The official publication of the Idaho Chess Association.

President

Sterling Vaughn
1187 Morningside Dr.
Twin Falls, Idaho

Editor & Treasurer

Dick Vandenburg
913 N. 22nd St.
Boise, Idaho

Games Editor

Eugene Cowan
Box 431
Driggs, Idaho

Committeemen

R.K. Hart
Box 547
Pocatello, Idaho

Roy Parker
Box 137
Nampa, Idaho

Darrell Freeman
123 E. 3rd St.
Rupert, Idaho

Where to play chess!

Boise -- meets 8:00 Wednesday nights at Y.M.C.A. building.

Canyon County -- meets 8:00 Thursday nights at Lakeview Parkhouse.

Rupert -- meets 8:00 Wednesday nights at Chamber of Commerce Office.

Twin Falls -- meets Tuesday nights 8:00 at Harry Barry Park Building.

Pocatello -- meets Wednesday nights at Student Union Building of Idaho State College.

Events during the next Quarter!

Utah-Idaho Match -- in Salt Lake, Labor Day weekend, August 30-31 or August 31-September 1. At Y.M.C.A.

Seattle SeaFair Open -- August 2-3 at Y.M.C.A., 4th & Madison, Seattle, Washington. 9:00 a.m. Saturday.

Idaho Chess Quarterly -- price $1.00 per year, 4 issues, send money to Editor.

Washington Chess Letter -- price $2.00 per year, 12 issues, send money to W.H. Raleigh, 4312 Woodland Park Ave., Seattle 3, Washington

One of the toughest Western Tournaments ever held, the 1958 Idaho Open, was won by Dr. Peter Lapiken of Missoula, Montana who finished with a score of 4-1 and best out Viesturs Seglins and Jim McCormick, both of Seattle, on median points after all three players ended in a tie. Seglins and McCormick tied on median points also but their tie was broken in favor of Seglins through the S.B. point system. Fourth place went to Viktors Pupols, also of Seattle, 3½-1½ as he beat Dr. Dave Groenig of Spokane, who was fifth and had the same score, on median points. Sixth place went to Ben Greenwald of Salt Lake City who finished 3-2 and lost his first game ever in a statewide Intermountain tournament in the last round to Vik Pupols. Highest placing Idaho player was State Champion, Dick Vandenburg, who placed 8th.

The Tournament attracted players from five states and had the same number of "master" caliber players attending. All of the first six finishers, with the exception of expert ranked Dr. Groenig, either now have or have recently had Northwest or National Master rank. The event was the second largest ever held in Idaho -- next to the recent "Closed" which drew 34 -- and a total of 31 players attended.

The last round saw two crucial games played, Seglins vs. Lapiken and Pupols vs. Greenwald. Vik had said he came to Boise to play Ben and got his chance winning with an exciting mate and ruining Ben's chances of winning the Tournament. (This game appears in this issue's games section). Ben would have done it had he won as he ended up with more median points than anyone, playing all of the first seven placers except Dr. Groenig.

Dr. Lapiken didn't have it much easier and played all the top players except McCormick. In this game with Seglins it appeared that Viesturs had a sure win at one point but after an oversight he had to force a draw to avoid losing. Third place finisher, Jim McCormick, supposedly had it easier, after losing an earlier round, and only had to beat such "fish??" as Idaho Champion Dick Vandenburg and 1957 Idaho Champion Glen Buckendorf!

Actually, every Class A player turned out to be plenty rough. Idaho surprise of the Tournament was Kay Hart of Pocatello who finished 11th and played both Pupols and Seglins and had Seglins down and plenty worried, for a time. Idaho's other top players couldn't seem to get going, but it was rough against such competition.

All this previous discussion has ignored the excellent competition which was present in the Class B and Junior section. Class B co-winners were C.E. Harris, Caldwell, and George Rasor, Boise. Darrell Freeman of Rupert took home the Junior trophy. Dorn Flowers of Rupert, who placed third, missed a chance to finish on top with Harris and Rasor by drawing A.L. Harle of Boise in the last round. Harle placed fifth and didn't lose a game, winning one and drawing four. Class B and Junior players played in the same section but had different trophies, hence the separation of the two in the results.

Class B & Junior (Separate trophies for each)

* Awarded tie because Harris gained his median points (and the advantage) through tournament director's mistake in letting him have a first round bye through arriving late. Rasor was ahead on S.B. points. Duplicate trophies awarded.

The new six-state Northwest Rating System is broadening out and becoming more meaningful as more tournaments are rated with additional players being covered. The original list, published earlier this year, contained 4 masters, 18 experts, 98 Class A, 185 Class B, and 152 Class C players. The list now has grown so large as to include probably half again that many players in all classes. Ratings of players are now pretty meaningful except in a few districts where only one or two tournaments determine a players standing.

