Area Event Updates
Check out several events coming up in
the next couple of months by clicking on the Area Events link above!
Stories and Cross Tables
from Recent Area Events
For cross tables from our weekend events or the city and club championship tourneys, please see the appropriate event link at left.
2013
G/25 (May 9 & 16)
Michael Cambareri scored 7-1 to top the field in this four round swiss double game format event. Walter van Heemstede Obelt finished second with a 5.0 score. Dave Griffin (u/1800) and Ted Baker (u/1400) won the two section prizes.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201305164372
Taxing Quads (April 4-25)
Three perfect scores topped the Taxing Quads this year: Nikolay Bulakh in Quad A, Walter Van Heemstede Obelt in Quad B, and newcomer Steve Wallace in Quad C.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201304256782
4 by 20 (March 28)
John Dill (3.5) topped the 10 player field in this four round g/20 event. Michael Cambareri (3.0) finished second. Kevin Korsmo (2.5) won the under 1800 category, while Ted Baker and Jim Burney (2.0 each) shared the under 1400 prize.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201303287342
March Madness (March 14 & 21)
Nikolay Bulakh (3.5) defeated Jeremy Krasin (3.0) in a battle of top seeds in the final round to win this two-week four-round g/45 event. Jeremy shared second place with Glenn Griggs (u/1800) and Jim Burney (u/1400), who also claimed their section prizes. Harold Wetmur (2.0) won the u/1000 section prize. A total of 14 players took part in this dual-rated event.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201303214712
Uncle's g/30 (February 16)
Nikolay Bulakh defeated James Stripes to win the 10-player unrated g/30 tourney held at Uncle's Games at the Valley Mall on February 16. Nikolay finished 3.0 to claim first prize, while James finished (2.0) and claimed the second place prize on tie-break over Glenn Griggs, Walter Van Hemstede Obelt, and newcomer Steven Walton. Walton, a West Valley High School student, won the prizes for top-junior and best non-USCF member.
January G/10 (January 10)
The first quick tourney of the new year was a five person round robin that was won by Jeremy Krasin (4.5). Kevin Korsmo (4.0) and Dave Griffin (3.5) followed in second and third.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201301106962
2012
Christmas Chaos (Dec. 13 & 20)
Dave Griffin won this four round g/45 tourney played over two club meetings. He finished with 3.5, while Ron Weyland (3.0) finished second. Jeff Jaroski (2.5) was the top score under 1400.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201212200932
Kozg/25 (Nov. 29)
Tim Moroney was a perfect 3.0 in sweeping this g/25 quick tourney played at club on November 29.
The USCF cross table: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201211293612
Turkey Quads (Nov. 1-18)
This annual event saw 14 players take part in two quads and a mini-Swiss. The three sections were won with perfect 3.0 scores: Brad Bodie won Quad A, Ted Baker was victorious in Quad B, and Jeff Jaroski topped the six person mini-Swiss. Second place in the final section (2.0) was shared by Tanner Bodie and Jim Waugh.
The USCF cross table: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201211201432
Spokane G/10 Championship (Nov. 17)
Michael Cambareri topped the field of 14 in this year's edition of this always popular event. He scored 22 of 26 and won $100, donated by Dave Griffin, for his feat. Steve Buck (20.5) won the second place award of $50. Jeremy Krasin (11) won the under 1800 section prize. Botao Shan (17) claimed the under 1600 section, edging Savanna Naccarato (16) in their final game to earn the section prize. Botao's St. Georges teammate Xiamon Chu (17) won the under 1400 prize. The three section prizes were worth $30. The event was once again played at the Spokane Valley Library.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201211170672
National Chess Day (Oct. 13)
Dave Griffin directed a series of events at the Uncle's Games location at the Valley Mall for this year's National Chess Day on October 13. Activities include a simul, two quick tourneys, and blitz chess. The cross table for the quick-rated evfents:
http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201210139372 and http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201210139362
Ajeeb Quads (Aug. 16 -- Sept. 6)
The annual Ajeeb Quads began a three week run on August 16 with one quad and one six-person mini-Swiss, and added another quad the following week. Nikolay Bulakh won Quad A with a perfect 3.0 score, while Ted Baker was perfect in the mini-Swiss section. In the second quad, which started one week behind, Brad Bodie and Jeremy Krasin shared first place with 2. 5 scores. This event has been a regular August feature since the mid 1990s!
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201209130312 and http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201209139232
U.S. Open (Aug. 4-11)
There were 11 club members participating in the 2012 U.S. Open Chess Championship at Vancouver, Washington, August 4-12. Dave Rowles topped the scoring for the Spokane contingent with a tally of 6.0 (from 9), finishing in a tie for second for the class A prize. Nikolay Bulakh scored 5. Steven Brendemihl scored 4.5, which tied him for fifth place in class C -- but there were cash awards only for the top four finishers in each class!!
