SMBCC Tournaments
Current Tournament
Harry Nelson Pillsbury Rapids (December)
One Tuesday evening starting December 9th. 3 rounds: G/24 + 5 increment. Rapid rating only. Cash prizes based on entries.
Harry Nelson Pillsbury (December 5, 1872 – June 17, 1906) was a leading American chess player. At the age of 22, he won the Hastings 1895 chess tournament, one of the strongest tournaments of the time, but his illness and early death prevented him from challenging for the World Chess Championship.
Pillsbury had an even record against Lasker (+5−5=4), a feat matched or surpassed by few. He even beat Lasker with the black pieces at Saint Petersburg in 1895 and at Augsburg in 1900 (this was an offhand game, however, not a tournament game):
Pillsbury also had an even score against Steinitz (+5−5=3), but a slight minus against Chigorin (+7−8=6), Tarrasch (+5−6=2)[3] and against Joseph Henry Blackburne (+3−5=4), while he beat David Janowski (+6−4=2) and Géza Maróczy (+4−3=7) and had a significant edge over Carl Schlechter (+8−2=9).
Pre-tournament Presentation: Club member Brian Glover will present a game by Pillsbury before the tournament.
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Tournament Details
Dates: Tuesday evenings (December 9th). Registration at 7PM. Rounds start at 7:10 pm.
Time Control: 3 rounds of G24 +5.
Pairings are made according to the Swiss System. The top half of each score group plays the bottom half in rating order. Exceptions are made to avoid a repeat of opponents or 2 consecutive repeats of colors. If a score group has an odd number, the bottom rated player plays the top rated player of the next lower score group. Email smbchess@yahoo.com with questions.
No-Show Forfeit
- Players who do not show up for their game will be forfeited for that round and the next round.
- You will not be paired in subsequent rounds without first speaking with the tournament director.
- A player who incurs two no-show forfeits will be dropped from that month’s tournament.
If you have to miss a game, here’s how to request a bye
- If you can’t make it to the game you must email the tournament director at: smbchess@yahoo.com before 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The earlier the better.
- In the 1st and 2nd rounds you may receive a half-point bye. Byes can be requested for later rounds but they are 0 point byes. Players are not guaranteed a half-point unless their request is confirmed by email.
- If you are withdrawing from the tournament entirely for all remaining rounds email the TD at smbchess@yahoo.com.
- Failure to inform the TD that you aren’t coming will be considered a forfeit.
About SMB Chess Tournaments
Each month we host a new four game tournament. Most months incorporate classical time controls with a bonus increment. Chess sets and clocks are available to use or bring your own. Entry fee: $10 for members, $25 for non-members. Club Membership: $75 / year. Come anytime to check it out. Games are rated by United States Chess Federation.
Become a Member
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