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En Passant July 2018

En Passant July 2018

The July 2018 edition of En Passant is now available.

Brashaw Wins 2018 DSMChess Spring Sw

Brashaw Wins 2018 DSMChess Spring Sw

Dan Brashaw scored 3.5 out of a possible 4 points to win the 2018 DSMChess Spring Swiss which was held May, Saturday 12th, 2018 at the Staybridge Suites in West Des Moines, Iowa. Pattrick Earney had a perfect score of 4-0 to capture 1st place in the Reserve section. By Bill Broich. 05/29/2018.

Ducharme Captures Class E Title

Ducharme Captures Class E Title

Aidan Ducharme went undefeated to capture the Iowa Class E State Championship title. This annual tournament was held Saturday May 5, 2018 at the West Des Moines Learning Resource Center. Ducharme is a 5th grader at St. Augustin’s Elementary school in Des Moines. By Bill Broich. 05/18/2018.

Wan, Brashaw win mucho

Wan, Brashaw win mucho

MOLINE, Ill. -- National masters Joseph Wan and Dan Brashaw drew their game against each in the final round to split top prize at the Cinco de Mayo Chess Tournament. They had 3.5 out of 4 scores. By Rick Rector. 05/08/2018.

Final Scholastic Event of the Season

Final Scholastic Event of the Season

Iowa scholastic chess players competed in the final scholastic tournament of the 2017-2018 year. The 2018 Iowa K-12 Scholastic Open Championship and the K-8, K-5, and K-3 Section Championships were held April 14, 2018 at Prairie Pointe Middle School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. ​A total of 55 players competed in this annual event. By Bill Broich. 04/21/2018.

En Passant April 2018

En Passant April 2018

The April 2018 edition of En Passant is now available.

2018 IASCA Annual Meeting Minutes

2018 IASCA Annual Meeting Minutes

2018 IASCA Annual Meeting. March 18, 2018. Physicians Clinic of Iowa, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 2018 Annual meeting called to order at 1 p.m. by President Eric Vigil. By Ming Lodh. 3/25/2018

Iowa Closed Championship Pairings

Iowa Closed Championship Pairings

In this year's closed to be played at the PCI building in Cedar Rapids this coming Saturday the 17th of March, we have returning champion Daniel Brashaw and the top five finishers of the Leather Jackets. By Eric Vigil. 03/13/2018.

2018 Iowa Girls Chess Championship

2018 Iowa Girls Chess Championship

Anjali Lodh and Sarah Faith Carson tied in spectacular fashion setting off the second playoff for state champion in the scholastic qualifying tournaments. By Eric Vigil. 2/23/2018

Port of Burlington IV

Port of Burlington IV

GM Yaroslav Zerabukh thrilled the audience at the Mississippi Manor bed and breakfast with his recounting the story of how two girls rated in the 1200s each (a combined 2512 rating!) almost defeated him in a simul at a chess camp he taught last summer. By Eric Vigil. 02/07/2018

2018 High School & K-8 Championship

2018 High School & K-8 Championship

The 2018 Iowa High School (Denker) and K-8 (Barber) Chess Championships were held on Saturday January 20th at Gloria Dei Lutheran church in Iowa City. This tournament had two sections, high school (9-12) and grades K-8. By Bill Broich. 1/30/2018

January 2018 En Passant

January 2018 En Passant

Read the January edition of En Passant.

Chess meets history: Ron Nurmi

Chess meets history: Ron Nurmi

Ron Nurmi has two passions in life: chess and history. He retired after serving as IASCA secretary for nine years at the 2017 board meeting. And his service throughout the years left its a mark on IASCA history. By Bethany Carson. 1/14/2018.

Minnesota Blizzard Holiday Party

Minnesota Blizzard Holiday Party

I was invited to the Minnesota Blizzard Team Holiday Party at the Chess Castle in Minneapolis, held December 23rd. This is an annual potluck and Blitz tournament event is held to honor accomplishments of local chess enthusiasts. By Bill Broich. 01/03/2017

New Location for Loras College

New Location for Loras College

New Location at Loras College Double Trouble. Still at Loras College, but the football recruiters booked the other side of the Ballroom. It will be a noisy crowd. But we were able to secure nice quiet rooms in another building.

