2010 Ontario Open

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

I think this tournament never got proper announcement here. Thus here you go

------

Event: 2010 Ontario Open Championship

Sanctioning bodies: Ontario Chess Association and Greater Toronto Chess League.

Organizer: Chess Institute of Canada. ( http://www.chessinstitute.ca )

Date: Victoria Day Weekend, Saturday - Monday, May 22 - 24, 2010.

Site: 918 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario.

Registration: Advance (mail): Cheque, money order. Deadline is Monday May 17, 2010.

Sections: based on highest current rating (FIDE, CFC): Open; under 2000; under 1600

Rounds: 6, two rounds per day at 10:00am and 4:00pm

Pairings: Swiss system (players with a similar point total play each other).

Time Control: Game in 150 minutes per player.

CFC Rated: All sections. Open section will be also FIDE rated. The organizer has the right to audit ratings of winners. Should a player be found playing in a lower section than he/she would otherwise be eligible, the organizer reserves the right in their sole discretion to reduce any prize won by such player to 25% of the amount of such prize.

Students (Grades K-12), who play each other will also receive CMA rating.

Entry fee: $90 ( $10 discount before March 1st, 2010).$60 for students in K-12 or in full-time attendance at university during the summer; seniors age 65+; players with FIDE titles of WFM, FM, WIM, IM , $10 discount before March 1st, 2010. Free entry with advance registration before March 1st, 2010 only for WGM, GM.
IMPORTANT: 200 PLAYER LIMIT –REGISTER EARLY!

Prizes: (based on 200 entries, Prize Fund: $9,000).
By section: Open - $5,000 (1st: $3,000; 2nd: $1,000; 3rd: $500; 4th: $250; 5th: $150; 6th: $100)
Under 2000 - $1,500 (1st: $800; 2nd: $400; 3rd: $200; 4th: $100)
Under 1600 - $800 (1st: $400; 2nd: $200; 3rd: $100; 4th: $100)
By Class:
Under 2200 (Open section) - $900 (1st: $500; 2nd: $300; 3rd: $100)
Under 1800 (Under 2000 section) - $500 (1st: $350; 2nd: $150)
Under 1400 (Under 1600 section) - $300 (1st: $200; 2nd: $100)

(Note: You must be or become a Chess Federation of Canada (CFC) member www.chess.ca. Ontario residents, a one year membership fee is $43 for an adult and $27 for a child under 18. CFC memberships are included in entry fees for new members.

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[John Brown]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

Do we make cheques payable to Chess Institute of Canada?

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

Do we make cheques payable to Chess Institute of Canada?

I redirected your question. Let's hope it will be answered soon :)

[Francis Rodriguez]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

I gather from Ted there's an outpouring of
interest in the 2010 Ontario Open, and the
pre-registered lists will be up next week.

The cash-prizes are projected to increase as
sponsors check in, updates will be scheduled.

And yes, entry cheques payable to CIC:-)

BTW, does anyone have more info on the history
of this event? I'm doing the media write-ups,
and have received some input - principally David
Cohen and Erik Malmsten - but more, particularly
anecdotal footage would certainly be welcome.

Incidentally, Dave mentions this is possibly
the 64th edition of the event - now wouldn't
that make for some great chess-copy!:-)

Francis

[Erik Malmsten]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

The playing hall used to be a Buddhist temple and has been used for school tournaments. It is a couple of blocks north of the Bathurst subway station.

To register send an e‐mail to Ted Winick at
ted@chessinstitute.ca
with the words "Ontario Open" in the subject line.

Mail entries to: Chess Institute of Canada, 41 Nina St. Toronto,
ON, M5R
1Z5. Deadline to enter is Monday May 17, 2010.

[Francis Rodriguez]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

918 Bathurst has undergone a classic metamorphosis from
it's ascetic beginnings and is today a new and exciting
modern complex for culture, arts, media and education.

http://918bathurst.com/

The 2010 Ontario Open will be staged in the Great Hall -
a large natural redwood auditorium that boasts a 30ft high
cathedral ceiling. It is actually projected to comfortably
fit in the 200-player entry, but I would rather space out
two-thirds that number, with the excess spillover to be
accomodated in The Sunroom - a lovely meeting room with
3 large skylights that extend up to 15 ft high ceilings.

CIC also has access to all of 918 Bathurst for the Ontario
Open which means a whole range of rooms on the lower level,
for junior and sectionals too, if need be, lectures, etc.

The venue has almost perfect subway access - exit Bathurst,
it's just 4 min. walk North on the West side of the street!
Given it's prime location, parking will be tight, but CIC
I believe is making private arrangements for the Tournament.

The Buddhist connection is quaint - and not the least for Mr.
Ilyumzhinov's leadership of a tiny, autonomous Buddhist state!

http://www.chessedelic.com/2008/05/2...chess-players/

Francis

[Francis Rodriguez]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

============================
2010 ONTARIO OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHPS
============================
part 1


Tony Stark thunders back next week in the title role of "Iron Man 2",
bristle and brawn hero of a titanic clash with new villain Ivan Danko.

