May 7, 2012

ICCFUS Olympiad 18 Team Qualifies for the Finals!

The ICCF-US Olympiad 18 team has officially qualified for the OLY18 Final. The team of GM Dan Fleetwood, SIMs Jerry Weisskohl, Keith Holzmueller, Michael Proof, IM Bill Boucher, and SIM Tim Murray scored +9-2=36 with one game remaining. To have only two losses for the whole team is an amazing result. Michael Proof won his section with +3-0=5, a great result!

Thanks to all the players, and to TC Franklin Campbell. With only two teams of nine qualifying in each Prelim section, ICCF-US maintains a record of qualifying for all Olympiad Finals, 13 to 18.

Corky Schakel, ICCF-US Secretary

April 23, 2012

GM Duliba Bd. 1 for Sweden-USA Friendly Match

GM Dr. Edward Duliba will play Bd. 1 for ICCF-US against Sweden's GM Lennart Rydholm. The 45 board match officially starts May 1, with assignments recently sent out.

SIM Tom Biedermann is the Team Captain, and did all the work recruiting the team and organizing the match - many thanks, Tom! And a sincere thank you also goes to IA Leo Lahdenmäki for taking on the TD responsibilities.

Corky Schakel, ICCF-US Secretary

April 23, 2012

Belka Wins Chessfriends Rochade Bd. 7

ICCF-US member Wieland Belka, as a member of the NAPZ team, has completed play in Chessfriends Rochade - 20 Years with a first place finish on Bd. 7, scoring an IM norm in the process. The Rochade chess club is one of Germany's largest chess clubs, and has sponsored prestigious team games for the club's 15th and 20th anniversaries. Ten member ICCF-US and NAPZ teams have competed in each of these events, and Wieland's win is the only first place for an ICCF-US player.

Corky Schakel, ICCF-US Secretary

March 14, 2012

ICCF-US Top 50 Rating List Updated

Using the 2012/2 ICCF ELO (player rating) lists [effective 1 April 12], Bob Rizzo ICCF-US Titles Officer has compiled the latest ICCF-US Top 50 Rated Active Players list. Congratulations and welcome to:

#45 Peter Dessaules

on his ascension into the top 50 list.

To access the list choose "PLAYER RANKS" from the upper left menu bar.

February 19, 2012

Sweden-USA Friendly Match Announcement

ICCF-US has accepted a challenge to a Friendly Match from Sweden, play to start in May or June. SIM Tom Biedermann is the Team Captain, and will work with his Swedish counterpart to arrange matchups. Target date for roster is 15 April. We have enough applications from the Standing Team to fill about half of the 50 boards, so we are opening applications to others who are interested. Contact Tom at bied26@gmail.com . We also need 6-8 players willing to play by post.

Entry fee for a Friendly Match is $6 for two games. If you are interested in future matches, please send an email to schakels@comcast.net .

Corky Schakel, ICCF-US Secretary

February 7, 2012

Walter Muir Memorial Invitational

Assignments were sent out by the ICCF server 31 January for the Walter Muir Memorial Invitational, jointly sponsored by ICCF-US and the Canadian Correspondence Chess Association. Thanks to GM Zdenek Nývlt for volunteering to serve as TD, and to Tournament Organizer Ralph Marconi.

Section A has a field of six SIMs and eight GMs, including GMs Jason Bokar and Dan Fleetwood representing ICCF-US. Section B also has fifteen players, including three IMs and three SIMs. Steve Douglas and Tony Kain are representing ICCF-US. Crosstables: Section A and Section B .

The prize fund totals $1800 for the first five places in section A, and $1500 in B. Co-champions will be declared if a tie for first, and cash prizes will be split among all ties.

Listed below is a brief bio for Walter Muir, an ICCF-US cofounder.

