Frank Smith Wins Club Championship

The sixth annual Chess Club Championship was held yesterday in the club's new tournament room. This room sports a new white paint job, ample lighting, and a wall to wall carpet. By all accounts, the participants liked the quiet, well lit, and clean playing area. Just one of the many features I liked about this new tournament room is that the toilet is close at hand. No more mad scrambles in time trouble, thankfully. The Chess Club events are always well organized and the 2007 Club Championship went smoothly. Attendance was good with 18 chess warriors, but down from last year total of 22 players.

In the Open section it was a chess battle royal. The action produce decisive wins in all games, with the exception of a third round game between Tony Dutiel and Tim Steiner that ended in a draw. This was fighting chess at it best and where most of the games went to the player commanding the ebony army. Frank Smith and Bob Spies shared 1st after round 2. When the smoke cleared after round 3 Smith was the sole leader. Frank went on to be crowned Open Champion with a score of 4/4. Well done! I am sure we will be hearing more of Frank in the future. Tony Dutiel became the club's Under 1900 Champion with a score of 2.5/4. Let's hear it for Tony...applause.

In the Reserve section it was a fighting finish between Joseph Conklin Jr. and Frank Whitsell. Both of these fine chess players had a score of 3/3 and the winner would have to be determined by series of tie breaking Blitz games. When the dust settled it was Frank Whitsell that claimed the title for the club's Under 1600 Champion. Todd Forbes grabbed the Under 1300 Champion plaque with a score of 2.5/4. Great games fellas!

All the tournament participants helped make this Championship a success. Thank you all for coming and we hope to see you at the club's Birthday Bash on June 29th.

Front row: Frank Smith Back row from left to right: Tony Dutiel, Frank Whitsell, Todd Forbes

Club Championship...Today!

The Chess Club's Championship is Today. Good Luck to all.

The 2007 Chess Club Championship Reminder

Our club championship will be held this coming Saturday, June 16th. Registration starts at 9 AM and will finish at 10AM. The on-site entry fee is $35. One ½ point bye available for any round. You must ask when registering. No byes once the tournament begins. This is a four round tournament at Game 60/Sudden Death. The 1st round begins at 10 AM with rounds to follow at: 12 noon/2:30PM/4:30PM. We have two sections: Open and U1600. Prizes: Open 1st $100 U1600 1st $100 Plaque for each Club Champion! Open/U1900/U1600/U1300. 30 Move Draw Rule. Club Champion Tiebreaks: The first tiebreak is based on wins. For example, if players A and B both have 4 points, the player with the most wins will be the club champion. The second tiebreak is wins with Black. The third tiebreak for players who are tied after four rounds will be 5 0 blitz games until one player wins two games and the club championship. Draws do not count. The player, who is ahead in tiebreak, will play the first game with white. Players will rotate colors each game. If three players or more are tied, a four-round Swiss game 5 0 blitz tournament will result and the winner will be the club champion. USCF and MCA memberships are required and available onsite. However, you don't have to be a Chess Club member to play in our championship...open to the public. Come one and all! We hope to see you at the championship!!!

The Chess Club Championship

Time is getting short. The area's high school finals are underway and soon the summer recess will be in full swing. The same goes for colleges and universities. Everyone will have at least some free time this summer. Why not come to the Chess Club before boredom overtakes your life? I find a good game of chess will get the creative juices flowing and the hours will just fly by! You say: "I'm not a member". No problem! You can play for $5 a visit in off hand games or an extra charge of $5 for tournaments. It's that easy...so no need to delay! Why not begin with the 2007 Chess Club Championship? It starts June 16, 2007. We thoughtfully placed it on a Saturday for your convenience. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and will close at 10 a.m. Cost will be $35 dollars on site, but if you pre-register by June 12th there is a $10 savings. The championship will consist of 4 rounds at G60 sudden death. The round times are 10/12/2:30/4:30. Here at the Chess Club we have a 30 move draw rule. You ask: "What does that mean?". It means that each player has to play 30 legal moves before a draw offer can be made and accepted. Of course you can always try to draw by force on any move, but I would be sure it is really there before embarking on such adventures! The tournament will be played in two sections: Open and U1600. There will be a ca$h prize for the top finisher (Champion) in the Open and U1600. Plaques will be given to the top finisher (Champion) in the Open, U1900, U1600, and U1300. Those are very nice and on display at the club. Byes are available for any round, but you must ask and declare which round upon registration. A valid USCF membership is required for all players. Missouri residence will need a Missouri Chess Association membership. Both of these can be purchased at the club.

So dust off those old chess books and fire up that new chess program. Prepare now! I know I will be!! See you at the club.