Dear Chess Friends: 

This blog "Buffalo Niagara Chess Corner" was started by Harish Srinivasan in 2006. Since Harish went to Seatle, WA this blog was not used much. 

During some period of time, it was used by Michael McDuffie aka chess ambassador to promote his tournaments. Since Michael now has his own website Archangel 8 Chess Academie this blog stopped functioning again. 

White to play and win

Recently Harish graciously made me an admin, so I will try to revive our chess blog. Thank you, Harish.

There is also a club by the same name "Buffalo Niagara Chess Corner". Again Harish made me the administrator of the club. Thank you!

I invite all members of chess clubs in Western New York to join this blog by clicking here: 
"Buffalo Niagara Chess Corner" and ask to join.

Once we have a certain number of members, we will organize online tournaments on Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays, as it was customary to meet on those days.

Hopefully, we will soon return to playing across the board from each other, but until things normalize, we can still play with our friends online. 

So: PLEASE JOIN THE CLUB!

Thank you,

Marijan ("Mr. Pro")   

2016 JUNETEENTH SCHOLASTIC CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Pictured are The Chess Moms and The 2016 Golden Knights National Scholastic K-6 Chess Team receiving "Special Recognition and Proclamation" from the City of Lockport Mayor Anne E. McCaffrey and the Lockport Common Council on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at Lockport City Hall, Lockport NY.

Hosted by the Buffalo Teachers Federation, Inc., The Urban Thinkers Chess Club and Juneteenth Festival, Inc.  Visit our new website Knightsof64.com.

You are invited to come out and help us celebrate the 41st year of the Juneteenth Festival. In our third year, we ask that all scholastic chess players join us at the 2016 Juneteenth Scholastic Chess Championships, Saturday, June 18, 2016, Main Place Mall, (Free Parking Under Mall) 390 Main Street, Upper Level in Buffalo, NY.

FORMAT: Each player will play 5 games, no elimination, Games will be G/25;d5, USCF rules enforced.  Players are required to know how all the chess pieces move and capture, "touch move" and Checkmate.  This is not a USCF tournament but USCF ratings will be used for pairings.  Photos will be taken during tournament play and posted on the chess blog.

SECTIONS: Three sections are K-4, K-8, K-12 and Elmwood Village Chess Club.

REFRESHMENTS and PIZZA will be served!

AWARDS: Trophies awarded to the Top 5 winners and Top Female!

ENTRY FEE: $10.00 per player, USCF members $8.00 per player.

SCHEDULE:  Players must report by 10am.  Games will start at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm. Awards Ceremony and photos at 4:30pm.

REGISTRATION:  Online entries can be made at Knightsof64@yahoo.com by Friday, June 17, 2016, cash payment on site. Please mail and make checks payable to Archangel 8 Chess Academy, 60F Guilford Lane, Buffalo, NY 14221 no later than Wednesday, June 15, 2016. Please include full name, USCF number, Section, Email and contact number.

2016 PAWNMASTER MEMORIAL USCF CLASSIC - SAT.FEB. 13, 2016

Pictured are the participants of the first annual Scholastic Checkmate Court Chess Challenge that was held on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 at the Aloma D. Johnson Charter School.

REMINDER! - The Archangel 8 Chess Academy will host the 2016 PawnMaster Memorial USCF Game 50 Classic during Black History Month.

The 2016 PawnMaster Memorial Classic is held every year in loving memory of David W. "PawnMaster Mc Duffie.  The USCF sanctioned tournament will be held on Sat. Feb. 13, 2016 at the Main Place Mall, Upper Level, 390 Main Street, Buffalo, NY.

There will be three sections of play, PawnMaster Open Section, U1800 section and U1400 section. Each player will play four dual rated, Game 50 with a 5 second delay. Cash Prizes for all sections of play based on the number of entries.

To register, please email your full name, uscf id number, section and contact number to Knightsof64@yahoo.com by midnight on Feb 12, 2016. USCF membership is reguired.