GM Yaroslav Zherebukh at Burlington

GM Yaroslav Zherebukh at Burlington

GM Zherebukh will be giving a Free chess lecture Friday Evening at the Mississippi Manor Bed and Breakfast 7pm Friday evening February 2nd 2018. Be Eric Vigil. 11/1/2017

Steve Killian Obituary

Steve Killian Obituary

Longtime Illowa Chess Club member and former president Steve Killian passed recently after a battle with cancer. For years he was an active player in Iowa and Illinois. By Rick Rector. 10/26/2017

Moline Open

Moline Open

3 Share Top Prize at the Moline Open

En Passant October 2017

En Passant October 2017

The October edition of En Passant is now available.

In Memory of Carl Dunn

In Memory of Carl Dunn

Former Iowa Chess president President Carl E. Dunn passed away yesterday Sept 6th. I first met Carl at the Lee County Fair Chess tournament, which Carl pointed out was the longest continuously running chess tournament in the state. He asked me how being president was, and that he was a former IASCA president in the 1970's. By Eric Vigil. 9/7/2017.

Delegates Meeting Report

Delegates Meeting Report

Delegates Meeting Report 118th US Open meeting Norfolk, VA Aug 2017 Dr. Robert Keating and I attended the meeting. Dr. Keating filled a vacant seat from our neighboring state of Minnesota. Presidents report was fabulous Right now US Chess is fat dumb and happy with a 1.7 million surplus. That money will be going to sponsor more players in international events. By Eric Vigil. 9/2/2017

Neal Captures Upset-filled Ames Open

Neal Captures Upset-filled Ames Open

James Neal scored 4.5 points out of 5 to claim first place at the 2017 Ames FIDE Open. The tournament was held June 3-4, 2017 at the Red Roof Inn in Ames, Iowa. Dan Brashaw finished clear second with four points. Bradshaw and Neal ranked one and two in this event, both are US Chess Masters. By Bill Broich. 7/17/17

Lee County Fair Chess Tournament

Lee County Fair Chess Tournament

Doc VanWinkle, the host of the tournament, is on the left. Jesse VanWinkle, the 2016 Fair Champion, hands the Aulden VanWinkle Traveling Clock Trophy to Sam Naylor, the 2017 Champion. Doug Campbell,Tournament Director, stands by Sam. By Arnie Gatton. 7/13/2017

July 2017 En Passant

July 2017 En Passant

They July 2017 edition of En Passant is now available. By Mark Capron. 6/27/2017

The Good Old Days

The Good Old Days

Remember the good old days? Pairing cards, hand written wall charts, analog clocks and the Insufficient Losing chances rule? By Eric Vigil. 6/8/2017

Iowa Scholastic Chair

Iowa Scholastic Chair

Dear Iowa Chess Patrons, After 9 years of service as the IASCA Scholastic Chair, I have chosen to step down. So, we begin the search for another interested and motivated individual to take on this valuable role to organize Iowa Scholastic Chess Championship Events for our school age chess players. By James Hodina. 5/28/2017.

Cedar Rapids Chess Workshop

Cedar Rapids Chess Workshop

On July 15 &16, 2017, the Cedar Rapids Chess Club (CRCC) is honored to host the CRCC Chess Workshop. Presented by USCF Senior Masters Alex Betaneli and Erik Santarius, this two-day workshop is open to players rated USCF 1100 and above or age 13 and older. By James Hodina. 5/26/2017

Undefeated in Wellsburg

Undefeated in Wellsburg

Steven Cusumano and Tim Carson went undefeated in Wellsburg, sweeping the Open and Reserve. Will Polzin, also undefeated, finished with 3.5 in the Open for a close second. By Bethany Carson. 5/14/2017

It's a Small World After All

It's a Small World After All

Two years ago I helped chaperone the Iowa City West High School band trip to play at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park. I helped unload and reload equipment and uniforms. By Eric Vigil. 4/28/2017

En Passant April 2017

En Passant April 2017

The April 2017 edition of En Passant is now available. By Mark Capron. 4/5/2017

Dan Brashaw Wins a Threepeat!

Dan Brashaw Wins a Threepeat!

