For many years, it has been known that the open format of the Snowstorm Special can lead to some major upsets.  Many a master has gone down to a Class A or B player in the early rounds.  For the lower rated players, generally a score of 3-2 will secure some prize money, due to the competition.  This year’s tournament was no exception, as Ian Bell, rated 1654, downed last year’s champ, Expert Donny Gray of Georgia, in round four, and went on to win his final round game to place second overall.  South Carolina state champion, Expert Wayne Christensen, who had beaten Bell in round two and drawn Gray in round 3, finished the tournament with two strong wins to go 4.5-.5 and take first place overall.  Congratulations to Wayne and Ian on a great tournament!

In the U1401 section of the tournament, James A. Williams of Virginia finished just like last year with a 5-0 result and took first place alone.  His travelling companion, Joseph Jackson, playing in his first tournament, lost only to his friend, Williams, drew another game, and won 2nd place with a 3.5-1.5 score.  For our friends from Virginia, congratulations and thanks for your support!

Commentary:  The Snowstorm Special is the only weekend tournament held in the Charleston area to give local players a chance to play without travel and hotel expenses.  Some of our club players played in this year’s tournament, as in the past, and we are thankful for their support.  It must be mentioned that those who did not attend should note there was no player under 1600 in the Open section, thus no prize was paid out.  In fact, some players withdrew that would have probably shared or won the U2000 prize due to Ian Bell achieving the 2nd place finish.  An U2000 player that finished the tournament with a 2.5-2.5 score (50%!) won the U2000 prize!  If you don’t play, you don’t win prizes!  “Food for thought” for those that think they didn’t have a chance after a loss in the early rounds of the Open section.  We may make some changes next year to encourage more players to attend, but, hopefully, if those that quit early or didn’t play at all will just look at the results, they should realize that they “left prize money on the table”.

41st Snowstorm Special Champion – Expert Wayne Christensen

41st Snowstorm Special – 2nd Place – Ian Bell

The 41st Snowstorm Special will be held this weekend, Feb. 14-15, 2015, at the Holiday Inn Express, Summerville.  This is the same site as last year and the accommodations were excellent.  Check out the TLA listing by clicking “Upcoming Tournaments” on the right and follow the links.  This is our only weekend tournament held here in the Charleston area so local players have a chance to play without travel and hotel costs.  Make this your “must” tournament for the year!  Hope to see you there.

For the second straight year, the attendance at the Patrick Hart Memorial Scholastic has set a new record.  On Saturday, January 31, 2015, the tournament had 69 participants, breaking last year’s record attendance of 47.  These gains would not be possible without the help of our dedicated coaches and teachers who energize these young players into pursuing our beloved activity.  Our thanks go out to Stephen Welt, Ec Setser, Dennis Dawley, Derek Duncan, Zach Darga, and Eric Brunhouse for their efforts to grow our scholastic chess in the Charleston area.

Click here for the USCF cross-tables.

Pinckney Elementary Cafeteria,  3300 Thomas Cairo Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29456

4 Round Swiss System

Game 30; delay (0)

Entry Fee:  $15 (if received by 1/28/15; $20 at site)

USCF membership required (go online at “uschess.org” to join or renew)

Sections:  K-3, K-5, K-8, K-12

Trophies:  Top 3 in each section; Top 2 U300 in K-3; Top 2 U600 in K-5; Top 2 U700 in K-8; Top 2 U800 in K-12

Registration:  8-9:30am at site

Sections may be combined for pairing purposes, if necessary.

Mail advance entries to:  Charleston Chess Club c/o David Y. Causey, 741 Dragoon Drive, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

Email inquiries to “chessbass@att.net”

Please provide following info with your entry:

Name & USCF #

School & Grade

Date of birth

Section

Make checks payable to :  Charleston Chess Club

Our next meeting will be January 7, 2015, which begins the new year.  Remember that annual dues ($25) need to be paid in January per our new bylaws.  With two scholastic tournaments being held locally in January and February as well as the Snowstorm Special in February, we have a busy tournament agenda for our local players.  We are looking forward to a very active chess year in the Charleston area!

Since our last meeting of the year will be on December 17, let’s bring our used books and equipment to trade or sell on that final night of 2014.  It’s a good chance to slim down your inventory and maybe upgrade it with some new material.  Bring some cash just in case you need to “sweeten” a deal!

Thirty-six scholastic players and 16 adult players packed the house at the Charleston Thanksgiving Scholastic and Quads last Saturday, November 22, 2014!

Top winners were:

Braeden Reed/Daniel Island – 1st place Grade 6-12

Nathan Poillion/Daniel Island – 2nd place Grade 6-12

Timothy Wilson/East Cooper Montessari – 3rd place Grade 6-12

Kevin Fan/Porter Gaud – 1st place Grade K-5

Campbell Lesher/James Simons – 2nd place Grade K-5

Walker Bauknight/Daniel Island – 3rd place Grade K-5

Riverio Richardson/Sanders Clyde – 1st place Beginners

Lauren Center/Mitchell Elem. – 2nd place Beginners

William Meany/Mason Prep – 3rd place Beginners

Adult Quad prize winners:

Quad 1 – Chris Falter -1st     Douglas Hare – 2nd

Quad 2 – Zach Darga – 1st     John King – 2nd

Quad 3 – Paul Miller – 1st      Derek Duncan – 2nd

Quad 4 – Robert Hartnett – 1st     Martin Skelly – 2nd

Congratulations to all the winners and participants for making this a successful tournament.  Also, a special thanks goes out to the parents and coaches for their patience and support.

Date: November 22, 2014

Site: Park Circle Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 4701 Park Place, West Durant Ave., North Charleston (CCC regular meeting site)

Adult Quads (based on ratings using four players round robin format)

3 rounds, Time Control: G/55 d/5

Registration: 9-9:30am; Rounds at 9:30am, noon, and 2:30pm

Entry Fee: $15.00

Prizes: $30 – 1st, $15 – 2nd, in each quad

Scholastic Tournament:

In 3 sections, Beginners, K-5 and 6-12

3 or 4 rounds depending on entries

Time Control: G/30 d/5

Registration: 9-9:30am, pre-registration allowed

Rounds: 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 and, if  necessary, 1:00pm

Entry Fee: $10.00

Trophies awarded to top three in each section

Email “chessbass@att.net” for pre-registration form

Thanks to Stuart and Susan Chagrin for their hospitality in inviting CCC members for an afternoon luncheon with GM’s Irina Krush, Alex Lenderman, and Giorgi Kacheishvili.  It was a special opportunity for our members to meet and ask questions about top level chess while getting to know these very special chess players.  Irina and Alex were in training with their coach, Giorgi, and took a break to meet our members and socialize.  They can certainly include our CCC members in their fan base in the future.  Good luck to them both!

U.S. Women’s Champion, GM Irina Krush (right center), GM Alex Lenderman (left center), and their trainer, GM Giorgi Kacheishvili (far right) joined by CCC club members for a photo.