Sixteen players came out to compete in the Open and Under 1505 sections with others playing and conversing in the skittles room.
In the Open section, Ian Bell(1781) played white against Sam Copeland(2309) and his stout Dutch defense but couldn't break through and Sam claimed the point.
Board 2 pitted "Big" Ben Caiello(2126) against Gil "KingSlayer" Holmes(1710). After much determined thought by both sides, the game was drawn when all pawn left the board.
Keith Eubanks(2035) won with a Pirc defense against Daniel Smith(1537).
Board 3 game Pirc Defense with Fritz Analysis.
Josh Goley(1362) played up a section and held his own against Adam Shaw's(1827) attack but in the end it was too much and Shaw claimed the point.
In the U1505 section, Mike Mayfield faced off against familiar foe in Birney Blind and when the smoke cleared Mayfield walked away with the victory.
Marty Anderson defeated newcomer to the club Michael Miller. Jared Whiting and Mark Woodman paired off and this time it was Whiting who claimed victory.
In the last game but not least, Richard Watts defended with black claiming the point against Ed Stewart.
Round 2 continues the tourney on April 23. Reserve your spot by 7:15pm.
Monday May 4th GM Ben Finegold will be visiting Columbia, South Carolina to educate with a Chess Lecture and then play all comers in a simultaneous exhibition. The lecture will begin at 7pm at the North Trenholm Baptist Church. $15 per attendee covers the lecture and the simul. Sign up online at http://strategerycg.com/tournaments.html
May 9th Midlands Scholastic Chess League VI http://strategerycg.com/tournaments.html
May 23-24th South Carolina Open Greenville, SC
May 30th -31st SC vs NC Border Battle Charlotte, NC Champion vs Champion
2 players from each class per state from E to Expert
Let me know if interested or have questions.
Mark your calendars for the August 22nd weekend as the Columbia Open returns.
