Check is in the Mail, July 2026: Readers' Games!

A note from Michael D. Buss, US Chess Correspondence Coordinator: With this issue, we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Jeff French for his outstanding work as Games Editor over the past year and a half. With Jeff already retired and his wife's retirement approaching, they look forward to enjoying retirement together while exploring the highways and byways. Jeff will continue serving as the President of the Correspondence Chess League of America.

Thanks Mike! It has been my pleasure ... and on to the issue ...

Over the past year I have collected games that were provide by you, the readers of Check is in the Mail. I ended up with nearly thirty games ready for consideration in this issue. From ICCF server events to postal/email tournaments to two-player Lightning Matches, this year's readers' games truly cover it all — and you'll find examples of each in this issue. And, of course, three puzzles are waiting to be solved, all captured straight from the games themselves.

I hope you enjoy the issue.

Game 1

Robert Irons annotated this game.

This game was played by Brent Walker and Robert Irons using the B45: Sicilian Four Knights in section 26EN01 of the 2026 Electronic Knights tournament. Irons forced a resignation from Walker after the 27th move.

Game 2

This game was played by Patrick Walsh and Brian Gradin using the A04: Unusual lines after 1. Nf3 and King's Indian Attack in section 24EN06 of the 2024 Electronic Knights tournament. Walsh forced a resignation from Gradin after the 21st move.

Puzzle 1		Puzzle 2		Puzzle 3
Image		Image		Image
Walker – Irons		Walsh – Gradin		Whitlock – Schuttenhelm
Latest Move: 23. Bf2		Latest Move: 12. ... dxc4		Latest Move: 10. ... Bd7
Black to Move		White to Move		White to Move

I hope you enjoyed the games and puzzles

And with this issue, my time as editor of Check is in the Mail comes to a close. It's been a rewarding stretch, and I appreciate everyone who's been part of it. I'm certain the column will continue with a new editor, and I'm looking forward to seeing it evolve.

-Jeff

From the Front Office

Michael D. Buss, US Chess Correspondence Coordinator

Electronic Knights National Finals

2022

The 2022 National Finals begin on July 3, 2026, with a final section of seven doing battle. One hundred and five players competed in 15 preliminary sections with 14 players advancing to two semi-final sections. The National Finals qualifiers are:

Image

The cross table can be found on the ICCF website here.

2024

The 2024 National Finals begin on July 6, 2026, with a final section of seven doing battle. Seventy-seven players competed in 11 preliminary sections with 21 players advancing to three semi-final sections. The National Finals qualifiers are:

Image

The cross table can be found on the ICCF website here.

2024 Absolute Championship

As previously reported last month, ICCF CCM Timothy Harris of Simpsonville, SC is the winner scoring 7½–4½ (+3, 9=, 0-). Tied for second place are ICCF CCM Gordon Magat and SIM Harry Ingersol with seven points. The cross table can be found here.

In Passing

We are saddened to report the passing of Jack Mongilutz of Allentown, Pennsylvania on June 9, 2026. Jack was another good chess friend and was a frequent competitor in the Golden Knights.

Enter a US Chess Correspondence Chess Event

Two-player matches ICCF:

• 2 Games
• 6 Games

Other Events:

• Golden Knights
• Electronic Knights ICCF
• Victor Palciauskas Round Robin Tournament ICCF
• Walter Muir E-Quads ICCF
• John W. Collins Postal Quads

Recent Event Winners

Victor Palciauskas Round Robin ICCF
26VP01 - Colin O'Sullivan - 6–0
 

Puzzle Answers

Puzzle 1 - 23. ... Nd5!
Puzzle 2 - 13. Nxg6!
Puzzle 3 - 11. Ba3!