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Calvin Blocker

Number of games in database: 183
Years covered: 1972 to 2020
Last FIDE rating: 2323
Highest rating achieved in database: 2395
Overall record: +88 -75 =20 (53.6%)*
   * Overall winning percentage = (wins+draws/2) / total games in the database.

MOST PLAYED OPENINGS
With the White pieces:
 Sicilian (12) 
    B83 B31 B22 B30 B27
 King's Indian (8) 
    E62 E60 E97 E63 E67
 Ruy Lopez (7) 
    C68 C78 C65
 Slav (6) 
    D17 D16 D15
 Ruy Lopez Exchange (5) 
    C68
 Reti System (5) 
    A04 A06
With the Black pieces:
 Caro-Kann (12) 
    B17 B12 B14 B13
 Sicilian (8) 
    B33 B45 B93 B40
 Modern Benoni (6) 
    A57 A58 A61 A77
 French Defense (6) 
    C16 C04 C02 C00
 Ruy Lopez (6) 
    C60 C67 C77 C86
 Queen's Indian (6) 
    E12 E15
Repertoire Explorer

NOTABLE GAMES: [what is this?]
   C Blocker vs T D Baldwin, 1977 1-0
   C Blocker vs Xiong, 2015 1/2-1/2
   C Blocker vs A Kralevski, 2001 1-0
   de Firmian vs C Blocker, 1984 0-1

NOTABLE TOURNAMENTS: [what is this?]
   Nassau Chess Club International (1984)
   Kings Island Open (2001)
   Midwest Masters (1988)
   Philadelphia NCC (2001)
   New York Open (1985)
   Midwest Masters (1986)
   15th World Open (1987)
   Lone Pine (1979)
   New York International Open (1984)

RECENT GAMES:
   🏆 Your Next Move at Larchmere
   C Blocker vs R Tan (Sep-25-20) 1/2-1/2
   C Blocker vs Xiong (Jul-28-15) 1/2-1/2
   M Sana vs C Blocker (Aug-16-14) 1-0

Search Sacrifice Explorer for Calvin Blocker
Search Google for Calvin Blocker
FIDE player card for Calvin Blocker

CALVIN BLOCKER
(born Jun-28-1955, 69 years old) United States of America

[what is this?]

Calvin Barry Blocker was born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He was awarded the FM title in 1981 and the IM title in 1982

International Master Blocker holds the record for most simultaneous chess games in the history of Ohio; furthermore, he holds the record for winning the Ohio State Championship, over a dozen times.

Wikipedia article: Calvin Blocker

Last updated: 2019-11-20 20:40:36

Try our new games table.

 page 1 of 8; games 1-25 of 187  PGN Download
Game  ResultMoves YearEvent/LocaleOpening
1. W Hook vs C Blocker  1-0251972USA opD20 Queen's Gambit Accepted
2. R Noel vs C Blocker 1-023197273rd US OpenB93 Sicilian, Najdorf, 6.f4
3. C Blocker vs L Day  1-0501973Chess Corner ClassicA07 King's Indian Attack
4. C Bassin vs C Blocker  0-1171975MichiganC00 French Defense
5. G Trammell vs C Blocker 0-135197576th US OpenC86 Ruy Lopez, Worrall Attack
6. C Blocker vs L Kaufman ½-½51197576th US OpenA04 Reti Opening
7. A Bisguier vs C Blocker  0-1741976US opC16 French, Winawer
8. A Soltis vs C Blocker  1-0301976National Chess LeagueC77 Ruy Lopez
9. C Blocker vs P Cornelius  0-1301976National Chess LeagueC19 French, Winawer, Advance
10. C Marshall vs C Blocker  0-1571977John G White mem,OHB14 Caro-Kann, Panov-Botvinnik Attack
11. C Blocker vs A Soltis  0-1561977National Chess LeagueE62 King's Indian, Fianchetto
12. J Tarjan vs C Blocker 1-0271977Paul Masson OpenA58 Benko Gambit
13. C Blocker vs T D Baldwin  1-048197778th US OpenA01 Nimzovich-Larsen Attack
14. C Blocker vs R W Buchanan 1-044197778th US OpenA01 Nimzovich-Larsen Attack
15. Benjamin vs C Blocker  1-044197804, v New York CityB40 Sicilian
16. C Blocker vs A Soltis  1-0451978Marshall FuturityE62 King's Indian, Fianchetto
17. C Blocker vs D Sahovic  0-1341979Lone PineC04 French, Tarrasch, Guimard Main line
18. R Ayyar vs C Blocker 0-1271979Lone PineA28 English
19. C Blocker vs P Biyiasas  0-1541979Lone PineA25 English
20. J Thibault vs C Blocker 1-0561979Lone PineC02 French, Advance
21. C Blocker vs L Day  1-0451979Lone PineA53 Old Indian
22. Pachman vs C Blocker  1-0401979Lone PineA77 Benoni, Classical, 9...Re8, 10.Nd2
23. M Wilder vs C Blocker  1-0411979Lone PineC04 French, Tarrasch, Guimard Main line
24. C Blocker vs P Whitehead  0-1351979Lone PineA26 English
25. R Balinas vs C Blocker  0-1401979Lone PineC04 French, Tarrasch, Guimard Main line
 page 1 of 8; games 1-25 of 187  PGN Download
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2) | Blocker wins | Blocker loses  

