ChessMaine tag:chessmaine.net,2008-05-15:/chessmaine//1 2012-01-30T14:01:21Z Official Site of the Maine Chess Association Movable Type Pro 5.031 Joe Brown Memorial Tournament Report tag:chessmaine.net,2012:/chessmaine//1.5962 2012-01-30T01:49:26Z 2012-01-30T14:01:21Z Thirty-four players participated in the Joe Brown Memorial Tournament held at Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School on Saturday, January 28th, 2012. The annual, non-rated, scholastic tournament honors the memory of former Deer Isle-Stonington chess team member Joe Brown. Winners of the four sections were: Bethany Humphrey (7-8), Brendan Penfold (5-6), Rylee Eaton (3-4) and Ruby DeLuca Lowell (K-2). Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/ 01.30.12 Thirty-four players participated in the Joe Brown Memorial Tournament held at Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School on Saturday, January 28th, 2012. The annual, non-rated, scholastic tournament honors the memory of former Deer Isle-Stonington chess team member Joe Brown. Winners of the four sections were: Bethany Humphrey (7-8), Brendan Penfold (5-6), Rylee Eaton (3-4) and Ruby DeLuca Lowell (K-2).



Student artwork adorns the wall outside of the playing room at the Joe Brown Memorial Tournament.

Thanks to Dick Powell for contributing to this report.

The 6th Annual Joe Brown Memorial Chess Tournament took place on Saturday, January 28th at the Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School cafeteria with thirty-four K-8th grade chess players honoring a former teammate. Joe is remembered as always having a smile on his face and a kind word in his heart. His sisters, Chelsea and Whitney were on hand to award trophies and ribbons to players.

In the Kindergarten-2nd section, Ruby DeLuca Lowell of Aurora came out on top with a perfect score of four wins in four games. Henry Penfold took second, and newcomer to tournament chess Dexter Brown was third. The Martin family took 4th and 5th with McHenna besting her brother Brayden on tie breaks. Trace Brophy and Sean Morey, both in their first competition scored 1.5 and 1.0 respectively to round out the section.

In the 3rd-4th grade division, Rylee Eaton fresh off her victory at the MLK Tournament in Old Town last Monday, batted a perfect 4 for 4 again. Ben Penfold was 2nd, Cole Stewart 3rd, Wyatt Eaton 4th and Ross Stewart took home the 5th place trophy. Cameron Stewart was 6th followed by Ariel Larrabee, Kaylee Morey, Myles Brown, Gifford Proper, Ella Marshall, Tommy Hutchinson, and Peyton Rice.

Another Old Town winner, Brendan Penfold, repeated his 4-0 MLK record and took home the Joe Brown 5th-6th section award. SooZin Cha was 2nd and Orly Vaughn 3rd. Just out of the "money" were Max DeLuca Lowell, (Ruby's brother), Tyson Rice, Colby Haskell and Addie McDonald. In the oldest section, 7th-8th, six very even-strength chess players competed in many games that changed leaders and could have gone to either player before the final gun. When all was said and done, it was Bethany Humphrey in first, followed closely by 2011 Joe Brown Memorial champion Krisford Melanio and Cameron Wendell. Fourth through sixth were: Isaac Vaughn, Paul Zoephel and Alyssa Chesney.

Many thanks to the Deer Isle-Stonington Chess Boosters for the ever-present excellent food and drinks, to parents and players and to ChessMaine.net webmaster Dan DeLuca who kept the pairings coming when it seemed that everyone was finishing at once!

Tournament Results

Kindergarten-2nd Grade
1. Ruby DeLuca Lowell 4.0
2. Henry Penfold 3.0
3. Dexter Brown 3.0
4. McHenna Martin 2.0
5. Braden McHenna 2.0
6. Trace Brophy 1.0
7. Sean Morey 1.0

3rd-4th Grade
1. Rylee Eaton 4.0
2. Ben Penfold 3.0
3. Cole Stewart 2.5
4. Wyatt Eaton 2.5
5. Ross Stewart 2.5
6. Cameron Stewart 2.0
7. Ariel Larrabee 2.0
8. Kaylee Morey 2.0
9. Myles Brown 2.0
10. Gifford Proper 2.0
11. Ella Marshall 1.5
12. Tommy Hutchinson 1.0
13. Peyton Rice 1.0

5th-6th Grade
1. Brendan Penfold 4.0
2. SooZin Cha 3.0
3. Orly Vaughn 3.0
4. Max DeLuca Lowell 2.0
5. Tyson Rice 2.0
6. Colby Haskell 1.0
7. Addie McDonald 1.0

7th-8th Grade
1. Bethany Humphrey 4.0
2. Krisford Melanio
3. Cameron Wendell
4. Isaac Vaughn 2.0
5. Paul Zoephel 1.0
6. Alyssa Chesney 0.0


K-2nd grade section winner Ruby DeLuca Lowell (right) makes a move in her game vs Sean Morey.


McHenna Martin scored 2.0 points and took 4th place in the K-2nd grade section.


Players vie for position in the 3rd-4th and 5th-6th grade sections.


Cole Stewart took third in the 3rd-4th grade section with 2.5 points.


Perfect in four: Brendan Penfold scored 4.0 points to take clear first in the 5th-6th grade section.


