April 29, 2008

Announcing -- ICCF 1st JUNIOR WORLD CUP

ICCF announces the 1st Junior World Cup intended to promote correspondence chess in young players. It will be played on the ICCF webserver in two stages: Preliminary and Final and is open to anyone born after June 30th, 1988 regardless of ICCF membership status.

The top four players in the Final will receive money prizes. Players may register immediately via their National Federation or by using the online Direct Entry method. Registration closes at midnight GMT on June 20, 2008.

Two ICCF-US players (Anthony Cain and Cian Wingo) are among the early entries to the Junior World Cup.

For more details see the official announcement on the ICCF website.

April 6, 2008

Wanted: One Player for a Two Game Friendly Match with Scotland, 1800-2000 Fixed ICCF Rating

Scotland vs. The World 30th Anniversary of Scottish CCA will have four Americans participating, and we need one more player with a fixed ICCF rating of 1800-2000 to play by post. Please send your entry request to schakels@comcast.net.

April 3, 2008

April Game of the Month Annotated by GM Dr. Jason Bokar

As promised in March, we present the April Game of the Month with superb annotations by GM Dr. Jason Bokar. The game is a Dutch Stonewall win by ICCF-US Secretary and IM Corky Schakel over a strong Russian opponent.

Enjoy

April 3, 2008

Announcing -- 3rd ICCF WEBCHESS OPEN TOURNAMENT

    -One free entry to new-to-ICCF players-

ICCF has just announced the 3rd ICCF Webchess Open Tournament, with details available under "New events" at www.iccf-webchess (or click http://www.iccf-webchess.com/Message.aspx?message=210 ). This is an open-to-all event with seven player sections; the first of three rounds starts in mid-May. Players who are new to ICCF will be allowed one free entry to introduce themselves to server play. Multiple entries are allowed, at $25 each, a bit less via Direct Entry.

March 23, 2008

Wanted: Chess Clocks for Cuba

SIM Pablo Salcedo Mederos, my Museum Match partner and long time friend of ICCF-US, has started a chess club at his university in Cuba. They need about twenty chess clocks. If anyone has an unused chess clock they would like to donate, please contact me at schakels@comcast.net.

Corky Schakel, ICCF-US Secretary

March 23, 2008

U.S. CORRESPONDENCE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS -- Entries Closed

Last minute entries allowed us to kick off with nine sections! Thanks for your response.

March 9, 2008

Ted Brandhorst is USA's Newest SIM

to enlarge

The ICCF-US office is pleased to announce that Ted Brandhorst (USA) has earned the title of Senior International Master as officially confirmed by ICCF Titles Commssioner, Eric Ruch. This is the second of what we hope will be many more medals that the USA will be awarded at the Pleven, Bulgaria Congress to be held in September. Ted’s SIM title was earned as the result of Norms earned in the ‘Chessfriends Rochade 5171 - 15 Years’ and the ‘10th North American Invitational CC’ tournaments.

Ted represented the USA team as board 4 in the Rochade event where he scored 8 points. Board 4 was rated 2467 (Category IX) and included 2 GMs as well as 7 SIMs in the field of 15 players. Ted made the SIM standard while earning a performance rating of 2528 and finishing tied for 4th. Ted clinched the norm with his result against Germany’s SIM Thomas Cuno on Halloween, October 31, 2006.

In the Category VII (rated 2417) NAICCC tournament Ted scored 9 points which exceeded the 8 required for the SIM title, missing a GM norm by a mere ½ point. Ted won this tournament with a stratospheric 2617 performance rating. Ted scored his 8th point (title clinching point) against Canada’s IM Valer-Eugene Demian on Christmas Day! It looks like Ted does not take off on Holidays! Congratulations to the USA’s latest SIM.

Reported by Bob Rizzo

March 4, 2008

New Feature -- Game of the Month

In the menu to the left you will see a new item -- "Game of the Month". Just to get the ball rolling I have started with light annotations on one of my own games. But I promise you better games and better annotation in the coming months as the USAs newest ICCF GM Dr. Jason Bokar has volunteered to annotate for us!

I will also accept your most interesting annotated games from our other readers for consideration for publishing in this new feature. Don't be shy -- send your best efforts. I will also accept your best games unannotated and pass them on to Jason for possible annotation by a GM.

