Bethanny Humphrey from Deer Isle-Stonington bested three others to win the All Girls Scholastic Championship Section with 3.0 points. Since there were only four entries in the Championship Section, there were only three rounds. Deanna Power of John Bapst (2.0) finished second, and she was followed by Haley Deluca Lowell (1.0) and Anna Bryan (0.0) from the Airline School. Only 62 rating points separated the four girls before the match and all six games were closely contested.
In the Under 600 Section Jackie Rebsen finished first among 10 contestants with a perfect 4.0. Check out chessmaine.net for all the results.
Next week will be the Individual Championships. I will give a preview in my next entry.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Team State Champions Crowned
Some excellent battles ensued during the state team chess championships last Saturday. Cheverus High School proved its mettle by running the table in the High School Championship Section defeating perennial powers John Bapst, Deer Isle-Stonington, and Orono en route. Board 1 Ethan Bergeron was particularly impressed as he also was a perfect 4.0 in leading his team to an improbable victory.
In the Junior High Championship Section, Deer Isle-Stonington scored 4 points in the final round to overtake Airline Community School 14.0-13.0. Airline had held the lead from the start, but could not hold off the depth of the Mariners in the last round. Orono also made a strong surge in the final round to finish just out of the runner-up position with 12.5 points. Top seeds Matthew Fishbein and Wesley Parker led the way individually, but Cape Elizabeth was unable to garner enough points to crack the top three positions.
In the K-6 Championship Section, Deer Isle-Stonington again ended up victorious. Their depth led them to 15.5 points out of a possible twenty and a comfortable victory over runner-up Breakwater. Breakwater was led by the Two Brothers Youth who scored 8 of their teams 14.0 points. The Airline K-6 team fell just short of catching Breakwater in the final round finishing with 13.5 and a third place finish. All Saints was next in fourth.
In the last Championship Section, K-3, Deer Isle-Stonington rolled to an easy victory with 11.0 points far outdistancing the second place Airline School's 5.0 points. Ben Penfold and Cameron Stewart each finished 4.0 to lead the junior Mariners.
All results can be found on chessmaine.net.
This weekend the All Girls State Championships will be held. It should be an interesting event. Check back later this weekend for results. Next weekend the State Scholastic Individual Champions will be crowned. Then on the weekend of April 9-10 the State Closed Championships will be held in Augusta. Posted on the State of Maine Chess blog are the current standings for MECA's Chess Player of the Year. This a busy and exciting part of the chess calendar.
In the Junior High Championship Section, Deer Isle-Stonington scored 4 points in the final round to overtake Airline Community School 14.0-13.0. Airline had held the lead from the start, but could not hold off the depth of the Mariners in the last round. Orono also made a strong surge in the final round to finish just out of the runner-up position with 12.5 points. Top seeds Matthew Fishbein and Wesley Parker led the way individually, but Cape Elizabeth was unable to garner enough points to crack the top three positions.
In the K-6 Championship Section, Deer Isle-Stonington again ended up victorious. Their depth led them to 15.5 points out of a possible twenty and a comfortable victory over runner-up Breakwater. Breakwater was led by the Two Brothers Youth who scored 8 of their teams 14.0 points. The Airline K-6 team fell just short of catching Breakwater in the final round finishing with 13.5 and a third place finish. All Saints was next in fourth.
In the last Championship Section, K-3, Deer Isle-Stonington rolled to an easy victory with 11.0 points far outdistancing the second place Airline School's 5.0 points. Ben Penfold and Cameron Stewart each finished 4.0 to lead the junior Mariners.
All results can be found on chessmaine.net.
This weekend the All Girls State Championships will be held. It should be an interesting event. Check back later this weekend for results. Next weekend the State Scholastic Individual Champions will be crowned. Then on the weekend of April 9-10 the State Closed Championships will be held in Augusta. Posted on the State of Maine Chess blog are the current standings for MECA's Chess Player of the Year. This a busy and exciting part of the chess calendar.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Aurora Winter Solstice - A Success
On Saturday, December 11, forty chess players of all ages gathered in the tiny hamlet of Aurora, Maine, to compete in the sixth annual Aurora Winter Solstice. Along with with four competitive sections of chess there was great homemade food that the participants could purchase. Proceeds from the event benefit the Airline Community School chess program.