Orly Vaughn scored 3.0 points and took home the 3rd place trophy in the 5th-6th grade section.


Bethany Humphrey displays the concentration that helped her win the 7th-8th grade section with an unbeaten and untied 4.0 points.


Cameron Wendell scored 2.0 points and took 3rd in the 7th-8th grade section.


Joe Brown is seen in this archival photo (kneeling to the right of trophy) at a Maine scholastic chess championship.


Works of art fill the halls of Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School.


Stonington Harbor with Arno Day Lobster Boat by Chris Baker was commissioned for Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School in 2001.


Maritime themes abound


And even some chess art!


Refreshments were plentiful!


Tournament winners (left to right): Bethany Humphrey (7th-8th), Brendan Penfold (5th-6th), Rylee Eaton (3rd-4th) and Ruby DeLuca Lowell (K-2nd).


The K-2 players


The 3rd-4th grade players with Whitney (left) and Chelsea Brown.


The 5th-6th grade group


And the 7th-8th grade players


Tournament organizer Dick Powell at the awards ceremony


Thanks to all who participated and hope to see you at next year's event!


]]> MLK Tournament at Stillwater Montessori School tag:chessmaine.net,2012:/chessmaine//1.5961 2012-01-18T16:06:26Z 2012-01-23T13:45:38Z For thirteen years the MLK Chess Tournament at Stillwater Motessori has been attracting scholastic players and more recently adult competitors to Old Town for a day of mid-winter chess. This year's edition had fifty-six players in four sections: Open, K-12, K-8 and K-6 non-rated. Here's the richly illustrated tournament report with results, crosstables and selected games. Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/ 01.23.12 For thirteen years the MLK Chess Tournament at Stillwater Motessori has been attracting scholastic players and more recently adult competitors to Old Town for a day of mid-winter chess. This year's edition had fifty-six players in four sections: Open, K-12, K-8 and K-6 non-rated. Here's the richly illustrated tournament report with results, crosstables and selected games.

The 13th annual MLK Day Chess Tournament was held at the Stillwater Montessori School in Old Town on Monday, January 16th, 2012.

Topping the Open section for the second year in a row was Steve Abrahams with 3.5 points, his only draw being with second place finisher Aaron Spencer in the second round. Isaac Marnik continues his triumphant return to tournament chess putting up 2.5 points in a strong field to take clear third. The coach/player "team" of Jon Dearing and Paul Rudnicki tied for fourth with 2.0 points apiece and Yuri Riabkov, Josh Audibert and Randall Fitzpatrick rounded out the open section.

Geroge Spahn made a clean sweep of the K-12 section to score a perfect 4.0 points in four games for his second tournament win running. Jiawei Zou took clear second with 3.0 points and Deer Isle-Stonington students Bethany Humphrey and Cameron Wendell shared third with 2.0 points. Trevor Backus is one to watch as he played some very strong, fighting chess against players higher rated than himself. Hope Gross went scoreless to finish in sixth.

Brendan Penfold won the tournament's largest section--the K-8--with 4.0 points. A six-player tie resulted for second place including: Orly and Isaac Vaughn, Stuart MacKay, Nicloas Kawamura, Aidan Coyne and Gregory Dimoulas.

In the non-rated K-6 section Rylee Eaton went 4-0 to take first in the eighteen-player field. Ben Fitzpatrick, Noah Raven, and William Xu tied for second with 3.0 points.

This tournament was organized by Joe Alex and directed by Dan DeLuca and Andy Bryan.

Thanks to Steve Abrahams for contributing to this report.

USCF crosstable of this event

MLK Round 4
01.16.12
Nicholas Kawamura (626) - Isaac Vaughn (659) 1-0


Play online chess

MLK Round 1
01.16.12
Steve Abrahams (1943) - Jon Dearing (1566) 1-0




Tournament winner Steve Abrahams.


University of Maine student Aaron Spencer was close on the winner's heels with 3.0 points.


Isaac Marnik, now back in Maine and back into playing tournament chess.


Bangor High School chess coach Jon Dearing


Paul Rudnicki


Yuri Riabkov


Josh Audibert


Randall Fitzpatrick


George Spahn scored 4.0 points to take first in the K-12 section.


Always in the running: Jiawei Zou


2011 Girls State Champion Bethany Humphrey


Cameron Wendall


A newcomer to tournament chess, Trevor Backus played some outstanding games.


Hope Gross


The K-12 section tournament room


Winners in the K-12 section (left to right): George Spahn (first), Cameron Wendall (equal third), Bethany Humphrey (equal third) and Jiawei Zou (second).


Atop the K-8 section: Brendan Penfold


Tied for second in the K-8 section: Orly Vaughn


Isaac Vaughn


Stuart MacKay


Nicholas Kawamura


Aiden Coyne and...


Gregory Dimoulas


Michael Hayden


Catherine Rudnicki


In first place after two rounds: Oliver Sheehan.


Ben Penfold


Alex Fergusson


Eli Spahn


Josaih Grace


Jonathan Kish


Max DeLuca Lowell


Ben Amar


2011 K-3 State Champion Itai Boss


Duncan Bradshaw


Liam Farrell


Tom Boss


Dylan Haskell


Colby Koelsch


Eamon Laskey


A force to be reckoned with in the K-8 section: brother-sister team Isaac and Orly Vaughn


Ben Amar checks a position on his hand-held device.


