For NWC magazine contents and PDF files, see the magazine back issues page.

Newest NM (another one)! Congratulations to Austin Liu of Sammamish, Wash., who recently became Washington State's newest National Master! Austin achieved a U.S. Chess rating of 2202 as a result of scoring 3.5/5 points at the Washington Challenger's Cup, held in Bellevue, Nov. 10-11. Along the way, Austin scored clutch wins against Washington's Aarav B. Mohan (1690), William Summerfield (1659), and Oregon's Isaac Vega (1811). See Austin's recent win (on ChessBase) against IM Bachin in Reno that propelled him to a 20-point rating gain and a share of 2nd place in the tournament. Also see the Challenger's Cup crosstable.

Featured in Chess Life! - Local junior Miranda Meng was featured in the November Chess Life magazine (pages 16-17), as a result of Miranda's big win at the 2024 Pan-American Youth Championship (gold medal for Girls U10, held July 15-20 in Orlando, Fla.). Miranda and her father Fanqi were in Italy for the FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships, Nov. 14-27, in Montesilvano, Italy. Miranda was the official U.S. representative in the Girls U10 division, and was immensely excited to represent the Open Window School Bobcats and Team USA in her first international competition! Website: https://www.worldcadetschess2024.com/. Miranda played against the best players from each participating country in her category - see the roster of players on Chess-Results.com.

Notes on November magazine - First, we'd like to congratulate editor Jeff Roland for his 12th complete year (144th issue) of Northwest Chess! Thanks, Jeff!! Second, we'd like to let you know that in "From the Publisher’s Desk" by Duane Polich, Duane explains why he's personally endorsing former Washington State Chess Champion Bob Ferguson for Washington State Governor. While many chess players will support Duane (and Bob), this is a personal endorsement and was not voted on by the Northwest Chess Board of Directors. Updates - See a post-election story on KUOW (NPR network) about Ferguson as chess master and governor-elect. and see some of Ferguson's chess games on ChessBase.

November magazine! The November 2024 issue of Northwest Chess was mailed on Friday, November 1. It's a 48-page issue with "Oregon Open" by Wilson Gibbins, "Interview with Megan Lee" by Ken Lee, "From the Publisher’s Desk" by Duane Polich, "Seattle Chess Classic" and "Vancouver Open" by Josh Sinanan, "The Death of a Legend: James McCormick (1936-2024)" by John Donaldson, "A Miniature from the 2024 Seattle Seafair Open" by Chad Boey, "Errata October 2024 Issue," "Washington vs British Columbia Challenge Match," "Seattle Summer Sizzler" and "Seattle Classic Scholastic" by Josh Sinanan, and a back-cover photo of Jim Tarjan by Meiling Cheng. Cover: Zoey Tang by Meiling Cheng. The Megan Lee interview is also available as a separate PDF file here.

Report on Chess Olympiad — FIDE (International Chess Federation) has reported on the "spectacular conclusion" of the 45th Chess Olympiad, held Sept. 10-23 in Budapest. The event witnessed a record-breaking 188 teams in the Open section and 169 in the Women’s section, making it the largest Olympiad ever. According to FIDE, "With fierce competition and unforgettable games, India emerged victorious in both the Open and Women’s categories—a historic double gold that captivated fans worldwide." But the U.S. teams also performed very well—with a silver in the Open section, and a bronze in the Women's section. IM John Donaldson captains the U.S. team, and may have a report soon.

James McCormick (1936-2024) - We have been advised by IM John Donaldson that 7-time Washington State chess champion James McCormick, otherwise known as "Unkel Jim," passed away in September, at the age of 88. Jim won the championship for the first time in 1960, and for the last time in 1981 - see the list. Look for an obituary from John in the November edition of NWC. Here is a story about Jim shared by GM Yasser Seirawan from a few years back at the St. Louis chess club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJlaz7aOC2A.

