FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE					USCF Contact: Eric C. Johnson
November 19, 1998						(845) 562-8350
Release #9857 					

DE FIRMIAN WINS U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN DENVER

GM de Firmian, 41, received the $12,000 first prize and the coveted championship ring. The new U.S. Champion, formerly a resident of New York City, currently lives in Denmark. This year marks the third time he has won at least a share of the U.S. Championship title (1987, 1995, 1998).

The loss in the finals ended GM Benjamin's hopes of repeating as U.S. Champion. Benjamin, 34, of New York, N.Y., received the second-place prize of $7,500. He had won the title in 1997.

GM de Firmian won clear first place in one of the two preliminary sections with a score of 5 out of 7 points. He then defeated GM Tal Shaked in the semi-finals by a 2 1/2 - 1 1/2 margin before meeting GM Benjamin in the finals.

GM de Firmian remained unbeaten throughout the event, with an overall score of five wins, 10 draws, and no losses.

The 1998 Interplay U.S. Championship was co-sponsored by the U.S. Chess Federation, local organizers Richard (Buck) Buchanan and Craig Wilcox, and the Colorado State Chess Association.

The title sponsor was Interplay Productions, Inc., of Irvine, Calif. Interplay is the creator of some of the world's best gaming software, including "Chess Mates."

Complete coverage, including results and game scores, is available on the USCF website at www.uschess.org/news/uschamp98/.

In the game below, White's unusual 3. Bc4!? is often played by beginners. The move carries some sting, but the new U.S. Champion handles the situation well.

GM Joel Benjamin - GM Nick de Firmian: 1998 Interplay U.S. Championship Finals, Game 1: Sicilian Defense: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Nc6 5. c3 g6 6. 0-0 Bg7 7. Nbd2 0-0 8. Re1 e5 9. Bb3 h6 10. Nc4 Be6 11. h3 Kh7 12. Ne3 d5 13. Ng4 Nxg4 14. hxg4 Qd7 15. g5 h5 16. exd5 Bxd5 17. Be3 b6 18. Bxd5 Qxd5 19. Qa4 Rfd8 20. Rad1 Rac8 21. Bc1 Kg8 22. Rd2 Qe6 23. Qc4 Rd5 24. Rde2 Rcd8 25. Re3 Qd7 26. Qe4 Ne7 27. R3e2 Nf5 28. c4 Rxd3 29. Nxe5 Bxe5 30. Qxe5 Nd4 31. Re3 Nc2 32. Rxd3 Qxd3 33. Rf1 Qxf1+ 34. Kxf1 Rd1+ 35. Ke2 Re1+ 36. Kd2 Rxe5 37. Kxc2 Re2+ White Resigns

For information about other chess events, contact Assistant Director Eric C. Johnson, U.S. Chess Federation, 3054 NYS Route 9W, New Windsor, NY 12553; phone: (845) 562-8350; FAX: (914) 561-2437; or see our weekly news column on the World Wide Web: http://www.uschess.org.