In a titanic struggle, Dan Brashaw held off Joseph Wan and James Neal with 4 points to 3.5 for Joseph's and James'. In the last round Joseph and James faced each other both going for the win to tie Mr Brashaw, who had drawn Dr. Keating earlier in round 5. By Eric Vigil. 3/29/2017

Scholastic Players Dominate Class E

Scholastic Players Dominate Class E

The 2017 Class E Championship was held at the Olmstead Center on the campus of Drake University on March 25, 2017. This Class E Championship is sponsored by the Iowa State Chess Association and sanctioned by the United States Chess Federation. By Bill Broich. 3/29/2017

IASCA 2016 Minutes of Annual Meeting

IASCA 2016 Minutes of Annual Meeting

IASCA 2016 Minutes of Annual Meeting April 2, 2016 Meeting called to order by President Vigil at 1 PM A moment of silence was held in memory of deceased chess players especially past President Roger Gotchall Secretary’s report read and approved. Jim Freerksen and seconded Christine Denison Treasurer’s report approved. Rex Grey and seconded by Cub Noble. By Ron Nurmi. 3/22/2017

IASCA Closed Championship Pairings

IASCA Closed Championship Pairings

RD 1 Wan-Keating Takahashi-Neal Brashaw-Kosokin RD 2 Keating-Kosokin Neal-Brashaw Wan-Takahashi Rd 3 Takahashi-Keating Brashaw-Wan Kosokin-Neal By Ron Nurmi. 3/21/2017

Kulaha Crowned Iowa Girls Champion

Kulaha Crowned Iowa Girls Champion

Darina Kulaha was crowned Iowa's 2017 Girls Chess Champion in Wellsburg this weekend. The only undefeated player in the field of 11 girls who attended, Darina is a foreign-exchange student from... By Bethany Carson. 2/13/2017

3rd Annual Port of Burlington

3rd Annual Port of Burlington

On Friday evening Jan 14st I received a call from Mr. Stephen Plotnick. He asked me about my upcoming 3rd Annual Port of Burlington FIDE Open. By Eric Vigil. 2/2/2017

Four Players Secure Berths to Closed

Four Players Secure Berths to Closed

Four Players Secure Berths to Closed, Four Others in Contention. With the 2017 Port of Burlington Open in the books, only the Cedar Rapids Leather Jackets tournament remains left to play in the 2016-2017 Qualifying Cycle. By John Herr. 1/30/2017

IASCA Secretary

IASCA Secretary

I will not be a candidate for reelection as IASCA Secretary at the 2017 Annual Meeting, and as William T. Sherman said "If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve." By Ron Nurmi. 1/27/2017

Arshaq Saleem is Iowa Denker Champ

Arshaq Saleem is Iowa Denker Champ

Arshaq Saleem is the 2017 Iowa Denker Representative. I was excited for the opportunity to watch the Iowa Denker/Barber Candidates tournament this year. I drove up with one of my students, Nathan Chen (1780), to support his efforts to become the Iowa Barber Representative for 2017. My goal was to take pictures and watch the battles. By James Neal. 1/23/2017

Chess Night @ Iowa Children's Museum

Chess Night @ Iowa Children's Museum

Dear Chess Players and Families, We have a great opportunity next week to show our community how awesome scholastic chess in Iowa is. Next Friday, January 27, during Coral Ridge Mall's Family Free night, a simultaneous exhibition and beginner lessons will be held in the Iowa Children's Museum. By. James Hodina. 1/23/2017

GM Lombardy to Give Chess Lecture

GM Lombardy to Give Chess Lecture

Chess Legend GM William Lombardy will be giving a talk and book signing in Burlington, Iowa on January 27. By Eric Vigil. 1/16/2017

En Passant, January 2017

En Passant, January 2017

The January edition of En Passant is now available! By Mark Capron. 1/5/2017

Keating Wins Des Moines Fall Classic

Keating Wins Des Moines Fall Classic

Dr. Robert Keating captured first place in the 2016 Des Moines Fall Classic held November 12 -13 at the Ramada Inn on Army Post Road in Des Moines, Iowa. Twenty-nine players competed in a five round FIDE rated Swiss tournament that included three masters. By Bill Broich. 11/22/2016

