Weekend Tournaments, GM Simul

Busy two weeks ahead!

The NC Class Championships will be this weekend, June 4-6 in Charlotte. There is a section for each class so there are SEVEN sections! If you play in your class you'll only face players of your class or maybe one section below. 2 day and 3 day schedules are available as well as 2 half point byes.

Next weekend, June 11-13 the SC Open will be hosted by the Greenville Chess Club. This is usually the largest tournament in SC each year and GM Ftacnik will be back to play in it this year. There are three sections, Open, U1800 and U1400 with 2 and 3 day schedules available and byes for each round.

In between the tournaments GM Lubomir Ftacnik is expected to give a simul here in Columbia. He's visited Columbia quite a few times and some of you may have played him in the simuls that were held at Dutch Square Mall in 2008 & 2007. More information will be posted when it becomes available.

With back to back weekend tournaments and a simul we'll have two straight casual nights at the club on June 3 & 10. Four straight days of tournament chess two weeks in a row may be a bit much!

Ashland XV will begin on June 17. The 7:15 registration cut off will be enforced. If you are not registered by 7:15 you will only play if there is an odd number or if someone else shows up. We will not repair sections. We plan to have rounds start at 7:30. Call or Text your entry before 7:15. You can email your entry by Wednesday night also.

Format change beginning with Ashland XV. The changes are in Blue:

Five round Swiss. Three Sections. One round a week for five weeks. Entry fee $3 a round for club members, $5 a round for non-members. One bye allowed, No last round byes. Rounds start at 7:30. Open Section, Game 90, First Place $35, Second Place $20, U1805 $15. Club members with a floor of 1800 receive free entry, $10 will be deducted from any prize won. Amateur Section (U1605), Game 90, First Place $35, Second Place $20, U1405 $15 U1205 $15. Perfect score (5-0, byes do not count) wins free entry into a Cola Club tournament. Reserve Section (U1000), $1 Entry, No prizes, Game 60.

The Columbia Open is right around the corner also. It will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn on Harbison Aug 20 - 22. The website has been fixed and is available again. This was the largest adult tournament in SC last year drawing 64 players. You can register online so get your entry in early to take advantage of the $15 discount!

Plenty of action in June! Get out and play!