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 2 OF 2 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Aug-27-07
Premium Chessgames Member
  Joshka: <Armakov> Hi Brian, Bruce here, thanks for the info on Calvin!..will you be holding another tourney this Labor Day weekend??..and will Calvin be attending if you do?...thanks again warm regards Bruce
Dec-23-07  Armakov: Hi Joshka. Sorry it took so long to return to this blog...To answer your first question, yes the Edgewater Tourney went on as planned. Unfortunately, Calvin was unable to attend this year as he was ill with pneumonia. There was a rumor going round that he chickened out and did not show because he heard that GM Shabalov was going to attend. However, Shabalov did not play in the tournament. He was there mainly to promote his weekly lectures in North Olmstead, OH. After talking to Calvin on the phone recently, he assured me that he was indeed ill and that he was actually planning on competing in the State Championship in Columbus and would not have shown anyway.
Jan-04-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  Joshka: <Armakov> Thanks for the Calvin update!!....do you know if Calvin plays on the ICC?....also there is someone <chessamateur> posting today on the kibitzer's cafe section, asking about simul information. Maybe you know some of the details as to what it costs, to run one?.....looks like no Cleveland Open again this year....guess the ICC and other internet playing sites are really taking over OTB play around our neck of the woods...not that it was so good before, but the lack of tourneys that I can see, are pushing folks more and more to play on-line. thanks again for the info!!!
Mar-01-08  Armakov: Joshka, you're welcome! Concerning Calvin playing online...I do recall him telling me that he does not play online. Mainly because he does not currently have an internet connection, as far as I know. It would be cool to watch him play online however. Also, whether he wants to admit to it or not, it would improve his game I believe. Concerning simuls; I never was too voyeur in that way. I don't know how serious players find the time to observe others games, although I can understand the commaradarie of it. And yes, it is sad to hear that more and more players are becoming recluse these days. Not sure if it is a bad thing or not. The internet seems to be taking over more than just Chess however. Too bad about no Tourney in Cleveland. It's squelching my efforts! Personally, I like playing online better than at clubs for several reasons...One being the obvious; convenience. Plus you save money. Also, there are other advantages, like filtering games, or just playing an aburd number of blitz games in one setting. Or not having to smell your opponents garlic breath, ect. Until the next time, take care my friend. :o)
Mar-28-08  TonyRo: I've been playing Blitz with Dudley on a regular basis in the Starbucks on Cedar Hill lately. I never knew him in his younger days, but I hear he's stronger now than when he was young. I can attest that he's quite strong these days.
Mar-28-08  wrap99: I remember him from 30 years ago. An accomplished pianist and a very nice guy.
Jun-25-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  Joshka: <Armakov> Thanks for responding, sorry this is so late. Happened to see Calvin at this months Cleveland Open, but was not able to chat with him. Had a chance to converse with GM's Lein and Shabalov, though and they even signed a book I purchased from Larry Rust. Great playing conditions, 2 boards per table!, as opposed to the traditional 3 boards.
Aug-18-08  Armakov: Hi Joshka. Been awhile since I've visited this blog as well... A signing by Shabalov eh? Nice. As aforementioned, he was at the Edgewater Chess Tournament last year where I had the honor of meeting him. Very nice, down to earth guy and speaks very good english I might add. By the way Joshka, you are more than welcome to attend this years Edgewater Tournament if you like. It is held on Labor Day (Sept. 1st) at noon. It is an Open, Unrated event. The entry fee is only 10 bucks, which basically covers the cost of food and beverages. You never know who is going to show. Blocker has come to 3 tourneys, however I don't know whether he will be there this year. Until next time, take care my friend.
Mar-01-13  waustad: I just looked at his FIDE card, and he played some FIDE rated games last that were listed in the October ratings. Those were the only FIDE rated games, I'm not sure about USCF. Their site seems to hang during the search.
May-11-15  bismuth: Calvin is fairly well known as a teacher as well as a player. I believe the last few years he's been giving lectures at the Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland.
May-11-15
Premium Chessgames Member
  HeMateMe: He shielded himself against religions...
Aug-01-15
Premium Chessgames Member
  sakredkow: He just finished competing in the Dayton Masters FIDE round robin at the Dayton Chess Festival. From a release from the Dayton Chess Club:

