REPORT FROM THE LA CHESS CLUB

By Alan Rodenstein, Houston Chess Club

As many of the long time Houston Chess Club members’ recall, the HCC was run by Mick Bighamian for several years ending in 2002. Mick relocated to Los Angeles and started the LA Chess Club soon after that. The club is located along Santa Monica Boulevard about 3-4 miles from the beach in West LA.

My wife and I were out in LA on business and on Sunday afternoon, while she shopped along Rodeo Drive and in Beverly Hills (and fortunately did not spend too much), I made my way to the LA Chess Club. Like in Houston (until now), it is located in the same facility as the bridge club. The bridge club did not play on Sunday so we had run of the largest room for the tournament. Conditions were comfortable, even if the Diet Cokes cost a dollar instead of fifty cents!

Mick is doing well and getting decent attendance at the tournaments. He was running the Harold Cardinal Valery Open a six round, G/60 (with no delays) weekend tournament. Headlining the tournament was GM, Melisket Khachiyan (USCF 2625). He cruised to victory with 5.5 points.

Mick at his club in LA

I decided to take part on day 2, starting with 0 points in the over 1800 tournament and just have some fun. The tournament was strong enough that I figured to play mainly Class A players. Having been in a slump for most of the past two months, I did not expect much. However, in each game I played decently and my opponents attacked prematurely in the first and second games. In the final game, Michael Jagblom (1982) gave me a decisive pawn and I won my third endgame in the tournament. I could not qualify for prizes, so I won the under 2000 prize in name only.

Mick was his usual decent self and directed the tournament with his steady and friendly style that I enjoyed so much when he was in Houston. Most of the club players were friendlier than I expected and there was a high level of sportsmanship shown. I remember playing in New York in 2001 and the rudeness and “street hustle mentality” of the players. I expected to have to deal with that and the players I defeated were good sportsmen and we had enjoyable post mortems. I had a good time enjoying LA; seeing Mick, his club and playing some good chess was a big factor!