All players are to report by 9am. Registration will be from 8:30am until 9am. First games will start at 9:15am, Round 2 at 11:30am, Round 3 at 1:15pm and Round 4 at 3pm. USCF rules are enforced.

The Mc Duffie Family wants to say "Thank You" in advance, to all those who come out to compete, and help make this special yearly chess event a success.

Sincerely,
Mc Duffie, USCF TD
Knightsof64@yahoo.com

2016 CHECKMATE COURT CHESS CHALLENGE TOURNAMENT

Pictured are Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard and his deputies playing chess at the Urban Thinkers Chess Club at the Frank Merriweather Branch Library in Buffalo NY.

Please come out and help support the Aloma D. Johnson Charter School National Scholastic Chess Teams! This is a Fundraiser to help the chess teams travel to the All Girls National Chess Championships in Chicago and the USCF National Scholastic K-6 Chess Championships in Nashville, TN.
Donations and proceeds are tax deductible under the Aloma D Johnson Charter School, which is a 501 (c)(3) organization.



ALOMA D. JOHNSON CHARTER SCHOOL, 15 Jewett Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14214.

On Saturday, Feb 6, 2016 at 9:30am, to celebrate Black History Month, the Juneteenth Festival, Inc., the Buffalo Teachers Federation, Inc. and The Archangel 8 Chess Academy is hosting a USCF sanctioned Chess Tournament.

The first annual Checkmate Court Chess Challenge USCF Tournament is designed to bring uniformed Police, Firefighters, Sheriffs, Deputies, Attorneys and Judges to come and play three exhibition friendly chess over the board against the Girls In Chess Rock!, Eagles of Excellence and The Urban Thinkers chess players.

In addition, we are hosting a Four USCF Dual Rated, Game 25 with a 5 second delay sanctioned tournament for students and adults. The Entry fee is $10.00 for each chess player. USCF membership is required and can join at the site.

SECTIONS - ALL GIRLS K-12, (K - 3), (4 - 7), (8 -12) and ADULT OPEN! Pay Cash at the door.
Participants must register between 9am and 9:30am, Games will start at 10am.

EQUIPMENT: Please bring your own Staunton Style Chess set, algebraic chess board and digital chess clock, if you own them.

AWARDS: Donated by Juneteenth Festival, Inc. and Buffalo Teachers Federation, Inc. Trophies will be awarded to the Top Three winners along with Aloma D. Johnson Award for the Top Female in each section of play.

ADVANCE REGISTRATIONS - Please send in your advance registrations with full name, uscf Id number, section of play and contact information to Knightsof64@yahoo.com by midnight on Feb. 5, 2016.

US CHESS FEDERATION TOURNAMENT GAME SCHEDULE

Pictured are the Golden Knights Trophy winners from the 2015 Veterans Day Memorial Tournament held at the Main Place Mall, Buffalo NY. 2015 WNY Scholastic Chess Classic, K-4 Championship Team Trophy winners JonLuke Pencille and Ryan Carmina, Ashton William, 2015 NY State Elementary Scholastic Champion, 2015 Veterans Day Memorial Co Champion - Shaan Cheruvu, 2015 WNY Scholastic Chess Classic Champions for K-4 and 2nd Place K-8 held at Pioneer High School, on Saturday, November 21, 2015. We hosted five teams, 31 students and earned two Team and Individual Trophies. Special Thanks to Tom Warner, USCF TD and the Pioneer Chess Boosters hosted 92 players. Last but not least are the Trophy winners of the Fannie M. Memorial All Girls Section held at the Main Place Mall in Buffalo NY. 62 adult and scholastic players attended with the help of the Kenmore Amateur Chess Association and we made history with two female Canadian chess players, who competed in the Open section and the youngest age 7 in Scholastic from Toronto, Ontario.

