Bulletin2025 – Las Vegas International Chess Festival https://www.vegaschess.com The Chess Vacation of the Year! Tue, 10 Jun 2025 21:43:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 https://www.vegaschess.com/wp03/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/cropped-lvcf-icon-32x32.png Bulletin2025 – Las Vegas International Chess Festival https://www.vegaschess.com 32 32 To the Viktor Go the Spoils https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/to-the-viktor-go-the-spoils/ https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/to-the-viktor-go-the-spoils/#comments Tue, 10 Jun 2025 21:43:20 +0000 https://www.vegaschess.com/?p=5530

Congrats to GM Viktor Matviishen, winner of the Edmondson Cup with a final score of 7/9, edging out Grandmasters Bilel Bellahcene and Jianchao Zhou on tiebreakers. A draw between Matviishen and Bellahcene opened a path to see four people vie for a share of first.

While we find ourselves with the Sicilian not paying off dividends when a win is on the line for a second round in a row, we see a well earned and hard fought draw by GM Vladimir Akopian and IM Sebastian Kostolansky on Board 2. We see a Kan formation arise and play shifting to the queenside. Akopian makes a break for a5 and then for d5 soon after. When the c-file was cleared, it quickly became a catalyst for pieces to be traded as both players were trying to gain an edge with each resulting exchange. None was found and a draw was agreed upon.

On Board 3, GM Emilio Cordova faced GM Jianchao Zhou. We do not see a Sicilian, but the Peruvian stays in Europe with a English. A critical decision on move 10 where Emilio sees a opportunity to win a pawn on the queenside, but this is not seen often on the higher levels and Zhou demonstrates why. With the b-file opened, serious pressure was created on Whites unmoved a+b pawns…strong Benko vibes with a pawn on a7 instead of c5. Zhou crashes down on the queenside after key weaknesses were exploited and gained a two pawn advantage in a double rook endgame. Zhou goes on to win the game and a share of first.

]]> https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/to-the-viktor-go-the-spoils/feed/ 1 Four-way tie at the National Open after 7 Rounds https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/four-way-tie-at-the-national-open-after-7-rounds/ https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/four-way-tie-at-the-national-open-after-7-rounds/#respond Sun, 08 Jun 2025 20:07:37 +0000 https://www.vegaschess.com/?p=5503 IM Oleksii Bilych, GM Arman Mikaelyan, GM Bilel Bellahcene , and GM Viktor Matviishen sit at top with 5.5 points. With draws at the top three boards, Grandmasters Bellahcene and Mikaelyan broke free from the trend, one of them getting a shot to take out the young Ukrainian International Master.

]]> https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/four-way-tie-at-the-national-open-after-7-rounds/feed/ 0 Want More Chess? Sign up for Blitz Tonight! Had Enough Chess? Sign up for our Poker Tournament! https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/want-more-chess-sign-up-for-blitz-tonight-had-enough-chess-sign-up-for-our-poker-tournament/ https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/want-more-chess-sign-up-for-blitz-tonight-had-enough-chess-sign-up-for-our-poker-tournament/#comments Sun, 08 Jun 2025 01:53:24 +0000 https://www.vegaschess.com/?p=5490 $3,600 Prize Fund + Walter Shawn Browne Cup

We honor the memory of our friend, GM Walter Browne, by naming the National Open Blitz Championship after him. Walter started the World Blitz Chess Association (WBCA) and always seemed to be in time trouble. His flag has fallen, but he will always be a champion to us.

Click Here for details

Chess Festival Poker Tournament Monday, June 9th

Enjoy the action of our No Limit Hold’em Tournament. This is a private tournament for participants and guests of our Chess Festival. Play for cash and a commemorative bracelet any poker player would be proud to wear. Knock out any member of our staff for a $25 bounty.

Location

  • The Caesars Palace Poker Room, an easy walk from Flamingo

Format

  • No-Limit Tournament
  • $10,000 Starting Chips
  • Blinds start at 100/100 and increase every 20 minutes.
  • Details Subject to Change.

Registration

  • At Caesars Poker Room
  • Late Registration and re-entries are available until the end of first break.