Winners in the K-8 section (left to right): Nicholas Kawamura (equal second), Isaac Vaughn (equal second), Orly Vaughn (equal second) and Brendan Penfold (first)


The K-8 group


Perfect in four games: Rylee Eaton scored 4.0 points to take first in the K-6 non-rated section.


Tied for second in the K-6 non-rated section were: Ben Fitzpatrick


Noah Raven and...


William Xu


Josiah Hansen


Natalie Sheehan


Erin Gerbi


Evelyn Domsalla


Winners in the K-6 non-rated section (left to right): Rylee Eaton (first), Ben Fitzpatrick (equal second), William Xu (equal second) and Noah Raven (equal second)


The K-6 group


A crowd gathers to watch the end of the game William Xu vs Erin Gerbi in the final round of the K-6 non-rated section.


Thanks to the snack bar volunteers players and spectators were well fed.


Not every chess tournament has its own blue tongue skink...


...or its own interesting artwork. Hope to see you at the 14th Annual MLK Tournament!


]]> John Bapst New Year's Tournament Report tag:chessmaine.net,2012:/chessmaine//1.5960 2012-01-18T01:47:29Z 2012-01-18T02:43:08Z Thirty-three players turned out for the five-section John Bapst New Year's Tournament played at John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor on January 8th, 2012. This year's tournament was held in honor of former John Bapst Chess Coach Bob Solinger who passed away last year after a long battle with cancer. Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/ 01.17.12 Thirty-three players turned out for the five-section John Bapst New Year's Tournament played at John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor on January 8th, 2012. This year's tournament was held in honor of former John Bapst Chess Coach Bob Solinger who passed away last year after a long battle with cancer.

Tournament Director Steve Wong surveys action in the U1200 and U600 sections of the John Bapst New Year's Tournament.

After a touching rememberance of Mr. Solinger given by Maine Chess Association President Andy Bryan and a moment of silence, players channeled their energies to the chess board and the games at hand.

Former Bapst student Fritz Eyerer topped Quad 1 with 2.5 points in three games. He drew with Ethan DiNinno who scored 1.5 points and took third. Barry Magda scored 2.0 points for clear second place in the quad and Mark Woida was kind enough to donate (unwillingly) a few rating points for the good of his opponents.

Isaac Marnick came first in Quad 2 also scoring 2.5 points on a draw with fourth place finisher and former Bapst student Murray Bridges. Curt Brock scored 2.0 and Yuri Riabkov beat Bridges for 1.0 point and third place.

Dan DeLuca scored 2.0 points which was enough to take first in Quad 3 thanks in part to the early withdrawal of the quad's highest-rated player Margaret Bryan after the first round. The coach-student team of Dick Powell and Andy Turner each scored 1.5 points for shared second and Margaret Bryan and Kurt Eyerer (both former Bapst students) shared fourth with 1.0 point. Ed Rudnicki went scoreless after withdrawing before round 2.

In the U1000 section, Erskine Academy student George Spahn tied for first with current John Bapst freshman Anna Bryan both players scoring 3.0 points. Bethany Humphrey and newcomer to tournament chess Trevor Backus finished equal third with 2.5 points.

Duncan Bradshaw was the only player in the tournament to go unbeaten and untied with 4.0 points. He was trailed by Zach Grindal who took sole second with 3.0 points and Max DeLuca Lowell and Ross Stewart who shared equal third place.

Thank to all who participated in this funraiser to help the John Bapst chess team with a possible trip to the National High School Championships later this year.

USCF crosstable of this event


Quad 1: Ethan Dininno (front left) plays Mark Woida while Barry Magda (back left) takes on the eventual winner Fritz Eyerer.


Quad 2: Curt Brock (front left) plays Quad 2 winner Isaac Marnick and Murray Bridges (back left) plays Yuri Riabkov.


Margaret Bryan on the move in her game vs Kurt Eyerer in Quad 3 while Andy Turner waits for his opponent who was behind the camera at the time.


This year's tournament took place in the library (as opposed to the auditorium in past years) with excellect conditions.


Laddy DeLuca Lowell staffs the concession stand.


The U600 section players.


U600 sections winners (left to right): Duncan Bradshaw (first), Zach Grindal (second), Max DeLuca Lowell and Ross Stewart (equal third).


Winners in the U1000 section (left to right): Patrick Coyne (seventh), George Spahn (equal first), Anna Bryan (equal first), Bethany Humphrey (equal third), Trevor Backus (equal third) and Josh Burleigh (eighth).