You are invited to join us for our monthly USCF sanctioned Chess Tournaments, hosted by the Buffalo Teachers Federation and The Archangel 8 Chess Academy. Please check the new chess venues. Advance registrations are greatly appreciated! Advance registrations and discounts that apply are sent to Knightsof64@yahoo.com. Registration forms are available with an email request. SORRY, NO REFUNDS! SCHEDULES CAN AND MAY CHANGE!
USCF memberships are required for all sections.  AWARDS are donated by the Buffalo Teachers Federation, Inc. We greatly appreciate their help and support to grow Chess in Buffalo, New York.

All Cash payment players are required to check in at least 30 minutes before the first games are to begin. All USCF players are required to bring a chess set, algebraic chess board, digital clock and write algebraic chess notations.

Our upcoming USCF Chess Tournaments are as follows;

Saturday, December 12, 2015, USCF OPEN HOLIDAY CLASSIC, MAIN PLACE MALL, BUFFALO, NY.  Four USCF Rated games, Game 50, d5, Games start at 9:15am. Advance registrations and advance emails by Thursday, December 10, 2015. Sections are Open - EF: $20 or $30, U1600 -EF: $15 or $20 and Scholastic K12 - U1000, EF$10 or $15. Trophies to the Top Four Winners! Scholastic must report by 9:30 am, Games start at 10am.

Sunday, December 27, 2015, Three Nickels, 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion Scholastic K-6 Chess Championships, Five games, USCF rated, Chess notations are required. Game 30, d5. Sections are All Girls Championship, K-3 section, and 4 to 6th grade section. Trophies awarded to the Top Three Players in each section. The Entry Fee is FREE! Audubon Branch Library, 350 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst, NY 14221. Players must report to the Community Room by 12:30pm, First games start at 1pm. Advance registration Only by Sunday, December 20, 2015.

Upcoming 2016 USCF monthly Chess Tournaments, Check new venues! Please email Knightsof64@yahoo.com for details.

2016 - 2nd Annual International Friendship Cup, January 16 and Jan.17, 2016 held at the Old First Ward Community Center, 62 Republic, Buffalo, NY USA. Canadian Players must register with Gary Hua, email to ghua71@yahoo.ca.

Saturday, January 30, 2016, Lockport "The Locks" Open Scholastic K-12 Chess Championships, Lockport Family YMCA, 19 East Avenue, Lockport, NY 14094.

Saturday, February 6, 2016, Juneteenth Scholastic K-8 Chess Championships, 390 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14201. Exhibition games with Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters! Advance registrations only! Five USCF Games 30;d5.

Saturday, February 13, 2016, USCF GAME 50, Main Place Mall, 390 Main St, Upper Level, Buffalo, NY 14201. Four USCF dual rated games, Game 50, d5. Report by 8:45am. First games start at 9:15am.

Saturday, March 5, 2015, USCF GAME 50, Main Place Mall, 390 Main St, Buffalo NY. Four USCF Dual rated Games, Game 50;d5. Report by 8:45am. First games start at 9:15am.

Saturday, April 9, 2016, USCF GAME 50, Main Place Mall, 390 Main St, Buffalo, NY. Four USCF Dual rated games, Game 50;d5. Report BY 8:45am. First Games start at 9:15am.

Saturday, May 14, 2016, USCF GAME 50, Main Place Mall, 390 Main St. Buffalo NY. Four USCF Dual rated games, Game 50,d5. Report by 8:45am. First Games start at 9:15am.

Saturday, June 11, 2016, USCF GAME 50, d5, Main Place Mall, 390 Main St, Buffalo NY. Four USCF Dual rated games, Game 50,d5. Report by 8:45am, First Games start at 9:15am.

The Mc Duffie Family and the Archangel 8 Chess Academy would like to say a special "Thank You" to all those who send condolences, gifts, food, drinks and prayers during the illness and death of Fran Mc Duffie, after 61 years plus of marriage to Horace Mc Duffie, Jr., died on Friday, October 2, 2015.
Getting back to normal activities are still a challenge but I appreciate your help and continued support. For more information about chess events, chess tutored classes and Community Partnerships, please email Knightsof64@yahoo.com.

