After over two months of competition, the final results of the Charleston CC Championship have been rated.  Go to 2010 CCC Championship and view how everyone finished.  Trophies will be awarded at the next meeting on Wednesday, June 30, followed by a simulteanous exhibition by the 2010 champion, David Causey.  Also, bring any chess books or equipment that you would like to sell, swap or donate.  Be sure to bring your board and set to participate in the simul.  See you there and be ready to give the new champion your best game!

GM Lubomir Ftacnik, after giving an instructive lecture using the last game between GM Anand and GM Topolov in the World Championship match, dispatched all twelve participants in the simultaneous exhibition that followed.  Not even a draw was recorded this year against the grandmaster, who just finished winning this year’s S.C. Open in Greenville with a 5-0 score.  Though all are “licking their wounds” from the grandmaster’s drubbing, they should have a chance to conduct a post mortem on their game and see where they went wrong.  As has always been said in chess, “we learn mostly from our losses.”  Many thanks go out to our SCCA president, David Grimaud, along with his sponsorship of GM Ftacnik’s tour of our state through Precision Tune Automotive Care.  Also, many thanks to the participants who came out to see GM Ftacnik’s lecture and take their turn over the board against such a formidible grandmaster.

Go to “Club Calendar” for scheduled pairings and results.

The club championship was harrowing, well kind of. In the end it was a tie for first between Stephen Welt and David Causey with 4.5/5. As was pre-arranged the players were to play an indefinite sequence of 2-game mini-matches (G/45) until there was a decisive result. The first and second week experienced missed wins by both sides, and all 4 games were drawn. In week 3 of the playoff Stephen struck in the first game with a win in a Q+R+6 pawns vs Q+R+6 pawns ending. In the second game Stephen offered a draw in a winning position. The draw was accepted, ending the match.

Enjoy a video of this last game.

On June 13, GM Ftacnik visited the club for a lecture and a 15 board simul. He went undefeated, scoring 14 wins and 1 draw. His draw was against Josh Nissenboim who, after a single game against a GM, can brag about his 50% lifetime performance rating against GMs.

To see the game.

GM Ftacnik will be defending his championship in the South Carolina Open tournament June 15-17 at the Carolina First Center in Greenville.  Contact your local club or SC Chess for more information.

Sponsored by: Precision Tune Auto Care

1. GM Ftacnik showing the club one of his interesting games.

2. Club President David Causey getting a lesson in the King’s Indian Defense.

3. Our top junior player, Paul Miller, ready to give the GM ” a run for his money”.

4. The GM in action while John Vonderlieth, in the background, thinks about his next move.

5. Josh Nissenboim was the only player to draw GM Ftacnik.

Congratulations to David Causey on a perfect 4-0 score to win his first CCC championship!! Jacob Al-Sarraf won 2nd place with a 3-1 score, losing only to the champion. In the battle for third between Josh Nissenboim and Clark Rivers, saw the first draw in the tournament.  Both finished with 2.5 pts. with the trophy going to Josh on the second tiebreak.  Thanks to all who participated.

Click here to view all the CCC Championship 2007 Games

The final crosstable