In the list published here, all the masters and experts appear (some in Washington are't active now or have moved), All Idaho, Utah, and Nevada Class A, B, and C players appear but only selected players from Oregon, Washington, and Montana are named because the list is much too long for complete printing. (All those players who our Idaho people are acquainted with in those states are here). The complete list can be obtained from the Washington Chess Letter in January (bi-monthly lists of players whose rating has changed are published). ALL TOURNAMENTS FOR WHICH COMPLETE RESULTS ARE PUBLISHED IN EITHER THIS QUARTERLY OR THE W.C.L. ARE AUTOMATICALLY RATED. Send in all results of your city tournaments, matches, etc.

These ratings include all tournaments published prior to this Quarterly plus the Idaho Open and the Golden Rose Open.

Dick Vandenburg won the first annual Boise Valley Tournament which was played on various evenings preceding the Idaho Open. It was a joint project of the Boise and Canyon County Clubs and was directed by Roy Parker and Dick Vandenburg. A total of 23! players took part. Other areas of the State such as Magic Valley might try the same next fall as it really boosts local interest. One round can be played among players in their respective meetings and other rounds can be played by one club traveling to another on their regular meeting night.

First place in the Class B division was Nick Skirmants of Boise. Class C winner was Delbert Hopkins, also of Boise. Boise did very well against the State Team Co-champions taking top places in all divisions.

* Played by Roy Parker

** Unplayed

Tentative date: October 25-26. Place: Idaho Falls, Idaho. Open (only) to all East Idaho residents -- American Falls and East. Three games Saturday and two games Sunday. All players should be able to return home Saturday night between rounds. Two or more playing classes with prizes for each section and Junior prizes. Entry fee $3.50 but $1.50 for Junior under 18. Northwest ratings! Tournament director: Eugene Cowan, Driggs, Idaho. Notices will be sent out later to all known players and a large turnout is expected.

Any city or section can hold its own expert candidates tournament. Open to 6 or more NW-rated*Class-A players as per last published ratings (other rating systems don't qualify). THE CLEAR WINNER (no ties) IN FIVE OR MORE ROUNDS BECOMES A RECOGNIZED EXPERT IN NORTHWEST RATINGS FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST SIX MONTHS. Tournaments can be held for B players to advance to Class A (or C to B). Mixed or unrated entries nullify events for special purpose although the normal ratings would be made.

As an example, there are now six Class A players in the Boise Valley -- John Cosho, Dick Vandenburg, Jerry Stanke, George Rasor, A.B. Ellis and C.H. Stewart. These six players could hold their own tournament. Most clubs or Valleys in the state have enough B players to hold a B tournament also. Let's get some of these started to stimulate interest. Magic Valley could hold a tournament as Boise Valley did and organize their sections by ratings having the clear winner of each section advance to the next Class.

LOCAL CLUB ACTIVITIES

Although chess activity is about stopped for the summer, Pocatello elected officers for the next year. President is Mel Schubert; Vice President, Charles Barnstein, Secretary, Ray Fricke; and Treasurer, R.K. Hart.

Word has been received from Rupert that Darrell Freeman and George Osterman are planning to attend the U.S. Open next month in Rochester, Minnesota. They will be the first Idaho players to take part since Mel Schubert did several years ago. Good luck fellows!

North Idaho chess activity has picked up with the formation of two clubs at Sandpoint and Wallace. Junior players spearheaded the drive but seniors are allowed to play and several have been attending meetings. Bruce Fredstrom has really organized the Sandpoint club, which has elected officers and maintains a club ladder. Bruce is President and he says he and Steve Sala (Wallace promoter) plan on bringing a carload of Juniors down to our Idaho Closed next January 10-11. Future plans call for a formation of a North Idaho Junior Chess League, possibly combined with Eastern Washington and the boys are really going after it up there. Some matches have already been held, the first being a match between Sandpoint and the Spokane Chess Club second string. Sandpoint upset the favored Spokane players by drawing 6-6.

Sandpoint and Wallace also held two matches with the older (6 months) Sandpoint club taking both 8-2, and 6½-3½.

Sandpoint had a city tournament with 16! players competing, which was won by an adult club member -- Thad Hunt, 4½-½. Carl Quass finished with 4-1 and Jim Benoit, Bruce Fredstrom, P.G. Hayworth, and Suzan Cantrell all finished 3-2. Ties were broken through median and solkoff points.

About 25 names of players have been received by the Editor and copies of this Quarterly will be mailed out to each with a request for $1 subscription fee. It is hoped that chess in North Idaho really starts booming and we will do all we can down here to help!

Our financial condition ended this year much better than last, mostly due to the large entry list for the Open and the limited expenses. It is felt that next year increased expenditures for trophies or cash money can be made in connection with the Open, to more fully utilize income.

