Well, you never know with chess, but today will leave even the most advanced GMs scratching their heads. David Plotkin, Alan Schalk, Roger Morin, Ruben Babayan, Richard Judy, and Andrey Savov will all wonder if they could possibly have scratched out another half point. Draws were the theme amongst the top contenders as Plotkin, Schalk, Morin, and Judy exchanged draws in the final two rounds while Babayan and Savov recovered from defeats to earn four wins and create the logjam at the top. Matthew Reale-Hatem, the 2009 K-6 champion, finished only 1/2 point out of the top spot.
The results are unfortunate. There needs to be some tiebreaker in order to crown a clear champion especially with only 31 players entered. I will be interested to see the crosstable. I do know that the first round pairings were off. Two players were pitted against each other based on the fact that they were not entered into the computer when the round was about to start. This would have caused a shift in pairings, and then you know the results would have to change. The other report was that there was a shift in last round pairings to accommodate Class winners. This would also affect results especially tie-breakers.
Congratulations to all the champions! Next year there will be a format that discourages a six-way tie. Have you ever heard of such a result?
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The First Round of the State Championship
I went down to South Portland to watch the first round of the State Championship sponsored by the Maine Chess Association. I went to see some interesting chess and campaign for president.
The first round saw a few upsets in 15 games. The biggest was by Matthew Reale-Hatem over Andrey Savov. It really wasn't that close. The other rating upsets were by high school age students over some of the older veterans. The top rated players cruised easily.
I was disappointed that there were only 31 players in the championship section. Of course the fact that it is later in the year than usual did not help. There were no signs nearby even pointing out where the tournament was held. The venue was fine but the room itself was cramped and difficult to view games or even move around.
Roger Morin asked me why I would be a better candidate than Akagi. I mentioned that I would bring more visibility to chess and promote new tournament opportunities. I'm not sure what the major differences would be. I basically feel that I'm a good fit for Maine chess. I have been observing chess in Maine for the last twenty years and have many contacts and friends who would support me in pushing chess forward. I would be honored to have the opportunity to be at the front promoting Maine chess.
I'll continue to mention ideas that I have as we head toward the election.
The first round saw a few upsets in 15 games. The biggest was by Matthew Reale-Hatem over Andrey Savov. It really wasn't that close. The other rating upsets were by high school age students over some of the older veterans. The top rated players cruised easily.
I was disappointed that there were only 31 players in the championship section. Of course the fact that it is later in the year than usual did not help. There were no signs nearby even pointing out where the tournament was held. The venue was fine but the room itself was cramped and difficult to view games or even move around.
Roger Morin asked me why I would be a better candidate than Akagi. I mentioned that I would bring more visibility to chess and promote new tournament opportunities. I'm not sure what the major differences would be. I basically feel that I'm a good fit for Maine chess. I have been observing chess in Maine for the last twenty years and have many contacts and friends who would support me in pushing chess forward. I would be honored to have the opportunity to be at the front promoting Maine chess.
I'll continue to mention ideas that I have as we head toward the election.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Candidate Statements
I have declared my candidacy for the presidency of Maine Chess Association, and my daughter Margaret has declared her candidacy for the position of vice-president. Here are our statements:
My Statement Declaring for President of the Maine Chess Association
In the spirit of democracy, I announce my candidacy for the position of President of the Maine Chess Association. For twenty years I have been involved in eastern Maine chess at the scholastic level as a coach and organizer of chess competitions between schools. For the past five years I have been playing recreational chess at the tournament level. My proudest moments in chess have been in overseeing a school wide chess tournament for the last twenty years that includes over 75% of the entire student body and seeing my daughters both win state championships and proudly represent their schools and states at national competitions.
On an administrative level I was a teaching principal at the Airline Community School for five and a half years from 1999-2004. Currently I am a teacher of 6th-7th-and 8th grades at the Airline School where I have worked for 20+ years. I wear many hats and have dealt with individuals in many different fields. I feel comfortable in working with people from all sides of the political spectrum.
How does my background relate to my candidacy? I feel confident that I can handle any situation that may arise and make a careful, thoughtful, and well-researched decision. I also am innovative and have ideas that I feel will boost membership in Maine chess. I will communicate six times a year to our Maine Chess Association members through Chessmaine.net about the most recent events in Maine chess, what issues that might have arisen, and future events that are appropriate to Maine chess players. I will actively pursue expanding the scope of USCF rated tournaments in Maine and look to coordinating events with other states through online chess. I will continue to promote scholastic chess while encouraging our young chess players to actively participate in MECA sponsored events. Of course, I will encourage those that have contributed to the strong foundation of chess programs and chess tournaments to continue to be a vital part of Maine’s chess future while encouraging those that are interested in becoming tournament directors and promoters to help us build a chess community that will be envied nationally.
I also am endorsing my daughter Margaret Bryan for Vice President. She has played in 57 USCF rated events from Pembroke, Maine to Chicago. She’s insightful and has youth and energy and an incredible desire to be the best at whatever she undertakes. Her state championships in track and field and chess as well as high honors status at John Bapst Memorial High School are indicative of her work ethic. Please consider a Bryan and Bryan ticket in the upcoming election.
Thank you!