]]> First Houlton Open 2012 tag:chessmaine.net,2012:/chessmaine//1.5950 2012-01-15T14:06:33Z 2012-01-15T23:03:43Z Todd Snyder overwhelmed all of his opponents, including former Maine champion Roger Morin, to score 4.0 points and win the First Houlton Open 2012, the first Maine Chess Association sponsored Maine Chess Player of the Year event of 2012. Morin took second with 3.0 points. The big story was, however, Colby College student Joe Fishman who gained 299 USCF rating points to finish with 2.5 points an a provisional USCF rating of 1781 in this his second rated tournament. Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/ 01.15.12 Todd Snyder overwhelmed all of his opponents, including former Maine champion Roger Morin, to score 4.0 points and win the First Houlton Open 2012, the first Maine Chess Association sponsored Maine Chess Player of the Year event of 2012. Morin took second with 3.0 points. The big story was, however, Colby College student Joe Fishman who gained 299 USCF rating points to finish with 2.5 points an a provisional USCF rating of 1781 in this his second rated tournament.

Players compete in the First Houlton Open of 2012 (back to front): Tom Sandford (left) plays Joseph Fishman, Richard Fontinha (left) plays Todd Snyder and Roger Hardison (left) plays Ray Haines in the first round.

Thanks to Roger Morin for contributing to this report.

Todd Snyder picked up four wins and forty-six rating points for his first-place effort at the First Houlton Open of 2012. Roger Morin took second with 3.0 points (his only loss being to Snyder) and newcomer to USCF-rated chess, Joseph Fishman, finished clear third with 2.5 points in the four-round, G/60 event. Trailing the three leaders were Ray Haines (2.0), Roger Hardison (1.5), and Tom Sandford, Lance Beloungie and Richard Fontinha each scoring 1.0 point.

USCF crosstable of this event


2011 Maine Chess Player of the Year Roger Morin (left) plays 2011 Maine Chess Player of the Year Runner-Up Lance Beloungie in the first Maine Chess Player of the Year tournament for 2012.

]]> 11th Presque Isle Tournament Report, December 17, 2011 tag:chessmaine.net,2012:/chessmaine//1.5958 2012-01-12T16:51:19Z 2012-01-12T16:52:07Z Play chess online /* */if ((typeof ichess_create)!='undefined')/* */{o=new ichess_create(11,'ichess406983',3);if(o){/* */o.im('d2d4g8f6e2e3g7g6f1d3f8g7f2f4e8g8e3e4d7d6g1f3c7c5c2c3'+/* */'c8g4h2h3g4f3d1f3c5d4c3d4b8c6c1e3e7e5f4e5d6e5d4d5c6d4f3f2a8c8'+/* */'e1g1f6e8b1a3e8d6a1c1f7f5e3d4f5e4f2d2e5d4d3b1c8c1f1c1d8h4c1c7'+/* */'g7e5');/* */o.il(0,0,1);/* */o.ip([0], ['-']);/* */o.ia(['','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','']);/* */o.ih(3,'11th%20Presque%20Isle%20Round%203%3B%2012.17.11','R'+/* */'ay%20Haines%20%281769%29%20vs.%20Roger%20Morin%20%281997%29'+/* */'%2C%20G/60%3B%200-1');/* */o.go(0,0);}}/* */... Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/

Play chess online

]]> Orono Championship Tournament Report, December 3, 2011 tag:chessmaine.net,2012:/chessmaine//1.5957 2012-01-12T16:50:12Z 2012-01-12T16:50:52Z Play chess online /* */if ((typeof ichess_create)!='undefined')/* */{o=new ichess_create(11,'ichess171051',3);if(o){/* */o.im('c2c4g8f6d2d4g7g6b1c3d7d5g1f3f8g7e2e3e8g8f1e2c7c5d4c5'+/* */'d8a5e1g1d5c4e2c4a5c5c4b3b8c6e3e4c8g4h2h3f8d8c1e3d8d1e3c5d1a1'+/* */'f1a1g4f3g2f3a8d8a1d1d8d1b3d1f6d7c5e3a7a6e3d2b7b5b2b3c6d4c3d5'+/* */'e7e6d5e3d7e5g1g2e5d3e3c2d3b2c2d4b2d1d4c6d1c3a2a3c3e2e4e5g6g5'+/* */'d2g5e2c3g5d2c3d5f3f4g7f8b3b4g8g7c6b8d5c7d2e3a6a5e3d2a5b4a3b4'+/* */'c7d5b8a6g7g6g2f3g6f5a6c5f8c5b4c5b5b4c5c6b4b3d2c1h7h5h3h4d5c7'+/* */'f3e3f5g4f2f3g4h4');/* */o.il(0,0,1);/* */o.ip([0], ['-']);/* */o.ia(['','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','']);/* */o.ih(3,'Orono%20Championship%20Round%204%20Open','Roger%20'+/* */'Morin%20%282000%29%20vs.%20Aaron%20Spencer%20%281742%29%2C%'+/* */'20G/45%3B%200-1');/* */o.go(0,0);}}/* */... Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/

