Open Game Play

Open Chess Game Play: All ages and skill-levels welcome!

When: Every Tuesday evening 7:15 pm - 11pm (or so) * * * * * Where: Aurora Turners Club, 1335 Mitchell Rd., in the Banquet Hall, downstairs.

This is just north of Indian Trail, in Aurora, east of Lake Street, west of Farnsworth.

ANCC is affiliated with the US Chess Federation and the Illinois Chess Association.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Looking forward to tomorrow night!

Hi reader! :)

Plan on a fun night of chess tomorrow night, 28 Feb.!  I hope to get some games in for our rated round robin tourney.  If you need to sign up with USCF as a new member or to renew an old one, I will have a laptop available and barring a net outage at Turners, I/we can complete those USCF membership issues.  Just bring a credit card to do so.

We havn't yet set a fee for our round robin tourney, but I imagine it to be $5.00 or so.  I just sent off a note to USCF asking them what the fee is, but it could take a couple of days to hear back.  I propose the above mentioned $5, and what is left over (which may amount to a dollar or two per player) we can use a token cash prize, or a 'club' trophy of some type.  If we make the fee smaller, say, $3 or $4, then making change is a pain.  Remember, we should be playing 9-10 rated games for a possible $5 fee.  Quite a deal!

See you tomorrow night!!

Darin, for the ANCC

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

In-house tourney is a go!

I am grateful to be involved with such a great bunch of people that enjoy chess.  Low key, yet serious in each person's attempt to improve their own chess game.  Thank you for making each Tuesday something to look forward to. 

With that, I am greatly anticipating the start of our in-house rated chess tourney!!!  Of the responses I got, both in email or in person last night, were all positive in making this happen!!  What a way to get some rated games in, without having to drive to a near/distant locale! 

If you did not make it to club last night, and you are interested in playing, please come in for club this next week or two, and we will add you to the roster of players.  This tourney will be run over the course some time, likely a couple of months.  If we decide to run it a double round robin, instead of a single, it will push the time further out into the future, which is fine.

Besides the rated round robin, I will also set up a non-rated swiss section.  That way, for those that are not competing, and for those that already did play a rated game, or  for whatever else :) , you can compete in a 'club tourney' for additional bragging rights!   Since the swiss section is non-rated, we can be much more flexible in its set-up including the coming/going of players into the section. 


Good luck to all of you in your games, and I will see you on Tuesday night!!

Darin, for the ANCC.

A fun Tueday night...

Thank you everyone that attended last nights meeting full of chess, and camaraderie.  I look forward to seeing everyone again next Tuesday!!

... We should be able to start some of our rated club tourney games next week too!

Darin, for the ANCC

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Club Tourney??!

I need your feedback chess players!!!

How would you all feel about a rated tournament, played over the course of several weeks during club time???

Benefits:  We/You would not be rushed to get in several rated games in one setting, relieving those of us that sometimes run into time issues (pun intended :) ) on our calendars.  I envision one rated tourney game every time you attend OR one every other week, depending on length of time controls set. 

Also, if you miss a night or two, that is not an issue really, since the tourney would run a couple months (or so), and you would have time to get the games in.  We could schedule a round robin, and even a swiss at the same time, giving options and opportunities to play each time you do come to club. 

This might also help drive people into coming to club to play. 

Of course, it gives players the opportunity to complete additional rated games. 

We could keep cost low by only requiring a fee big enough to cover the filing/rating fee required by the USCF.  Or, if a large enough group made the issue known, we could increase the tourney fee to cover the costs of trophies, and/or prizes (books, cash, etc.).

Downside:  it does require you to come in and play regularly (hence, a 'club tourney') that may keep some people away that just normally attend weekend one day/multiple day events.  And, it would not be a 'money maker' that perhaps some clubs might use to help defray costs of running a club.

So, there you have it.  Let me know your thoughts either by commenting to this post (it will email me) or by emailing me directly, or by simply coming to club and talking with me.  I truly wish your feedback.  I think this could be a good idea and fun to try. 

