Check is in the Mail, September 2025: Going Postal!

The theme of this issue is non-server games. All moves from the games presented were either sent through the US Postal Service or by email.

Please Note: In order for non-server games to be included in an issue of Check is in the Mail, they must be provided by, at least, one of the players of the games. Since US Chess does not mandate that players send in the games, sharing them is entirely voluntary.

Games can be provided by email to [email protected]:

In a PGN or other chess database file (example: ChessBase or Chess Assistant) attached to an email.
As text within the body of an email including the details and moves of the game.
As photos/scans of the game scoresheets attached to an email.
Or copy the details and moves of the game into a Text file, PDF, Word Doc/Docx file, Excel Spreadsheet, etc. and attach it to an email.

Since I accepted the post of editor (in September 2024), I have only been provided thirteen non-server games. The games in this issue were chosen from those games. You may notice that multiple games have some of the same players featured. These players have regularly provided games for possible inclusion in an issue.

Games

Game 1

This game was played by Jon Leisner and Bert Hart using the B00: Queen's Fianchetto Defence, Nimzowitsch Defence. From the 2024 John W. Collins Postal Quads - Section 24C02 tournament, Leisner forced a resignation from Hart in 36 moves.

Game 2

This game was played by Greg Whitlock and Jon Leisner using the A29: English Opening: Four Knights Variation with 4. g3. From the 2024 John W. Collins Postal Quads - Section 24C02 tournament, Leisner forced a resignation from Whitlock in 31 moves.

Game 3

This game was played by John Baily and Christopher McCollum using the C59: Two Knights: 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Be2 variation. From the 2025 Email Lightning Match - Section 25LM018 tournament, McCollum forced a resignation from Baily in 35 moves.

Game 4

This game was played by George A. Stewart and Michael Butler using the C67: Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defence: 4. 0-0 Nxe4. From the 2024 Golden Knights - Section 24N02 tournament, Butler forced a resignation from Stewart in 21 moves.

Game 5

This game was played by Eric Beanland and Gary D. Gallagher featuring D02: 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 sidelines, including 2. ... Nf6 3. g3 and 2. ... Nf6 3. Bf4. From the 2023 John W. Collins Postal Quads - Section 23C13 tournament, Gallagher forced a resignation from Beanland in 27 moves.

Game 6

This game was played by John Baily and Edward Kazmarek using the C45: Scotch Game. From the 2024 Email Lightning Match - Section 24LM033 tournament, Baily forced a resignation from Kazmarek in 27 moves.

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
Baily – McCollum	Whitlock – Leisner	Bailey – Kazmarek
Latest Move: 24. Qxf7	Latest Move: 24. Qxc7	Latest Move: 26. Nf6+
Black to Move	Black to Move	Black to Move

I hope you enjoyed the games and puzzles!

Look for the next issue to be available around Month 1st, Year.

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

In Passing

May 3 : Peter Lee Swann; Peter was active in the Golden Knights and class tournaments.
July 14 : J. Stephen Harris; Gastonia, North Carolina.
July 18 : Keith E. Ruterman; Lafayette, New York.
July 20 : L. Thad Rogers; Macon, Georgia.
Aug 1 : Richard M. Vierhus; San Jose, California.
Aug 10 : Joseph H. Ball; Minoa, New York.
Aug 16 : Alex Relyea; Bloomfield, Connecticut. Alex was a towering figure in OTB and CC chess. You can find Alex's tribute page and shared memories here.

Recent Event Winners

Walter Muir E-Quads
25W02 - Steve Austin - 6–0

First CCLA Chess Tournament Free For New Members

As a free premium to new members, join by December 31, 2025, and the Correspondence Chess League of America will waive your entry fee for your first chess tournament with the CCLA. Annual membership dues are only $26 for mailed magazine or $16 for electronic magazine delivery.

Membership includes the quarterly magazine The Chess Correspondent, published since 1916.

Low entry fees for all events. Tournaments start every quarter and include annual club championships, class tournaments, team events, and Grand Prix Prizes.

For more information go to Correspondence Chess League of America.