All this month we have seen continued references to former World Champion Mikhail Tal, who died in June 1992 and whose memorial tournament is all this week, with live coverage at www.playchess.com. Hikaru Nakamura, the only American participant, won the opening blitz tournament in convincing style.

Today is Father’s Day. We’ve always wanted to ask how many fathers teach their sons and daughters to play chess. We’re going one step further, challenging everyone to learn the rules so they may celebrate National Chess Day this coming Oct. 12, across Massachusetts at a variety of venues. More to come on volunteers to host these events at libraries and community centers.

Trevor Bierig of Leominster swept the Gambit Invitational last week, sponsored by Larry Gladding’s Leominster Chess Association.

Anil Marthi of Shrewsbury dominated the Wachusett Chess Club’s B-division championship, with the A-division unfinished at this writing due to three postponed games. Results and upcoming event information can be found at www.wachusettchess.org. This includes a blitz chess event Wednesday at the group’s Fitchburg State University site.

Carissa Yip, 9, of Chelmsford, a member of the Wachusett Chess Club, has been named a qualifier for the 2013 Pan American Youth Festival, July 25 to Aug. 1 in Brazil. The event is in 12 divisions and details are at www.uschess.org.

Grandmaster Larry Christiansen of Cambridge gives another free simultaneous display at Boston’s South Station concourse from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, sponsored by www.boylstonchessclub.org of Somerville.

We communicate sad news of the passing of Bill Lukowiak (1942-2012), a master and chess director born in New Jersey and a Massachusetts resident for more than 40 years. He became homeless many years ago, but a number of tributes are now being written about his colorful life in chess.

Pick of the week at www.masschess.org is the 19th Northeast Open throughout next weekend in Stamford, Conn., but there are many one-day and weeknight events in the region.

GM Kevin Spraggett of Canada presents new tactical puzzles on Thursdays at

Answer to quiz: Did you see 1. Qg7ch and 2. Nh6 mate? Another position gleaned from www.tacticstime.com, now celebrating the second anniversary of sending twice weekly free newsletters to 1,600 enthusiasts. 

Source: http://www.telegram.com

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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