MOTHER MC DUFFIE MEMORIAL SERVICES - Saturday, October 10, 2015

Pictured are Fannie M.(1935 - 2015) and predeceased son, David "PawnMaster" Mc Duffie (1960 - 2012, together in heaven!

The Mc Duffie family would like to invite you to help celebrate the life of Fannie M. Mc Duffie!

Fran passed away on Friday, October 2, 2015 in Buffalo NY, after months of health complications at Elderwood (Bassett) in Williamsville, NY.

Survivors are, after 61 years plus of marriage to husband Horace Mc Duffie, Jr., son Michael, Chess Ambassador(Debbie), daughter Cheryl(Maryland) and predeceased son David, 2012, grandsons Cadet Major Aaron and Alexander.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11am on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, located at 402 Clinton Street, Buffalo NY 14204 with Pastor Edward Jackson, Jr.

Family Visitation will be from 10:30am to 11am.

Repast: Immediately after in the Fellowship Hall, Please bring bubbles!

Interment: Private Family burial included predeceased son, David W. Mc Duffie, (2012) at St. Matthews Cemetery, Cheektowaga NY on Thursday, October 8, 2015.

Final arrangements are being made by Thomas T. Edwards Funeral Home, Funeral Director, Darrell M. Saxon II, Office - 716-894-4888.

The family respectfully declines flowers but condolence cards and contributions can be mailed and made payable to the Archangel 8 Chess Academy, 60F Guilford Lane, Buffalo NY 14221.

REMINDER- URBAN THINKERS USCF OPEN - Sat. August 15, 2015

Pictured: Contributed by The Archangel 8 Chess Academy. GIRLS IN CHESS ROCK! A week long summer Chess Clinic program held in Lackawanna, NY with the Willie Hutch Jones Educational And Sports Clinics and Mount Olive Baptist Church.

The Archangel 8 Chess Academy and the Urban Thinkers Chess Club invite you to join us on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at the Main Place Mall, Upper Level, 390 Main Street, Buffalo NY.

Featuring Joey Orozco from Toronto Canada. Joey won the Stars and Stripes International monthly tournament in July. There was a five way tie for 2nd Place - Benjamin Rummell, James Paul, David Miller, Brian Sawyers and Steve Baer.

FORMAT: Four USCF dual rated Sanctioned games, duration of games are Game 50 with a 5 second delay. All players must be current USCF members.

All players must arrive by 8:45am, Games start at 9:15am. Late arrivals must accept a one half non playing Bye! USCF membership is required! USCF memberships available at the door with Cash payments.

Advance registrations are greatly appreciated to Knightsof64@yahoo.com by midnight on Friday, August 14, 2015.

PIZZA AND REFRESHMENTS provided to all paid tournament players!

Two sections are Open and U1600, Cash entry fees are Open $20 and U1600 are $15.00.

Schedule of Games - Game 1 at 9:15am, Game 2 at 11:30am, Game 3 at 1:15pm and Game 4 at 3pm.

All questions are directed to Knightsof64@yahoo.com.