World Championship Schedule

World Championship Schedule

The first four games of the World Chess Championship have been drawn. Game 5 starts Thursday. All rounds begin at 1 P.M. CST. By Daniel Carson. November 16, 2016

Annotated Games from NM Joseph Wan

Annotated Games from NM Joseph Wan

NM Joseph Wan submitted the following very interesting annotated games for the DGT chess clock giveaway. These two games are also featured in the latest En Passant, which is brimming with great games Mark collected from Iowa Open players. By Bethany Carson. 11/4/2016

World Championship

World Championship

Assistant webmaster Daniel Carson has arranged for iowa-chess.org to partner as an affiliate with AGON for the World Championship. Games will be displayed live here on our site. By Bethany Carson 11/2/2016

En Passant, October 2016

En Passant, October 2016

The October 2016 edition of En Passant is now available! By Mark Capron. October 31, 2016.

NM Gabriel Bick Wins DGT Giveaway

NM Gabriel Bick Wins DGT Giveaway

Congratulations to NM Gabriel Bick of California, who was randomly chosen as the winner of our DGT Annotated Games Chess Clock Giveaway! By Bethany Carson 10/26/2016

James Neal Wins Cedar Rapids Open

James Neal Wins Cedar Rapids Open

The Cedar Rapids Chess Club hosted the 2016 Cedar Rapids Open and Scholastic Championship on Saturday, October 22. Thirty eight chess players competed in the Open Section with another ten scholastic players participating in the K-6 Cedar Rapids. By James Hodina 10/23/2016

Thunder Quick VI

Thunder Quick VI

Nathan Chen wins clear first followed by Owen Fiedorowicz and Aman Reddy for 2nd and 3rd. There were 18 participants in the Thunder Quick VI tournament, usually held on Saturdays but was held on Friday due to school not being in session. By James Neal 10/10/2016

GM Gareyev Breaks Record

GM Gareyev Breaks Record

Sept 23 I picked up GM Timur Gareyev at O'Hare airport. My goal: to bring him to Iowa to break the world record for consecutive blindfold games. By Eric Vigil 9/27/2016

Day 1: GM Gareev Iowa Tour

Day 1: GM Gareev Iowa Tour

Gm Gareev arrived in Chicago last night and spent the night at Eric Vigils mother and step father's house. Bruce Kallick surprised GM Gareev by setting up a crucial position of one of his most famous victories. Timur was very impressed with Bruce's research. By Eric Vigil 9/23/2016

NM Simul

NM Simul

Thanks to National Masters James Neal and Joseph Wan for sharing their talents with 25 enthusiastic chess players at the Coralville Public Library on September 17. There were special treats after the NM simul. By Christian Schmitz 9/19/2016

DGT Chess Clock Giveaway

DGT Chess Clock Giveaway

Do you have annotated games from your latest tournament? Email them to iowachessassociation@gmail.com for display on our website and possibly in En Passant...and a chance to win a DGT North American Chess Clock! Digital Game Technology, a leading producer of tournament supplies... By Bethany Carson 9/14/2016

Simul with Iowa's 2016 NMs

Simul with Iowa's 2016 NMs

James Neal and Joseph Wan both earned the title of National Master this year, and we are celebrating with a simul at noon on Saturday, September 17, in Schwab Auditorium at the Coralville Public Library. By Gail Takahashi. 9/7/2016

IMs Nagle and Brooks Win Iowa Open

IMs Nagle and Brooks Win Iowa Open

IM Michael Brooks from Missouri and IM Sean Nagle from Minnesota each scored 4.5 out of 5 to tie for the 62nd Iowa Open title. Nagle received the plaque on tiebreaks. The tournament’s Open section drew in 71 players from 11 states. By Mark Capron. 9/5/2016

Congrats to NM James Neal!

Congrats to NM James Neal!