Corky Schakel, ICCF-US Secretary

Walter Muir has deservedly earned the title of the Grand Old Man of American Correspondence Chess. He led American players into the international arena. He was a nine time Canadian Correspondence Chess Association Champion, twice British Overseas CC Champion, 16 time champion of the Illinois CCA, winner of nine ICCF Master Tournaments, qualified seven times for ICCF World Championship second-round play, and played on four Olympiad teams for the United States. Muir was awarded the title of International Correspondence Chess Master in 1971. Walter was active as a chess administrator and OTB player, and was a cofounder of ICCF-US.

December 18, 2011 -- Edwin's name corrected January 14, 2012

ICCF-US Top 50 Rating List Updated

Using the 2012/1 ICCF ELO (player rating) lists [effective 1 Jan 12], Bob Rizzo ICCF-US Titles Officer has compiled the latest ICCF-US Top 50 Rated Active Players list. Congratulations and welcome back to our three returnees:

#47 IM Cesar Musitani
#49 Peter Cullen
#50 Edwin Meiners

for their re-entry into the top 50 list.

To access the list choose "PLAYER RANKS" from the upper left menu bar.

November 13, 2011

John Ballow Granted the ICCF International Master (IM) Title

IM John Ballow

Congratulations to the latest american annexing an ICCF title, John Ballow, on being awarded the ICCF International Master title!
John has shared three of his games from the path to the IM Title, which are available from the menu on the left under Featured Games... November2011.

See Ballow Press Release for the details of his award and his games.

Bob Rizzo ICCF-US Titles Officer

November 12, 2011

ICCF Announces ICCF 2nd Junior World Cup

On behalf of the Non-Title Tournament Commissioner, Andrew Dearnley, I am pleased to distribute the tournament announcement for the ICCF 2nd Junior World Cup, sponsored by Chessbase. See Junior World Cup Announcement for the details of of this tournament.

Registration is now available on the ICCF “New events” page.

Regards,

Dr. Michael Millstone
ICCF General Secretary
PJBoogie@yahoo.comm

September 12, 2011

Dr. Jason Bokar Elected NAPZ Director

Dr. Jason Bokar has been elected NAPZ Director, and has recently taken over the duties of office. Jason is a Grandmaster, and served as Deputy NAPZD in 2007 and previous years. We all wish him well in this new position, and he will certainly do a great job for ICCF and the NAPZ.

It has been a great pleasure for me to serve a term as NAPZD for the (almost) last four years, and I thank Jason for volunteering to run for this office.

Corky Schakel, ICCF-US Secretary

September 10, 2011

ICCF-US Top 50 Rating List Updated

Using the 2011/4 ICCF ELO (player rating) lists [effective 1 Oct 11], Bob Rizzo ICCF-US Titles Officer has compiled the latest ICCF-US Top 50 Rated Active Players list. Congratulations and welcome to our two newest additions: to:

#27 Thomas J. Diehl Jr.
#46 Wilbur Tseng

for their entry into the top 50 list.

To access the list choose "PLAYER RANKS" from the upper left menu bar.

September 3, 2011

Corky's Report on the 2011 ICCF Congress in Finland

The 2011 Congress Report referenced below is a brief report on the Congress by our representative, Corky Schakel. We also have a few pictures from the award ceremony including the award of the GM title to our 11th GM Stephen Ham! For more on the Congress see the reports at the ICCF website.

2011 ICCF Congress Report

Stephen Ham receiving the GM Title!

Stephen Ham Displaying GM Award

2011 Congress Awards

Corky Schakel ICCF-US Secretary, NAPZ Zonal Director

August 15, 2011

Thematic Tournament Announcements, and a Free Friendly Match from ICCF

ICCF has just announced thematic tournaments for 2012, a Chess 960 World Cup, and a free Friendly Match organized by Poland. The prize fund for the 960 World Cup is 2000 Euros so if you want a monetary challenge in a differnt venue (960 chess) you might consider this one. Links for the announcements below.

