Check is in the Mail, February 2025: Unlock the Combination!

Game 3

Combinations: Deflection, Discovered Attack

This game was played by Richard Ralls and Nicholas Chrysanthou using the D35: Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation. From the USCF/WS/24VP12 tournament, Ralls forces a resignation from Chrysanthou in 43 moves.
 

Game 4

Combinations: Discovered Attack, Double Attack, Remove the Defender

This game was played by Timothy Oltman and Jon S. Leisner using the B21: Sicilian: 2 f4 and Morra Gambit. From the USCF/WS/24VP10 tournament, Oltman forces a resignation from Leisner in 38 moves.
 

Game 5

Combinations: Demolition of the Pawn Structure

This game was played by Brian Higgins and Gary Branton using the E10: Blumenfeld Gambit. From the USCF/WS/24VP14 tournament, Branton mates Higgins in 29 moves.
 

Game 6

Combinations: Deflection, Pinning, Remove the Defender

This game was played by Scott Robinson and Nicholas Sloan using the A85: Dutch Defence: 2 c4 Nf6 3 Nc3. From the USCF/WS/24W19 tournament, Sloan mates Robinson in 37 moves.
 

Puzzle 1		Puzzle 2		Puzzle 3
Double Attack		Discovered Attack		Demolition of the Pawn Structure
Image		Image		Image
Villa-Bump		Oltman-Leisner		Higgins-Branton
Latest Move: 23. ... Rad8?		Latest Move: 36. ... Nxd7		Latest Move: 27. Qe2
White to Move		White to Move		Black to Move

I hope you enjoyed the games and puzzles!
Look for the next issue to be available around April 1st, 2025 (no fooling).
-Jeff

From the Front Office

Michael D. Buss, US Chess Correspondence Coordinator

Time Complaints
I have discovered in my time as the Correspondence Chess Coordinator only one of the two opponents files a time complaint. However, the issue exists for both, namely not having received a reply from their opponent but allowing for the game to languish by not sending a repeat move and/or a time complaint.

Correspondence Chess rule 14: If an opponent fails to reply to a move within 14 days a player must send a repeat move. If another 14 days has elapsed without a reply to the repeat move, file a time complaint with the TD and send no more repeats. The complaint must include:

a. The violator's name and address.
b. The Tournament Section.
c. Date of last move sent.
d. Date of repeat move sent.
e. Reflection time usage.

Once filed, a valid time complaint may not be withdrawn by a complainant and must be answered by the alleged violator. The disposition of time complaints is the responsibility of the TD, not the players. In email events, the repeat move must be sent by email.

In Passing
It is with sadness that I report the passing of two longtime postalites.

George Mullen of Charleston, South Carolina passed away on January 4, 2025. George played in the Golden Knights and Collins events.

Wayne Pressnall of North Platte, Nebraska passed away on July 25, 2023. Wayne was a US Chess CC mainstay, competing in numerous Golden Knights tournaments over the years. I had the opportunity to play Wayne in the Golden Knights numerous times. In addition to chess, we shared many thoughts and commiseration regarding Nebraska Cornhusker football.
 

Golden Knights and Electronic Knights Updates
The 2019 Golden Knights will be commencing a final section of seven; 119 began play in 17 sections on January 1, 2019.

Invitations for the 2022 Golden Knights semi-final sections have been extended to the 38 who qualified from the 21 preliminary sections; 147 began play on January 1, 2022.

Invitations for the 2023 Electronic Knights semi-final sections have been extended to the 33 who qualified from the 14 preliminary sections; 98 began play on January 1, 2023.
 

Recent Event Winners

John Collins Memorial
22C08 - Kenneth Douglas - 6–0

Walter Muir E-Quads
23W34 - Johnny Owens - 6–0
24W07 - Akshay Kotamraju & Nicholas Sloan - 5–1
24W12 - Jon Leisner & Robert Angres - 5–1
24W13 - Allyne Smith - 6–0
24W14 - Jon Leisner - 6–0
24W16 - Brian Perry - 5–1
24W19 - Nicholas Sloan - 5–1

Victor Palciauskas
24VP07 - Joseph Aiken & Jonathan Silverstein - 5–1
24VP13 - Etienne Busnel - 6–0
 

Puzzle Answers

Puzzle 1 - 24. Nf6+!
Puzzle 2 - 37. Ne8+ (also a double attack on Black's king)
Puzzle 3 - 27. ... Bxg3+