Congrats to Iowa's newest National Master James Neal!!! This past Iowa Open was probably the strongest Iowa has ever had. With the participation of IM Sean Nagle, GM Alex Yermolinsky, IM Angelo Young, IM Michael Brooks, and WGM Camilla Baginskaite, I was out of the top five boards and played James Hodina on board 6 in the first round. By NM Joseph Wan. 8/30/2016

Photos from Iowa Open 2016

Photos from Iowa Open 2016

Please see the links in this post for albums from the Iowa Open. By Bethany Carson. 8/30/2016

Update on Hotels for Iowa Open

Update on Hotels for Iowa Open

Sorry that some of you have not been able to find any rooms in Coralville/Iowa City. I was just informed one person was able to get a room at the Marriott today so you might want to keep calling. There are other rooms available within about a 15-20 min drive in Cedar Rapids, IA. By Mark Capron. August 24, 2016

Iowans at the US Open - Part 3

Iowans at the US Open - Part 3

I played the 6 round version of the US Open, and I took the 3 allowed byes because I wanted time to spend with friends and family in Indianapolis. I won my first game against an A-rated player from Indiana. I then proceeded to lose two games. By Dan Vasto. August 21, 2016

Iowans at the US Open - Part 2

Iowans at the US Open - Part 2

Several Iowans and former Iowans competed in the 2016 US Open in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Here is part 2 of their games, photos, and thoughts about the tournament. By Bethany Carson. 8/17/2016

Hotels for Iowa Open

Hotels for Iowa Open

I have called around and found the following: Homewood Suites by Hilton Coralville - Iowa River Landing  Rooms available on August 26th. By Mark Capron. August 17, 2016

Millstream Iowa Open Fundraiser

Millstream Iowa Open Fundraiser

Dan Brashaw repeats as Iowa's Millstream Beer and Blitz Champion with 10 points of 12. James Hodina was nipping his heels with 9.5 points. Arshaq Saleem hit third with 9 points. Mr. John Trunnell came out from under a rock and won 4th place. Where in the state of Iowa did this guy come from? By Eric Vigil. 8/15/2016

Iowans at the 2016 US Open - Part 1

Iowans at the 2016 US Open - Part 1

Several Iowans and former Iowans competed in the 2016 US Open in Indianapolis, Indiana.  See their games, photos, and thoughts about the tournament here. By B. Carson. 8/14/16

Iowa Open - Hotel List

Iowa Open - Hotel List

Here is a list of additional hotels in Coralville/Iowa City to consult if Marriott is sold out. The rate for the block at the Marriott was extended till August 12, but there are not very many rooms left. Please get your room as soon as possible to get the chess rate. By Mark Capron. 8/2/2016.

Kosokin Wins Des Moines Summer Open

Kosokin Wins Des Moines Summer Open

Twenty-three players competed in the Des Moines Summer Open that was held at the Ramada Des Moines Airport Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday, July 23, 2016 to Sunday, July 24, 2016. Valeriy Kosokin was awarded $220 for winning the tournament. By Mathew Jacob. July 27, 2016

Class E and Under Championship

Class E and Under Championship

Congratulations Jacob Vigil going 5 and 0 The 2016 Class E and Under Iowa Championship was held in Des Moines, Iowa On Saturday July 23rd. 15 players went for 5 rounds. Jacob Vigil Placed 1st. Sean T. McCullough was 2nd and Ana Denison swept up third. By Eric Vigil. July 26, 2016.

Happy International Chess Day!

Happy International Chess Day!

Happy International Chess Day. In honor of the 88th anniversary of FIDE I am providing coffee service at the Des Moines Summer Open on July 23rd and 24th. Such a deal! Show up to the tournament, and get a free cup of hotel coffee! I am also passing along greetings from the FIDE President. By Eric Vigil. July 20, 2016

Lee County Fair Chess Champion

Lee County Fair Chess Champion

At the Lee County Fair's Aulden Van Winkle Chess Tournament, the grandson of Aulden Van Winkle, Jess Van Winkle of Morning Sun, IA, was undefeated, winning the traveling chess trophy clock that has his grandfather's name on it. By Arnie Gatton. July 12, 2016

En Passant, July 2016

En Passant, July 2016

The July 2016 edition of En Passant is now available! By Mark Capron. July 5, 2016.

