Check is in the Mail October 2026: All About the Kan

Check is in the Mail October 2026

A recent issue of US Chess’s new newsletter, “The Key,” featured a Chessable course on the Sicilian Kan by FIDE Master Vjekoslav Nemec and Jonathan “JJ” Lang — our Digital Editor. Let’s see what this opening is all about! (Editor’s note: I couldn’t help myself, so I annotated these games in a bit more detail. - JJL)

The Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation is a flexible and solid chess opening for Black that begins with the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6.

Unlike forcing, heavily theoretical lines of the Sicilian like the Najdorf or Dragon, the Kan focuses on elastic principles, fluid piece placement, and long-term strategic ideas rather than memorizing massive sequences. Black delays kingside development and castling, which can give White a temporary space advantage or lead to setups like the Maroczy Bind if White plays c2-c4. If White plays patiently without over-extending, Black will have to find some defensive resources.

But it’s not so easy to gain space without pushing too far, too fast, giving Black counterplay right out of the opening in most games. Additionally, Sicilian endgames tend to favor Black, as we’ll see here.

Looking at the ICCF database, the Sicilian Kan has been essayed at all levels of US Chess CC play from the Absolute Tournament to Class Tournaments.

Our first game is from the 2025 Electronic Knights with Thomas Hutson battling Robert Irons in the critical line of the modern Maroczy Bind. Irons takes home the point after 36 moves.

A 2022 section of the Victor Palciauskas Round Robin tournament features Eric Brink splitting the point with Nicholas DiGiuseppe in 36 moves. Black defended with fortune.

Staying with the Victor Palciauskas event, Kenneth Harper garners the full point from Bradley Smith in a 2021 encounter. Artfully played by Harper.

We are going to the Walter Muir E-Quads for our next two games. Our first is from a 2020 event, which sees Brent Walker meticulously focused until the end against Ria Dawar.

Another 2020 event has Adelynne Yang quickly dismantling Qi Chen in 25 moves.

Our last game comes from a 2018 Class tournament between Klaus Johnson and Jiri Kovats in a 20-move miniature, where White did not feel at home after the opening.

Please email (Click here to show email address) or snail mail (US Chess
P.O. Box 775308, St. Louis, MO 63177) your games for possible publication!

News from the Front Office

2025 Absolute Championship

The 2025 Absolute Championship ended on September 29, 2026, with five players tied at the top with a score of 6½/12: CCM Gordon Magat, CCM John Walton, SIM Harry Ingersol, CCM Danny Horwitz, and CCM Tim Corkum. There are no tiebreaks in US Chess CC events. The co-champions also split the $100 first place prize that was graciously donated by one of the competitors.

The cross table and results are available here.

A future issue of CIITM will feature games of the co-champions. Stay tuned!

Upcoming Correspondence Chess League of America tournaments

Gustafson Memorial Closes October 15

All games will be on the ICCF server, with no chess engines allowed. The tournament is open to all residents of the United States, and its territories with no CCLA membership requirement and no entry fee. The prize for winning a section will be a $20 credit that can be used only for CCLA membership dues or, for CCLA members, as entry fees to CCLA events. Section prize is split between ties. Multiple entries are not allowed. Time limit: 10 moves/30 days. Entry deadline: October 15.

Fall Seasonal Server Series

Entries close on November 15. One round. No prizes. 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, so six to ten games are played depending on the number of entrants. Multiple entries permitted. Entry fee per section is $8. Time limit: 10 moves/30 days. Open to all CCLA and USCF members. Dual rated for CCLA and USCF members using CCLA rules.

Enter online: https://serverchess.com/tregister.