Steve Saunders writes on the North Bay - Financial Concept Group International Open that took place August 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1997 at Nippissing University in North Bay, Ontario.
Photo left: North Bay - Financial Concept Group International
Open equals lots and lots of chess players in chess heaven, right Gilbert? Gilbert Bernard from Cape Breton says heys played in every North Bay Open.
'Had a great time, but did not do was well as I expected. I remember seeing just under 200 boards - meaning that their were about 400 participants in the tournament overall. I understood the number of participants was a bit down from last year, but their was great enthusiasm for another event next year.
Photo left: Young Stephen Glinert held Grandmaster Leonid Gofshtein to a draw in round one of the tournament. As you can see here, Stephen was so small that he knelt on the chair to get a better view of the board!
Grandmaster Sergy Kurdrin of the USA (formerly from the USSR) and Grandmaster Grigory Serper won the open tournament. I had a opportunity to congratulate Grandmaster Kudrin on the flight out of North Bay. He asked me how I enjoyed the tournament and I explained that I did not do as well as I had hoped, but I had learned a lot. Kudrin replied that "Chess is an interesting occupation. I learn every time I play. Just as in this last tournament. Its what keeps me interested."
Maritimers generally did well in their sections:
In the under 2000:
Justin Gulati (PEI) had 6 pts /8 for a 2-4th place tie, in the $$$.
Alvah Mayo (NS) had 5 1/2 pts/8 for a 5-8th place tie, in the $$$.
Steve Saunders (NS) had 4 pts /8.
In the Under 1800:
Tyler Reddy (NS) had 6 pts/8 for 3-6th place tie, in $$$.
Gilbert Bernard (NS) had 4 pts/8
Bruce Fleury (NS) had 3 1/2 pts/8
In the Under 1600: Hector Grant (NB) had 5 pts/8
You can see the complete crosstables from the tournament courtsey of the Chess Federation of Canada website:
So much for the "underated Nova Scotians and Maritimers." Really, I can only believe only the most enthusiastic and therefore improving chess players will travel to North Bay for a tournament. And I think these results are evidence of this. The competition was good.
One interesting feature of this tournament was the introduction of the new FIDE Laws of Chess passed July 1, 1997. Jonathan Berry, the open section chief tournament director presented the highlights of these rules on August 6 at the tournament and these highlights available here as a transcript.
One of the unique features we enjoyed was the lecture and post
mortems by International Master and chess author Jeremy Silman of the
USA. Jeremy Silman didn't participate in the tournament as a
player, 'just a lecturer. In his prepared lecture he stressed the
deficiencies most players (lower than a master level) have in
positional judgement. We frequently try to engineer an attack, that
should fail, when good positional play is more appropriate. He had
quite a sense of humor. He said "Talk to yourself about your
position. The more schizophrenic you become, the better you play
chess." His post mortems proved his point. Once he pointed the
positional errors out it became obvious that even expert level
players make bad positional judgements. Its a great opportunity for
serious chess enthusiasts to improve.
Photo left: Jeremy Silman even helped outside the classroom on the tournament floor. Here he provides some insight to players in the U2000 section. Look, there's couple Maritimers seeking tips!
Silman recommended several books - I can remember a few - the Pachman series, "Big Book of Busts" by Schiller and Watson, "Capablanca's Best Chess Ending" by Chernev, a book on the Accelerated Dragon variation of the Sicilian defence (as well as the openning), some of his own books, etc. He was also recommending the Slav Defence against 1.d4 ... but then again he has co-authored several books on the Slav. Perhaps Alvah and Justin can add to the list off books.
Along with all these chess games and instruction there was the temptation of the Chess Federation of Canada Bookstore. I left a little poorer and with more reading material than I can handle.
Photograph left: Chess can be an outdoor sport. We were told this huge chess set costs $4,000. And its hard to pack in bag.
One other consideration for the tournament was the cost participation. I know it takes some money to get to North Bay. But $300 for the tournament entry, accommodations on site, the chess lectures and an all you can eat breakfast each morning is a bargain. I recommend you consider going next year.
Many thanks to Derrick Bessette and Ron Smith and all the other organizers in North Bay for a great tournament.
Regards . . . Steve Saunders
P.S. I also played in the Simcoe Day Open in Toronto. My play wasn't bad but my results were a disaster. Close to winning doesn't count on in chess. I only managed 1 1/2 out of 5 in the under 2100 section. My last game tells it all. After having the initiative and being on the verge of winning for 5 hours, I miscalculated an endgame position and lost.
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