw rugs - the nice ones are outrageously expensive! I have news, darlings! I should have published this much sooner - but I've been in a redecorating frenzy, as my recent posts will attest :) Anyway, my adopted chess club, Southwest Chess Club of Hales Corners, has a NEW home! Hurrah! Club Location: St. James Catholic Church, 7219 South 27th Street, Franklin, Wisconsin (lower level, Parish Center Building) Not exactly near Hales Corners, but still alive and kicking. I'm glad the club was able to find suitable new digs in which to hold their weekly lectures, get-togethers and tournaments! I do not remember if I published this previously - there is also a new website url. Here are some of the upcoming events scheduled at the SWCC: January 22 Freeze Bowl Swiss Rd 3 2 Secs, G/100 January 29 Winter Blitzzard IV 3 Rds – G/29, G/30 February 5 Chess Valentine Lovers Kiss Rd 1 Quads G/90 February 12 Chess Valentine Lovers Kiss Rd 2 Quads G/90 February 19 Chess Valentine Lovers Kiss Rd 3 Quads G/90 February 26 Snowstorm Blitz-A-Matic 10 Rds Speed Chess March 5 Lion-In Lamb-Out Swiss Rd 1 2 Secs, G/100 March 12 Lion-In Lamb-Out Swiss Rd 2 2 Secs, G/100 March 19 Annual SWCC Meeting March 26 Lion-In Lamb-Out Swiss Rd 3 2 Secs, G/100 April 2 Lion-In Lamb-Out Swiss Rd 4 2 Secs, G/100 April 9 Melting Ice Action III 3 Rds – G/29, G/30 April 16 Tulips on the Chessboard Swiss Rd 1 2 Secs, G/100 April 23 Tulips on the Chessboard Swiss Rd 2 2 Secs, G/100 April 25 HALES CORNERS CHALLENGE IX (Saturday) April 30 Tulips on the Chessboard Swiss Rd 3 2 Secs, G/100 May 7 Warm-Up Blend-O-Matic 10 Rds Speed Chess Using my astounding intellect and powers of deductive reasoning, I have concluded that the HALES CORNERS CHALLENGE IX is the next Grand Prix points event sponsored by the SWCC following the HALES CORNERS CHALLENGE VIII which was held in October, 2008. Goddesschess funded some special prizes for the CHALLENGE VIII - if we fund more special prizes for CHALENGE IX do you think we can encourage a few more local chess femmes to play in that event???

Southwest Chess Club of Hales Corners

Hola! SWCC has a new website address: http://home.roadrunner.com/~swcc/ I'll add it to the links if it's not already there (duh, don't remember right at the moment!) An announcement will soon be made regarding the new location for the club.

Southwest Chess Club of Hales Corners News

Forgot to post this last night: EVENTS AT SOUTHWEST CHESS CLUB THIS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 : This Thursday Expert Paul Fricano will be giving a lecture entitled: "Positional Play - It's About Time". Any of you who have attended one of Paul's lectures know that he does an outstanding job of making chess concepts understandable. You will not want to miss this lecture. The lecture will start at 6 PM. Also the Holiday Holly High-Speed Swiss starts this Thursday with the first two rounds of this Game in 45 event. Sign-ups will be taken during the lecture. Sign up no later than 6:50 PM so that we can start promptly at 7 PM. The final two rounds of this event will be held on the following Thursday, December 11. Details below. If you think you will be late, contact me in advance at the number below or email me. Any calls or emails after 5 PM on Thursday will be too late. This event is at the Layton State Bank in Greendale (5850 Broad Street). Tom Fogec USCF Senior Tournament Director Southwest Chess Club 414-425-6742 tfogec@wi.rr.com Holiday Holly High-Speed Swiss: December 4 & 11 4-Round Swiss in One Section. Two games per night. Game/45 minutes. USCF (dual) Rated. EF: $5 members, $7 others. (One ½ Point Bye Available for any round (except round four) if requested at least 2-days prior to round). TD is Tom Fogec; ATD is Robin Grochowski

Southwest Chess Club of Hales Corners NEEDS HELP!

