support, as well as Michael Khodarkovsky who
helped take her game to the next level. Some of
her favorite tournaments that you can catch her
in are the World Amateur Team East, NJ Junior,
Susan Polgar Invitational, and the All Girls
Nationals. Anna also recommends the following
chess books to improve your game – Kasparov’s
My Great Predecessors, and Dvoretsky’s
Endgame Manual.
She also offers some
insightful tips on improving your game which
include analyzing your own games (whether it’s
with Fritz or a coach), reviewing your tactics,
and just trying to uncover your mistakes and
correct them.
Scholastic Spotlight On Anna Matlin
by Joe Ippolito, President New Jersey State Chess Federation
K Ì Ø
If the name Anna Matlin looks familiar, it should.
She was our special writer in the last ACN issue
on how it felt to be playing in the Susan Polgar
Invitational. So we thought it would be a special
tribute to actually see how this young talent got
started in becoming one of the top female
players in the state.
Our Columbia Middle School 7th grader, a
straight “A” student enjoys math, science, and
reading. She particularly likes tennis and sports
in general. Anna’s lofty chess goal is to make
the US Women’s Olympiad team. For those of
you that have seen Anna in action, you know
that it will be just a short matter of time before
she realizes her goals. For those of you that
have never seen her in action, here is one of her
favorite games from the NJ Junior where she
defeats an opponent rated over 100 points
above her.
Karsten McVay (1898)
Anna Matlin (1780)
NJ Junior, Apr.29, 2007,ECO E48
Nimzo Indian Defense – Rubinstein Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nge2
Nbd7 7.O-O c6 8.a3 Bd6 9.h3 dxc4 10.Bxc4 Nb6 11.Bd3
e5 12.Qc2 h6 13.Rd1 Qc7 14.b4 a6 15.Bb2 Be6 16.Na4
Nxa4 17.Qxa4 e4 18.Bb1 Bc4 19.Nc3 Rfe8 20.Qc2 a5
First, we have to realize that this young Berkeley
Heights resident is only 12 years old. She is
nationally listed at #17 in the Top 50 for her age
group, and #4 in the Girls Under 13. She has a
cadre of over 50 trophies by virtue of her playing
approximately 90 rated games per year. Her
awards seem endless but she is most proud of
her 1st Place finish in the All Girls Nationals 8
and Under, and 1st Place in New Jersey for 5th
grade.
Anna started playing chess at the age of 6. As
Anna puts it, “My dad taught me how to move
the pieces, followed by the tactics and
strategies. Then I joined the Wizards of the
Mind Chess Club.” Here, Anna gives credit for
her success to Mark Schwartzman, who taught
her all of the basic principles and really taught
her to enjoy the game. She also includes her
parents for her success for their steadfast
21.Nxe4? Bh2+ 22.Kh1 Nxe4 23.g3 Bxg3 24.fxg3 Qxg3
White Resigns
11