March 1, 2008

U.S. CORRESPONDENCE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS -- Two More Players Needed

ICCF-US Secretary Corky Schakel has informed me that 54 entries for the 2nd USCCC via webserver have been received! (Unfortunately not enough Postal entries came in to hold the 18th USCCC by post). We still need two more webserver entries to fill out the eighth seven-player section so Corky can get the assignments out this month. If you have ever considered playing in the U.S Championships, or just want want some good games against strong players, we need your entry now. See tournament and entry details in February 1st announcement below.

February 15, 2008

U.S. CORRESPONDENCE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Note: E N T R Y    D E A D L I N E    E X T E N D E D    T O    M A R C H    1st
Last chance to get those entries in!

to enlarge and see other photos

9 February 2008: USCCC Champion IM David Myers With His Trophy

There's more to being USCCC champion than just the title. The perquisites as the winner include:

You too will get your story on the web (see October 22 article below)

The Trophy - a pretty impressive piece of hardware for your trophy case (and if you don't have a trophy case, the USCCC Championship trophy will be worth building one for)

Certainly not the least impressive prize is that you earn an entry into the ICCF World Championship tournament

The Trophy

I hope these pictures will whet your appetite to vie for the titles of 2nd Webserver US Correspondence Champion or 19th Postal US Correspondence Champion (if we get enough postal entries). See the announcement below and if you are rated over 2000 and didn't get an email from ICCF-US inviting you, please email ICCF-US or the webmaster with an updated email address. (Qualified players not receiving an invitation may mean that we have a bad email address on file for you.)

Remember, you don't have to have the highest rating to win, David wasn't the top rated player last year.

February 1, 2008

U.S. CORRESPONDENCE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The deadline date for upcoming U.S. Correspondence Chess Championships is fast approaching. Get your entries in now!

18th Postal Entries due Feb. 15, 2008
2nd Server Entries due Feb. 15, 2008

All CCLA and USCF members
with correspondence ratings over 2000 or OTB over 2100
Preliminary round sections: 7 players, balanced by rating. Winners advance. Final round
includes designated champions from USCF and CCLA and former USCCC Champions.

U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY
AND NOMINATION TO
ICCF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CYCLE

Details at www.iccfus.com/ne040210.htm
Or for order form to write to:

ICCF-US
16052 Quality Ct. S.
Lakeland MN 55043

Entries due Feb. 15, 2008
Calendar March 1st 2008 as the start date!

February 1, 2008

USA Women Take on Germany in a Friendly Match

Germany challenged ICCF-US to a Women's Friendly Match, with a Scheveningen System format (each of the five team members plays two games against each of the five opponent players). Here is our team:

Janet Peterson
Jean Moeckel
Madge Smith
Roselie Estey
Vanessa Glover Evans
We wish our team good luck and good chess!

In addition ICCF-US has agreed to participate a Women's Olympiad if ICCF can get nine teams to commit. Ladies, this is a great chance to meet other chess player from at least eight countries!

January 6, 2008

NEW INTERNATIONAL MATCHES SCHEDULED

Dick Vandenburg reports that he is organizing two new international matches, with the United Kingdom and Spain , both of which will be played 100% through the ICCF server. Both countries indicate they want to use the server only, without any of the games being played via email on the side. The UK match is set to begin on February 1 with Spain following March 1. Only members of CCLA and USCF are eligible to play on one or both of our teams (non-members are encouraged to join one of the two groups). Space depends upon whether we have room in the various rating classifications, except we will not give preference to players who participated in the now winding-down USA vs. Sweden match and ended with a 0-2 score. As with Sweden, most players will be rated between 2000 and 2500, although a few may be accepted down to 1700 or 1800. Two games will be played with each opponent (one with each color, of course) and players will be listed in order of their ratings, using ICCF ratings first, followed by either USCF or CCLA. We estimate the UK match will have about 30 players and Spain somewhere between 50 and 80. Also as with Sweden, the use of computers is permitted.

If you are interested in playing in either match, please contact:
Dick Vandenburg rsvandenburg@juno.com.

