Denver Open, 2016
6:02pm Tuesday, April 26th, 2016
I am sure glad to be able to start off one of these reports without complaining about attendance. We optimistically based our 4000 dollar prize fund on a registration of 125 players, thinking we would do well to get 100. I am pleased to report that we drew 122 participants.
Click here to view the cross tables on the USCF website.
This in spite of another Colorado spring snow storm starting late Friday night, and lasting the whole weekend. Two feet of heavy wet snow in places, and a cold north wind blowing all day and night. Spring time in the Rocky mountain area. Ya gotta love it :-) We had 6 preregistered players withdraw due to the storm, and I am sure there would have been at least 10-15 more walk up players the day of the tournament, if there had not been a winter storm in April. Still, with 122 players the DCC was happy to pay out the full 4000 dollars in prize money. In addition Ann Davies donated 200 dollars for a Cassia Women's prize, plus a 10% entry fee discount for all woman players. Thank you very much, Ann. You are so cool :-)
More than half of the 41 players in the Open section were rated over 1900, and of course it was further strengthened with the presence of WIM Mariam Danelia. I think anyone would have considered it a safe bet to say the WIM would take the 1st place prize money and leave the other prizes for the local players. Well that was not the case. Newly minted USCF master, Chris Peterson has taken his game to the next level and showed that his 2200 plus rating is no fluke. Chris allowed one draw to Gunnar Anderson and won all his other games. Impressive was all of his games were less than 40 moves, with three of them being less than 30 moves. Whack. Smack. Take that 700 dollar 1st place check to the bank.
A few moves before clear first place was decided
His last round game against Akshat Jain is a classic, and should be played over by anyone who wants to see a beautiful game. Chris said there is an old Russian adage that 3 pieces is a mate. In this game you see the proof of that. But I hear you saying Akshat is only rated 1827, so of course Chris won. Ask yourself how a 1827 rated player can be playing on board 1 in the last round. Really, these two players are the story of the tournament. Prior to running into the Peterson buzz saw, Mr. Jain had upset Rhett Langseth (2106), Kevin Seidler (2141), Lior Lapid (2290) and then drew WIM Danelia (2363) That is a stunning string of games and Akshat's rating will jump to 1970 in one go. Whooowee baby, that is some good chess. it is a shame that Akshat's 3.5 points only won the U1950 prize of 100 dollars.
Here are my annotated games from Denver Open 2016 -- Chris Peterson
Peterson, Christofer (2227) - Polsky, Ryan (1914)
Round 1 of 2016 Denver Open
2016.04.16
From what I saw, none of WIM Danelia's games were easy for her. She allowed a draw to Zhiji Li in round 3, and as mentioned, to Mr. Jain in round 4. In the last round, Gunnar Anderson pushed hard and the consensus was he was better. Mariam was calm and cool under pressure and turned the tables. Eventually mating Gunnar's King on the side on the board. When the smoke cleared we had 5 players tied for 2nd place with 4 points.
In addition to Mariam, the other players to finish with 4 points were: Kevin Seidler, Zhiji LI, Morgan Robb, and Ryan Swerdlin. All these players had excellent games. I know Kevin was especially pleased to win his last round game over none other than Brian Wall. Mr. Li played a sweet trick to queen a passed pawn and win his 5th round game over Daoud Zupa. With ice in his veins Zhiji was playing the last like 20 moves on the increment.
The up and comings showing their presence
Morgan's rating is going to take a big jump, with an upset win over Mr. Lapid and drawing Mr. Wall with outstanding play. Ryan won his share of the prize money with a last round win over the long time Colorado player, Brad Lundstrom. Mr. Swerdlin won all his games except for a round 2 loss to Mr. Zupa. Congratulations to all of these players. It seems such good chess should win more than 140 dollars each.
Between rounds, it was interesting to listen to Mr. Lundstrom and Earle Wikle talk about chess history, players, famous matches, and different opening lines. I thought only Grandmasters could discuss opening lines or games from memory without a board or pieces, but these two guys can do it just as well. "In the Fischer line of the London system, what do you play after Nc6?" and off they would go. Was a trip to me. Both have extensive chess book collections that they actually read and study. The human mind and memory is endlessly fascinating.