Oh no, disaster has struck! On this most wonderful of days, when BOTH U.S. chess teams earned Bronze Medals at the Chess Olympiad in Dresden (and IM Anna Zatonskih earned a Gold Medal for her performance on Board 2, and WGM Rusudan Goletiani earned a Silver Medal for her performance on Board 3 - that's 10 medals - count 'em darlings, TEN! for the good old under-funded USA), I received this email from Tom Fogec of my adopted chess club, the Southwest Chess Club of Hales Corners: The Southwest Chess Club needs your help in finding a new meeting location. As many of you know, we are currently meeting at the Layton State Bank in Greendale. Starting with the new year in 2009, that facility will no longer be available to us. We are asking members and friends of the club for any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions regarding a new playing site. Previously we met at the Village Hall in Hales Corners, which is still being renovated. Both sites were provided to the club at no cost, although the club might be able to pay a nominal rent. Sites such as community rooms, schools, colleges, churches, ethnic clubs, recreation centers, corporate meeting rooms etc. are often good choices. It would be very helpful if your suggestion included the name and phone number of a contact. Specifically we need a facility that can accommodate 25 to 40 chess players on Thursday nights from 6 to 11 PM. Please send me an e-mail or call me at 414-425-6742 with any suggestions. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can render. Tom Fogec Southwest Chess Club

**********************************

I am going to wrack my tired brain to see if I can come up with some plausible suggestions. Anyone out there reading this post - suggestions are welcome. What we really need is a rich landlord who is a chess fan with a vacant commercial space of adequate size with restroom facilities for men and women who is willing to dedicate this space to my adopted club for free - or a nominal rent. I'll pay $100 for a year...

BTW, Tom Fogec is a life member of USCF and rated 1618. He is one of the pillars of the Southwest Chess Club.

Supporting Local Chess: The Southwest Chess Club, Hales Corners, WI

I have news! The results of the judging for the "best games" prizes funded by Goddesschess at the Hales Corners Challenge VIII on October 4, 2008 are in: Best Game by a Female Player--$25: won by Joanna Huang for her victory over Al Buschmann; and Best Game by a Male Player--$25: won by Andrew Grochowski for his victory over Bill Olk. The prize games can be replayed here. Here is the entire announcement from my adopted Club's website: Our club sponsors two weekend tournaments each year (October & April). The Hales Corners Challenge VIII was held on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at the Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel. In addition to the usual prizes, Goddess Chess sponsored additional prizes: Top Finishing Female Player--$50: won by Nicole Niemi; Best Game by a Female Player--$25: won by Joanna Huang for her victory over Al Buschmann; and Best Game by a Male Player--$25: won by Andrew Grochowski for his victory over Bill Olk. The prize games can be replayed here. Stay tuned for details on our next Hales Corners Challenge series tournament, scheduled for April 25, 2009 (probably at the Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel).

***************************************************

Thanks to the folks who volunteered to go over the games after the tournament finished to select the games for the "best games" prizes. It was a lot of fun for Goddesschess to sponsor prizes for local events in Milwaukee and Montreal this year. We're already looking forward to 2009.

Southwest Chess Club of Hales Corners New Events

An announcement from my "adopted" local chess club for a new event! Hello Chess Players, This Thursday, September 25, marks the start of a new tournament, the Cool Autumn Breezes Blowing Swiss, a four round event with one game each night of the tournament. There will be two sections. Register at the playing site between 6:20 and 6:50 pm. If you know you will be late but wish to enter, please contact me in advance. Remember, we are now meeting at the Layton State Bank in Greendale, located at 5850 Broad Street (lower level). Details below. Cool Autumn Breezes Blowing Swiss: Sept. 25, Oct 2, 9, 16 4-Round Swiss in Two Sections (Open and Under 1600). Game/100 minutes. USCF Rated. EF: $5 members, $7 others. (One ½ Point Bye Available for any round (except round four) if requested at least 2- days prior to round). TD is Fogec; ATD is Grochowski Tom Fogec Southwest Chess Club 414-425-6742 tfogec@wi.rr.com