EVENTS IN NEIGHBORING STATES

Arthur Dake, making his re-entry into competitive chess, has won the first Golden Rose Open held in Portland on the weekend of June 14-15. Both Dake and Olaf Ulvestad tied for first, 4½-½, but Dake edged Olaf on median points for the title. Their draw resulted from their game with each other. Jim McCormick, Seattle, was third 4-1, his only loss coming at Dake's hands. Final scores are:

Jim McCormick, Duane Meador, and Buz Eddy played in our recent Idaho Open. McCormick also placed third in that event and Meador placed 7th.

Dr. Peter Lapiken of Missoula won the 1958 Montana Open held in Great Falls on May 3-4. The tournament drew its usual large field with 45 players competing in three classes. The Class A, or second Class, had the largest field (22) and was won by Jack Thompson 4-1. Three other players also scored 4-1 in the close contest. Robert Hallibaugh again won the (11 player) Junior Class, in style, 5-0.

Dr. Lapiken finished with a 5-0 score in the 12 player Championship Class. Expert Dr. Adam Smith was second, 4-1, losing only to Dr. Lapiken. James Sheirie and H.L. Maury were 3rd and 4th, 3-2. The win primed Dr. Lapiken for his victory in the Idaho Open a month later.

The annual Utah-Idaho match has been tentatively scheduled for the labor day weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. Final plans haven't been worked out but Idaho chess clubs will be notified shortly as to particulars. Players who would like to travel to Salt Lake to compete for Idaho but who aren't affiliated with any chess club can contact the Editor for further information.

As usual, one game will be scheduled on Saturday evening and the other on Sunday morning. Players will be paired according to Northwest ratings, as nearly as possible and will play two games with their opponents, one with Black and the other with White.

Saturday & Sunday, August 2nd and 3rd at Y.M.C.A. Starts 9:00 Saturday & 8:30 Sunday. 40 moves in 1½ hours, six rounds! Seniors, $3.00, Juniors $2.00. PLAN TO ATTEND.

The two types of chess notation which are common are the English, or descriptive form, and the algebraic. Having wrestled with a mixture of the two from the Idaho Open, the old controversy as to their merits comes to mind. It is held that the algebraic is simpler and more scientific.

I don't agree with that. The English is the better notation and, I believe that it holds its place not only because of custom but because it is easier on eyes and mind. The algebraic system forces one to memorize 64 different squares, plus the "unnatural" lettering from a to h. The descriptive system follows the "natural" set-up of the pieces and provides easy reference to points of the board by the squares the men sit on originally. A person needs only to get used to the method of counting from both sides of the board -- which comes easily since it corresponds to the moves of pawns and men.

From the Black side of the board the algebraic system appears strange and chaotic. Easy to count upside-down and backwards?! Again, the English breaks the board up into smaller sections -- it is more than twice as easy to keep track of four files as it is eight, as also the ranks are more easily seen by double references and association with men and pawn positions.

The argument of greater simplicity for algebraic and similar notations in part is based on the illusion that fewer numbers and letters are easier to comprehend than more -- but, a code is harder going than ordinary language. English notation has cut out superfluous words for the minimum necessary to make it our clearest, most readable chess-shorthand. It is easier to learn and less awkward to use. The only improvement needed is the use of N for knight instead of Kt and it sounds more likely anyway. -- ELC

ENGLISH OPENING

White: Dr. Peter Lapiken
Black: Viktors Pupols

SICILIAN DEFENSE

White: Ben Greenwald
Black: Jim McCormick

(a) The Moscow Variation, or the characteristic move of it. To judge by MCO it is inferior, though White hasn't followed its line.

GIUOCO PIANO

White: Viktors Pupols
Black: Ben Greenwald

(a) MCO-8 has 0-0 here, while MCO-6 puts a ? by P-Q6.

KING'S FIANCHETTO DEFENSE

White: Viesturs Seglins
Black: Glen Buckendorf

ENGLISH OPENING

White: Bob Walker
Black: Gary Feuerberg

(a) MCO-9 page 332 col. 9-j.

And Feuerberg went on to place 3rd behind #1 Walker and #2 Wade. Olaf Ulvestad lost to Walker and wound up lower than his master rating would indicate.

QUEEN'S GAMBIT ACCEPTED

White: Duane Meador
Black: Olaf Ulvestad

(a) Unwise placing of Queen and Bishop.

(b) If KxB, Q-Q6ch.

(c) Nothing better -- the rook is in danger.

DUTCH DEFENSE

White: Dick Vandenburg
Black: F.H. Weaver

Notes by Vandenburg.

(a) What else? If 15...K-B2; 16 BxP! (threatening rook), PxB 17 QxPch, K-N3 18 Q-K6ch, K-R4 (not N4 or B-K7) 19 B-K7, Q-B2 20 QxPch and mate on the move.

CONTEST!! Prizes for the correct answers! What is the shortest game theoretically possible? Prizes to consist of trips to the moon on experimental rockets. Only good while they are still experimenting. Resignations, for good enough reasons, accepted as well as mates. Send solutions and all your game scores for publication to Games Editor! KEEP LOCAL CHESS ACTIVITY HIGH!!