So, the 2000 and Up Section was probably the strongest tournament Arizona will have this year. Seriously… No joke. IMs Dionisio Aldama and Daniel Rensch (rated #s 2 and 3 amongst active players in the state, in that order respectively) competed along side FM Pedram Atoufi and and NM Joel Johnson. Several other strong experts competed in the top section as well, and the final standings shaped up with Daniel Rensch in first, Eric Qi and Dionisio Aldama tied for second and third, Andrew Lebovitz in fourth and Jon Dussik (who played up all four rounds) in fifth.

The 1700-1999 Section belonged to the “Ole Red Dog” as I am now calling him… Tom Mayka played like a beast, and took home first place honors! Congrats to him! Peter Fenger finished in clear second with three points, Daniel Pecherski and “the Fairy’s Nemesis” finished tied for third and fourth with two and a half points each, while Richard Cowan grabbed fifth (to his own surprise) with two points. Great section to all!

The 1400-1699 Section saw first place come down to two players who both seemed driven to win that “Full Ride” trip to Nationals! This time though, Soren Alethia-Zomlefer got the best of his rivalry with Noah Raskin, and finished with a perfect 4-0 SCORE. I put that phrase in all caps because Noah also finished “undefeated”, but came up a little short with just three and a half points out of four. Wow, this should be fun down the stretch! Third through fifth place was a three way tie of three points a piece: Jeffrey Poppell, Michael Prem, and Richard Qi finished in that order respectively.

In the 1000-1399 Section it seemed that everyone who placed in the top 5 either lost to the players that finished 1 or 2. Well, except for #1! Prescott Ogden finished a perfect four wins and no losses on his way to first place. Adam Graunke, second place, Michael Sauer, third place, and Heinz Horner, fourth place, all finished with three points. Thayer Alethia-Zomlefer took clear fifth place with two and a half points.

Although the 500-999 Section was as small a section as we have had all year, it was the section with the most exciting finish! Zac Smith and Eric Hao finished tied for first, which obviously meant an Armageddon Blitz game for “Sudden Death Master Trek”: The most exciting happening in sports today!!! I even posted to my ACE Chess Twitter Account during the game. In the end, Eric Hao came away with the Grand Prix Points. Third place belonged to Jain Aakash, fourth to Stanley Wang, and fifth to Kalaan Chaliki.

OK Everyone, we will see you soon! Hope you enjoyed the Recap!

Soren Alethia-Zomlefer
1st Place - 1400-1699
Chandler Prep

Michael Prem
4th Place - 1400-1699

Aakash Jain
3rd Place - 500-999

Eric Qi
2nd Place - 2000 and Up

Richard Qi
5th Place - 1400-1699

Jeffrey Poppell
3rd Place - 1400-1699
Chevalier Noir

Peter Fenger
2nd Place - 1700-1999
Home School

Daniel Pecherski
3rd Place - 1700-1999

Prescott Ogden
1st Place - 1000-1399

Noah Raskin
2nd Place - 1400-1699

Richard Cowan
5th Place 1700-1999
Barry Goldwater

 

October 24, 2009. ASU Campus, Physical Sciences, Wexler Hall, Room 118. Parking available at Parking Structure #2, on the Northeast corner of McAllister Ave. and Tyler St. Structures and lots are free except during special events.

Tournament Details:

5 Levels: 500 to 999, 1000 to 1399, 1400 to 1699, 1700 to 1999, and 2000 & up. 4 rounds: Swiss System. G/60. 1/2 point bye for any one round if notified prior to event. Sets and boards provided. Must bring and play with clock.

Note: The 2000 & Up Section will always have a player of Master Level (2200 USCF Rated or higher) competing in the tournament. We guarantee it!

Note: ACE Chess may limit participation to 80 players per tournament as of the 2009 Grand Prix Cup Season.

Note: Adult Participants are welcome to play in every section besides the 500-999.

Round Times:

Round 1 – 9am, Round 2 – 11:15am, Round 3 – 1:30pm, Round 4 – 3:45pm.

Entry Fee:

Scholastic: 500-999, 1000-1399, 1400-1699, and 1700-1999:
$25 by October 21, $28 by October 23, $30 at site.

Adult Participants: 1000-1399, 1400-1699, and 1700-1999:
$15 by October 21, $18 by October 23, $20 at site.

All players 2000 & Up:
$20 at all times. All players rated 1950-2000 must pay $30 to play up.

Note: Registration and check in by 8:45am Saturday morning.

Awards:

Trophies to top five places in 500 to 999, 1000 to 1399, 1400 to 1699, and 1700 to 1999. Medals to 6th through 10th. Trophies to top three places in 2000 & up. Must win 2 games to possibly receive a trophy. Must score 1.5 points to receive a medal, if not then receive a ribbon. Grand Prix Points (GPP) totaled and awarded at end of season. See MT Grand Prix Cup details.

Special Event:

IM Danny Rensch and other guest speakers will be providing Lectures and Game Review for 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours (from 12:00pm-1:30pm) at every Master Trek tournament. IM Rensch and others will provide in depth looks at everything chess on a first come first serve basis during this time period. Parents, coaches, and all players are welcome at anytime! Feel free to contact Danny during to tournament for more details.