Almost 130 years ago, another Stark (W.M.), emerged victorious on
a brisk Spring evening in early May, as the first Ontario Open Chess
champion. Twenty players graced the occasion as Mr. Stark, of the
seminal Toronto Chess Club, was presented his gold medal on the 5th
May 1881, we are told by "The Chess Player's Chronicle" of 31st May.

Not much is known of Mr. Stark but he must have been possessed of
some powers of superior calculation - the "Brooklyn Chess Chronicle"
of November the following year notes the election of Mr. Stark as the
Toronto Chess Club's auditor! The Club too, though small, flourished
in those heady chess times, its membership a healthy forty-five at the
time of Mr. Stark's victory, which numbers grew during his tenure.

And so started the hoary tradition of the Ontario Chess Open, arguably,
with a few interruptions, Canada's longest-running Provincial Chess Open.
Chess was already thriving in this country though, with the first National
Championship already held eight years before modest Mr. Stark's victory.

Poised at the end of the first decade of the new millenium, the 2010
Ontario Open awaits its new "Iron Man"! Will it be a battle-scarred GM,
an all-knowing IM, a finely-tuned FM, one of the new crop of effervescent
juniors fizzing to the top - or a dark-horse unknown, sweeping from the
unfathomable deep like a great white shark to devour all, and wear the
green-and-gold of victory, after three tumultuous days of competition?

Well, unless you register and join battle.......you'll never know that thrill!

CIC is having a live registration promotion this weekend - Sunday 2 May,
from 11 am, at Marshall McLuhan Secondary School (1107 Avenue Road,
Toronto M5N 3B1), 3 blocks north of the Avenue and Eglinton intersection.
If you're a junior, you're welcome to take part in CMA's Grand Prix Final
event at the venue. For chessers at large, CIC officials will be on hand to
fill you in on the Ontario Open details, and of course take your registration!

"victori spolia!"

[John Henry]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

I enjoyed your precise writing on the history of the Ontario Chess Championship Francis.

Everyone must read The Chess Artist by J.C. Hallman.It is about Mr. Ilyumzhinov's Buddhist state ,Kalmykia,and his monument Chess City and 2 Americans travelling there and competing in chess tournaments. Fascinating reading.

I am looking forward to part 2 Francis.

[Erwin Casareno]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

============================
2010 ONTARIO OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHPS
============================
part 1


Tony Stark thunders back next week in the title role of "Iron Man 2",
bristle and brawn hero of a titanic clash with new villain Ivan Danko.

Almost 130 years ago, another Stark (W.M.), emerged victorious on
a brisk Spring evening in early May, as the first Ontario Open Chess
champion. Twenty players graced the occasion as Mr. Stark, of the
seminal Toronto Chess Club, was presented his gold medal on the 5th
May 1881, we are told by "The Chess Player's Chronicle" of 31st May.

Not much is known of Mr. Stark but he must have been possessed of
some powers of superior calculation - the "Brooklyn Chess Chronicle"
of November the following year notes the election of Mr. Stark as the
Toronto Chess Club's auditor! The Club too, though small, flourished
in those heady chess times, its membership a healthy forty-five at the
time of Mr. Stark's victory, which numbers grew during his tenure.

And so started the hoary tradition of the Ontario Chess Open, arguably,
with a few interruptions, Canada's longest-running Provincial Chess Open.
Chess was already thriving in this country though, with the first National
Championship already held eight years before modest Mr. Stark's victory.

Poised at the end of the first decade of the new millenium, the 2010
Ontario Open awaits its new "Iron Man"! Will it be a battle-scarred GM,
an all-knowing IM, a finely-tuned FM, one of the new crop of effervescent
juniors fizzing to the top - or a dark-horse unknown, sweeping from the
unfathomable deep like a great white shark to devour all, and wear the
green-and-gold of victory, after three tumultuous days of competition?

Well, unless you register and join battle.......you'll never know that thrill!

CIC is having a live registration promotion this weekend - Sunday 2 May,
from 11 am, at Marshall McLuhan Secondary School (1107 Avenue Road,
Toronto M5N 3B1), 3 blocks north of the Avenue and Eglinton intersection.
If you're a junior, you're welcome to take part in CMA's Grand Prix Final
event at the venue. For chessers at large, CIC officials will be on hand to
fill you in on the Ontario Open details, and of course take your registration!

"victori spolia!"

Hi Francis, your journalistic prowess is evident from your post...and the effect is that it is changing my perspective of just watching the games from the side lines. Very interesting history for someone who only started his Canadian chess career in 2007.

Is there a place where i can see the list of previous champions ?

[Francis Rodriguez]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

I enjoyed your precise writing on the history of the Ontario Chess Championship Francis.

