In a memorable final game Jarod Bryan bested Matthew Fishbein. In a complex middle game position after two draw offers were turned down by Fishbein, Bryan managed to find a way to have Fishbein tip his king over acknowledging defeat. It was great to see the young phenom push to become a clear first finisher. Fishbein played all five rounds against the top players in the state and and looks in great form as he prepares for the Denker Tournament of High School Champions later this summer.
A new young star burst on to the Maine chess scene this weekend as Medomak Valley freshman Joseph Powell came away in a clear second position after only losing to Fishbein and finishing 4.0. The sixteen year old came in with a 1223 rating and is expected to gain over 300 points after defeating players 1510, 1711, 1720, and 1800 rated. Quite an accomplishment for a third year player!
Finishing tied with Fishbein in third with 3.5 were Max Berube and John Brady.
Again the venue was great, and MECA looks forward to holding the 2015 championship there April 18-19, 2015.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Heading into Fourth Round, Jarod Bryan, Matthew Fishbein Tied
Five-time champion Jarod Bryan and two-time champion Matthew Fishbein are squaring off in the fifth and final round tied at 3.5 points apiece. Bryan's half point came from a third round bye while Fishbein drew Max Berube in the second round. Right behind the top-rated players in Maine with three points are Jon Buxton and Medomak Valley freshman Joe Powell. Powell is the surprise of the tournament having defeated three opponents much higher than his 1223 rating with his only loss coming to Fishbein.
If the two masters draw there is a good chance for Buxton or Powell to sneak in for a share of the championship. There have been ties the last two years so that would not be uncommon.
If the two masters draw there is a good chance for Buxton or Powell to sneak in for a share of the championship. There have been ties the last two years so that would not be uncommon.
Closed Championship 2014 Update
It is early morning Sunday, April 13, and the fourth round has just started. There was a logjam of six players at the end of round 3 resulting in two key matches: Matthew Fishbein vs. Gabe Borland and Jarod Bryan vs. Max Berube. Fishbein and Bryan are the two masters and are the favorites heading in, but Berube did get a draw vs. Fishbein in round two to continue his recent hot streak.
There were 27 entries, and the competition has been friendly besides being intense. The venue was terrific, and we look forward to being back here again April 18-19, 2015.
There were 27 entries, and the competition has been friendly besides being intense. The venue was terrific, and we look forward to being back here again April 18-19, 2015.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Scholastic Champions Crowned, Maine Closed Championships Upcoming
Now that the state scholastic champions have been crowned, we can look ahead to the State Closed Championship April 12-13 in Waterville. Once again the venue will be the Waterville Grand Hotel across from Governors. It is a great central location for the state championship.
There is a good chance that the three co-champions from last year will be back. Josh Quint, Ruben Babayan, and Matthew Fishbein will be looking to put their names on the state trophy for consecutive years. Babayan is a five time champ, Fishbein is a two-time champ, and Quint's victory last year was his first. Fishbein is on a roll having advanced his rating to 2208 after winning the High School Championships for a third time. His rating is now tops in the state.
Another ratings mover is Aaron Spencer. Spencer has jumped to 2108, and he has been a frequent participant in the closed championship having been a champion in 2012. Max Berube has jumped to 1970 and cannot be ruled out as a contender.
The championships last year drew 35 attendees, and we hope to at least equal that total this year. The competition should be fierce, and there are plenty of class prizes to go around.
Check ChessMaine.net for all the details and the latest state chess news!
There is a good chance that the three co-champions from last year will be back. Josh Quint, Ruben Babayan, and Matthew Fishbein will be looking to put their names on the state trophy for consecutive years. Babayan is a five time champ, Fishbein is a two-time champ, and Quint's victory last year was his first. Fishbein is on a roll having advanced his rating to 2208 after winning the High School Championships for a third time. His rating is now tops in the state.
Another ratings mover is Aaron Spencer. Spencer has jumped to 2108, and he has been a frequent participant in the closed championship having been a champion in 2012. Max Berube has jumped to 1970 and cannot be ruled out as a contender.
The championships last year drew 35 attendees, and we hope to at least equal that total this year. The competition should be fierce, and there are plenty of class prizes to go around.
Check ChessMaine.net for all the details and the latest state chess news!
Monday, January 20, 2014
Busy MLK Chess Weekend Concludes in Old Town
After 31 players gathered in Saco for the first Chess Player of the Year event, 63 players competed at the MLK - Stillwater Montessori event in Old Town. What a tremendous weekend for Maine chess! The Saco event featured Grandmaster Alexander Ivanov (2590) and International Master David Vigorito (2505) who tied for first in the four round, two day event. Maine's own Matthew Fishburn finished a clear third and raised his rating to 2144. Carther Theogene won the Under 1750 by gaining a perfect 4.0.
In Old Town Max Berube and Steve (Chester) Young tied for first with 3.5, and Roger Morin finished third with 3.0. The K-12 section was won by Medomak Valley's Joe Powell (4.0), the K-8 section was led by Ben Amar (4.0), while the K-6 non-rated event was captured by Cole Stewart (4.0). The largest section was the K-8 section that had 28 combatants. The Open section saw a wide variety of ratings, but the games were all fairly competitive. It was nice to see both familiar and new faces squaring off.