Play chess online


]]> Slipped Through the Cracks--Presque Isle, June 2011 tag:chessmaine.net,2012:/chessmaine//1.5956 2012-01-12T16:48:51Z 2012-01-12T16:49:25Z Play chess online /* */if ((typeof ichess_create)!='undefined')/* */{o=new ichess_create(11,'ichess337342',3);if(o){/* */o.im('g1f3e7e6c2c4f7f5g2g3g8f6f1g2f8e7e1g1d7d6d2d4e8g8b1c3'+/* */'a7a5f1e1f6e4d1c2e4c3c2c3d6d5a2a3e7b4a3b4a5b4a1a8b4c3a8b8c3b2'+/* */'c1b2c7c6c4d5e6d5e1a1d8b6b2c1c8e6b8f8g8f8a1a8f8e7c1a3e7d7f3e5'+/* */'d7c7h2h4b6d4e5d3b7b5a3c5d4c3a8a7c7b8a7e7e6c8c5d6b8a8e7e8');/* */o.il(0,0,1);/* */o.ip([0], ['-']);/* */o.ia(['','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','']);/* */o.ih(1,'Presque%20Isle%20Open%20June%2025%2C%202011','Roge'+/* */'r%20Morin%20%281982%29%20vs.%20Lance%20Beloungie%20%281660%'+/* */'29%2C%20G/60%3B%201-0');/* */o.go(0,0);}}/* */... Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/


]]> Ninth Presque Isle Open Tournament Report, November 12, 2011 tag:chessmaine.net,2012:/chessmaine//1.5955 2012-01-12T16:45:45Z 2012-01-12T16:47:53Z Play chess online /* */if ((typeof ichess_create)!='undefined')/* */{o=new ichess_create(11,'ichess555630',3);if(o){/* */o.im('d2d4g8f6c2c4g7g6b1c3f8g7e2e4d7d6g1f3e8g8f1e2e7e5e1g1'+/* */'b8c6a1b1c8g4d4d5c6e7h2h3g4d7c1e3f6e8d1d2f7f5e3h6f5f4h6g7g8g7'+/* */'b2b4h7h6c4c5g6g5b4b5b7b6c5d6c7d6d2b2e7g6f3d2f4f3d2f3g6f4c3d1'+/* */'e8f6d1e3f6e4f3e5e4c3e2g4d6e5b2c3f8e8f1e1a8c8c3d2c8c5a2a4d7g4'+/* */'h3g4h6h5g2g3f4h3g1g2h5g4e3g4d8c8e1e4h3f4e4f4g5f4g4h2e8h8g3f4'+/* */'c8h3');/* */o.il(0,0,1);/* */o.ip([0], ['-']);/* */o.ia(['','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','']);/* */o.ih(3,'Ninth%20Presque%20Isle%20Open%2011.12.11','Lance%2'+/* */'0Beloungie%20%281726%29%20vs.%20Roger%20Morin%20%20%281990%'+/* */'29%2C%200-1');/* */o.go(0,0);}}/* */... Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/

Play chess online


]]> Roger Morin Wins Downeast Open, July 16, 2011 tag:chessmaine.net,2012:/chessmaine//1.5954 2012-01-12T16:43:45Z 2012-01-12T16:45:09Z Play chess online /* */if ((typeof ichess_create)!='undefined')/* */{o=new ichess_create(11,'ichess312516',3);if(o){/* */o.im('d2d4g8f6g1f3g7g6c1f4f8g7e2e3e8g8f1d3c7c5c2c3c5d4c3d4'+/* */'b8c6a2a3d7d6b1d2f8e8e1g1e7e5f4g5e5d4f3d4c6d4e3d4d8b6g5e3d6d5'+/* */'d1b3b6b3d2b3b7b6a1c1c8e6d3a6e6c8a6b5c8d7b5d7f6d7c1c7d7f6f1c1'+/* */'f6e4g1f1e4d6c7d7d6c4d7d5e8e3f2e3c4e3');/* */o.il(0,0,1);/* */o.ip([0], ['-']);/* */o.ia(['','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','']);/* */o.ih(3,'2011%20Downeast%20Open','Lowell%2C%20Phil%20%28184'+/* */'5%29%20vs.%20Morin%2C%20Roger%20%281994%29%2C%20G/120%3B%20'+/* */'0-1');/* */o.go(0,0);}}/* */ Play online chess /* */if ((typeof ichess_create)!='undefined')/* */{o=new ichess_create(11,'ichess160214',3);if(o){/* */o.im('d2d4e7e6c2c4f7f5g1f3g8f6b1c3f8e7d1c2e7b4a2a3b4c3c2c3'+/* */'e8g8c1g5d7d6g2g3b8d7f1g2h7h6g5f6d7f6e1g1d8e8f3d2e6e5d4e5d6e5'+/* */'d2f3e5e4f3e5e8h5e2e3f6g4e5g4h5g4c3e5c7c6a1d1g4h5d1d6f8e8e5d4'+/* */'c8e6f1d1h5f7g2f1f7c7b2b4b7b6c4c5b6b5a3a4a7a6a4a5a8c8f1h3c7f7'+/* */'h3g2e6d5d1f1c8d8d6d8e8d8f2f3f7e7f1d1d8e8f3e4f5e4d1f1e8f8d4d1'+/* */'f8f1d1f1e7f7f1f4f7f4e3f4g8f7g1f1f7f6f1e2g7g5f4g5h6g5e2e3f6f5'+/*... Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/