January 1, 2008

ICCF-US Secretary's Report -- ICCF-US Administration

After more than ten years of outstanding service as Secretary to ICCF-US, Ruth Ann Fay retired last October. She continues to be a great help as I learn the ins and outs of ICCF and ICCF-US. Ruth Ann was also the North America Pacific Zone Director, and I will be continuing the dual role until we find someone who can dedicate theirself fully to take on the NAPZD duties.

There are a number of volunteers supporting ICCF-US during this transition. Dan Perry is the new webmaster, with Franklin Campbell the back-up. Franklin is also TD for the 2nd World Server USCCC Final. Kristo Miettinen is organizing the USCCC17 Final, and will be the TD for the event. Bob Rizzo is keeping track of all the norms for IM, SIM, and GM titles. Michael Millstone is the Direct Entry coordinator for ICCF, and has been a great resource for how ICCF works. Jason Bokar has been the deputy NAPZ Director, and continues to provide help and advice. Brennan Price has volunteered to provide organizing support, as well as legal advice. Dick Vandenburg, CCLA President, is coordinating a friendly match against Sweden, soon to be followed by matches with England, Germany, Spain, and whoever else challenges us. And Alex Dunne and Joan DuBois of USCF have been providing support through publicity for ICCF events (and successes!).

ICCF officials have been most helpful (and tolerant), especially Gino Figlio, Marco Caressa, Frank Geider, Eric Ruch, Gian-Maria Tani, Guido Bresadola, Pedro Hegoburu, President Med Samraoui, and Honorary President Alan Borwell.

My objectives for the next several years are simple: help ICCF-US survive and thrive, providing an opportunity for American players to compete internationally at the highest levels. So the right way to end this note is to wish the best of luck to Jon Ostriker, David Myers, and Tim Murray as they start WC Finals in the next few months. Previous American World Champions Hans Berliner and Victor Palciauskus have led the way for all of us.

Amici Sumus!
Corky Schakel,
ICCF-US Secretary

December 31, 2007

ICCF Olympaid XVII Preliminaries US Team Qualifies for Finals and Makes Chess Life January Cover!!

I wish to pass along a letter of congratulations to the US ICCF Olympiad XVII Preliminaries team on their qualification to the Olmypiad Finals from Joan DuBois, U.S. Chess Director of Communications, Affiliate Relations & Correspondence Chess. Her letter also points out their new status as the "cover boys" of U.S. Chess. Their achievement has been memorialized on the January cover of Chess Life for all the world to see!

Let me echo Joan's congratualations to:
1st Board : Dr. Jason Bokar
2nd Board : Kenneth Reinhart
3rd Board : Keith Rodriguez
4th Board : Robert Rizzo
5th Board : Michael Millstone
6th Board : Corky Schakel
Captain (and cover designer!) J. Franklin Campbell

For more on the team see the official team website (where you can also get a preview of the cover).

December 31, 2007

Tournament Announcement -- 1st ICCF Veterans World Cup

ICCF-US is now accepting entries for the 1st ICCF Veterans World Cup organized by the Czech Correspondence Chess Association in memory of IA Stanislav Foglar.

This tournament will be played on the ICCF webserver, in two or three stages (depending on entries) of 11-13 players, beginning 11 April 2008. This tournament is only open to players who will be at least 60 years of age as of the startdate. All games played in this tournament are rated, and one entry fee covers all stages. Games will be available to the public only when they are finished, and when at least 10 games are finished in the section.

The entry fee is $25, payable to ICCF-US. Entries must be sent to the ICCF-US at the address below with the player’s name, date of birth, e-mail address, and entry fee by 15 February 2008.

Mr. Stanislav Foglar (11 April 1913 – 9 August 2004) was a significant figure in Czech, Czechoslovak, and international correspondence chess. Mr. Foglar was an International Arbiter, recipient of the Bertl von Massow gold medal, and captain of the Czech teams which won gold in the 5th ICCF Olympiad and silver in the 6th ICCF Olympiad. 11 April, the startdate of the tournament, is Mr. Foglar’s birthday.

Send entries/inquiries to:

ICCF-US, Leonard Schakel
16052 Quality Ct S
Lakeland, MN 55043
schakels@comcast.net

December 4, 2007

Players Wanted for USA vs. Germany, England, and Spain Friendly Matches!