Darin, for the ANCC.

Happy Thursday!

Good day all!

Well, Cupid tried to put an arrow thru some of our chess boards, but must have missed!  There were a few of us that attended this past Tuesday, and comforted the pieces and boards by completing some chess games.  But, cupid must have his the mark on other targets as I hope you all had a great night on Valentines day. 

We will see you all this upcoming Tuesday, on 21 Feb.!

Darin, for the ANCC

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Game on!

Looking forward to seeing everybody again this Tuesday night!!  Don't let Valentines day keep you from coming on out to the ANCC.  Come alone, bring the family, or bring your date! You can learn a lot about a person by playing a game of chess with them.  In fact, this was the focus of a USCF article recently in Chess Life. 

Come one, come all for an evening of fun, discourse, and of course, great chess play!!

See you this Tuesday, 14 Feb. 

Darin, for the ANCC.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

A wonderful night!

Thank you everyone for a fun and busy night of chess at the ANCC!!

We had 14 players come out and enjoy some great games amongst our talented ANCC chess players.  With such a good number of players available, there never was a shortage of finding a player with different styles, strengths, and personalities to sit across from over a chess board.  Included in those 14 players were 5 younger players with those younger players not shying away from the adults in a game, and at times coming away with a win over the adult!  One thing about chess is that you can never assume anything about your opponent!!

Many of the games played notation was kept, and since I forgot to ask there, I would enjoy having copies of those (the score sheets are carbonless copies!) score sheets, for analysis, and/or to put up on this site!  Yes, you could be the star of the night with a signature win over a quality opponent!  If you are on the short side of the game's result, no worries about it being posted on site, we all have been there! :)  I myself did not keep score on any games, although I wish I had since I had some great games (both wins, and  losses!)  So remember, always take notation!!  You will be happy you did!

Many of you players, and spectators also enjoyed the food & beverages from the Turner's club upstairs.  Thank you.  Remember, the kitchen is open till 8pm (and you can bring the food down, or of course, stay upstairs to eat) and they have some snack/food items available all the time behind the bar, such as nachos, pretzels, and pizza.  It helps ANCC support from Turners when we return the favor by supporting our hosting venue's club.  Turners does notice.  Again, thank you.

Thank you for making the ANCC a fun place; a place to improve ones chess game; a place to relax and socialize with others from living not only in this local community of Aurora & Naperville, but further away.  I sincerely appreciate the drive everyone makes to visit ANCC, especially those that travel from outside our local community.  Thank you for your support, your games, and your comradeship! 

Till next week, enjoy some good chess, and be safe.

Darin, for the ANCC

Monday, February 6, 2012

Terrific Tuesday!

I am looking forward to seeing a large group tomorrow, 7 Feb. for a relaxing and fun night of chess! 

See you there!

Darin, for the ANCC

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Newly posted games !!

I have just posted a few games, from our match versus the Dragons. They are on one of the CICL tabs.  Go over them, and post/let me know your input on these games.  I would be happy to post your comments/annotations on any of the games!   I will put the remainder of the games up very soon.  Keep coming back to check them out!

Hope everyone is set to enjoy the 'big game' today!!  Have a Super Sunday!  ;)  .. sorry, had to!

Darin, for the ANCC

Thursday, February 2, 2012

A great night at ANCC!!

Thanks to everyone that came out to socialize, and play some great chess!  We had a great group show up to play. We had some first time members including middle school aged kids, as well as some adults that came to check out ANCC.  From what I heard, I expect to see them next week, and become regulars at ANCC.  I sincerely wish to thank you all for searching for chess in our area, finding ANCC, and then deciding to come out to enjoy an evening of chess.

The games are improving for those that have been visiting for a bit, and I tremendously enjoy the variety and opportunities that ANCC gives me to improve my chess. I also wish the same for all that attend!

Till next week,
Darin, for the ANCC