Supporting Local Chess: Southwest Chess Club

Join in the fun this Thursday night!. We will have two parallel 3-Round Swiss events, 3 games in one night, August 21st. You have the option of risking your Regular USCF & Action USCF ratings in the Game/30 event (which is "Dual Rated"), or you can play it safe and risk only your Action Rating points in the Game/29 event (Action-rated only). Summer Actionade Cooler II: August 213-Round Swiss, Two Sections: Game/29 Minutes and Game/30 Minutes.USCF Rated. EF: $5 members, $7 others. (½ Point Bye available for only first round if requested prior to round). TD is Becker; ATDs are Fogec/Grochowski. BEFORE the tournament, Allen Becker will give a lecture at 6:00 PM on PLANNING IN CHESS. Looking ahead into late August and September, we will remain at the GREENDALE location until further notice (Layton State Bank (downstairs), at 5850 Broad Street. Here is a map to the club). Doggy Chess Days Extravaganza: Aug. 28, Sept. 4 & 11 -Round “Round-Robin” (a “Quad”). Four chess players to a Quad.Game/90 minutes. USCF Rated. EF: $5 members, $7 others. TD is Grochowski; ATDs are Fogec/Becker.

Supporting Local Chess: Southwest Chess Club Simul!

News from Allen Becker at Southwest Chess Club (Hales Corners, Wisconsin): Congratulations to Anthony Parker, who won all six of his games, and becomes the new SWCC Club Champion! Blog. (If that link doesn't work, see entries on August 6th and August 8th. The tournament is now rated at USCF. Here are the results and prizes. See me next Thursday on arranging to receive your prizes. Don't forget, next week we have a one-night 3-round tournament, either Game/30 (Dual-rated), or Game/29 (Action-only rated). See you then! Well - I couldn't get the table to come out right in this blog format - it does not allow for tables! So, I posted it at Chess Femme News under August 18 entries. Kudos to Anthony Parker for a strong performance!

Supporting Local Chess: Southwest Chess Club, Hales Corners, WI

Allen Becker sent me the following information on July 6th; unfortunately it got caught in my yahoo email addy spam filter, which is strange because I've received other emails from the club in my regular mail with no problem. Anyway, here is the info: NEW CLUB LOCATION The Southwest Chess Club meets every Thursday night from 6:00 PM in the town of Greendale, Wisconsin. We meet at the Layton State Bank (downstairs), at 5850 Broad Street, Greendale (NOTE NEW LOCATION!. Here is a map to the club. Parking is available at the bank; enter through the door on the south side of the bank (next to Parking lot). Due to flooding problems, our Hales Corners Village Hall location is not available until (perhaps) September 2008. We will meet at the Greendale Layton State Bank through July and August, or until further notice. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Southwest Chess Club Championship July 10, 17, 24, 31 & August 7 & 14 (all in Greendale Layton State Bank location)6-Round Swiss in One Section. Game/100. USCF Rated.Entry Fee: $7. Must be a member to participate. SWCC Membership only $10/year (can join when registering for the tournament). (Two ½ point byes available in rounds 1 through 5 if requested at least 2-days in advance; no byes available for rounds 6.)TD is Becker; ATDs are Grochowski/Fogec. THURSDAY NIGHT LECTURE SERIES - Summer 2008 Begins this Thursday night at 6:00 PM - Allen Becker will present a game Every Thursday night at 6 PM (right before the usual games begin). Instructive lectures. The series is entitled “Making Chess Fun”. We need volunteers to present lectures/games/instruction through July and August. Please see Allen Becker if you're interested. Our club website: http://home.wi.rr.com/swcc/ Our Blog (notice two new topics; please contribute and suggest other topics): http://swccchess.blogspot.com/ Our schedule for 2008: http://home.wi.rr.com/swcc/Calendar.pdf

Supporting Local Chess: Southwest Chess Club Simul!

Hola! Allen Becker sent me four photographs from the July 3, 2008 simul the Southwest Chess Club held. Allen Becker is the tall, dark handsome guy in the photos you can find here (at Chess Femme News - scroll down to July 7, 2008). I would have published them here, but evidently because they were TIFs blogger would not accept them when I tried to download them. Enjoy!

