Chess Mates' Grand Opening

Sunday October 10 was the Grand Opening for Chess Mates - 1531 Irving Street, Rahway.

The day started with a ribbon cutting followed by lunch: Pizza, spaggetti, meatballs, pigs in a blanket, Subway sandwiches, empanadas, chicken wings and pancit (Phillipino noodles).
I must have sucked down 5 empanadas in a row. They were so delicious.

After lunch National Master Yaacov Norowitz gave a lecture based on different types of pawn structures and control of light and dark squares. Yaacov is a blitz grandmaster and has beaten Vishy Anand on ICC.

Following Yaacov's intresting lecture Grandmaster Yudasin gave a simul against 16 players.
James Walker an expert visiting from Kentucky defeated Mr. Yudasin and Ken Chieu ( master)
drew.
Grandmaster Yudasin a 4 time condenter for the World Championship gives lectures on Mon and Thur each week for $15 followed by a blitz tournament.

After a short break there was a 7 round unrated blitz tournament with 15 competitors.
1st Yaacov Norowitz (QR 2490) 6.5-.5
2nd Daftani Maraj(QR 2161) 6-1
3rd Roger Pedersen (QR 1784) 4.5-2.5
Winners were awarded memberships in the club.

Thanks to the following people for competing and coming to the chess club for the Grand Opening: Yaacov Norowitz, Daftani Maraj, Roger Pedersen, Ken Chieu, Lev Zilbermintz, James Walker (KY), Errol Singh, Frank Bloise (NY), Arunas Simonaitis (NY), Fermin Arias, Richard Blank (PA), Bessale Yarjovski (NY), Jevon O'Neal, William Bybel (PA), John Herson, Joe Renna,
Don Varneckus and other guests.

We hope you had an enjoyable time, please come again.

Many thanks to Arthur, Gracielle and mom for making this a truly Grand Opening'

Arthur - stay safe and good luck in the army. Hope to see you soon.

Last of all : Special thanks to John Moldovan (my friend and mentor) for his patience in showing me the ropes at the club. John has left to pursue other endeavors . I hope I can fill his shoes.

New Tournament Directors

After much deliberation, I have decided to leave Chess Mates and focus upon correspondence chess, the Garden State Chess League and other interests.

The TD shoes in Rahway will be aptly filled by Bessalel Yarjovski, Ziggy Bliznikas and Roger Pedersen. You should eventually see them posting and updating here, along with Joe Renna, but, if there is some delay in transition, I'll keep the blog current.

In closing, I'd like to thank Arthur and Gracielle Macaspac for the opportunity, acknowledge their patience and wish them well.

Norowitz Wins Grand Opening Blitz

SM Yaacov Norowitz won Sunday's non-rated 15-player Grand Opening Blitz Tournament. NM Maraj Daftani was 2nd. 11th-seed Roger Pedersen surprised by taking 3rd. Lev Zilbermintz and NM Ken Chieu headed a 6-way tie for 4th.

To view the event crosstable and full standings click here.

Grand Opening Article

Jim West On Chess has posted a very nice article by Lev Zilbermintz, entitled Rahway Club Holds Grand Opening. 2 games from GM Leonid Yudasin's Simultaneous Exhibition and 3 from the blitz tournament were included in the piece.

Chess Mates Grand Opening Photos

Photos from the Chess Mates Grand Opening can be found on OurTownRahway.com photo albums.

Here: http://ourtownrahway.com/gallery.asp?gallery=Chessmates_Grand_Opening

Bonin Wins Sunday Swiss

IM Jay Bonin won yesterday's G/45. There was a 5-way tie for 2nd between IM Justin Sarkar, NM James West, expert Sam Barsky, expert Vladimir Polyakin, and Mauricio Camejo.

Monday Blitz

SM Yaacov Norowitz won the September 27th blitz tourney with 4.0 from 4. NM Maraj Daftani was 2nd. David Rubenfeld took the U1900 prize.

Grand Opening Schedule

Here is the events schedule for our Grand Opening/Open House on Sunday, October 10th:

10:00 a.m. – Open
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Ribbon Cutting & Lunch
12:30-2:00 p.m. - Lecture by SM Yaacov Norowitz
2:00-4:00 p.m. - Simul/Lecture by GM Leonid Yudasin
4:30–6:30 p.m. - Blitz Tournament (No Entry Fee!!)
6:30-8:00 p.m. – Casual Play

Note: The house will take care of snacks & prizes.