The chess competition saw Steve Abrahams and Roger Morin tie for first in the Open section when they agreed on a draw in the final round. In the Under 1400 section John Ellison walked away as the clear winner and a new chess set for one of his grandchildren. The Under 1000 section continued to show the rise of Ian Youth as he was also the clear winner in a group of ten. The Under 600 section featured a first time champion in Isaac Vaughn who was the only competitor of the day to win all of his games.
A special thanks goes out to all those volunteers who made this event a success! Check out the illustrated write-up on chessmaine.net.
The chess competition saw Steve Abrahams and Roger Morin tie for first in the Open section when they agreed on a draw in the final round. In the Under 1400 section John Ellison walked away as the clear winner and a new chess set for one of his grandchildren. The Under 1000 section continued to show the rise of Ian Youth as he was also the clear winner in a group of ten. The Under 600 section featured a first time champion in Isaac Vaughn who was the only competitor of the day to win all of his games.
A special thanks goes out to all those volunteers who made this event a success! Check out the illustrated write-up on chessmaine.net.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
State Champion Crowned! McCain Wins!
Lucas McCain took advantage of being home on summer break to win the Maine State Closed Championship outright. Denied a state championship during his high school days despite being at or near the top of the ratings, today he took home the title of Maine State Champion by gaining 4.5 points out of five to finish half a point clear of Steve Abrahams and Ruben Babayan. Early in the fifth round in his match with Steve it was clear that the game would be drawn so they accepted their positions on the final wall chart.
It was an evenly contested tournament as evident by top rated David Plotkin only finishing with 2.5. The full write-up should be on Chessmaine.net soon along with the crosstable on USCF. Congratulations also goes to Under 1650 winner Jose Lugo.
It was an evenly contested tournament as evident by top rated David Plotkin only finishing with 2.5. The full write-up should be on Chessmaine.net soon along with the crosstable on USCF. Congratulations also goes to Under 1650 winner Jose Lugo.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Day 1 - Maine Closed Championships
Down a piece defending co-champion David Plotkin pulled a rabbit out of his hat by sacrificing his queen and forcing mate over upstart Derrick Crocker en route to gaining 2.5 points on the first day of the Maine State Closed Championship. Atop the twenty players in the Open is Lucas McCain with 3.0 points. Joining McCain and Plotkin in the unbeaten ranks is Steve Abrahams with 2.5. Six follow with 2.0 points: Ruben Babayan, Phil Lowell, Andrey Savov, Darrell Salisbury, Wesley Parker, and Crocker.
The final two rounds commence are at 9:30 and 2:00 tomorrow.
The final two rounds commence are at 9:30 and 2:00 tomorrow.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Ellsworth Chess Club Set to Host George O'Rourke Memorial Tournament
Next Thursday, August 19, at the Ellsworth Chess Club Meeting, there will be a tournament to honor one of their own past members, George O'Rourke. George was a constant member of the club for many years particularly in the summer. Again a chess book or two of his will be given to the top finishers at the event. The Ellsworth Club runs from 6:30-8:00 at Mr. Paperback. Expect some fast action and quality competition. The event is free and unrated and organized by Dick Powell.
Aaron Spencer Goes To Denker
Aaron Spencer, a recent graduate of John Bapst Memorial High School, went to California representing the state of Maine at Denker Championships. The Denker includes one high school representative from each state and there were a couple more from the host state. All in all 49 students participated, and, of these 49, twenty-two had ratings over 2000. The competition was outstanding for Aaron, and he did very well scoring 3.0 over six rounds. He finished tied for 22nd after being seeded 40th. This resulted in his rating jumping 46 points from 1720 to 1766, his highest rating to date. For more information on his games check chessmaine.net. Great job, Aaron! We hope to see you next weekend at the Maine State Closed Championship!
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