]]> IM David Vigorito Lecture and Simul in South Portland, July 12, 2011 tag:chessmaine.net,2012:/chessmaine//1.5953 2012-01-12T16:40:43Z 2012-01-12T16:41:44Z Play chess online /* */if ((typeof ichess_create)!='undefined')/* */{o=new ichess_create(11,'ichess803985',3);if(o){/* */o.im('d2d4g8f6c2c4e7e6b1c3b7b6e2e4c8b7f1d3d7d6g1f3f8e7e1g1'+/* */'e8g8f1e1h7h6d4d5e6e5c1e3f6g4e3d2g4f6b2b4b8d7h2h3a7a5a2a3a5b4'+/* */'a3b4f6h7d1c2h7g5f3h2e7f6c3b5f8e8a1a8b7a8e1a1d7f8a1a7c7c6b5c7'+/* */'e8e7a7a8d8c7c2a4c6d5c4d5g7g6a4c6g8g7h3h4g5e6h2f3c7c6d5c6e6c7'+/* */'a8b8b6b5d3b5c7b5b8b5e7c7b5b6f8e6d2e3f6d8b4b5f7f5e4f5g6f5g2g3'+/* */'f5f4g3f4e5f4e3d4e6d4f3d4g7f6b6b8c7g7g1f1d8a5b8e8g7e7e8e7f6e7'+/* */'d4f5e7e6f5h6e6d5h6f7d5c5h4h5c5b5c6c7a5c7h5h6f4f3f1g1c7b6f7d6'+/* */'b5c5d6f7c5c4h6h7b6d4h7h8d4h8f7h8c4d3g1h2');/* */o.il(0,0,1);/* */o.ip([108,0], ['q','-']);/* */o.ia(['','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','']);/* */o.ih(1,'IM%20Vigorito%20Simul','Vigorito%2C%20David%20%282'+/* */'548%29%20vs.%20Morgan%2C%20Steve%20%20%282047%29%2C%201-0');/* */o.go(0,0);}}/* */ Play online chess /* */if ((typeof ichess_create)!='undefined')/* */{o=new ichess_create(11,'ichess132907',3);if(o){/*... Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/











Play chess online


]]> Maine Students Compete in National Junior High School Championship, May 6, 2011 tag:chessmaine.net,2012:/chessmaine//1.5952 2012-01-12T16:34:45Z 2012-01-12T16:40:13Z Play chess online /* */if ((typeof ichess_create)!='undefined')/* */{o=new ichess_create(11,'ichess816159',3);if(o){/* */o.im('d2d4d7d5c2c4c7c6b1c3g8f6g1f3d5c4e2e4b7b5e4e5f6d5a2a4'+/* */'c8g4a4b5d5c3b2c3c6b5f1e2e7e6f3g5g4e2d1e2d8d5e2h5g7g6h5g4f8e7'+/* */'g5e4b8d7e1g1h7h5g4f4a7a5f1e1a5a4c1a3e7a3a1a3e8c8e4d6c8c7e1b1'+/* */'g6g5f4e3d8b8d6f7h8f8f7d6h5h4e3e4d5e4d6e4g5g4e4g5f8e8g5f7e8e7'+/* */'f7d6c7c6b1b4e7h7a3a1h4h3g2g3h7h8f2f4g4f3g1f2h8f8a1b1a4a3b1a1'+/* */'b8a8b4b5f8b8b5b8d7b8d6c4b8d7a1a3a8f8a3a7d7b8a7e7c6d5c4b6d5e4'+/* */'e7e6b8a6e6f6f8b8f6f4e4d3f4f3d3e4b6c4a6c7c4d6e4d5g3g4c7e6f2g3'+/* */'b8b2f3d3b2e2c3c4d5c6d4d5c6d7d5e6d7e6d6f5e2e5d3e3e5e3f5e3e6d6'+/* */'g4g5d6c5g5g6c5d4g6g7d4e3g7g8e3d4g8d5d4c3c4c5c3b4c5c6b4a3c6c7'+/* */'a3b4c7c8b4a3d5b7');/* */o.il(0,0,1);/* */o.ip([124,134,0], ['q','r','-']);/* */o.ia(['','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','','',''/* */,'','','']);/* */o.ih(1,'2011%20K-8%20National%20Championship%20Round%202','Matthe'+/* */'w%20Fishbein%20%281942%29%20vs.%20Jacob%20Kobajlo%20%281646'+/* */'%29%2C%20G/120%3B%201-0');/* */o.go(0,0);}}/* */ Play online chess /*... Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/




Play online chess


]]> The Best of ChessMaine.net 2011 tag:chessmaine.net,2011:/chessmaine//1.5942 2011-12-31T17:38:59Z 2012-01-01T00:43:44Z Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? On the contrary, in fact, the calendar indicates the time is nigh for The Best of ChesMaine.net--our annual year-end retrospective of all things chess in Maine for 2011. Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/ 12.31.11 Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? On the contrary, in fact, the calendar indicates the time is nigh for The Best of ChesMaine.net--our annual year-end retrospective of all things chess in Maine for 2011.

What's on your scoresheet? The Best of ChessMaine.net 2011!

Keeping pace with the record-setting year that was 2010, players and directors in Maine again participated in forty-seven USCF-rated events. To see crosstables of all USCF-rated tournaments played in Maine this year please click here.

Winningest Players

The top three winningest players in Maine for 2011 are a blueprint of 2010: Roger Morin, Steve Abrahams and Matthew Fishbein. For our purposes winning a section is considered a tournament win and credit is given to all players involved in a tie. Click on a player's name to view their USCF Member Detail page.


