Professor Nelson Castaneda earned the club championship title in 2018, his first since 2013 and tenth overall. Master Nelson ranks second overall in classical time control tournament wins or ties for first place in our club.
On February 2 and 3, 2018, the club welcomed prominent Grandmaster Alexandr Lenderman, one of the top chess players in America. On Friday, the GM began his two-day visit to the club with a master training class. The intense and engaging three-hour session focused on the topic of prophylaxis applied to the game, thinking about our opponents' moves and deciding whether we want to prevent our opponents' plans or not. The next day, Mr. Lenderman began with a nice lecture. In the one-hour lecture, the GM used one of his recent games (with another GM) as a teaching tool to instruct his class on how he was able to capitalize on his opponent’s lack of development by creating quick counter- play and launching a sharp attack on his kingside. The lecture was followed by a simultaneous chess exhibition, where twenty-one players from our community, including a few players from the Hartford YMCA Chess Club, participated. Our competitors gave Mr. Lenderman a tough battle on the chess board, with many challenging games, according to the GM. Despite our players attempts to slow him down, though, the GM emerged victorious on all boards (a perfect 21-0) in exactly three hours to the minute! Afterwards, a few of our members went to lunch at the Olive Garden with Mr. Lenderman, the same restaurant where some of our club officers treated the GM the evening before. This historic event in club history would not have been possible if it were not for member Mario Guevara-Rodriguez, who arranged the GM’s visit and furthermore provided him with transportation to and from Milford. I also want to thank Rob Roy for helping us promote the GM visit and for taking so many pictures. The NBCC sincerely appreciates Rob’s continual efforts for promoting our club and chess in Connecticut for over four decades. Lastly, we are grateful to our club officers, who work so tirelessly to provide a social and friendly environment at the club and who continue to expand programs for the betterment of all chess enthusiasts. NBCC Historian Bob Cyr was able get in contact with the New Britain Herald to publish this event. The article is published below. Perhaps we can start using this media resource again to promote more club activities.