These are tough days for the newspaper industry. The New York Times today tried to make the case for why it is a relevant institution. Today's LA Times makes a more cogent case for its relevance in my life. In this article below, they mention my son. While he's no Bobby Fischer, he is saner than that guy. The LA Times also scores big points with me and Dora for sending over an excellent reporter and photographer to interview us last thursday. We talked at length about our new book.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-ca-chess15-2009feb15,0,1961478.story
From the Los Angeles Times
CHESS
Gata Kamsky to face Veselin Topalov
By Jack Peters
International Master
February 15, 2009
Position No. 6042: Black to play and win. From the game Pedro Tomas Perez Aleman-Theo Hommeles, Gibraltar 2009.
Solution to Position No. 6041: White gains a piece by 1 Qe4 Kg8 2 Qxe5 Ne3+ 3 Qe4. If 1 . . . Qe6, both 2 Ne3+ and 2 Nxd4+ f5 3 exf5 Qf6 4 Nf3 win for White.
Two significant events begin this week. Former U.S. champion Gata Kamsky faces Bulgarian star Veselin Topalov in an eight-game match in Sofia, starting Monday. The players will split a prize fund of $250,000. The winner earns the right to a world championship match against Viswanathan Anand of India this year.
Topalov's current rating of 2809, best in the world, makes him a clear favorite against Kamsky, ranked 17th at 2725.
The rating difference predicts a Topalov victory by one or two points. However, Kamsky's tenacious style is perfect for match play, while Topalov seems better suited to tournaments. Also, Kamsky has notched upsets in previous matches.
The official website, wccc2009.com, will broadcast the games.
World champion Anand returns to action Wednesday in an eight-player double round robin in Linares, Spain. He hasn't played since defending his title against Vladimir Kramnik of Russia in October.
Anand won the Linares tournament, often the best of the year, in 2007 and 2008. This time, he must overcome the formidable resistance of Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine (ranked third in the world), Magnus Carlsen of Norway (fourth), Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan (seventh) and Levon Aronian of Armenia (11th). The tournament will pay 314,000 Euros (about $400,000) in prize money.
Local news
The Western States Single Grade Scholastic Championships will be held Saturday and next Sunday at the Ventura Beach Marriott, 2055 E. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura. The tournament, now in its 12th year, attracted a record 382 entrants in 2008. This year, the 10-section event will offer a host of individual and team prizes to students in grades K-12. For details, call Jay Stallings at (661) 288-1705 or see the flier posted at aaachessclub.com.
There was a good turnout of 75 players Feb. 7 at the 15th Warner Winter Scholastic at Warner School in Westwood. Sections were won by Eric Demer, Ethan Minafoor, Jovanni Scagliotti, Kevin Headrick, Tony DePesa, Kevin Quisumbing, Thomas McKinley, Kai Lim, Alok Elashoff (playoff over Bryan Toubi), Evan Wainer, River Benyair, Alexander Kahn, Oscar Logevall and Nathan Tabib. John Surlow directed.
Jesse Victoria scored 4 1/2 - 1/2 to win the 40-player Dr. Richard Lewis Memorial at the Pasadena Chess Club. John Hale and Robert Xue were next at 4-1. Jerry Harrison, David Minasyan and Kevin Qian earned class prizes.
The six-round Pasadena Chess Club Championship begins at 7 p.m. Friday in the Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St. in Pasadena. Call Randy Hough at (626) 282-7412 for information.