In the drive to attract new members to MECA this year, we gained nine new members in Old Town and hopefully a like number in Saco. Not only are MECA members eligible for the Player of the Year competition, but they will receive discounts in future MECA events and receive email updates from the chessmaine.net website, the official MECA website. Please consider enrolling and supporting Maine chess: Adults $12 and Students $6. It will be worth your while to be a supporter of Maine chess.
In Old Town Max Berube and Steve (Chester) Young tied for first with 3.5, and Roger Morin finished third with 3.0. The K-12 section was won by Medomak Valley's Joe Powell (4.0), the K-8 section was led by Ben Amar (4.0), while the K-6 non-rated event was captured by Cole Stewart (4.0). The largest section was the K-8 section that had 28 combatants. The Open section saw a wide variety of ratings, but the games were all fairly competitive. It was nice to see both familiar and new faces squaring off.
In the drive to attract new members to MECA this year, we gained nine new members in Old Town and hopefully a like number in Saco. Not only are MECA members eligible for the Player of the Year competition, but they will receive discounts in future MECA events and receive email updates from the chessmaine.net website, the official MECA website. Please consider enrolling and supporting Maine chess: Adults $12 and Students $6. It will be worth your while to be a supporter of Maine chess.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Join MECA (the Maine Chess Association)!
MECA is looking to increase membership in 2014. The leading chess organization in Maine promotes Maine chess, helps fund the award-winning chessmaine.net website, and oversees the statewide MECA Player of the Year competition as well as sponsors the official state championship.
Yearly dues are $12 for adults and $6 for scholastics; that is $1 and 50 cents a month respectively - not very much to support Maine chess. Membership automatically includes one in the POY competition. The competition is to reward those that play in the 12 POY events. There are prizes for the 1st place finisher as well as the runner-up, and this year there are prizes for the top class B, C, and D and under finishers. The current cash rewards are $100, $50, $25, $25, and $25 respectively. If enrollment is high, the prize fund will be increased. Our goal is to double MECA membership this year which would mean having 80 members.
Let's make 2014 a chess year to remember! Follow chessmaine.net event page for upcoming events.
Yearly dues are $12 for adults and $6 for scholastics; that is $1 and 50 cents a month respectively - not very much to support Maine chess. Membership automatically includes one in the POY competition. The competition is to reward those that play in the 12 POY events. There are prizes for the 1st place finisher as well as the runner-up, and this year there are prizes for the top class B, C, and D and under finishers. The current cash rewards are $100, $50, $25, $25, and $25 respectively. If enrollment is high, the prize fund will be increased. Our goal is to double MECA membership this year which would mean having 80 members.
Let's make 2014 a chess year to remember! Follow chessmaine.net event page for upcoming events.
A New Year - Many Chess Opportunities
The New Year started out with a great turnout at John Bapst Memorial High School for their annual New Year's tournament. It was the largest turnout since 2008 with 43 players. There were ten players in the two Open quads, 18 in the Under 1200, and 15 in the Under 600.
The big upset of the day was Gabe Borland (1664) winning the top section. Borland had the lowest rating of the six players and garnered all three points in the three round/G60 event. His defeat of Aaron Spencer (1979) in the last round solidified the victory. Spencer had earlier defeated top seed Roger Morin (2034). All games in the top section were highly competitive despite the 370 point spread. Tom Sandford (1786) tied with Spencer in second with 2.0 points. Curt Brock (1680) and Rob Shore (1721) rounded out the section.
The second quad ended in a three-way tie with Ryan Tripp, Dan DeLuca, and Corey Dunn all gaining two points. Nathan Shemwell completed the quad. In the U1200 Joseph Powell defended his top rating by scoring 4.0 to win the Bob Solinger Trophy. Osage Crie won the U600 section by gaining 4.0 points in the four round section.
Next weekend there are two MECA Player of the Year events: one a two-day event in Saco (1/18-1/19) and the other the annual MLK event in Old Town (1/20). The Saco event is one of the larger purses in Maine during the year and is brought to you by Relyea Chess. The Old Town event is usually a heavily attended scholastic event. These are two excellent opportunities to get a good start in the new MECA POY format. Register early to help out the TD's. Hope to see you at one of the events!
The big upset of the day was Gabe Borland (1664) winning the top section. Borland had the lowest rating of the six players and garnered all three points in the three round/G60 event. His defeat of Aaron Spencer (1979) in the last round solidified the victory. Spencer had earlier defeated top seed Roger Morin (2034). All games in the top section were highly competitive despite the 370 point spread. Tom Sandford (1786) tied with Spencer in second with 2.0 points. Curt Brock (1680) and Rob Shore (1721) rounded out the section.
The second quad ended in a three-way tie with Ryan Tripp, Dan DeLuca, and Corey Dunn all gaining two points. Nathan Shemwell completed the quad. In the U1200 Joseph Powell defended his top rating by scoring 4.0 to win the Bob Solinger Trophy. Osage Crie won the U600 section by gaining 4.0 points in the four round section.
Next weekend there are two MECA Player of the Year events: one a two-day event in Saco (1/18-1/19) and the other the annual MLK event in Old Town (1/20). The Saco event is one of the larger purses in Maine during the year and is brought to you by Relyea Chess. The Old Town event is usually a heavily attended scholastic event. These are two excellent opportunities to get a good start in the new MECA POY format. Register early to help out the TD's. Hope to see you at one of the events!
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