Check is in the Mail, June 2025: That's Unusual!

This issue's theme is unusual openings. Sometimes these are also referred to as irregular openings. If you ever play a game using Fritz, and enable the Talk* feature, it's likely it would tell you some of the moves in these openings are novelties. This means the move didn't follow traditional opening theory, and honestly, it's probably not a comment you would generally want to hear.

Each game provided has an ECO code of A00, B00, C00, D00 or E00. If the opening has a name that I can find, I've provided it. The goal was to have games that were played in 2025, but there just weren't enough to choose from that met the requirements for being included in an issue. So, games are from 2021, 2024 and 2025. I selected, at least, one game each from the five ECO codes and then selected one more to provide the common six games in an issue. Since the D00 ECO code had the most eligible games (over double the number vs the other individual ECO codes), it seemed reasonable that two games with the D00 ECO code be included in the issue.

In addition, be sure to read about the new feature available for puzzles. It's all described in the Puzzles section. It's a doozy, and I hope you enjoy it.

Also, be sure to check out the announcement in my wrap-up explaining a change to the distribution schedule of Check is in the Mail.

*Fritz 20 Note: Currently the Talk feature is only available from the Easy Game mode in Fritz 20. In previous releases, it was available in the Classic Menu mode as-well. It is unknown whether this feature will be added back to the Classic Menu mode in a future update.

Games

Game 1 - A00

This game was played by Michael Miller and Derek Lazzara using an A00: Irregular Opening. From the USCF/EK/25EN03 tournament, Miller forces a resignation from Lazzara in 29 moves.

Game 2 - B00

This game was played by Jerry Weiner and Michael D. Buss using the B00: Queen's Fianchetto Defence, Nimzowitsch Defence. From the USCF/EK/21ENf01 tournament, Weiner forces a resignation from Buss in 32 moves.

Game 3 - C00

This game was played by Panagiotis Loukas and Paul D. Shannon using the C00: French: Unusual White 2nd Moves.. From the USCF/WS/24W23 tournament, Shannon forces a resignation from Loukas in 39 moves.

Game 4 - D00 #1

This game was played by David Schmidt and Jonathan Silverstein using the D00: 1. d4 d5: Unusual Lines.. From the USCF/EK/24EN07 tournament, Silverstein forces a resignation from Schmidt in 37 moves.

Game 5 - D00 #2

This game was played by Steve Austin and Robert Irons using the D00: 1. d4 d5: Unusual Lines.. From the USCF/EK/24EN07 tournament, Irons forces a resignation from Austin in 29 moves.

Game 6 - E00

This game was played by Dean Barclay and Keith A. Rodriguez using the E00: Catalan Bogo-Indian (3. g3 Bb4+). From the USCF/WS/25A01 tournament, Barclay and Rodriguez agreed to a draw in 19 moves.

Puzzles

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

New! Puzzles can now 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. They are not implemented for previous issues.

Puzzle 1	Puzzle 2	Puzzle 3
Image	Image	Image
Austin-Irons	Schmidt-Silverstein	Loukas-Shannon
Latest Move: 5. ... c5	Latest Move: 18. ... Qf8	Latest Move: 23. Qxa4
White to Move	White to Move	Black to Move

I hope you enjoyed the games and puzzles!

Announcement: We are changing (back) to a monthly distribution of Check is in the Mail. Therefore, look for the next issue to be available around July 1st, 2025.

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

2024 Electronic Knights Semi-Final Invitations have been extended to the 24 players who scored 4½ points or better in the 11 preliminary rounds. It is anticipated that the Semi-Finals will commence June 1, 2025. All games will be played on the ICCF webserver.

Recent Event Winners

John Collins Memorial
23C02 - Paul Shannon - 5½–½
24C01 - Joseph Lloret - 6–0

Walter Muir E-Quads
24W02 - Weston Howard - 6–0
25W01 - Mark McMahon - 4½–½

Victor Palciauskas
24VP02 - Charles Jacobs, Johnny Owens & Marc Siegel - 5–1
24VP05 - Kurt Pearson & Gary Branton - 5–1
24VP10 - Timothy Oltman - 5–1
24VP11 - Jonathan Silverstein, Matthew Kiniorski & Christopher Braider - 5–1
24VP12 - Charles Jacobs & Richard Ralls - 5½–½
24VP17 - Mark McMahon - 5½–½