SAVE THE DATES - MAIN PLACE MALL CHESS, BUFFALO NY

<p>The Archangel 8 Chess Academy is now celebrating its 18 year of Enrichment and Educational Youth Chess programs in the WNY area. We are proud to announce the confirmed dates for United States Chess Federation Tournaments to be held at the Main Place Mall, 390 Main Street, Upper Level, Buffalo New York, for the remainder of the 2015 year.
<p>To promote and increase visiting chess players to our monthly chess events, we ask for your Advance Online Registrations and Discounted Entry Fees be received by midnight on the Wednesday prior to the tournament. Advance Online Registrations are greatly appreciated with full name, USCF Id number, Section of play and contact number.
<p>All USCF members are required to bring their own Chess equipment, (ie. Chess set, chess board, digital chess clock and scorebook).
<p>All registered players are asked to report at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the tournament. This will allow us to start the tournament promptly at the official time.
<p>Only approved USCF Electronic scoresheet devices will be allowed.
<p>If you have any questions or would like to give us feedback on how to better our program, please send us your comments to Knightsof64@yahoo.com.
<p> Saturday, August 15, 2015, please report by 8:45am, Games start at 9:15am.
        Saturday, September 12, 2015
        Saturday, November 14, 2015
        Saturday, December 12, 2015 
<p>Photographed are the Golden Knights of Lockport with Anne McCaffrey, Mayor of Lockport after their performance at the New York State Scholastic Chess Championships, where Ashton William is our 2015 New York State Scholastic Chess Champion. Other NY State trophy winners are Jon Luke Pencille earned 12th Place and Jonathan Carmina earned 2nd Place Top Unrated!
<p>I want to Thank all of those who have and continue to support the promotion and growth of scholastic chess in the Buffalo, Lockport and WNY area.
<p>Your in Chess, Mc Duffie, USCF Tournament Director

2015 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP CUP RESULTS - DAY ONE

Pictured are the trophy winners at the first annual 2015 International Friendship Cup, hosted by the Buffalo Teachers Federation, Inc and The Archangel 8 Chess Academy on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015.

Results of the PawnMaster Memorial K-8 Section were Undefeated 2015 International Friendship Cup Scholastic Champion - Alyssa Dobrowolski, 2nd Place - Jonathan Carmina(Golden Knights of Lockport), 3rd Place - Bryanna Ely and K-1 3rd Place - Ryan Carmina (Golden Knights of Lockport). Alyssa and Bryanna both eighth graders from the Old First Ward Irish Buffalo Chess Team, which meets every Friday night for chess instructions and friendly chess games from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

Results of the Peace Bridge U1700 section was undefeated 2015 International Friendship Cup Champion Matthew Peck (1545),the highest rated player in the section was Patrick Robinson (1666), 2nd Place was a three way tie with Dr. James J. Paul (1645), David S. Miller (1578) and David Stearns (1552). Malik Ferguson, graduate from Community School 53 and now a senior at Hutch Tech was the Wendy's Restaurant Upset Leader with 621 points, followed by Matthew Peck with 254, Michael Skok with 239 points, Brian Martin with 211 points and Steve Baer with 88 points. We want to "WELCOME BACK" Danielle Delia, a student in the grad program at Buffalo State College.

Results of the FIDE OPEN Section attracted four chess players from the Greater Toronto Area GTA, Ontario Canada are Eugene Hua(1890), Jason Cai(1832), Davy Zhao(1796) and GTA Organizer Gary Hua(1728). Leading from Day one has National Master Barry Davis(2176) with 2 1/2 point of 5, four players tied for 2nd place with 2 points are Eugene Hua, Jason Cai, Joseph Ksiazek(1806) from Rochester Chess Center and Davy Zhao and Erik W. Lubas(2024) with 1 point. Tournament highlight is Jason Cai, who represented Canada at the 2014 North American Youth Chess Championships. Come out and join us for Day Two of the FIDE OPEN Section starts at 9:30am and 2:30pm.

A special Thanks for the Rochester Chess Center and David Campbell and Ron Lohrman for being our Chess Equipment Vendor.

Reported by Mc Duffie, USCF Tournament Director

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP CUP 2015 featuring International Master Kenneth W. Regan, Ph.D. January 17, 2015

A Winter Chess Festival and a World Chess Federation (FIDE) a special international Chess event to help promote and establish friendships with Canadian chess players along with an exchange of cultural cross skills.

The first annual International Friendship Cup Chess tournament is hosted by The Buffalo Teachers Federation, Inc. and The Archangel 8 Chess Academy, an official affilate of the United States Chess Federation, celebrating over 16 years of Enrichment Youth Chess programs in the Buffalo - Niagara Falls and WNY area.