Showing that he was not just a chess machine, Dave Rowles also won the US Open golf tourney! Now we know what Dave does when he is not working on his chess game.
It was the first time the Open had been back to Washington state since Seattle hosted the event in 1966 (Portland hosted in 1987). USCF executive director Bill Hall told the assembled crowd of 515 players that he expected to have the event back in the Pacific Northwest in five to seven years. When it returns, you should not miss it!
The link to the USCF cross table for the event: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201208127472.0
Sixth Round action featuring Ted Baker (center) and Dave Griffin (left) facing camera. Photo compliments of Monique Kolonko.
NikQuick (July 26)
Tim Moroney scored 9-1 to top this 11 person g/10 round robin event played at club on July 26. Jeremy Krasin (8-2) finished second and Michael Cambareri (7.5-2.5) was third, while Jeff Jaroski won the under 1500 section with a 3.0 score.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201207261682
July 4x45 (July 12 & 19)
Sixteen players took part in this two night, four round g/45 event. Top seed John Julian won with a perfect 4.0 score, with 4 players tying for second at 3.0: Tim Moroney, Nikolay Bulakh, Jeremy Krasin, and Brad Bodie. Brad claimed the u/1800 prize while the others shared the second place prize. The u/1400 prize went to newcomer Walter Van Heemestede Obelt, who scored 2.0.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201207199652
Spokane Falls Open (July 14-15)
Jeremy Krasin won this year's Spokane Falls Open. This summer event, played in conjunction with the City Championship, drew a nice turnout with 27 players taking part. Jeremy Krasin took first with a 4.5 score, giving up only a third round draw to Nikolay Bulakh. Nikolay and Michael Cambareri (4.0) took second place. There were four players sharing the class B prize with 3.0 scores: Brad Bodie, John Dill, Kevin Korsmo, and Botao Shan, a newcomer to town from Louisiana who will be a freshman at St. Georges this fall. The class C prizes were shared by Dave Griffin, who directed the tourney, and Tim Kennedy. Both scored 3.0. The under 1400 prize was shared by Jeff Jaroski and Nathan Sacpopo with 2.5 scores. Jaroski also claimed the largest upset prize for his draw with Nikolay in round one.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201207158412.2
Contenders Match (June-July)
James Stripes scored 4.5 in five games to win the Contender's match and earn the right to play John Julian for the city championship. Second place finisher Michael Cambareri won a free entry into the Spokane Falls Open.
The tourney cross table: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201207096172
Qualchan Quads (June 23)
Twelve players took part in this year's Qualchan Quads, held at the Valley library on June 23. Brad Bodie and Nikolay Bulakh shared first place in quad A (2.0), while Northwest Christian players won the other two sections. Jacob Gray was a perfect 3.0 in winning quad B, and Torrey Casper topped quad C with a 2.5 score.
The cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201206233442
June Quick Double Round Robin (June 7 & 14)
Michael Cambareri (4.5) topped Kevin Korsmo (4.0) to win Quad A in this double round robin event. Jeff Jaroski (5.5) was nearly perfect in winning Quad B.
The USCF cross table for the event can be seen at: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201206147902
May Quick Events (May 3 & 10)
Ron Weyland was perfect on consecutive weeks in winning a pair of quick quads. The first event, held May 3, can be found as the top event in this link, while the May 10 event is listed second: http://main.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201205108002-10328357
Taxing Quads (April 12-- May 3)
The annual Taxing Quads began its on April 12 with ten players taking part in the g/2 event. The event was completed with a make-up game May 3. The top quad was won by Jeremy Krasin (2.5). Ted Baker was a perfect 3.0 to win the mini-Swiss that made up section two. Second place in that section was shared by Jim Burney and Ron Weyland (2.0).
The cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201205034502
March Madness (March 22 & 29)
Nikolay Bulakh was perfect in winning the four round g/45 March Madness tourney played at club March 22 and March 29. Second place (2.0) was shared by Jim Burney, Michael Cambareri, Dave Griffin, Jeff Jaroski, and Ron Weyland.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201204055812
Zags (March 15)
The club's March 15 meeting saw 11 players compete in a four round g/15 quick tourney. Four players tied for first with 3.0 scores: Nikolay Bulakh, Michael Cambareri, John Julian, and Kevin Korsmo. The under 1500 prize was shared by Jim Waugh and Ron Weyland, each of whom scored 2.0.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201203215802
QuickChill (Jan. 12)
This four round g/15 event was won by top seed John Julian with a 3.5 score. Second place (3.0) was shared by Michael Cambareri, Jeremy Krasin, and Kevin Korsmo. The under 1500 prizes were shared by Ted Baker, David Blue, and Ron Weyland with 2.0 scores.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201201129701-10328357
2011
Spokane G/10 Championship (Dec. 10)
Youth was served at this year's installment of the perennially popular Spokane G/10 championship, a round-robin quick tournament, which once again was once again played at the Spokane Valley Library on December 10. Tacoma sixth-grader Noah Fields claimed first place in the 9-player double round robin event. Ninth grader Savanna Naccarato of Sandpoint finished second, while Jeremy Krasin placed third and Tacoma veteran Steve Buck was fourth. The tournament cross table link will be posted below when the USCF rates the event.