Dream Nutrition Invitational II

Dream Nutrition Invitational II

GMs Akobian and Mikhalevski share first at the Dream Nutrition Invitational II. Three GMs, Varuzhan Akobian (2612), Victor Mikhalevski (2533), Tigran L. Petrosian (2593) and a promising FM candidate, Garuch Manukian (2256) competed in a double round robin tournament held June 20-22 at the corporate offices of Dream Nutrition located in Los Angeles, California. By Bill Broich. July 5, 2016.

Nathan Chen wins Thunder Quick IV

Nathan Chen wins Thunder Quick IV

There were 16 players that attended the event with the top seeded player being Joseph Wan. He told me before the event he would be playing openings and defenses that were barely sound and indeed that was the case. By CM James Neal. June 27, 2016

Kosokin and Neal Win Ames Open

Kosokin and Neal Win Ames Open

Valeriy Kosokin and James Neal are co-champions of the Ames Open, held June 11-12 in Ames. Each finished with 4.5/5, giving up a draw only to each other. The 1st and 2nd place prizes were split between them, and on tiebreaks the trophy went home with Kosokin. By John Herr. June 16, 2016.

School's Out for Summer Quads

School's Out for Summer Quads

I anticipated 16-24 players and 35 showed up! WOW!!! I was so proud of my daughter Crissy as she worked to direct her first tournament. By Eric Vigil. May 29, 2016

Cedar Rapids Chess Workshop

Cedar Rapids Chess Workshop

Cedar Rapids Chess Club Hosts Two-Day Workshop with Senior Masters Betaneli and Santarius. By James Hodina. May 24, 2016

Wan Dominates Homeless Shelter Open

Wan Dominates Homeless Shelter Open

Joseph Cheng-yue Wan Dominates Des Moines Homeless Shelter Open I. Eleven players played in the Des Moines Homeless Shelter Open I that was held at the Willow Creek Baptist Church in West Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday... By Milind Jetty. May 24, 2016.

Keokuk Tournament News Release

Keokuk Tournament News Release

The Tri-State Chess Club's Spring Chess Tournament, held on April 30, 2016, at the Keokuk Christian Academy was successful with 25 players entering in the two section tournament. By Arnie Gatton. May 17, 2016.

Photos from Ice Harbor

Photos from Ice Harbor

Photos from the 2016 Ice Harbor Scholastic Open. By Bethany Carson. May 16, 2016

Wellsburg Open & Reserve 2016

Wellsburg Open & Reserve 2016

Johnson & Young Dominate Wellsburg Open; Carson Crushes Reserve. In what may well have been the greatest convergence of brain-power... By Bethany Carson. May 11, 2016.

2016 Keokuk Spring Tournament

2016 Keokuk Spring Tournament

Kudos to Doug Campbell for hosting and directing the Tri-State Spring Chess Tournament. It was a very, very nice tournament. By Arnie Gatton. Photos from Eric Vigil. 5/5/2016

Top Seeds for Wellsburg Open

Top Seeds for Wellsburg Open

IM Angelo Young, NM Joseph Wan, and CM James Neal are the projected top seeds for the Wellsburg Open on May 7th.

A New Website

A New Website

The IASCA board is pleased to announce our new, re-designed website!  We would also like to thank outgoing webmaster Rex Gray... By Bethany Carson. 4/21/16

En Passant, April 2016

En Passant, April 2016

The April 2016 edition of En Passant is now available!

NW Jr. High takes 8th in Nationals

NW Jr. High takes 8th in Nationals

Northwest Jr. High takes 8th in Nationals. Joseph Wan Iowa's newest Master. By Eric Vigil, 4/19/2016.

Iowa Class and Closed Championships

Iowa Class and Closed Championships

Dan Brashaw Repeats as Iowa Closed Champion. By Eric Vigil. April 4, 2016

A Weekend of Chess

A Weekend of Chess

Eric Vigil reports on Roger Gotschall's funeral and the Leatherjackets. March 7, 2016

Qualifiers for the Closed

Qualifiers for the Closed

By John Herr. March 6, 2016

Funeral information on Roger

Funeral information on Roger

By John Herr and Eric Vigil. March 1, 2016

K-12 Open Champions

K-12 Open Champions

By Eric Vigil. March 29, 2016

Team Champions & Girls Tournament

Team Champions & Girls Tournament

By Eric Vigil. February 18, 2016

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