Supporting Local Chess: News from Southwest Chess Club

Dear Chessplayers, THIS THURSDAY WE WILL BE AT LAYTON STATE BANK, corner of MOORLAND and BELOIT in New Berlin [Wisconsin]. Allen Becker will be giving a Simultaneous Exhibition to all-comers, a traditional event for the defending club champion before we kick off the new Club Championship. Those not playing in the simul can enjoy casual chess (no regularly-scheduled tournament that night). Layton State Bank is at 4850 S Moorland Rd. New Berlin; we meet downstairs. Thanks for your patience while our club deals with some location shifts due to the water damage at our normal meeting location at the Hales Corners Village Hall. We are working hard to line up great location(s) for the rest of the summer. We will very soon announce the entire summer schedule; we should be able to hold the CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP as originally scheduled ( http://home.wi.rr.com/swcc/Calendar.pdf ) (but at a new location, to be announced very soon!). We will EMAIL you very soon with an update. Also, check out our website for regular LOCATION UPDATES, and other news. http://home.wi.rr.com/swcc/ Again, we hope to begin the Club Championship on July 10 (a 6-Round Swiss with a slow time control) .... stay tuned for another email update in the next few days with that announcement.

Local Chess: Southwest Chess Club

Milwaukee is the city of festivals and the season is rolling along now. The Big Gig (Summerfest) starts June 26th and runs through July 6th but opening at noon today and running through Sunday night, Polish Fest holds sway over the lakefront festival grounds. The Southwest Chess Club (Hales Corners, Wisconsin) has been invited to have a chess booth at this weekend's Polish Fest. Several local masters and experts will be giving simultaneous exhibitions as part of their activities over the weekend. If you're in the area, stop by for a game of chess. More Southwest Chess Club news (received via email): Due to some water damage at the Hales Corners Village Hall, here is our schedule the next 2 weeks: Tonight: 1-night Action Chess event, at Layton State Bank, Moorland & Beloit, New Berlin. June 26: Casual Chess at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 76th Street, Greenfield. Club Championship starts JULY 10 (we should be back in our usual Hales Corners Village Hall location by then).

Supporting Local Chess: The Southwest Chess Club, Hales Corners, WI

Hola! I'm once again dodging downpours, lightning strikes and tornado warnings. I'll stay online as long as I can. Tonight I want to blog a little about supporting local chess. Every now and then I do some searching online to see if I can find out anything about local chess clubs. Scholastic chess has an online presence in Wisconsin, but not so much local adult chess. The website for our state chess association is hit-or-miss and not up to date in many sections. Milwaukee, which used to host some premiere events back in the 1950's, has been out of the loop for years. The most recent prestigious event we hosted here was a few years ago, when the Midwest Airlines Convention Center was the site for the U.S. Scholastic Chess Championships. The thing is, I know that people get together here and play chess - everywhere. But it's all informal, and the locations are in the corners of bars, church basements and a few tables at local eateries in back rooms, out of the way and out of view. And none of these groups are formal "clubs", and no one has a website, so I can't find out about them! I was therefore highly gratified to find the website of a purely local chess club in Hales Corners, Wisconsin: The Southwest Chess Club. The club has been active for a number of years and hosts regular events. It also hosts USCF Grand Prix events - this year sponsored by World Chess Live with total prizes of $20,000! Yeah, it's website could use some work; on the other hand, it's run entirely by volunteers (hey, I know how that works, being a Goddesschess draftee myself) and some sections are very up-to-date, which is good news for me! I'll be posting more about this club and one of its upcoming events: The Hales Corners Challenge VIII, on October 4, 2008, which qualifies for 10 Grand Prix points. It's four rounds in a single day (eek!). Here's some info from the website: 4SS, G/60. 2 Sections: Open & Reserve (under 1600). Village Hall, 5635 S. New Berlin Rd., Hales Corners, WI (Milwaukee Area). EF: $35-Open, $25-Reserve, both $5 more after 10/1. Comp EF for USCF 2200+, contact TD for details. $$ Open (b/25)=1st-$325 (guaranteed), 2nd-$175 (guaranteed), A-$100, B & Below-$75; $$ Reserve b/25) =1st-$100, 2nd-$75, D-$50, E & Below-$40. Reg: 8:30-9:30, Rds: 10-1-3:30-6. Ent: Payable to SWCC, c/o Allen Becker, 6105 Thorncrest Drive, Greendale, WI 53129 ( allenbecker@wi.rr.com ). Questions to TD Gary Wright 414-226-5753. Goddesschess has cooked up a little something special for this club and this event. Stay tuned!