At the closing ceremony IM Blocker and GM Xiong were each awarded $250 for the most exciting game of the tournament which matched the oldest player with white against the youngest with black. Even though it ended in a draw it was selected as the most exciting game of the event.

Jan-13-18
Premium Chessgames Member
  Joshka: >Armakov> Hi Brian was there a Cleveland Open last August??Anyone with any updates on IM Blocker? thanks in advance!
Apr-30-18  bismuth: @Joshka

There was a Cleveland Open last August, though Blocker didn't participate. The winner was OSU Student Mika Brittain, a strong FM.

Calvin doesn't play much tournament chess any more, though he does give the occasional simul, and he did play in a Chicago vs. Cleveland team blitz match last summer.

http://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/20...

Apr-30-18
Premium Chessgames Member
  Joshka: <bismuth> Hey thanks for sharing that info, and posting the video from that Chicago/Cleveland Tourney!! Really appreciate it!!
Apr-30-18  Marmot PFL: Calvin was a little high strung but I never thought he would pull out all of his hair.
Apr-30-18
Premium Chessgames Member
  Joshka: <Marmot PFL> Have seen him at the board during crucial parts of his games, and yes he really gets very intense!!
Jun-26-18  wrap99: This was a link within the article bismuth posted: https://www.clevescene.com/clevelan...
Jun-26-18
Premium Chessgames Member
  Joshka: <wrap99> Thanks for posting!! One would think as Ohio's only home grown IM, there would be more info and articles. Wish there was more match play to create chess interest! Having a guy like Blocker matched against another IM in say a long 16 game match!! Oh well thanks again!!
Mar-24-19
Premium Chessgames Member
  Joshka: Any news about our only home grown IM is much appreciated!!! thanks in advance!
Jul-21-20
Premium Chessgames Member
  Joshka: Well another year gone by and still no news on Ohio's only home grown IM :-(
Jul-21-20  Howard: Speaking of home-grown Ohio matters, does anyone know if the annual Ohio Chess Congress will be taking place this year ?
Sep-09-20  pazzed paun: <Joshka> you need to listen to perpetual Chess podcast with adult improver
Stacia Pugh
IM Calvin Blocker and lesson with. Him are mentioned several times
Sep-22-20  bismuth: @Joshka, Calvin played in a tournament this month actually:

https://www.chess.com/blog/rk12387/...

Oct-18-20  bismuth: He just took first place at another local tournament. Could he be eying a comeback?

https://www.chess.com/blog/rk12387/...

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