Margaret Bryan's Statement for Vice-President of MECA
At the enthusiastic urging of several prominent members of the chess community, I announce my candidacy for vice president of the MECA. As V.P., I will strive to be as adept as possible in picking up the slack when the president is unavailable (esp. if the president in question is my father, Andy Bryan, seeing as we live under the same roof).
However, my primary mission, first and foremost will be to liaise and form beneficial relationships with various chess organizations around the globe, particularly in the scholastic arena. I am adequately familiar with the national chess scene, having participated in tournaments in Nashville, Chicago, Atlanta, and Lubbock, Texas. Through these experiences I have formed valuable connections that could prove to be highly beneficial to Maine chess in the near future. The marketing of the one of my favorite pastimes is very important to me, and I look forward to reaching out to the public in an attempt to make chess an even more widespread activity, both competitively and recreationally.
What have I accomplished that commends me for this position, and what skills do I possess that will enable me to help the chess community attain such lofty goals? I believe that determination is an important aspect of leadership, and I am under the impression that I possess both qualities in abundance. Through my determination to succeed, I have held various leadership positions (captain of the John Bapst cross country team for the past two years and co-president of the JB Student Environmental Action Committee), have achieved high honors in academic standing my previous two years in high school, and have received numerous accolades in competition (5 state chess title- 2 team and 3 individual, and track and field state champion in 4 events). I will bring this sense of resolve and purpose to the MECA as vice president, and will ensure that every voice in the Maine chess world is heard.
I would also like to take this time to endorse my father, Andy Bryan, in his candidacy for president. He is an excellent leader and has been passionate about improving Maine chess for the past 20+ years. Vote for him.
Maggie Bryan
Bryan/Bryan ‘09 (The bumper stickers are currently in progress!)
My Statement Declaring for President of the Maine Chess Association
In the spirit of democracy, I announce my candidacy for the position of President of the Maine Chess Association. For twenty years I have been involved in eastern Maine chess at the scholastic level as a coach and organizer of chess competitions between schools. For the past five years I have been playing recreational chess at the tournament level. My proudest moments in chess have been in overseeing a school wide chess tournament for the last twenty years that includes over 75% of the entire student body and seeing my daughters both win state championships and proudly represent their schools and states at national competitions.
On an administrative level I was a teaching principal at the Airline Community School for five and a half years from 1999-2004. Currently I am a teacher of 6th-7th-and 8th grades at the Airline School where I have worked for 20+ years. I wear many hats and have dealt with individuals in many different fields. I feel comfortable in working with people from all sides of the political spectrum.
How does my background relate to my candidacy? I feel confident that I can handle any situation that may arise and make a careful, thoughtful, and well-researched decision. I also am innovative and have ideas that I feel will boost membership in Maine chess. I will communicate six times a year to our Maine Chess Association members through Chessmaine.net about the most recent events in Maine chess, what issues that might have arisen, and future events that are appropriate to Maine chess players. I will actively pursue expanding the scope of USCF rated tournaments in Maine and look to coordinating events with other states through online chess. I will continue to promote scholastic chess while encouraging our young chess players to actively participate in MECA sponsored events. Of course, I will encourage those that have contributed to the strong foundation of chess programs and chess tournaments to continue to be a vital part of Maine’s chess future while encouraging those that are interested in becoming tournament directors and promoters to help us build a chess community that will be envied nationally.
I also am endorsing my daughter Margaret Bryan for Vice President. She has played in 57 USCF rated events from Pembroke, Maine to Chicago. She’s insightful and has youth and energy and an incredible desire to be the best at whatever she undertakes. Her state championships in track and field and chess as well as high honors status at John Bapst Memorial High School are indicative of her work ethic. Please consider a Bryan and Bryan ticket in the upcoming election.
Thank you!
Margaret Bryan's Statement for Vice-President of MECA
At the enthusiastic urging of several prominent members of the chess community, I announce my candidacy for vice president of the MECA. As V.P., I will strive to be as adept as possible in picking up the slack when the president is unavailable (esp. if the president in question is my father, Andy Bryan, seeing as we live under the same roof).
However, my primary mission, first and foremost will be to liaise and form beneficial relationships with various chess organizations around the globe, particularly in the scholastic arena. I am adequately familiar with the national chess scene, having participated in tournaments in Nashville, Chicago, Atlanta, and Lubbock, Texas. Through these experiences I have formed valuable connections that could prove to be highly beneficial to Maine chess in the near future. The marketing of the one of my favorite pastimes is very important to me, and I look forward to reaching out to the public in an attempt to make chess an even more widespread activity, both competitively and recreationally.
What have I accomplished that commends me for this position, and what skills do I possess that will enable me to help the chess community attain such lofty goals? I believe that determination is an important aspect of leadership, and I am under the impression that I possess both qualities in abundance. Through my determination to succeed, I have held various leadership positions (captain of the John Bapst cross country team for the past two years and co-president of the JB Student Environmental Action Committee), have achieved high honors in academic standing my previous two years in high school, and have received numerous accolades in competition (5 state chess title- 2 team and 3 individual, and track and field state champion in 4 events). I will bring this sense of resolve and purpose to the MECA as vice president, and will ensure that every voice in the Maine chess world is heard.
I would also like to take this time to endorse my father, Andy Bryan, in his candidacy for president. He is an excellent leader and has been passionate about improving Maine chess for the past 20+ years. Vote for him.
Maggie Bryan
Bryan/Bryan ‘09 (The bumper stickers are currently in progress!)
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