1. Roger Morin: 10 event wins


2. Steve Abrahams: 5 event wins


3. Matthew Fishbein: 4 event wins

Most Active Players

Here's the top three of Maine's most active players in 2011. Activity is defined as participation in USCF-rated tournaments both over-the-board and online. (The USCF currently hosts online quick-rated tournaments on their playing site World Chess Live.) You may recognize these players from the Winningest Player list. Click on the player's name to view their USCF Member Detail page.

1. Steve Abrahams 26 events

2. Matthew Fishbein 19 events

3. Roger Morin 16 events

State Champions

Congratulations to all of our 2011 Maine State Chess Champions! To see the names of all Maine state champions since 1942 please click here.


Maine State Champion Alan Schalk


High School Champion Keji Xu


Girls Champion Bethany Humphrey


K-8 Champion Matthew Fishbein


K-6 Champion Eric Youth


K-3 Champion Itai Boss


Winners in the High School Championship section, Cheverus High School (left to right): Conner Maines, Cam Prescott, Pat Jerome, Ethan Bergeron and Zach Dulac


Winners in the Junior High School Championship section, Deer Isle-Stonington: (left to right): Bethany Humphrey, coach Dick Powell, Cameron Wendell, Isaac Vaughn, Alyssa Chesney, Krisford Melanio, Philomena Mattes, Reid Bartlett and Cody Eaton


Winners in the K-6 Championship section, Deer Isle-Stonington Mariners (left to right standing): Soozin Cha, Ben Penfold, Orly Vaughn, Kylee Atwood, coach Dick Powell, Tyson Rice and Oscar Mattes; (left to right kneeling): Addie McDonald, Colby Haskel, Mason Oliver, Kinsey Bartlett, Ashlin Savage and Avery Reynolds.


Winners in the K-3 Championship section, Deer Isle-Stonington (left to right): Rylee Eaton, Cameron Stewart, Ben Penfold, Kaylee Morey, Gifford Proper, Cole Stuart, Myles Brown and Andrew Pappianne

Maine Chess Player of the Year

In a race that came down to the final tournament Roger Morin outlasted Lance Beloungie to take first place in the 2011 Maine Chess Player of the Year Competition. Congratulations to both Morin and Beloungie and to all who participated in this year-long event.

Roger Morin Wins 2011 Maine Chess Player of the Year Competition

Most Popular ChessMaine.net Stories of 2011

ChessMaine.net has surpassed 250,000 hits since its inception on March 11, 2006-- Based on web traffic to the site this year we've determined the following stories as the most popular of 2011. Take a second look, they're worth the read!

1. Alam Schalk Wins State Championship

2. Scholastic Team Championships Tournament Report

3. Matthew Fishbein: Maine's Newest Chess Expert!

4. Scholastic Individual Championships Tournament Report

5. Joe Brown Memorial Tournament Report

Biggest Upsets

Congratulations to the winners of the biggest upset games played in Maine in 2011. Losers take heart: a strong player must loose many, many games in the crucible of improvement.

Here are the top ten biggest upsets in USCF-rated play in Maine for 2011:

1. Nicholas Kawamura (302) over Bill Gallagher (1469) = 1167 points, Bangor Blitz Champonship

2. Andy Chan (276) over Craig Fournier (1152) = 876 points, 1st U1200 Houlton Open

3. Zach Hamilton (742) over Rob Shore (1541) = 799 points, Bangor Blitz Championship

4. Deanna Power (849) over Rob Shore (1541) = 692 points, Bangor Blitz Championship

5. Haley DeLuca Lowell (923) over Rob Shore (1541) = 618 points, Bangor Blitz Championship

6. Josh Audibert (716) over Andrew Seavey (1305) = 589 points, MLK 2011

7. Curt Brock (1634) over Douglas Grant (2216) = 582 points, York County Open

8. Haley DeLuca Lowell (923) over Yuri Riabkov (1501) = 578 ponts, Bangor Blitz Championship

9. Dan DeLuca (1306) over Steve Abrahams (1876) = 570 points, Bangor Blitz Championship

10. Zach Hamilton (742) over Dan DeLuca (1306) = 564 points, Bangor Blitz Championship


Tournament Directors

Maine had thirteen active tournament directors in 2011. To determine the most active tournament directors, we used a summation of three factors: number of tournaments directed, number of sections directed and number of players served. Based on this criteria the following tournament directors are listed based on their directing activity in Maine for 2011. Thanks to all TDs in Maine for their hard work, dedication and service to the Maine chess community.

1. Andy Bryan: 8 events, 15 sections, 160 players = 183

2. Phil Lowell: 7 events, 12 sections, 163 players = 182

3. Steve Abrahams: 7 events, 20 sections, 142 players = 169

4. Dan DeLuca: 6 events, 12 sections, 147 players = 165

5. Steve Wong: 4 events, 12 sections, 143 players = 159

6. Roger Morin: 10 events, 14 sections, 71 players = 95

7. Lee Doucette: 3 events, 3 sections, 72 players = 78

8. Brian Roderick: 4 events, 6 sections, 32 players = 42

9. Dan Keliher: 2 events, 3 sections, 28 players= 33

10. Akagi Kayashima: 4 events, 7 sections, 17 players = 28

11. Tom Sandford: 1 event, 2 sections, 19 players = 22

12. Barry Magda: 2 events, 4 sections, 12 players = 18

13. Lois Morin: 1 event, 1 section, 8 players = 10

MECA Elections

As 2011 comes to a close Maine Chess Association members have elected a slate of officers and policy board members. We wish these folks luck and extend our thanks to them for volunteering their time and energy to MECA.

