Nevada Chess, Inc.

The annual members meeting of Nevada Chess, Inc. was held at 7 pm on March 4, 2010 at the Clark County Chess Club. Attendees included: Allen Magruder, President; Charles Hatherill, Director; Dan Conver, Director; and John Trivett, member.

Magruder called the meeting to order at 7 pm and changed the scheduled (by email) agenda to move the tally of election ballots to first for expediency. Magruder opened the seven (7) ballots and Hatherill tallied the votes with the following results: all 3 candidates on the ballot, Gordon Barrett, Charles Hatherill and Milivoj Filipas were approved unanimously.

Magruder next summarized the minutes from the last members meeting, March 2009, where certain proposals were approved by the quorum of directors, namely: participants in the State Championship and Team Matches will receive, without cost, an annual members, or an extension of their membership in Nevada Chess, Inc.; directors reaffirmed previous year’s decisions regarding our controbution to our Denker candidate and the rebate to our affiliate from the state scholastic tournament; and these decisions will remain our policy until a change is explicitly proposed and approved by the directors.

Magruder presented a summary of the financial report covering the period 3/6/2009-2/24/2010, including a transaction report showing a balance at beginning of the period of $2,595 and at end of period of $2,412, and an itemized categories report showing income from gifts received ($300), from Nevada Chess, Inc. dues ($213), and from tournament returns ($258); and expenses from bulletin printing, postage and supplies ($308), from tournament awards ($475), and from USCF dues, website service and register with Nevada corporate directors ($175).

Magruder said he will schedule a meeting with directors to determine officers (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary) for 2010-2011 until 2011 elections, and to discuss bids for 2011 state scholastic tournament.

With no other business to discuss, and no quorum of directors present, Magruder proposed adjournment, Hatherill seconded, Conver approved and the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 pm.

The Utah Summer Games will have two days of quick chess and fun chess variants on June 19-20 in Cedar City, which is only a couple of hours away from Las Vegas. There will be a 12-round, USCF rated quick (G/15) tournament, an unrated quick tournament, a Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess) tournament, and a Bughouse tournament. These four events should appeal especially to young chess players.

More information regarding the event can be found on the tournament website at http://www.utahsummergames.org/sports/chess.html.

Thanks, and we hope to see you there,

Damian Nash
(435) 260-2789

Minutes of the Annual Members Meeting and Board of Directors Meeting held March 5, 2009
University Medical Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

The annual meeting of Nevada Chess, Inc. was held at 7 pm on March 5, 2009 in the first-floor lobby of the UMC Doctor’s Building. (Original arrangements in the 6th floor conference room were cancelled by UMC due to previous commitments.)

The attendees, President Allen Magruder, Directors Charles Hatherill and Charles McCoy, Secretary Gordon Barrett, and Election Chairman John Trivett, were seated at a circular table with hard benches.

“The comforts we enjoy are not like the anchor in the bottom of the sea, that holds fast in a storm, but like the flag upon the top of the mast, that turns with every wind.” Quote from C. Love.

Magruder opened the meeting by distributing a copy of the financial report for the period, 4/13/2008 to 3/5/2009, including an Itemized Categories Report and a Transaction Report. Total Income for this period was $622.00; total expenses were $750.43; balance at beginning of period was $2723.28; and balance at end of period was $2594.85.

The meeting continued with a description by Magruder of the informal arrangement made with J. Weikel many years ago regarding Northern Nevada voluntary support of the state affiliate, Nevada Chess, Inc. The undocumented agreement then was essentially that the Reno Club would make a contribution of $200 during the Tonopah events in the fall, and that would include membership in the state affiliate for each of the Northern Nevada attendees, though membership of any attendee was also not a documented requirement. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Nevada State Championship Match awards to the champion and runner-up were $200 total then, and have continued at that same level since. The Reno Club faithfully honored their contribution commitment, if not always during the Tonopah events, but usually shortly thereafter, and the rolls of Nevada Chess, Inc. members were also dutifully augmented with the names of the Northern Nevada attendees. That happened until this past year, when due to some Reno Club problems, their contribution has not yet been received, and Tonopah attendees have consequently not been assigned automatic memberships in Nevada Chess, Inc.

“By the streets of ‘bye and bye’ one arrives at the house of ‘never.” Quote from Cervantes’ Don Quixote.

Magruder next made the following proposal.

PROPOSAL 1

In recognition and appreciation of the effort and expense involved in participating in the Nevada Chess, Inc. sponsored annual state championship and team events, usually held in Tonopah, Nevada, in the fall of the year, each participant attendee will receive without cost an annual membership in Nevada Chess, Inc., or an extension of their current membership. This does require participant attendees to provide their correct names, addresses and other contact information for the Nevada Chess Inc. membership rolls.

