Check is in the Mail, June 2026: Equal Coverage!

Announcement: The next issue (July 2026) will be my last as editor of Check is in The Mail. As I transition into a lighter workload and embrace retirement, it feels like the right moment to step back from some of my editorial responsibilities. Thanks to Mike and JJ for allowing me to serve this community for as long as I have. It has been an honor to fill the editor post.

In this issue I cover some of the games played by winners in two sections of the 2025 Victor Palciauskas Round Robin tournament. These sections were announced in the last issue's Front Office section. I provide equal coverage for two of the sections, and I have included two games and one puzzle from each winner of those sections Note: Since the first section ended in a tie, there are four games and two puzzles included from that section.

Reminder: The July issue will cover Readers' Games. Please get any game submissions to me by June 15th.

Games

Reminder when reviewing the crosstables:

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

The latest results are displayed in red.

The next 4 game(s) were played in Section 25VP08 of the 2025 Victor Palciauskas Round Robin tournament.

Game 1

This game was played by Gregory Hall and Mark Reeves using the D02: 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 sidelines, including 2. ... Nf6 3. g3 and 2. ... Nf6 3. Bf4. Reeves forced a resignation from Hall after the 27th move.

Game 2

This game was played by Gregory Hall and Micah Alvarado using the D05: Colle System with ... e6. Hall forced a resignation from Alvarado after the 69th move.

Game 3

This game was played by William E. Perry and Micah Alvarado using the B01: Scandinavian Defence. Perry forced a resignation from Alvarado after the 39th move.

Game 4

This game was played by Christopher Carlson and William E. Perry using the A96: Classical Dutch: Fluid Systems: Early deviations. Perry forced a resignation from Carlson after the 33rd move.

The next two game(s) were played in Section 25VP11 of the 2025 Victor Palciauskas Round Robin tournament.

Game 5

This game was played by Chris Martinez and James Bunbury using the C42: Petroff Defence: 3. Nxe5 and unusual White 3rd moves. Martinez forced a resignation from Bunbury after the 29th move.

Game 6

This game was played by Michael Flaherty and Chris Martinez using the C65: Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defence (3. ... Nf6), unusual lines and 4. 0-0 Bc5. Martinez forced a resignation from Flaherty after the 45th 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.

Puzzle 1	Puzzle 2	Puzzle 3
Image	Image	Image
Hall-Reeves	Perry-Alvarado	Flaherty-Martinez
Latest Move: 15. ... Be7	Latest Move: 9. ... c6	Latest Move: 19. ... Bb6
White to Move	White to Move	White to Move

I hope you enjoyed the games and puzzles!

Look for the next issue to be available around July 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

Correspondence Chess League of America (CCLA) July 4th American 250th Birthday Class Server Tournament

Entries close July 4, 2026. $25 entry fee. 10 moves in 30 days. Open to all US residents and citizens in USA or territories. CCLA Membership is not required. USCF players invited to play. Traditional Class Sections rated for CCLA and USCF members using CCLA rules.

Traditional Class Sections - Play does NOT allow the use of computer chess engines to aid in selecting moves. Players will be assigned to one of three class sections based upon their correspondence chess rating:
Master- Expert- Class A - 1800 and above
Classes B and C - players rated 1400 to 1799
Classes D and E - players rated 1399 and below

Prizes for each section: $100, 1st place, $50 for 2nd Place; $25 for 3rd place. S-B tie breakers will be used. Total prize pool of $475 based upon 24 entries. If there are less than 8 players in a given Section, the prize pool for that section may be prorated.

Correspondence Chess League of America (CCLA) July 4th American 250th Birthday Advanced Open Server Tournament

Entries close July 4, 2026. $25 entry fee. 10 moves in 30 days. Open to all US residents and citizens in USA or territories. CCLA Membership is not required. USCF players invited to play. Advanced Division rated in CCLA, USCF and ICCF using ICCF rules. ICCF membership (free) required.

Advanced Open Section: Play allows the use of computer chess engines to aid in selecting moves. All ratings and classes may enter.

Prizes: $100, 1st place, $50 for 2nd Place; $25 for 3rd place. S-B tie breakers are used. Total prize pool of $175 based upon 8 entries. If less than 8 players, the prize pool for that section may be prorated.

Register for either CCLA tournament here.

Correspondence Chess Tournament Entries

Two-player matches can now be played on the ICCF webserver.

Online Registration for Two-player matches (Postal; ICCF; or email):

Online Registration for other Correspondence Chess Tournaments:

In Passing

We are saddened to report the passing of Dr. Brent Askvig of Minot, North Dakota. Dr. Askvig was a frequent competitor in US Chess and Correspondence Chess League of America events. His obituary can be found here.