Maine Chess Association Officers

President Andy Bryan bvbryan@aol.com

Vice President Dan DeLuca dcdeluca@yahoo.com

Secretary Lee Doucette lfdoucet@maine.rr.com

Treasurer Andrey Savov bagercheto@yahoo.com

Maine Chess Association Policy Board

Dan Keliher dpkeliher@gmail.com

Ron Lewis raltiger@aol.com

Phil Lowell lowellphilip@yahoo.com

Barry Magda bajmagda@juno.com


Thanks to all who have made 2011 a great year for chess in Maine!

]]> MECA Election Results tag:chessmaine.net,2011:/chessmaine//1.5947 2011-12-26T14:33:43Z 2011-12-26T15:03:07Z Votes have been cast, ballots have been tallied and the results are in! Maine Chess Association members have chosen a slate of officers and policy board members for the 2012-2014 term. Congratulations and thanks to all those who put their hat into the ring to serve the Maine chess community and beyond. Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/ 12.26.11 Votes have been cast, ballots have been tallied and the results are in! Maine Chess Association members have chosen a slate of officers and policy board members for the 2012-2014 term. Congratulations and thanks to all those who put their hat into the ring to serve the Maine chess community and beyond.



The Maine Chess Association welcomes its officers and policy board members for 2012-2014.

Maine Chess Association Officers

President Andy Bryan bvbryan@aol.com

Vice President Dan DeLuca dcdeluca@yahoo.com

Secretary Lee Doucette lfdoucet@maine.rr.com

Treasurer Andrey Savov bagercheto@yahoo.com

Maine Chess Association Policy Board

Dan Keliher dpkeliher@gmail.com

Ron Lewis raltiger@aol.com

Phil Lowell lowellphilip@yahoo.com

Barry Magda bajmagda@juno.com


To learn more about the Maine Chess Association please visitAbout MECA.

]]> Anticipation...and a Challenge tag:chessmaine.net,2011:/chessmaine//1.5945 2011-12-21T18:30:00Z 2011-12-21T19:05:23Z The by now famous Best of ChessMaine.net end of the year review will be coming to a computer screen near you soon. While our legions of bean counters pore over reams of statistical data separating the wheat from the chaff, we encourage you to take a crack at this composed problem of retrograde analysis. If it's too easy, don't despair, we've got plenty more of the fiendishly maddening variety. Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/ 12.21.11 The by now famous Best of ChessMaine.net end of the year review will be coming to a computer screen near you soon. While our legions of bean counters pore over reams of statistical data separating the wheat from the chaff, we encourage you to take a crack at this composed problem of retrograde analysis. If it's too easy, don't despair, we've got plenty more of the fiendishly maddening variety.

The Best of ChessMaine.net 2011! Coming soon to a computer screen near you!



What was White's last move?

]]> Spring Scholastic Chess Season Gets Underway tag:chessmaine.net,2011:/chessmaine//1.5944 2011-12-21T08:06:33Z 2011-12-21T09:14:27Z The spring scholastic chess season unofficially got underway with the first Ellsworth K-8 Chess Afternoon at the Ellsworth Middle School on Monday, December 12th, 2011. Over one hundred scholastic players from seven schools participated in this annual harbinger of the competitive scholastic chess season. Dan http://www.chessmaine.net/ 12.21.11 The spring scholastic chess season unofficially got underway with the first Ellsworth K-8 Chess Afternoon at the Ellsworth Middle School on Monday, December 12th, 2011. Over one hundred scholastic players from seven schools participated in this annual harbinger of the competitive scholastic chess season.

Airline Community School student Jacob Pung sizes up his position during a game at the K-8 Chess Afternoon at the Ellswoth Middle School on December 12th, 2011.

Amid hundreds of chess games onlookers could hear players asking, "wanna play?" and saying after a match, "good game" as volunteers paired students with one another while making sure all were well fed and happy. This event was the first of three K-8 Chess Afternoons planned to serve as a warm-up to the competitive scholastic chess season culminating at the scholastic state championships that will take place at the University of Maine, Orono in March.

For more information and registration forms (when they become available) on spring scholastic events, chess afternoons and all chess events in the state please visit the ChessMaine.net events page.


Event organizer Dick Powell welcomes players and makes a few announcements.


And we're underway!


Players in grades K-8 participated. (A few grown-up were seen pushing pawns as well.)


This player uses an interesting technique for organizing his captured pieces.


Deer Isle-Stongington chess team member Orly Vaughn.


Thanks to volunteers the refreshments were plentiful.


Max DeLuca Lowell (left) and Stewart MacKay find themselves in a minor-piece + rook endgame situation.

Thanks to all who participated in this great event! The next K-8 Chess Afternoon is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

]]>