Check is in the Mail, February 2026: To Combine is Divine!

Welcome to the February issue of Check is in the Mail.

From Michael Buss, US Chess Correspondence Coordinator: "Congratulations to our editor, Jeffrey French, who was elected President of the Correspondence Chess League of America (CCLA). Jeffrey began his 2-year term in office on January 1st."

Thanks Michael!

In this issue we continue what was started last February by providing both games and puzzles focusing on Combinations.

You can reference the February 2025 issue to learn more. You can also find some options in last February's issue for studying combinations should you have an interest in doing so.

Three of the games featured in this issue are from different sections of the 2025 Electronics Knights tournament. Two of the games are from the 2025 Absolute Championship tournament. The final game is from a section of the 2025 Walter Muir E-Quads tournament. The Walter Muir E-Quads were featured in the last issue of Check is in the Mail, but all games were from a different section.

So, without further ado, let's get to it!

Games

Reminder when reviewing the crosstables:

X^D = result by default
X^E = exceeded time limit

The latest results are displayed in red.

Game 1

Decoy, Skewer and Double Attack

This game is from Section 6 of the 2025 Electronic Knights.

This game was played by Garrett Schmidt and Craig M. Moore using the C50: Hungarian Defence and Giuoco Pianissimo. Schmidt forced a resignation from Moore after his 30th move.

Game 2

Discovered Attack and Remove Defender

This game is from Section 4 of the 2025 Electronic Knights.

This game was played by Alex Strobehn and Lawrence Crittenton using the C18: French: 3. Nc3 Bb4: Main line: 7. h4 and 7. Qg4. A draw was agreed upon after Strobehn's 36th move.

The next two games are from the 2025 Absolute Championship.

Game 3

Pin, Skewer, Discovered Attack and Double Attack

This game was played by Keith A. Rodriguez and Daniel M. Horwitz using the B51: Sicilian: Moscow Variation (3. Bb5+) without 3. ... Bd7. A draw was agreed upon after Rodriguez's 45th move.

Game 4

Discovered Attack and Decoy

This game was played by Harry Ingersol and David Sogin using the B07: Pirc Defence: Miscellaneous Systems. Ingersol forced a resignation from Sogin after his 53rd move.

Game 5

Deflection, Discovered Attack, Double Attack and Pin

This game is from Section 1 of the 2025 Electronic Knights.

This game was played by Austin Anderson and Tim Boldt using the A10: English Opening: Unusual Replies for Black. Anderson forced a resignation from Boldt after his 31st move.

Game 6

Deflection and Double Attack

This game is from Section 6 of the Walter Muir E-Quads.

This game was played by William E. Perry and Nokhum Markushevich using the D00: 1. d4 d5: Unusual lines. Perry forced a resignation from Markushevich after his 42nd move.

Puzzles

Here are some puzzles from the provided games. Answers can be found by scrolling to the very end of the issue.

Reminder: Puzzles can be solved online. Click/tap on a puzzle diagram below to access the interactive version of the puzzle. Once a puzzle is displayed, the last move will be shown and then the puzzle will wait for a move to be entered. It is not necessary to return to this page in order to access the other puzzles and games for this issue. However, clicking/tapping on a diagram below will take you directly to the puzzle selected. Note: Interactive puzzles are provided beginning with the June 2025 issue.

All puzzles below include both a Double Attack combination along with one other combination (which is noted for each puzzle).

Puzzle 1	Puzzle 2	Puzzle 3
Skewer	Discovered Attack	Deflection
Image	Image	Image
Schmidt-Moore	Rodriguez-Horwitz	Perry-Markushevich
Latest Move: 1. ... Kxg7	Latest Move: 1. Bd8!	Latest Move: 1. ... g6
White to Move	Black to Move	White to Move

I hope you enjoyed the games and puzzles!

Look for the next issue to be available around March 1st, 2026.

Feel free to send me US Chess Federation correspondence games for potential inclusion in future issues of Check is in the Mail. My email address is: Click here to show email address.

-Jeff

From the Front Office

Michael D. Buss, US Chess Correspondence Coordinator

New Correspondence Chess Entry Portals Available

The Correspondence Chess online entry portals are now available for all events except for the 2-player matches. Go to the Correspondence Chess main page, which can be found here. Under the online entry system bullet will be links to enter all events. Additionally, players can continue to enter via regular mail by sending the entry form and payment to US Chess.

Correspondence Chess League of America (CCLA)

Correspondence Chess events available to US Chess members - Dual Rated

The Seasonal Server (ICCF) Series (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer) will now also be offered to US Chess members to play in these popular quarterly tournaments. USCF players will receive ratings in both the CCLA and USCF (CCLA membership is not required). One round. Entrants grouped by rating. Players paired as either a 7-player single round robin, or as a 4-, 5- or 6-player double-round robin. Total number of games played is six to ten, depending on number of entrants and pairing option. Multiple entries permitted; 10 moves/30 days $8 EF. Chess engines are prohibited in the Server Series.

Special July 4th America's 250 Birthday Open Server (ICCF) Tournament $25 EF, entries close July 4, 2026. Two sections: Advanced section will follow ICCF rules, use of computer chess engines allowed. Players will be rated in CCLA and/or USCF and ICCF. Traditional Class Sections will follow CCLA rules and will be rated for CCLA and/or USCF Members. Use of computer chess engines is not allowed. Further information will be posted soon on the CCLA website. All CCLA chess tournaments may be entered via the CCLA website or by sending an email request to Click here to show email address.

2017 Golden Knights

Michael Buss of Indianapolis, Indiana won his sixth Golden Knights championship. James Tracz, Golden Knights 2006 co-champion and 2011 champion finished 4th. One hundred and thirty-three players entered the competition consisting of 19 preliminary sections, followed by six semi-final sections, culminating in one final section.

Name	Finals Score	Overall Weighted Score	Place	Prize
Michael Buss	5.5/6 (W5; L0; D1)	42.95	1	$532
Ferdinand Burmeister	3.5/6 (W4; L0; D2)	41.70	2	$332.50
Thomas Chromczak	4/6 (W2; L1; D3)	31.75	3	$199.50
James Tracz	3/6 (W3; L2; D1)	31.65	4	$66.50
Chris Brunt	3/6 (W2; L4; D0)	21.80	5	$66.50
Michael Gross	2/6 (W1; L4; D1)	20.55	6	$66.50
Abraham Wilson	0/6 (W0: L6; D0)	Withdrew
Ferdinand Burmeister		18.10	7	$66.50
Ferdinand Burmeister		15.90	8	$66.50
Ferdinand Burmeister		14.80	9-10	$66.50
Ferdinand Burmeister		14.80	9-10	$66.50

Editor's note: "Congratulations Michael. Well done!"

In Passing

R. Raymond Garrison of Perry, Michigan passed away on December 20, 2025.

Recent Event Winners

Walter Muir E-Quads ICCF
25W03 - Matthew Kiniorski - 5–1
25W13 - Michael Flaherty - 5½–½

John W Collins Postal Quads
23C08 - Gilbert Chavez, Linda Dechaine, Mike Moschos - 4–2