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Timur Simul writeup

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Hybrid blindfold match in Chicago area.

Article written by Stephen Plotnick, Chess For The People; US Chess and Illinois Chess Association Affiliates and Illinois Chess Association President.

Eric Ortega, Illinois Chess Association Metro VP-Organizer of several chess initiatives in Chicago Area such as Chess in the Mall and Chess and Coffee. reached out to me for any ideas to assist with a great event for one of malls that hosts Chess in malls in Joliet, Ill. Eric Loula, manager of mall (Starwood Properties) wanted to do something special for Joliet Central High School in addition to brining a special event to mall.

I reached out to Timur Garayev to see what his availability would be willing to assist in a special event. Timur was available weekend of March 15, which worked out great for Eric Ortega as that is one of two weekends a month, he has Chess at Joliet-Louis mall in Joliet. Timur and I worked together and came up with what we think is first time ever of a Simultaneous Blindfold simul and regular Simul. We called it Simul within a blindfold Simul. Eric Ortega reached out to Eric, mall manger, to inform him of what was planned. Manager was thrilled and asked if Joliet High School team could, coached by Rodney Voatley, be 7 players playing blindfold section and we would have 8 other players play a regular simul. Everything was set.

We had a very interesting event where Timur played 7 games blindfolded while facing 8 players in a regular simul. There were some notable games. There were several very nice fighting victories in blindfold games as well as facing board 6 where Timur blundered and lost. Board 9 was trying to play blindfolded where Timur played sighted game. Board 9 (Larry Cohn) fought courageously and even managed to avoid “Legal's mate....”. There was a couple tougher 2000+ players in sighted games and a nice one vs. board 12 under promotion to Knight checkmate.

Eric from mall is quoted "The Varsity Chess team of Joliet Central matched wits against the 16th ranked U.S. Grand-master Timur at the Joliet Luis Mall. All games were competitive even though GM Timur didn't use any hands or eyes during his 15 game simul, ending with a remarkable 14-1 record as one of the varsity players finished the match with a close win. Coach Coatney said, "playing against a grandmaster at his level is a great opportunity for the kids and helps them develop their game". The event was a great success as families, friends and spectators supported all players. GM Timur also faced eight chess veterans as he played the varsity chess team simultaneously. We are thankful for GM Timur, Mr. Eric Loula alomg with Mr. Eric Ortega and Stephen Plotnick for coordinating the event with the help of local high school coach Mr. Rodney Coatney Sr. Grandmaster Timur was a great sport and even signed multiple autographs, took pictures and offered valuable game pointers to the players. "

Seven Higher school players playing blindfold were Board #1-DJ Morales, Board #2-Jose Mendieta, Board #3-John Linehan (Captain), Board #4-Giovani Cruz , Board #5-Hunter Binder (Captain), Board #6-Matthew Budde(Only Winner), and Board #7-Sergio Zavala . Eight people playing regular Simul Board #8-Unknown, Board #9-Larry Cohen (Larry was playing Blindfold), Board #10-Mike Berkley, Board #11-JJ Lang, Board #12-Terry, Board #13-Brian Odeen, Board #14-Rick Board #15-Unknown.

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