Dave Griffin directed and financially sponsored the tourney. The presence of two strong Tacoma-area players was the result of their top-three standing in the Northwest Grand Prix. This event presented the best opportunity for northwest players to improve their standings in the final month of the competition.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201112100541-12469398
December Quick (Dec. 8)
James Stripes scored 3-0 to top this eight-person g/20 event. The USCF cross table link:
http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201112087501-10328357
Turkey Quads (Nov. 3-Dec. 3)
It took awhile, but the quads are finally complete! John Julian in Quad A and James Stripes in Quad B scored perfect 3-0 results to sweep their quads. Jeff Jaroski and Ron Weyland shared Quad C with 2-1 results. The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201112017141-10328357
Book Fun (Sept. 8)
Thirteen players took part in this g/15 fundraiser which awarded book prizes to each participants that had been donated by longtime player John Downes. Cyrus Desmarais was a perfect 4.0 to claim first prize. The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201109084451-10328357
Ajeeb Quads (August 4-25)
It took four weeks to complete the annual August Ajeeb Quads this year. Only eight players took part, but the winners in each section achieved perfect scores to claim the prizes. Alex Chow, the fourth seed, won Quad A with a great performance, while second seed Ted Baker returned to strong form in sweeping Quad B. The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201108259871-10328357
This g/2 event has been a staple on the club calendar since the 1990s.
Spokane Falls Open (July 30 & 31)
Tim Moroney had a perfect 5.0 score to top 24-player field that turned out for this year's installment of the Spokane Falls Open played at the Schoenberg Center on July 30-31 in conjunction with the City Championship match. Ryan Ackerman (4.0) lost to Tim in the fourth round and finished second.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201107312091.0-12577744
Dual 55 (July 21 & 28)
Michael Cambareri was a perfect 4.0 in sweeping the dual-rated g/55 event held at club July 21 & 28. Jeremy Krasin (3.0) was second in the 12-person field and won the over 1800 class prize. John Dill & Dave Griffin (2.5) shared the 1500-1800 section prize, while Jim Burney (2.0) won the under 1500 section prize.
The USCF cross-table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201107281081-14227378
July Quick Round Robin (July 14)
Alex Chow and John Julian tied for first in this six-player g/15 round robin event. The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201107148081-12469398
Contenders Round Robin (June 2- July 14)
Michael Cambareri (4.5) edged Tim Moroney (4.0) for the right to play John Julian in the City Championship match to be held July 30-31.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201107148071-14227378
Summer Solstice Quads (June 9-23)
This g/2 event featured one quad and one six-player swiss section. John Julian was perfect in sweeping the top section, while Jeremy Krasin and Loyd Willaford (2.5) tied for first in the mini-swiss. The link to the cross table:
http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201106251291-10328357
June g/15 (June 2)
Nikolay Bulakh, Dave Griffin, and Kairav Joshi tied for first (3.0) in this g/15 swiss quick-rated tourney. The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201106022911-14257948
Lilac G/45 (May 12 & 19)
Michael Cambareri (3.5) won this four round Swiss g/45 event played over two weeks. Jeremy Krasin (3.0) was second in the field of 11.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201105197901-13197795
Cinco de Mayo Quads (May 5)
Cinco de Mayo saw a dozen players taking part in double round robin g/15 quads. The winners each had 4.5 scores: Michael Cambareri & Tim Moroney in Quad Uno, Adam Attwood & Jeremy Krasin in Quad Dos, and Ron Weyland in Quad Tres.
The USCF cross table: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201105054041-13197795
Taxing Quads (April 7-28)
The annual April Taxing Quads had another nice turn out with 16 players taking part. Tim Moroney (Quad A) and Loyd Willaford (Quad C) were perfect in sweeping their quads, while 2.5 was the winning score for Kairav Joshi (Quad B) and Jim Burney (Quad D).
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201104304031-10328357
March Madness (March 10 & 17)
Tim Moroney topped the field of 12 with a perfect 4.0 score while winning the March Madness g/60 tourney played March 10 and March 17. Second place was shared by Michael Cambareri and Jeremy Krasin with 3.0 scores. Robert Cummings and Harold Wetmur were tops under 1500 with 1.0 score.
The USCF cross table link: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201103175691-12577744
January Quick (Jan. 6)
John Julian won the 14-player g/20 tourney with a perfect 4.0 score. Second place and best under 1700 prizes were shared by Nikolay Bulakh, Kairav Joshi, and Jeremy Krasin with 3.0 scores. Ted Baker (2.5) topped the under 1400 section.
The USCF cross table: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201101060321-12577744