Entry Fee

  • $130 in cash or Caesars chips only
  • Includes $5 dealer bonus.

Prizes

  • Cash Prizes $100 of each entry/re-entry goes to prize fund
  • Commemorative Bracelet for the Winner.
  • $25 bounty on Festival staff members.
  • Deals are not permitted.
]]> https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/want-more-chess-sign-up-for-blitz-tonight-had-enough-chess-sign-up-for-our-poker-tournament/feed/ 2 Draw on Board 1, IM Olexiy Bilych Moves in With a Share of First with Fellow Ukrainian https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/draw-on-board-1-gm-olexiy-bilych-moves-in-with-a-share-of-first-with-fellow-ukrainian/ https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/draw-on-board-1-gm-olexiy-bilych-moves-in-with-a-share-of-first-with-fellow-ukrainian/#respond Sun, 08 Jun 2025 00:32:09 +0000 https://www.vegaschess.com/?p=5483 GM Robby Kevlishvili attempts to take down the leader with a Sicilian Kalashnikov against Matviishen, managing to walk away with a draw.


With draws on Board 2 and 3, the streak was brought to an end with GM Bilych on the White side of a Classical Ruy, initially at least. After a few deviations from the main line, GM David Berczes ends up in a position with opposite side castling. Olexiy began to take initiative from there, with slow improvements until he was able to take advantage by applying more pressure.

]]> https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/draw-on-board-1-gm-olexiy-bilych-moves-in-with-a-share-of-first-with-fellow-ukrainian/feed/ 0 Streaming Live and Boston Mike is Playing Live https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/streaming-live-and-boston-mike-is-playing-live/ https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/streaming-live-and-boston-mike-is-playing-live/#respond Sat, 07 Jun 2025 20:29:02 +0000 https://www.vegaschess.com/?p=5478 A special thanks to International Master Kostya Kavutskiy for providing coverage during the 2025 National Open.

Click here for our live stream


For the second year in a row, we are pleased to have Boston Mike to take on all comers in Blitz. You can find him outside El Dorado. Here is where you can find his channel:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CoffeeChess
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsbostonmike/#

]]> https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/streaming-live-and-boston-mike-is-playing-live/feed/ 0 FRIDAY FIRST FIFTY Promotion + Book Signings by Rebel Queen and the Dean of Chess at the Bookstore https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/friday-first-fifty-promotion-book-signings-by-rebel-queen-and-the-dean-of-chess-at-the-bookstore/ https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/friday-first-fifty-promotion-book-signings-by-rebel-queen-and-the-dean-of-chess-at-the-bookstore/#respond Sat, 07 Jun 2025 06:11:05 +0000 https://www.vegaschess.com/?p=5444 There is a promotion for the first 50 players who spend $100 at the bookstore will receive a gift card ranging from $5 to $100 at https://www.chessset.com/

From 12:00pm – 1:30pm on Friday, Susan Polgar will be live at the bookstore, signing copies of her new book Rebel Queen.

From 1:30pm – 3:00pm Dewain Barber will be signing copies of his book, Humor in Chess

]]> https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/friday-first-fifty-promotion-book-signings-by-rebel-queen-and-the-dean-of-chess-at-the-bookstore/feed/ 0 Important Announcement for 3 day Schedule https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/important-announcement-for-3-day-schedule/ https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/important-announcement-for-3-day-schedule/#comments Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:18:11 +0000 https://www.vegaschess.com/?p=5428

If you are in the U2300, U2100, and U1900 3-day Schedule, all your rounds today will be in Sunset. Please arrive promptly and quietly, as games will be in progress

If you are in the U1700, U1500, U1250 3-day Schedule, Rounds 1 and 2 are in Virginia, Round 3 in Sunset
Just came in and not sure where to go?
This may help
In the future, feel free to click on Happening Now at the top of the page for the TLDR version of key info you may need.

Thank you for your cooperation. Good Luck to Everyone!