This proposal was accepted by all directors present, as well as by director M. Filipas in an earlier phone conversation with Magruder.

Contributions to support the official USCF state affiliate, Nevada Chess, Inc., will continue to be entirely voluntary.

PROPOSAL 2

Magruder next moved that the directors reaffirm last year’s decision that the state affiliate provide the Denker candidate 50% of the amount returned to the affiliate from the state scholastic tournament, with a minimum provision of $200. This was also approved by all.

PROPOSAL 3

Magruder next moved that the directors reaffirm last year’s decision that the organizer of the state scholastic tournament return to the state affiliate $2/player from the proceeds of the tournament. This was also approved by all.

ELECTIONS

John Trivett, Election Committee Chairman, collected, opened and tallied all ballots before all present, with the following results.

A great day for all three candidates vying (?) for positions. Allen Magruder (6 of 6 approve), Daniel Conver (5 of 6 approve, welcome back) and Craig Christensen (5 of 6 approve) were all elected to 2-yr terms. Congratulations!

Remember, “In great moments, life is unsurpassable.” (Gordan Barrrett)

The meeting was adjourned at about 7.30 pm, and a shining good time was had by all.

“How far that little candle (Nevada Chess Inc.) throws his beams! So shines a good deed in this world.” (Shakespeare)

Submitted by Gordon Barrett, Secretary, Nevada Chess Inc. (as edited by A. Magruder)

The 26th Annual Western States Open will take place at the Sands Regency Hotel in Reno, Nevada, from October 17-19, 2008. This 200 Grand Prix Point event will offer a prize fund of $40,000 based on 400 entries.

As usual the event will be run by NTD Jerry Weikel and will be a 6 round Swiss in 7 sections: Open (FIDE Rated), Expert, A, B, C, D and E/Under.

For complete details regarding the event and online entry information, please visit the tournament website at http://www.renochess.org/wso/index.html.

There was a 6-way tie for first at the 2008 National Open held at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. GMs Gata Kamsky, Laurent Fressinet, Tigran Petrosian and Atanas Kolev were joined by IMs Ben Finegold and Josh Friedel, all finishing with 5 points.

The highest placed Nevadan was FM James Schuyler who finished tied for 10th-23rd with 4 points.

Read more »

I would like to invite Nevada chess players to the Southern Utah Chess Festival in Moab, Utah, over Labor Day weekend. It should be a fun chess weekend, including a 6-round Swiss tournament, a beginner’s tournament, a Blindfold Chess tournament, a Chess960 (Fischer Random) tournament and a Bughouse tournament. It coincides with the Moab Music Festival, which is Utah’s premier chamber music and world-jazz festival. Full information is online at the Utah Chess website: http://www.utahchess.com/Event_Flyers/Southern_Utah_Chess_Festival_2008.doc.

Best regards,

Damian Nash
USCF Senior TD
435-260-2789

The 2008 Las Vegas International Chess Festival is proud to announce the participation of World Cup Champion GM Gata Kamsky as a player in the 2008 National Open. GM Kamsky will also give a simul on Thursday, June 5th at 3 p.m., and will be available for autographs Friday and Saturday afternoon. This year’s festival is shaping up to be the best ever. The cornerstone 2008 National Open again features a $100,000 Prize Fund with $75,000 guaranteed.

The ever popular U.S. Game/10 Championship will be held on Thursday, June 5th, the day before the National Open. For those who can’t get enough chess, the National Open Blitz Championship will be held Thursday evening.

Also Thursday, the Susan Polgar Chess Camp will feature a full or half day session in small groups with GM and other fine instructors. This camp is designed for players of all ages. GM Susan Polgar, America’s Chess Ambassador, is the chief instructor.

Once again the festival will host the Susan Polgar World Open for Girls and Boys. Players in both events will be eligible for Scholarships and prizes. In addition to several Polgar side events, participants in these tournaments may also wish to participate in some of the open side events, such as the Blitz or the Scholastic Trophy Tournament.

On line registration is available for all events. For more information, please visit the tournament website at http://www.vegaschessfestival.com.

Board of Directors Meeting, April 12, 2008
Our Lady of Las Vegas School Yard, Las Vegas, Nevada

President Allen P. Magruder called the meeting to order at 3:15 PM.
Directors Present: A. Magruder, C. Hatherill, G. Barrett, C. McVoy

Before addressing the agenda items, Magruder established the agenda for the meeting with those present, as follows: Members Meeting Report; Financial Report; Determine Officers; Determine Support/Contributions for April Bulletin; Determine Support for Denker Candidate; State Scholastic Tournament Report; Club Activities Report.

1. Members Meeting Report
The members meeting was held on March 6th, 2008 during the Thursday evening session of the Clark County Chess Club. Vice President Charles Hatherill presided and Charles McVoy and Gordon Barrett attended. President Magruder was out of town and unable to attend.