Tournament in full swing!
The story of the U1800 section was Francisco Torres, an unrated player, winning all his games except for a last round draw with Ann Davies. 4.5 points was only worth 150 dollars due to the prize money restriction on unrated players playing in the Under sections. Mr. Torres knew this coming in and had no complaint. We are hoping to see Francisco and his two children, Franz and Frances Janelle, on Tuesday nights at the DCC.
This left the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes to be shared by; George Voorhis, Jose Magno, and Ann Davies. They all ended up with 4 points and each won 317 dollars. George won his last round game over long time DCC member, Vibi Varghese. Jose won against Calvin DeJong. Calvin is, i think, around 10 years old (I'm guessing) He played in the Friday night simul and won his round 4 game against yours truly. So I was hoping he would go on and win his last round game, but he did not. Ann played very well in her 1st round game. In severe time pressure, essentially playing on the delay, Ms. Davies beat the strong Steve Kovach.
Ann also ended up the best women best women's score which added 125 dollars to her prize winnings. Deanna Alter had the 2nd best women's score and won 75 dollars. I was playing on the board next to Deanna in round 5. While I was trading pieces to a boring opposite Bishop ending, Deanna was playing a great king side attack. She sacrificed a Knight,put a pawn on g6 and left the black King with nowhere to run. Another young lady who played good chess was Teah Williams. Her brothers, Josh and Jessie and her sister Selah, played in the Under sections, but Teah was nervy enough to play up to the Open section. She upset Gerry Morris and drew against Jack Woehr, who are both strong experienced players. Teah will gain a whopping 55 rating points. Congratulations ladies. We would like to see you at all our tournaments.
The U1700 prize was shared by Cory Kohler and John Byrne. They each finished with 3.5 points and won 50 dollars each. New to the DCC, Michel Doyon, and the above mentioned Calvin DeJong shared the U1600 prize and they also won 50 dollars each with 3 point scores. Congratulations to all of you, and you are all invited to join Mr. Doyon at the DCC on Tuesday nights.
Best attendance at a Denver Open ever!!
In the U1500 section, 1st and 2nd place was shared by Peer Seyferman and Ryan Thompson. They played very well to finish with 4.5 points and win 375 dollars each. Why can't I play like these guys :-) The 3rd place prize was split between Todd Burge and Jesse Mellinger. Each scored 4 points and each won 125 dollars. Issac Bean, an unrated player, also finished with a 4 point score and won the restricted prize of 100 dollars. Restricting unrated players like this doesn't seem fair, but it is to prevent maybe a strong internet player, or a street hustler from taking place prize money from USCF rated players. Unrated players can of course win any place prize in the Open section.
I am happy to report that hardworking DCC member and Tuesday night regular, Rob Cernich, won the U1200 prize of 100 dollars. We would very much like the other U1500 winners to join Rob on Tuesday nights at the DCC. Have I mentioned playing at the DCC on Tuesday nights elsewhere in this report? :-)
To wrap up this report, i would like to give credit to the TD's, Todd Bardwick and Dean Clow. Todd is a long time Colorado scholastic tournament TD, and Dean has really improved the Tuesday night registration process. His "Caissia" pairing system faced a real test here at the Denver Open and I believe passed with flying colors. Todd and Dean got the 1st round started on time for maybe the first time ever at a Colorado tournament. Todd and Dean handled one dispute after another in the 3rd round of this tournament. All were settled professionally and the players involved accepted the TD's rulings without too much complaint. Thank you very much gentlemen. Players and TD's alike.
The DCC treasurer learning from the best.
Finally, I would like to thank Whole Foods for providing a free of charge coffee service on Saturday. Starbucks did the same on Sunday. I am a coffee drinker and I certainly appreciated this service, as did many others. The Embassy Suites Hotel provided everything we asked for, and despite the ongoing construction, the playing room was quiet. The simul and the tournament would not have happened without Randolph Schine making all the arrangements. High grade professional organization was what it was.
Thanks again to all, J.C. MacNeil