]]> https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/important-announcement-for-3-day-schedule/feed/ 3 National Invites square off in Round 1 https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/national-invites-square-off-in-round-1/ https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/national-invites-square-off-in-round-1/#respond Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:03:03 +0000 https://www.vegaschess.com/?p=5404 Round 1 of the National Open has begun. 2024 US Senior Champion Vladimir Akopian aims for another National title as he defeats 2024 US Girls Champion qualifier WIM Omya Vidyarthi. The 2024 US National Championships took place last July at the Saint Louis Chess Club. Omya opens with Nf3, and Akopian was Reti for it. Maintaining the queenside and center until a well executed exchange sacrifice allowed him to take initiative on the kingside and eventually gaining the exchange back and material advantage. The resulting Queen endgame was a matter of execution, making it look effortless in true GM fashion.

]]> https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/national-invites-square-off-in-round-1/feed/ 0 Where The Flamingo am I?? https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/wtf/ https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/wtf/#respond Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:04:57 +0000 https://www.vegaschess.com/?p=5340

Is there a best path? It depends on where you are, where you need to go, and how crowded it is. No, I do not know any secret elevator hacks to help it read your card better…your chances are better at the slots.

A bit lost on where to go?
Need a bit of help?
Are you at the Lobby?
Good, lets start there!

Most will be on the events will be on the THIRD FLOOR. The following rooms are located here:

Sunset (National Open)
Laughlin (Bookstore)
Virginia City (Womens Open, and initial rounds for National Open 3-day / 2-day )
El Dorado (International Youth +Youth Trophy)
Mesquite (Action Quads)
Savoy (GM Ben Finegold Simul)


PATH 1: LOBBY ELEVATORS

Are you in the Lobby? Great!
Take the Lobby Elevators to Floor 3 and you will end up at “1” on the map.

PATH 2: CONVENTION CENTER EXEC OFFICES

Are you in the Lobby? Great! See the Starbucks? Great!
Keep Walking to the UP Escalators Convention Center Executive Offices. You will end up at “2” on the map

PATH 3: SPA ELEVATORS

Are you in the Lobby? Great! See the Starbucks? Great!
Keep Walking to the UP Escalators Convention Center Executive Offices. You will end up at “3” on the map. Yes, you may also take this directly to Floor 3, if your room is in this area of the Flamingo.

THE EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE CENTER

The rest of our events will be held in the Lover Level:
Grandmaster Chess Camp
Streamers Meet and Greet (Valley of Fire)
GM Susan Polgar Lecture (Lake Mead)
GM Ben Finegold Lecture (Lake Mead)
NTD Tim Just Lecture (Lake Mead)
GM Amalysis (Valley of Fire)


From the Lobby, walk past the Starbucks, you will see the Executive Conference Escalators just before the SPA Elevators

I Hope this helps, best of luck to all who are competing!

]]> https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/wtf/feed/ 0 The 2025 National Open has Begun! https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/the-2025-national-open-has-begun/ https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/the-2025-national-open-has-begun/#respond Wed, 04 Jun 2025 19:13:01 +0000 https://www.vegaschess.com/?p=5322 Welcome to the 2025 Las Vegas International Chess Festival! 🦩🦩

Welcome everyone! The 2025 Vegas Chess Festival starts off with the US Women’s Open.

LIVE GAMES (When available)
US WOMEN’S 
NATIONAL OPEN

Don’t forget to meet your favorite Streamer in our Friday Morning Meet and Greet

Schedule of Events for Wednesday, June 4th

]]> https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/the-2025-national-open-has-begun/feed/ 0 How Deep is Your Love of Chess…Just the Rules https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/how-deep-is-your-love-of-chess-just-the-rules/ https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/how-deep-is-your-love-of-chess-just-the-rules/#respond Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:27:03 +0000 https://www.vegaschess.com/?p=5309 At the National Open, there are several free lectures you will be able to attend, two of them will be led by an individual with nearly 40 years of directing, National Tournament Director Tim Just.

 Tim Just has been directing since the late 1980’s. Along the way he has achieved the NTD title along with the FIDE NA title. He is the past longtime chair of the Tournament Directors Certification Committee. His membership on the Rules committee spans decades. Since 2003 Tim has been the editor of the 5th , 6th and 7th editions of the US Chess rulebook. His column “Just the Rules” appears monthly on the front page of the US Chess web site. Many of his directing skills were honed at an over 20-year stint as a TD at the Vegas National Open, now the Las Vegas Chess Festival. As an organizer his leadership has impacted the success many local, state and national tournaments. As an author his best selling book, “My Opponent is Eating a Doughnut” tells the numerous entertaining tales from the chess universe.

