Report on the 51^st Gem City Open

Players came from 8 different states. Primarily from Ohio, but seven other states were represented as well: Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, West Virginia, Virginia, and New York.

Want to take a quick look at the final standings in all sections?  Then go to USCF’s website at http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?200906143581.1-12556822 and look through all the sections to your heart’s content.  Want to take a look at how FIDE rated the OPEN Section?  Go to FIDE’s website at http://ratings.fide.com/view_source.phtml?code=42844#8 and note how a number of players are not rated for rounds 1 and 2.  Why? Because the time controls for rounds 1 and 2 of the 2 day schedule were too fast for FIDE rating purposes. However, keep reading to find the winners – some unexpected – in each section below.

In the OPEN Section Kentucky took first place when GM Alex Goldin scored 4.5 points! Clear second went to Indiana NM Jim Dean with 4.0 points. Third/Fourth place was shared by Ohio’s NM Carl Boor and Tennessee’s NM Jerry Wheeler with 3.5 points each. Another, not so obvious winner in the OPEN Section was Missouri’s young Kevin Cao with the longest third round game where he finally drew with NM Jerry Wheeler. NM Wheeler complimented young Kevin Cao saying, “5 or 6 times you saved your game by finding the ‘only move’”.  Kevin also picked up 30 rating points – the largest gain in the OPEN Section.

In the U2000 Section Ohio’s (and DCC’s) Les Whorton won clear first with 4.0 points after withdrawing from the OPEN section to join the U2000 where there were only 7 players (where were the A players?). Les Whorton also picked up 32 rating points, the greatest gain in the section. Clear second was taken by NM Carl B. Boor’s father (also from Ohio) Carl R. Boor with 3.5 points helped along by Andre Jaworowski’s last round loss.  Nonetheless, Ohio’s Andre Jaworowski tied with Missouri’s Henry Cao for third place.  In last place in the section was Missouri’s Margaret Hua – but she won’t be there long – she drew the number 1 seed and the first place finisher and hated the fact she did not win either game.  Look out for her in the future.

In the U1800 Section Ohio’s players, James Lake and Joe Roberdeau duked it out in the last round. James Lake won, so he and Joe Roberdeau shared first place with 4 points each. Three Ohio players tied for third with 3.5 points each – Daniel Jones, Jeffrey Baugham, and Robert Dennis. Robert Dennis also gained 78 (!) rating points for his efforts – more than anyone else in the section.

In the U1600 Section, Ohio’s Jose Abutal took first place with a perfect 5.0 score (the only one of the tournament) and picked up an amazing 99 rating points.  Way to go Jose!  Tied for second/third were Ohio players David Wen and Spencer Carran with 4.0 points each.  Spencer Carran also went from a provisional rating of 966 to 1273 as well! William Franklin (New York), John Sefton (Kentucky) and Joshua Mullet (Ohio) all finished back another half point (3.5) just outside of the prize money. Better luck next time fellows. 

It was a terrific tournament to direct with only 2 disputes to resolve. We think the tournament numbers will increase to 80+ next year with players from maybe 9 or 10 states. Where were Michigan and Pennsylvania this year?

RileyD, nwJ – TD