2009 National Open report

I made yet another foray to the National Open, in Las Vegas, NV in early June. This year they moved to a new location from the Riveria Hotel to the new South Point Hotel. The hotel was nice but located a few miles from the strip, and there wasn't much outside of the casino unless one had other transportation. The playing site was good though, well away from the Casino floor and was quiet and spacious enough for all of the players.

Thursday night, there was a Game in 10 Tourney, that I participated in I played a few solid games I thought but managed to only score 1 point in it.

The main tourney began for me on Friday with 2 games each day through Sunday. I finished with a fairly respectable score of 2.5 with 2 wins and a draw. All of them were solid games for me with the exception of one. Friday was my best day where I garnered a win and a draw. The National Open Results are here http://www.vegaschessfestival.com/results/2009/results.php

Below is my first game of the tournment, which I thought was one of my better games of the the tourney. In a Petrov's Defense, I exchanged a knight for 3 pawns in the flurry of exchanges and then managed to fend off white's attack to advance my pawn advantage. A misplay on my part near the end extended the game .

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Juneau Chess Players

This is what our little chess club here in Juneau, Alaska looks like, in the very interesting, glass-walled "fish bowl" room of the Public Library:



That's the cruise ship Amsterdam right out the window! And just opening his computer:



President Brian Bezenek. The guy who has kept the club going for some time. Thanks Brian!



Tom Rozek (left) and Russ McDowell, two of the regulars. These were taken two weeks ago, but last week several more people came by. This club is blowing up, dude!

I'm the reporter, so there's no picture of me. Reporters are supposed to stay out of the story. I'm old fashioned that way. I will report that last week Russ beat me three time running. That's only fair to note.

(Cross-posted at Robert Pearson's Chess Blog)

The Juneau Chess Club Blog is On the Air...

Five people showed last night despite the fact that it was a gloriously warm Alaska evening and they could have been out fishing or something. A promising sign for the future!

Brian Benzenk is on his way to the National Open in Fabulous Las Vegas, NV shortly. Play well, Brian!

As time goes on I hope that others in the club will want post here, but at least as of today we are up and going!