TD Tactics: Saturday, 1:00pm, Lake Mead
TD Tactics will improve your TD skills. It is the same workshop approach as the one presented yearly at the US Open. TD credit that can be used as a substitute when moving up the TD certification ladder and is available for those it applies to. An abundance of “Rules of thumb” will be discussed along with tips and tricks that yield big results. Your new skills will have an opportunity to be tested on some practice exercises involving rules applications and prize fund distributions.Sa

Rulebook Tactics: Sunday, 1:00pm, Lake Mead
Rulebook Tactics delivers easy to recall shortcuts for applying complicated rules. Learn some simple strategies that will keep you in line with the US Chess rulebook. Find out the history and meaning behind many of our most utilized rules. There will even be time to explore some of our rulebook’s hidden secrets.



]]> https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/how-deep-is-your-love-of-chess-just-the-rules/feed/ 0 One SilverBack vs all Chess Clocks? A word from Chess Shelby https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/silverback/ https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/silverback/#respond Fri, 30 May 2025 01:11:25 +0000 https://www.vegaschess.com/?p=5276

Getting ready for the National Open? So are we! Prepping to sell at a HUGE tournament like this is no easy undertaking. What I am excited about is the SilverBack Chess Clock for sale to the public and being able to show everyone the prototypes for the EZ Notate system.

The SilverBack will revolutionize the chess clock market. Easy to set, easy to use, easy to adjust, and more pre-sets that any other clock on the market. My video to show all the new programming and how to set the clock is a 12 minute watch. It does that much. If you are a tournament organizer or major TD, I want to meet with you in Vegas. The more people I get to feel comfortable with the clock the better.

FYI, the first 50 people to spend $100 in the tournament store will receive a gift card for www.ChessSet.com for between $10-100. But, with a SilverBack purchase, there is an additional chance at getting a gift card for $100 on our retail site!

]]> https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/silverback/feed/ 0 Meet Your Favorite Streamer! https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/streamers2025/ https://www.vegaschess.com/2025/streamers2025/#respond Thu, 22 May 2025 05:41:25 +0000 https://www.vegaschess.com/?p=5249 Sure, many of you are familiar with the Zoom Boom of 2020, but how many of you remember The Brady’s? Soon, you will all get to know the Streamer Bunch. We are proud to announce our streamer panel for the 2025 National Open! More details will follow, so stay tuned. How many can you recognize? If you need help, let’s start with Bringing up three very lovely dames. All of them with hair of gold…

FRIDAY 9:30-11:30 AM Valley of Fire Room Lower Level

WGM Dina Belenkaya
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/dinabelenkaya
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DinaBelenkaya
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinabelenkaya/?hl=en
Twitter: https://x.com/DinaBelenkaya
Website: https://www.dinabelenkaya.com/

GM Susan Polgar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanpolgarchess/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/susanpolgar
Website: https://susanpolgar.com/

Emily Higgins (emilyplayschess)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emilyplayschess
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyplayschess
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/emilyplayschess


Here’s the story, of the remaining streamers

GM Kayden Troff
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/chesssharkz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chesssharkz/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com@chesssharkz
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chesssharkz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChessSharkz

IM Kostya Kavutskiy (Chess Dojo)
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/hellokostya
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IMKostyaKavutskiy
Official Site: https://www.hellokostya.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hellokostya
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/hellokostya
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KostyaKavutskiy/
Blog: www.chess.com/blog/hellokostya

Chess Dojo
Website: Chessdojo.club
Twitter: Twitter.com/ChessDojo
Twitch: Twitch.tv/ChessDojo
YouTube: YouTube.com/chessdojo

Boston Mike
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CoffeeChess
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsbostonmike/#

Tony Pardon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonychessnut/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com@chesssharkz
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chesssharkz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChessSharkz

Kevin Scull
Twitter: @DoctorScull
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

GM Ben Finegold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GMBenjaminFinegold
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/itsbenandkaren
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ben_finegold

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