DATES: January 17, 2015 and January 18, 2015

WHERE: Old First Ward Community Center, 62 Republic, Buffalo, New York

WHAT: There will be a Two Days, FIDE game schedule, featuring Buffalo native and International Master Kenneth W. Regan, Ph.D. to be held on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18, 2015! World Chess Federation rules enforced!
Two Days, 5 FIDE and USCF dual Rated games, Game 120 with a 5 second delay, One BYE available with advance notice.

Two Day FIDE Game Schedule - Players must report no later than 9:30am. Games will start on Saturday 17th at 10am, 2:30pm and 7pm. Games on Sunday 18, 2015 will start at 9:30am and Finals at 2:30pm.

FIDE CASH PRIZES - Based on 32 paid players or else in proportion. The FIDE OPEN Champion will receive the 2015 Friendship Cup and $600.00, 2nd Place - $360.00, 3rd Place - $240.00 and 4th Place - $100.00. CLASS PRIZE - U1900 $220.00.

International Masters, FM and Grand Masters - FREE Entry with fee deducted from Cash Prize! NO CHECKS OR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED! ROCHESTER CHESS CENTER WILL BE THE OFFICIAL VENDOR and will make chess equipment available.

Advance Entry Fee Early Bird Special - FIDE Rated $50.00, Non FIDE rated $55.00 must be received no later than on midnight on Wednesday, January 14, 2015. After $70.00 CASH payable at the door. All online entries must be received no later than midnight on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 with reply to Knightsof64@yahoo.com, include full name, USCF Number, FIDE Number, Section of Play and contact number.

PAWN MASTER MEMORIAL U1700 SECTION - ONE DAY SCHEDULE - SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2015, USCF RULES ENFORCED!

ONE DAY Only! Saturday, January, 17, 2015 PIZZA & Refreshments will be provided for all paid tournament players! Non chess players may purchase a slice of Pizza and drink for $2.00. After tournament players are served!

PAWNMASTER MEMORIAL - USCF "RATED BEGINNERS OPEN" - Scholastics K-12 Tournament

USCF membership is required. Four (4) USCF rated games, Game 35, with 5 second delay. Sections are K-4, K-6 and K-12.

Championship trophies are donated by the Buffalo Teachers Federation, Inc. Trophies will be awarded to the Top Three players and Top Female in each section.

Advance Entry Online - Knightsof64@yahoo.com no later than January 14, 2015 with full name, uscf number, section and contact number.

Pawn Master Scholastic K-12 ENTRY FEES - Advanced Early Bird is $10.00 or $15.00 Cash at the Door!

Pawn Master Game Schedule - Saturday Only! All scholastic players must report by 10am. January 17, 2015, Game 1 at 10:30am, Game 2 at 11:45am, Game 3 at Noon, Game 4 at 2:15pm. AWARDS CEREMONY TO FOLLOW!

PAWN MASTER U1700 FORMAT - 4 USCF Dual rated games, Games One and Two are Game 60 with 5 second delay, Games Three and Four are Game 90 with 5 second delay.

PAWN MASTER U1700 Game Schedule: All players must report no later than 9:30am, Saturday games will start at 10am, Game 2 will start at 12:30pm, Game 3 will start at 3pm and Finals Game 4 will start at 6:30pm.

PAWN MASTER U1700 CASH Prizes are based on 30 paid players or else in proportion. The Pawn Master U1700 Champion will be awarded the 2015 Friendship Cup Trophy and $400, 2nd Place - $300.00, 3rd Place - $200; CLASS Prize U1500 - $100.00.

PLEASE MAIL AND MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE to Archangel 8 Chess Academy, Memo: Friendship Cup, 60F Guilford Lane, Buffalo, New York, 14221, payments must be received no later than Wednesday, January 14, 2015.

All chess players must bring a Staunton Chess set, board and digital chess clock.