Everyone must read The Chess Artist by J.C. Hallman.It is about Mr. Ilyumzhinov's Buddhist state ,Kalmykia,and his monument Chess City and 2 Americans travelling there and competing in chess tournaments. Fascinating reading.

I am looking forward to part 2 Francis.

Thanks John.

I haven't read the The Chess Artist yet, but
had the salutary experience of being in Elista
when the Chess City/Palace were being built:-)

Quite an experience, Kalmykia -

Way cheaper than Moscow, and for a month,
I lived like a king - dined in the finest restaurants,
av. 4-course meal for 4 pax w/wine & gratuities
was under 180 roubles! The police-chief at the
time told me his monthly state-salary was 1500
roubles; I flew from Moscow (Vnuokovo) to Elista
for 1,000 roubles! You guessed it - the exchange
rate is much as it is today, 1U$D = 30 roubles!

Francis.

[Francis Rodriguez]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

Hi Francis, your journalistic prowess is evident from your post...and the effect is that it is changing my perspective of just watching the games from the side lines. Very interesting history for someone who only started his Canadian chess career in 2007.

Is there a place where i can see the list of previous champions ?

Well 2006, actually, but thanks Erwin:-)

Canadian chess historian David Cohen has
indexed the Ontario chess champions here:

http://web.ncf.ca/bw998/CanadianChes...ampionsON.html

Francis

[Francis Rodriguez]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

============================
2010 ONTARIO OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHPS
============================
part 2


Ludolph Schull wasn't exactly Tom Cruise. Who, as we know, is a master
Christian Scientist. The Ottawa 'Free Press' of February 1881, describes
Mr. Schull though, as "undoubtedly a master scientist at Chess". He must
have been - he had just become the Ontario Chess Open's second winner.

Ludolph was of Dutch ancestry, and born June 26, 1834 in the town of
Dieren, not far from Aix la Chappelle, in the municipality of Rheden in
the Netherlands. A bright schoolboy, he learnt the moves of chess from
a village doctor at the age of fourteen. Five years later, he moved to
the English port of Liverpool, where he joined the eponymously-named
Liverpool Chess Club in 1856. For the next two dozen years he enjoyed
a stellar period there, collating the club's extensive chess library as well
as stewarding a fruitful tenure as the Club president. But there is more.

Amongst his colleagues at the LCC were the Rev. John Owen - who had
been wonderfully blessed to have actually played Paul Morphy - the result
of course, never in doubt. And teenage defensive genius Amos Burn (he
of the 'Pipe Game' with Marshall), who had himself learnt chess at sixteen,
and took lessons with Steinitz. So our Mr. Schull had illustrious company.

In 1880, Ludolph Schull crossed the Atlantic to settle in Watertown, South
Dakota. He had relatively good tournament results over the next seventeen
years travelling a little, but more entranced now by correspondence chess.
He was a card-carrying member of the Pillsbury National Correspondence
Chess Association, a practice which fascinated him. Shortly after emigrating,
Mr. Schull moved up to the great white north of Guelph in Canada for a while.

It was here that he won the second great Ontario Chess Open in 1881, with
the British Chess Magazine of February of that year, mentioning him as the
"almost invincible champion of Ontario, the 'giant of Guelph' who swept
almost everything before him!" Mr. Schull enjoyed much team and individual
chess success in Ontario, before returning to South Dakota, where he passed
away in 1897. How touching to learn that the last thing he ever read was a
card from one of his opponents answering his move in a correspondence game!

"victori spolia!"

Francis

=======================================
Registration: tedwinick@rogers.com; (subject "Ontario Open")
Telephone Registration: 416-537-2299; 647-406-9179;
=======================================

[David Cohen]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

Francis, Erwin,

I compiled the list of Ontario Champions.

David
http://web.ncf.ca/bw998/CanadianChes...ampionsON.html

[John Henry]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

your research Francis is ingenious.From the book,Elista sounds very interesting!! i believe one of the American Masters was beaton by a 10 year old!!!

[Lawrence Day]

Re: 2010 Ontario Open

The modern series began in 1947 with Peter Avery winning. He was a polymath who spoke all the major European languages. He was from Russia and had fascinating stories of his family making a fast exit after the 1917 revolution since they were aristocrats. Having studied stage magic as a boy he smuggled out a bunch of gold coins well enough palmed and hidden up his sleeves that border guards never suspected. In the mid-sixties he was ancient, rated about 1900-2000 and could still vanish a quarter with impressive mystery.
I first played in 1963. Zvonko Vranesic won ahead of Theodorovich, Fuster, Kalotay, Grimshaw, Sarosy etc. It had about 20 players at the Harmonie Club with 8 rounds over two weekends. The next year in Hamilton it switched to 6 rounds on one long weekend which was a big improvement. There were usually three prizes, 1st, 2nd and a 50$ junior prize which delightfully covered bus fare from Ottawa.
I played all of the Ontario Opens until 1979 when regionalism trumped sanity and the site was way way far away.