October magazine! The October 2024 issue of Northwest Chess was mailed on Friday, September 27. It's a 32-page issue with "Answers to the puzzles in last month’s issue," "Coaching Corner" by Ralph Dubisch, "Interview with Michael Omori" by Ken Lee, "WCF Father’s Day Weekend Chess Festival," "Vidip Kona, New National Master!" and "Seattle Seafair Open" by Josh Sinanan, annual "USPS Statement of Ownership," and a back-cover photo of Riaan Babbar by Meiling Cheng. Cover: Michael Omori and Siva Sankrithi by Meiling Cheng. The Michael Omori interview is also available as a separate PDF file here.

Newest NM! Congratulations to Vidip Kona of Redmond, Wash., who recently became Washington State's newest National Master! Vidip achieved a U.S. Chess rating of 2201 as a result of winning 2nd Place in the 74th Oregon Open, held in Portland Aug. 31 - Sept. 2, 2024. Along the way, Vidip scored clutch wins against Oregon's Jason Cigan (2175) and Washington's Vikram Srivastava (2241). See the final round win against Vikram Srivastava (ChessBase link) that clinched the NM title for Vidip. US Chess crosstable link.

September magazine! The September 2024 issue of Northwest Chess was mailed on Friday, August 30. It's a 32-page issue with "He Twins Tandem Simul" by Josh Sinanan, "Interview with Danny Musovski" by Ken Lee, "2024 US Junior Open (Washington Players Shine!)" by Siva, Sarang, and Vivaan Sankrithi, "M’ Lady’s Hand" by Glen O’Harra, "Washington State Elementary Chess Championship" by Josh Sinanan, "My Nationals" by Ted Wang, "Washington Open (Part Two)," "Mid-Year Scholastic Cup" and "Seattle Summer Kickoff" by Josh Sinanan, and a back-cover photo of Samuel He, Daniel He, and WCF President Josh Sinanan by Meiling Cheng. Cover: Samuel He (L) and Daniel He during their tandem simul at Blakely Hall in Issaquah. Photo by Meiling Cheng. The Danny Musovski interview is also available as a separate PDF file here.

August magazine! The August 2024 issue of Northwest Chess was mailed on Friday, July 26. It's a 48-page issue with a Letter to the Editor by Xavier Palathingal, "Washington Open (Part One)" by Josh Sinanan, "A Conversation with Viktors Pupols" by Ani Barua, "2024 Reykjavik Open" by David Zhou, "Another Game from Reykjavik" by Sridhar Seshadri, "2024 WA vs BC Intermat" by Josh Sinanan, "76th Idaho Open" by Jay Simonson, "2024 Washington Senior Championship" and "2024 Washington Girls Championship" by Josh Sinanan, and a back-cover photo of Oscar Sprumont by Meiling Cheng. Cover: Aziz Degenbaev by Meiling Cheng.

International Exchange Students - Youth for Understanding has a few international exchange students needing a host family this upcoming school year beginning in August. See the flyer with a resume for each availble student, or contact Olive Elwell, oelwell@yfu.org. There is also an opportunity to host a German exchange student via the CIEE high school foreign exchange program. See the scholastic opportunities page.

Young Master! Ted Wang, a 4th grader from St. Thomas School in Medina, became Washington State's youngest ever master on June 15. Ted achieved the title at the age of 10 years, 6 months, and 26 days, breaking the previous record held by IM Anthony He (11 yrs, 3 months, 20 days). Ted scored 2/2 at the Seattle Chess Club June Quads, hosted at the Seattle Chess Club in Greenlake and gained 21 points to boost his US Chess rating to 2211, scoring wins against LM Viktors Pupols (2200) and NM Yiding Lu (2231). Congratulations Ted! Also see the July NWC edition. Photo courtesy of U.S. Chess.

July magazine! The July 2024 issue of Northwest Chess was mailed on Friday, June 28. It's a 32-page issue with "Ted Wang Becomes Washington’s Youngest Ever NM" by Josh Sinanan, "2024 Oregon Senior Open" by Wilson Gibbins, "2nd Annual Eastside Open," "Second Annual Bellingham Open" and "Rockefeller + Barber Closed" by Josh Sinanan, "SCC 2nd Annual Friday Night Championship Invitational" by John Selsky and Fred Kleist, "Surreal" by Glen O’Harra, "Western States Regional CC For Woman And Girls" by Chouchan Airapetian, "Building Community Through Chess" by Ken Lee, and a back-cover photo of Megan Lee by Meiling Cheng. Cover: Dominic Colombo by Josh Sinanan. The Gelareh Golanbar interview is also available as a separate PDF file here.

