The next BATB fundraiser will be an active "theme" tournament on March 6, and it will take place in Arts 213. A theme tournament is one where everyone plays the same opening variation, and the theme of this tournament will be the main line Sicilian Dragon! More specifically, everyone's game will begin with this sequence of moves:

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 g6
6. Be3 Bg7
7. f3 0-0
8. Qd2 Nc6
9. Bc4 a6
10. 0-0-0 Ne5
11. Bb3 b5
12. Kb1

This variation was chosen for several reasons: it is sharp, it features castling on opposite sides, it's a main line with tons of theory and games to study from, and it's a line that I don't play with either color so I can't be accused of stacking the deck! As well, according to Keith (who knows more about the Dragon than I do), 12.Kb1 is the latest attempt at the highest level for white to gain an advantage, so the whole system is currently quite topical.

Keith and I have already committed to playing, and if you'd like to participate please let me know by responding to this thread or sending me an email. The cost to play is $20, and all proceeds will go towards Battle at the Border expenses.

The number of rounds and tournament format will depend on the number of players that enter, as will the time control. This tournament will not be rated by the CFC.

If you're interested in playing in this year's Battle with the likes of Nakamura, Charbonneau, Teplitsky, Yoos, Sasata, etc, please attend these fundraising events. We are over half way to our goal of raising $1,000 but we need your help to get to the finish.

...asked my daughter during the inaugural Brunskill Blitz last night. A total of 15 players in 3, count 'em, 3 sections took part in the chessical blood bath. To be honest, I didn't have a good answer, except that Jason really thinks that chess is awesome.

I'd have to agree with him there. In addition to the usual crowd, we had two newcomers, Jan and Aaron, who proved to be quite formidable over the board, but were otherwise splendid chaps. There were some intense battles fought, and several savoury bits of trash talk in the computer room/tournament hall - all in all, a good night.

Alright folks, I've decided to bite the bullet. I hereby announce my intention to organize the 2010 Sask Open. I will TD the event, and likely not play. In order to bring this to fruition, however, I will need some help. First, I would appreciate some input as to preferred date. Thoughts?

So, I have a friend and he's a computer web developer. So, he has some spare time so he offered to revamp our site a little bit plus he'll have something extra for his resume. What do you guys think?

Dear chess friends of Saskatoon, I would like to invite you all to one of the major open events in Alberta-The Northern Alberta Open in Edmonton. Last year this has been the best attended weekend tournament in Alberta with a total of 58 participants! Because this is pretty much the maximum capacity of the Edmonton Chess Club, it might be important to let me know that you are coming in advance, in order to reserve a spot.

Full details on this event can be found at: http://www.albertachess.org/2010_NAO.html

I hope to see many representatives of Saskatchewan at the event.