Corky Schakel ICCF-US Secretary

August 15, 2011 -- Anthony's Name Corrected 3Sep11

ICCF-US Top 50 Rating List Updated

Using the 2011/3 ICCF ELO (player rating) lists [effective 1 July 11], Bob Rizzo ICCF-US Titles Officer has compiled the latest ICCF-US Top 50 Rated Active Players list. We had a few old names return to the list from the inactive list, with only two new names. Congratulations and welcome to:

#29 Edward Kotlyanskiy
#48 Anthony Kain

for their entry into the top 50 list.

To access the list choose "PLAYER RANKS" from the upper left menu bar.

June 1, 2011

CAPEA Announces 40th Anniversary Tournament

CAPEA (Spanish Postal Chess Club in Germany) is organzing an event to commemorate its 40th anniversary.

The "CAPEA 40th Anniversary" will be an Open International Tournament provided with prizes in the three stages, and the organization is delighted to invite friends of all over the world to participate in it. Click CAPEA 40th Anniversary for details.

With best regards, Amici sumus,
Carlos Flores Spanish ICCF delegate

May 9, 2011

ICCF Announces Diamond Jubilee Tournaments

ICCF has announced three new events, in celebration of our Diamond Jubilee. These are listed below, and can be entered via Direct Entry from the server page , or through ICCF-US for $30. A fourth event for current and former ICCF officials will be a free entry. Entries will close Sept. 1, 2011, with start dates late October, details available from the webserver page.

• World Cup 18 Championship, Diamond Jubilee (Server)
• World Cup 19 Championship, Diamond Jubilee (Post)
• First Chess 960 Championship, Diamond Jubilee (Server)
• ICCF Diamond Jubilee Officials' Tournament

Corky Schakel ICCF-US Secretary

April 30, 2011

David R. Myers Adds the ICCF SIM Title

SIM David Myers

Congratulations to the latest american to upgrade his ICCF title, David R. Myers, on being awarded the ICCF Senior International Master title! Dave has annotated his game against Keld Thomsen which is available from the menu on the left under Featured Games... May 2011.

See MyersPress Release for the details of his award and two games from his title pursuit.

Bob Rizzo ICCF-US Titles Officer

April 5, 2011

ICCF Veterans World Cup 4 - Announcement

The ICCF Congress in Bulgaria in 2008 decided that, following the great popularity of the first tournament amongst older players, new Veteran’s World Cups would be started in every year.

The Scottish CCA offered to organise the second, third and fourth VWC tournaments on behalf of ICCF working in collaboration with ICCF. Special cup trophies will provided by the Scottish CCA to ICCF for winners of each tournament. The Semi-final stage of the Second Veterans World Cup will start on 1st June 2011, with qualifiers having already been notified.

The first stage of the Fourth ICCF Veteran’s World Cup will start on 1st September 2011.

As with the 2nd and 3rd VWCs, the event will be organised in three stages, which will allow several players from each group stage to advance to the Semi-finals and Final. The number of promotions will depend on total entries received, but groups at each stage will comprise of 13 players (12 games) played by webserver with a rate of play of 10 moves in 40 days. Playing time in each stage will be 18 months, with a fixed closing date specified at the outset.

ICCF Veteran’s World Cups are open to all players who are 60 years old or more at the start date of the tournament. Although the number of preliminary groups which each player may enter is unlimited, no player will qualify for more than two Semi-final groups or more than one place in the Final.

Players may enter through their National Federations (contact MF for amount of the entry fee) or, where eligible, via the ICCF Direct Entry system (for which fee chargeable is 19 Euros).

Entries via National Federations should contain player’s name, date of birth, Email address, ICCF ID and current rating and should be forwarded by Email to the Tournament Organiser Alan P. Borwell, Email:- alanborwell@iccf.com , to reach him before 1st July 2011. It would be appreciated if Federations send entries “as received” and not delay them until closing date.

Entries from players who countries participate in the ICCF Direct Entry Scheme should send their entries, using the DE system. Closing date for Direct Entries will also be 1st July 2011.

