Columbia Represents; NM Mike Sailer SC Champion

The Columbia Chess Club came out in full force at the 80th SC Chess Championship on Oct 12-13 at the Hilton Garden Inn.

In the Open Section, Congratulations are in order to NM Mike Sailer (2214) on a great performance to claim SC Champion at the SC Chess Championships! Mike finished the tournament with 3.5/5 points.  This is NM Sailer's second SC Championship and 19th overall. Before moving to South Carolina from North Dakota he claimed the ND championship 17-times. North Carolina resident Prady Kothapalli (2183) won the Open Section going undefeated and scoring 4.5/5.

In the U1800 section, Eli Moore(1800) pushed hard for the win in the last round averting a 4 way tie for first place.  Eli played mature and solid chess on his way to an undefeated 4.5/5 point event.  Dan Quigley(1799) tied for second place with 4.0 points and claimed the section's Senior prize.

In the U1400 section, Eren Bilen, playing in his first weekend tournament, played unrelenting chess on his way to a 4.5 point event and U1400 SC Champion.  Also playing in his first weekend tournament, Krishna Somesula scored 4 points on his way to a sole second place finish.  The event was tension filled. Sections were undecided to the last pawn push, with the top boards in the U1400 and U1800 were the last two games playing.

Upcoming tournaments:
Round 1 Firefly Long tournament Oct 17-Nov 7th.  1 Round per week. 2 Sections Open and U1505.
Midlands Scholastic Chess League I Oct 19 Adult Section