The leaves are changing, the weather is cooling, and kids and adults are looking forward to the candy they’ll consume on Halloween. If that wasn’t enough to tip you off it’s October, it’s time for another Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Championship tournament.
If this tournament name seems familiar, it’s because you’ve seen it before. The International Chess Academy of New Jersey hosts four such tournaments each year. Dr. Ostfeld was the chess coach at Bergen County Academies for many years. Without his contributions, this long-standing tournament would not exist. Honoring his memory is our privilege.
The tournament itself featured seven sections, ranging from the most inexperienced of beginners up to the master level and beyond. Even former US Champion GM Joel Benjamin was playing.
The goal of the tournament was to provide a suitable place to enjoy the game while facing appropriate challenges regardless of skill level. Fortunately for most players, that didn’t involve playing against Joel.
I’m pleased to report the tournament was a great success. But don’t ask us -- here’s what two of our players had to say.
GM Joel Benjamin:
I was happy to make it back to the Dr. Ostfeld Memorial. I enjoyed these tournaments so much before the pandemic, and I hope that IMs and GMs will follow my lead and start turning out again.
Under 1600 section player Zachary Percoskie:
The Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Championships was my very first chess tournament, and what a perfect event to have as a debut. As soon as I walked in, there was pleasant staff enthusiastically willing to help and answer any questions I had. I was very early so I had a lot of time to study and help prepare for the games that lay ahead of me. There were players of all ages there and everyone had a positive and friendly attitude and love for the game of Chess.
As every minute passed getting closer to the start of the first game, my heart was beating out of my chest. Starting the new journey into competitive chess is intimidating and exciting all at the same time. As the games and day progressed, I talked to new people, made friends, learned a lot, and had a great time as the tournament ran smoothly. The day was filled with lots of learning and appreciation for the beautiful game of Chess.
Over the course of more than 350 games, players were faced with both predictable and unpredictable challenges. While games in the top sections featured the strongest levels of play, the lowest sections provided a constant stream of unexpected strategies and amusing moments.
I was pleased to see a number of this summer’s K-2 players were now playing in the K-4 section. They’re now facing greater challenges as their age and skill warranted, but because they’re developing both as chess players and as human beings. As rewarding as chess can be for kids, it’s even more rewarding for us grown-ups to watch the kids slowly grow up into the adults they will someday become.
Of course not every moment is a happy one. At one point, I found myself “babysitting” a game. This is tournament director-speak for sitting next to a game and glaring at the players because they continually argue and squabble as soon as the tournament staff is out of earshot. It’s not a fun situation for either players or officials, but we understand that emotions run high in chess, and on occasion they get the better of us. Fortunately, there’s a silver lining in this. Chess can be quite useful for helping us learn to manage the stress and (sometimes unfair) adversity we will encounter in life.
Fortunately, these moments were rare. The vast majority of players were warm, friendly, and welcoming. Shout-outs go to Anderson Lau, Elan Lerman, Dexter Hong, Matthew Kanounov, Emma Shevelenko, Dylan Tsui, Noah Liberman, Liam Fan, Yuki Banno, Rayan Zarineh, Sathvik Birdavolu, Alice Shen, Fred Wilson, Haari Muthukumar, and many, many others for their friendly attitudes and good sportsmanship. You are the people who make chess enjoyable to officiate.
Gameplay-wise, there were many amazing moments. Zachary and Joel each present one of their great moments.
Joel first.
My last round game was the most challenging. I was reunited with Gary Leschinsky, who was my student when COVID-19 came and turned the world upside down. Gary might be too brilliant to become a grandmaster; three years ago he was already a noted inventor as a 12-year-old. We may need him to save the world.
19...Qg5 20.Qf3 c5
21.h4!
A key moment of inspiration; dominating the queen gives White a winning advantage.
21.Nb5 Rb7 22.a4 Qxe5 23.Qf2 is okay; but not 21.Nc6 Rc7 22.Rf1 Rxc6 23.Rxf7 Be7 and White has no attack.
(Joel’s entire analysis of his game against Gary Lechinsky can be found HERE.)
… and Zachary Percoskie.
I was satisfied with how I did considering this was my first tournament. I even did some moves that impressed myself. As shown below, I found the move Nc6! which significantly turned the tides of the game. Struggling throughout the match with a not so successful opening, into turning the game around with one move is such an invigorating feeling.
Overall, the tournament was a terrific experience for many players. Not every player could go home a winner. Chess is a zero-sum game, meaning for each player who goes 4-0 there’s usually another player who goes 0-4. Therein lies the fun of chess. Sometimes you dine on your opponents, and sometimes you’re on the menu.
Which leads me to Percoskie’s final thought.
I had such an amazing time and I am hungry to learn and grow more as a Chess player.
You heard it here, folks: he’s hungering. Zachary placed 10th out of 28th and plans to do even better next time.
Whether you’d like to play Zachary Percoskie or Joel Benjamin or any of the other terrific players, there’ll always be worthy opponents at our tournaments. We hope to see you at our next event on December 10.
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