June magazine! The June 2024 issue of Northwest Chess was mailed on Friday, May 31. It's a 32-page issue with "2024 Idaho Scholastic Chess Champion James Wei" by Jeffrey Roland, "Yiding Lu (Washington’s Newest National Master)" by Ani Barua, "Washington President’s Cup" by Josh Sinanan, "Interview With Bruce Pandolfini" by Ken Lee, "2024 Harmon Memorial," "2024 Washington State Barber And Rockefeller Open," "St. Anne Celtic Challenge Spring 2024," "Lakeside Spring Fling" and "Second Annual Detective Cookie Chess Classic" by Josh Sinanan, and a back-cover photo of "Selina Cheng With Her New Best Friend" by Meiling Cheng. Cover: Yiding Lu at The Harmon Memorial by Meiling Cheng. The Bruce Pandolfini interview is also available as a separate PDF file here.

Newest National Master! Congratulations to Yiding Lu of Bellevue, Wash., who recently became Washington State's newest National Master! Yiding achieved a US Chess rating of 2227 as a result of winning Scheveningen Group 3 of the 1000GM April BonaFIDE and Scheveningen Tournament, held in San Jose, Calif., April 20-21, 2024. Along the way, Yiding scored clutch wins against Cesar Zuluaga (2268), Diego Blandon (2228), Luis Rodi (2257), and Arturo Morales (2214). Congratulations, Yiding! See the US Chess crosstable. Photo: Yiding Lu at the San Jose event (taken by Juan Cendejas, organizer of the tournament, and supplied by Ani Barua).

May magazine! The May 2024 issue of Northwest Chess was mailed on Monday, April 29. It's a 32-page issue with "Siddharth Bhaskaran and Aarav Bharathy Mohan" (photo) by Meiling Cheng, "Interview with Alexandra Botez" by Ken Lee, "Washington State Championship" by Josh Sinanan, "The Late August Piper" (September 2010 Issue Cover) by Philip Peterson, Photographer & Ralph Dubisch, Editor, and a back-cover photo of Siddharth Bhaskaran by Meiling Cheng. Cover: Josh Sinanan and Daniel He by Meiling Cheng. The Alexandra Botez interview is also available as a separate PDF file here.

April magazine! The April 2024 issue of Northwest Chess was mailed on Friday 3/29. It's a 32-page issue with "2024 Inland Classic" by Kevin Korsmo, "2024 Oregon Girls Championship" by Wilson Gibbins, "2024 Idaho Closed" by Jeffrey Roland, "Interview With Attorney General Bob Ferguson" by Ken Lee, "2024 Oregon Closed" by Wilson Gibbins, "Washington Junior Open & Reserve," "Washington High School Individual," "Washington WInter Game/60" and "Presidential Scholastic" by Josh Sinanan, "Howard Chin (1947-2021)" by John Donaldson, and a back-cover photo of Walter van Heemstede Obelt by James Stripes. Cover: Brian Lee by James Stripes. The Bob Ferguson interview is also available as a separate PDF file here.

March magazine! The March 2024 issue of Northwest Chess was mailed on Friday 2/23. It's a 48-page issue with "NWC Hall Of Fame Inductee (Clark Harmon)" by Ralph Dubisch, "Remembering August Piper" by John Selsky with Fred Kleist, "Bryce Tiglon Interview" by Ken Lee, "2023 Washington Class Championships" by Josh Sinanan, "2024 East Idaho Regional Scholastic Qualifier" by Jay Simonson, "IM Eric Tangborn Simul" by Josh Sinanan, "2023 Washington Junior Invitational" and "2023 Washington Winter Classic" by Josh Sinanan, and a back-cover photo of John Selsky by Meiling Cheng. Cover: Kyle Haining by Meiling Cheng.

Three New National Masters!