Play a two game match with an opponent of comparable rating, on the ICCF server, ICCF rated.

All ratings accepted.

Order using the ICCF-US order form, $6 per match.

All players welcome, as are entries to multiple matches!

Assignments will be made throughout 2008.

November 15, 2007

Keith Holzmueller Qualifies for IM and SIM Titles

Keith Holzmueller has just received confirmation of his qualification for the IM title and SIM title, for which applications will be submitted to the annual ICCF Congress in Pleven , Bulgaria next September. One of his performances also met requirements for a GM norm, and he will play a World Championship Candidates section, looking for that last GM norm. Good luck, Keith!

Bob Rizzo,
ICCF-US Titles Officer

November 15, 2007
(Entry Address modified from October 3, 2007 posting)

November 8, 2007

2007 ICCF Congress - NAPZ Directors Report

Ruth Ann Fay, North America Pacific Zone (NAPZ) Director has provided the official NAPZ Directors Report 2007.   For further information you may download the Draft Congress Minutes  from the ICCF site.

Among the other rulings of the 2007 Congress covered in Ruth Ann's report, is the addition of ICCF Money Prize Tournaments  to the ICCF tournament menu. Nine player sections compete for a 200 CHF first prize and a 100 CHF second prize. For information on the current section filling and to enter (Direct Entry only) see http://www.iccf-webchess.com/EventsAnnouncements.aspx.

As an added bonus for those of us who couldn't make the trip Ruth Ann has included a gallery of her best photographs  taken at the Congress. Enjoy the shots of Spain, Gibraltar and the congress participants. Its the best alternative to being there.

Amici Sumus!
Dan Perry,
ICCF-US Webmaster

November 5, 2007
(Updated 1 Nov posting -- Photo hyperlinks added)

US Players Receive GM, SIM and IM Titles

October 22, 2007

Dave Myers Wins USA Championship

Congratulations to Dave Myers on clinching first place in the USA Championship (1st WS USCCC Final). The tournament Director International Arbiter Ralph Marconi has informed that by finishing his playing schedule with an undefeated score of +4 =4 (6-2) he has assured that no one can catch him (several players can theoretically score 5½). Thus, David Myers becomes the current USA correspondence chess champion.

September 16, 2007

The Top 50 List of Active US players with Fixed Ratings is now out!

Please click on the "Player Ranks" on the side bar. This means the rating is based on 30 or more results and that the last result was within 5 years. Some players, who would otherwise be on the list, have indicated to me that they are no longer active. GM Hans Jack Berliner with a rating of 2726 is the number 1 example.  The ratings on this list are valid for calculation of title norms in tournaments beginning between 1 October 2007 through 31 March 2008.

Please congratulate Michael C. Proof on his first appearance on the list. His rating jumped an impressive 40 points since the last list. He enters this list as number 33.

Players may look on www.iccf-webchess.com for their ICCF Rating and ID number at anytime.

May 30, 2007

Next Champion's League Season Registration

See NTT Commissioner's letter below. ICCF-US order form has been updated.

Dear chessfriends,

Welcome to the 3rd season of ICCF-CL! We are open for registration later than announced; please accept my apologies for this delay. The registration closes August 1st, 2007. All games for the new season will start officially on September 1st, 2007.

We have revised and uploaded the FAQ valid for this season. You can read it here:
http://tables.iccf.com/email/ChLeague/2004/season3faq.htm
The registration form is available here:
http://tables.iccf.com/email/ChLeague/2004/season3faq.htm#faq03.8
It should provide you with all necessary details to make an educated decision before registering.

There are 2 ways to register for this 3rd season:
- register via your national federation
- register via Direct Entry
as explained by our FAQ.

If at anytime during the registration you need clarifications, we are ready to help you! Please contact the following people:
Michael Millstone (DE Administrator) - for any DE related question
Valer Eugen Demian - for any other question regarding ICCF-CL in general
Their contact information is available at the ICCF main webpage under "Main menu" > "ICCF Contacts"

Amici sumus,
Valer Eugen Demian
NTT Commissioner

May 28, 2007

Update on the Olympiad 15 Final. Many thanks to Raymond Boger!

April 2007

The ICCF-US top 50 players announced!