All veteran chess players are heartily invited to enter this tournament, both for the enjoyment of games and friendly contact/communication with senior players round the World.

Member Federations are asked to give the tournament wide publicity to veteran players.

March 27, 2011

ICCF-US Top 50 Rating List Updated

Using the 2011/2 ICCF ELO (player rating) lists [effective 1 April 11], Bob Rizzo ICCF-US Titles Officer has compiled the latest ICCF-US Top 50 Rated Active Players list. The list has returned to stability, with only two new names. Congratulations and welcome to:

#49 Theodore J. Greiner
#50 Edwin Meiners

for their entry into the top 50 list.

To access the list choose "PLAYER RANKS" from the upper left menu bar.

March 22, 2011

CZE-USA Friendly Match; a Challenge from GER

ICCF-US has accepted a challenge to a Friendly Match from the Czech Republic. Chris O'Connell will play Bd. 1, and Will Tseng will act as TC. Start date will be in the next couple of weeks. The ICCF-US standing team filled nearly all the 25 spots.

And we have received a challenge from the King Kong of correspondence chess: Germany. This is in the exploration stage, still deciding on number of boards, and how to get balanced ratings matchups.

Entry fee for a Friendly match is $6 for two games. If you are interested in the Germany or future matches, please send an email to schakels@comcast.net.

Corky Schakel, ICCF-US Secretary

March 16, 2011 - Update 28 Mar 11 - Annotated Game Added

Dr. Carl L. Siefring Earns the ICCF IM Title

IM Dr. Carl Siefring

Congratulations to the latest american titleholder, Dr. Carl L. Siefring, on being awarded the ICCF International Master title! (Carl's annotated game is also available from the menu on the left under Featured Games... April 2011).

See Siefring Press Release for the details of his award and an annotated game.

Bob Rizzo ICCF-US Titles Officer

February 2, 2011

DE5A Countdown

Dear chessfriends,

There are today 26 days until the closing date of the Direct Entry 5th Webserver Anniversary Tournament (DE5A), on March 1st. As of today, the players list shows 276 entries.

For all the special events of the ICCF Jubilee Year, notably the DE5A and the next World Cup, the number of players participating has a strategic importance in terms of communication and marketing. I'd would like very much the final number of entries being around 360-370 players. It's still possible, let's do whatever we can to make it real!

1) the official announcement at www.iccf-webchess.com/Message.aspx?message=324
2) the last status update at www.iccf-webchess.com/Message.aspx?message=340
3) and mentioning the interest of the offered prizes (even winning a preliminary can save you a fair amount of money to enter a Master Norm tournament or WCCC Preliminary for instance), and the almost unique opportunity to actually play against some very strong player, rated above 2450 and even above 2500 - this is not something that happens all the time for an average player!

Amici sumus,

Jean-Christophe Chazalette
ICCF Direct Entry Commisionner
DE5A TO

January 26, 2011

Definition of Active Rating Reduced to Last 2 Years by ICCF

As I noted when I posted the January rating list, a number of players dropped off the list with the New Year's Rating list. What I failed to note is the reason for this. The ICCF Congress changed the definition of an active player from one who has had a result posted in the previous five years to one who has had a result in the previous two years. This redefinition of active players resulted in a number of players dropping from the published (active) rating lists.

If you have dropped off the list (you have not posted a result in 2009 or 2010) please note that you have not become unrated, your rating is still maintained and will be updated with your next result and you will return to active status (and the active rating list) at that time. Please note that you can display inactive ratings from the ICCF webserver simply by checking the inactive box on the display.

January 7, 2011

Entries for the 2011 World Correspondence Chess Championship Prelims due 31 January 2011

Under procedures begun last year WCCC Prelims will be started once per year, with entries due no later than January 31, and play scheduled to start 10 March. The full announcement is here . Qualifications are listed as part of Tournament Rules on iccf.com: http://www.iccf.com/rules/ICCFTournamentRules_01-01-2011.pdf .