(1) Congratulations to Ryan Min of Bellevue, Washington, who recently became Washington State's newest National Master! Ryan achieved a US Chess rating of 2206 by winning three games in a row at the North American Open, held in Las Vegas, Nev., Dec. 26-30, 2023. Along the way, Ryan scored clutch wins against NM Nathan Yan (2277) and GM Dmitry Gurevich (2475), with the victory against the Grandmaster officially sealing the title. See: US Chess crosstable, Game which made Ryan Min a National Master. Photo (left): Ryan at the North American Open on Dec. 27. (2) Advaith Vijayakumar of Bothell, Washington, was recognized as a National Master by U.S. Chess, in Sept. 2023. He achieved his NM title at a PNWCC norm event. Photo (right): Advaith at the HS State Individual tournament (Jan. 2024), taken by Ani Barua.

(3) Congratulations to Yu-Cheng Liang of Camas, Washington, who became one of Washington State's newest National Masters in 2023. Yu-Cheng achieved a US Chess rating of 2214 as a result of scoring 4/9 at the Independence Day IM Norm tournament, hosted by 1000GM in Sunnyvale, Calif., June 30-July 4, 2023. Along the way, Yu-Cheng scored clutch victories against NM Alejandro Maass (2254) and WGM Martha Fierro (2353). See: US Chess crosstable. Yu-Cheng maintained a rating of 2213 by scoring 5/9 at the North American Open, defeating Yesun Kate Lee (2046), Vincent Yang (2055), and Steve Wongso (2275). See one of Yu-Cheng's games from the SPICE Cup Open. Photo (left): Yu-Cheng at a 2023 chess event.

February magazine! The February 2024 issue of Northwest Chess was mailed on Friday 1/26. It's a 32-page issue with "Reader Appreciation" by Josh Sinanan, Stephen Willy, and Su Lim, "2023 Oregon Junior Closed" by Wilson Gibbins, "18th Annual SPFNO For Girls And Boys" by SPFNO Organizers, "St. Anne Celtic Challenge Fall 2023" by Josh Sinanan, "The Unique Connection Between Music And Chess" by Ken Lee, "Blast From The Past!" by Viktors Pupols, "Sridhar At North American Open" by Sridhar Seshadri, "Happy New Year 2023" by Jeffrey Roland, "NM Ryan Min" and "NM Yu-Cheng Liang" by Josh Sinanan, and a back-cover photo of Emel Bayrambeyli and Pace Lykins by Wilson Gibbons. Cover: Zoey Tang by Wilson Gibbins. You can also separately view the article "The Unique Connection Between Music And Chess (A Conversation With FM Slava Mikhailuk)" by Ken Lee.

January magazine! The January 2024 issue of Northwest Chess was mailed on Friday 12/29. It's a 32-page issue with "News Flash: Bryce Tiglon Grandmaster" by Josh Sinanan, "2023 Oregon Class Championships" by Wilson Gibbins, "2023 Washington Challenger’s Cup" by Josh Sinanan, "A Conversation With Super GM Liem Le Ken Lee," "2023 Challenger’s Cup Scholastic" and "Inaugural Veterans Day Open" by Josh Sinanan, "WCF and SettleKing Announcement" by Josh Sinanan, and a back-cover photo of George Oliver by Meiling Cheng. Cover: Stephen Willy by Wilson Gibbins.

New Local GM!! Congratulations to Bryce Tiglon of Woodinville, Washington, who recently became the Pacific Northwest's newest Grandmaster! Bryce achieved his third and final GM Norm at the recently concluded Chessable Sunway Sitges International Chess Festival, which took place from December 12-22, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Along the way, Bryce scored an undefeated 7.5/10 points in Group A, including victories against GM Jingyao Tin (2573) and GM H. Bharath Subramaniyam (2504): https://www.sunwaychessfestival.com/en/sitges/player/Bryce-Tiglon_2087456. See his games on ChessBase. Bryce is currently in college at Stanford University, where he is pursuing a double major. With this fantastic performance, Bryce becomes the second grandmaster ever from Washington State since Yasser Seirawan achieved the title in 1980! (And Yasser has sent his congratulations to Bryce!)