The election ballots were assessed and all candidates were approved and elected to two year terms. Gordon Barrett, Milijov Filipas, Charles Hatherill and Charles McVoy will (re)join Allen Magruder, Eric Baugus and Edward Silakowski on the Board of Directors of Nevada Chess, Inc.

No other business was conducted and the meeting was adjourned.

2. Financial Report
Due to illness, Treasurer Eric Baugus was unable to attend. A. Magruder presented the financial report for the period 8/12/2007-4/12/2008 and 3/5/2007-4/12/2008 annual summary. For the former 8-month period, our expenses exceeded our income by $51.32, whereas for the latter 13-month period, our income exceeded our expenses by $117.70. Our current balance is $2723.28, with $2285.65 in the Nevada State Bank account and $437.63 in petty cash account. The 2008 expenses of $93.24 for website service and $40 for USCF affiliate fee are yet to be paid.

Magruder also reported our tax-exempt status as an educational institution has been granted again by the State of Nevada Department of Taxation, now to expire on March 31, 2013.

3. Determine Officers
After a brief discussion, and at least until further notice, the officers remained the same except for the secretary position, where newly elected Gordon Barrett replaces Richard Risley. The officers of Nevada Chess, Inc. for the term 2008-2009, until the 2009 election are: A. Magruder, President; Charles Hatherill, Vice President; Eric Baugus, Treasurer; Gordon Barrett, Secretary.

At this point, Magruder informed C. Hatherill that he is again our Nevada delegate to the USCF delegates convention in Dallas, at the US Open, and Magruder is the alternate, with G. Barrett serving in absence of both.

4. Determine Support/Contributions for April Bulletin
C. Hatherill will provide reports on tournaments held at Our Lady of Las Vegas, on the High School chess competitions, on the Members Meeting, and on the state scholastic tournament arrangements. Gordon Barrett will provide some chess articles and games. Charles McVoy contributed a game from 1981 between Abbey and Gallegos, and an article with an item about a king-size chessboard at the new Las Vegas Corporate Center. Magruder will gather what he can from the Northern Nevada website and contacts, and assemble the bulletin with whatever material he has by the end of next week, April 19th.

5. Determine Support for Denker Candidate and State Scholastic Tournament
After some discussion, and in view of the considerable expense securing the Henderson Convention Center site, Magruder moved to reduce state scholastic tournament return to state affiliate from $3/player to $2/player. This was seconded and approved by all except Hatherill, who abstained because he is principal organizer of the tournament.

After some discussion, Hatherill moved that the state affiliate provide the Denker candidate 50% of the amount returned to the affiliate from the state scholastic tournament, with a minimum provision of $200. This was seconded and approved by all.

6. State Scholastic Tournament Report
Charles Hatherill has scheduled the Nevada State Scholastic Tournament on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008, at the Henderson Convention Center. He has sent announcement of same to 250 schools in Southern Nevada, and will send a copy of that to representatives in Northern Nevada for distribution there. Alan Losoff will be chief TD, C. Hatherill will be responsible for pairings and directing, with assistance from appointed staff.

7. Club Activities Report
Charles McVoy reported that the Dula Center Club will no longer meet on Sunday. He also mentioned that games at the Clark County Chess Club have not been recently rated, and is of concern to many players there. McVoy also contributed an article from Las Vegas Business Press on “art in public places” with the item “When his (Molasky) new corporate center opens nearby on the 61 acres in 2007, it’ll come with some major public art, he says – including a king-size marble chessboard.”

The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM.

Grandmaster Melikset Khachiyan won the 8th Annual Far West Open, held at the Sands Regency in Reno from March 21-23, 2008, with a final score of 5

In a city flush with jobs, students can land lucrative gigs to pay for their education. They park cars, dance, serve cocktails and otherwise contribute to the 24-hour economy.Ryan Phillips, 23, is pursuing a less orthodox way of paying for law school at UNLV.

Phillips, an aspiring corporate attorney, happens to be a competitive chess player. And he’s hoping that teaching chess for $30 an hour will allow him eventually to drop his other gigs tutoring math for about 10 hours a week.

Phillips, who won the under-2000 Western States Open in 2006 and tied for second in the North American Open’s under-1800 in 2004, learned to play chess at age 8 from his dad. (“Under-2000″ and “under-1800″ refer to the U.S. Chess Federation’s ratings for players.)

Since childhood, Phillips has taught himself more about chess by practicing, reading books on tactics and studying other players’ games.

“I liked the logic of it,” he said. “It’s a beautiful game to me aesthetically also. The patterns, the way the pieces move, there’s a logic and a symmetry to the game.”

So far, Phillips is finding that entrepreneurship isn’t easy.

He’s started his chess business with one student a 6-year-old who has taken hourly lessons once a week for the past 2