A Bird In The Hand.....

A bird in the hand is not worth two in the bush if the Bush is Chris! Chris is merely observing in the file photo above; but today he was storming the Bastille winning with 3.5 out of 4! Randas Burns and Glen O'Banion split the 2nd & 3rd monies with 3 points a piece while Ernie Weaver and John D. Marcsik split the under 1700 prize with 2 points each. Michael Williams had a perfect 4.0 to take 1st place in the Reserve Section; old soldier and sexagenarian Andrew Preston took home the 2nd place purse with 3 points.

Three players traveled from Albany and the young future master Sam Leigers (age 5!!) trekked all the way from Richmond. (Thanks Mom!)

Click here to view the complete X-table.

The Bastille Day En Passant Open

OK, I know that Bastille Day is the 14th of July; but there were too many other chess events going on throughout the state. That's where the "en passant" comes in. A chess tournament by any other name is still an excuse for me to drop rating points like a rose loses petals in the fall.

Anyway....Johnny told me he had received great feedback after the "Summer Open" and folks wanted more Saturday tournaments.

Please note that I have restructured the rounds to help the elderly to better endure and allow our out of state players to get home before dark. I have also "tweaked" the Reserve prize money in order to give those players toward the bottom of the rating spectrum a reason to come and do battle. Hopefully everyone now has a realistic chance to take home some loot.

Remember that you can win a norm if you excel!!

For those who haven't played at the Family Buffet before: the food is excellent and reasonablely priced (all you can eat), beer and wine is available in addition to the regular drinks, it is handicap accessable, there is ample free parking, and the playing room is close to the restrooms. The Towne Mall is within walking distance and a 24hr Krogers is next door. So if your "honey do list" includes bringing home a loaf of bread and a quart of milk...we've got you covered! Should your better half find out that you made a detour to play chess... Hardin Memorial Hospital is only 1/2 mile south on the Dixie.

As entries are received I will post them here.
Andrew Preston ------ Reserve                    Johnny Owens ------------Open
Sal Mancuso --------- Reserve                    Glen O'Banion-------------Open
Stephanie Clayton-----Reserve                    Dan Franklin---------------Open
                                                                  Amy Nunn--------------- Open
                                                                  Rob Dennis--------------Open
                                                                  Ernie Weaver...............Open

Requiem For A Chess Club

Under any other circumstances there would be a death knoll sounding for our Club. But as long as I still breath and can get one other chess player to attend our weekly meetings the Club will live on. I realize that it is "summer" and have heard all the excuses; but attendance has shrunk to such a low that I am fearful that the remaining stalwart members will start to "deprioritize" our weekly meetings as others have done.
Last Tuesday there were 4 players; one - James Ballard drove all the way from Louisville! The meeting was over at 8pm. We will not last long at this rate. I challenge every member to not only attend next weeks meeting, but bring a new member.

Bluegrass X-table

The Bluegrass X-table has finally been published. I have added it to the original post, but give it here also for ease in finding. Bluegrass X-table .

We are still waiting for the results from the 3rd Bulldog Invitational..

Amy Nunn Ties For First

Last night in addition to James Ballard and Rob Dennis dropping by for skittles; we got the news that Amy had tied for 1st in the 3rd Bulldog Invitational at Dale Hollow State Park on Saturday. Way to go Amy!! Click here to view the X-table.                                           

from the Bluegrass State Games

My Easiest Game was against my highest rated opponent!!

Play chess online

Farrell Mows The Blue Grass

Joe Farrell sweep the 2012 Bluegrass Tournament 4-0!! View the X-table by clicking here.

Draw

I did not play well in the E-town Summer Open. My best game was this draw against Johnny which contained trappy play from both sides. I decided to publish it as that seems to be the only way to generate comments on the web site.

Click on the double arrows, extreme left hand side to reset the board.

July Rating Tournament

Every dog has his day and I guess mine was last night. After Amy made me fight for a draw I probably didn't deserve (scaring me to within an inch of my life in the process), Sal gave me an easy point and Johnny either overlooked a hanging Knight or thought I had a swindle prepared. Anyone who doesn't think luck plays a part in chess is full of beans.

Johnny still holds the lead in the Championship qualification, I am 2 points behind, but 3.5 points ahead of Joe (who stayed home with Patty on their 30th anniversary - wise decision Joe)  while Amy and Ernie have moved into a tie for forth.

Stephanie got revenge for her loss to Sal at the E-town Summer Open. And both plan on renewing their fight for bragging rights at the Bastille Day En Passant Tournament.

Congrats to Amy, the big rating points winner, for moving back into the "C" category.

Click here to see the entire X-table.

The E-town Summer Open Drew 24 Players!

24 players decided to play an indoor sport yesterday and get out of the 100 degree plus temperature! In the end Expert Chris Bush won the open section with 3.5-0.5 and took home $100 for his effort. Randas Burns and Matthew McDonald shared 2nd and 3rd place and each took home $60. And, our very own Rayanne Chatrieux won the under 1700 prize of $45!

In the Reserve section, Austin Bridges went 4-0 and won $60.00 for his efforts. Our club secretary, Amy Nunn took home the prize for 2nd place! I want to Thank everyone for coming out and playing! The USCF rating report can be found here!