Congratulations to Joe Bennett of Hubbardston, Ken Gurge of Leominster, and Bruce Felton of Fitchburg who tied for first with 4-1 scores in the Rufus Franklin Time-Handicap Tournament.  We had 16 players - a good turnout for a holiday week event.  The tournament honored the memory of Rufus Franklin of Holden, who directed the Worcester Chess Club for many years, and who died two years ago.

Bruce Felton was leading the tournament going into the fifth and final round with a score of 4-0, but he lost to Joe Bennett in the final round. Bennett's only loss was to Martin Laine (Round 3). Ken Gurge's only loss was to Felton (Round 3).
George O'Rourke's son Larry, also played. He was visiting from Washington, D.C., where he lives.
 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
4.0	Joe Bennett, Bruce Felton, Ken Gurge
3.5	Angel Soto
3.0	Martin Laine, Brian Biglow, Eduardo Valadares
2.5	George O'Rourke, Lawrence O'Rourke
2.0	Caleb Comptois, Wayne Steadman, Ernest Fandreyer, Ben Brandt
1.5	Paul Giovino
1.0	Andrew Kiser
0.0	Cristen Comptois

George Sturgis Memorial
Final Round (of 4)

"Battle of the Titans"

The battle for first place in the final round of the George Sturgis Memorial came down to a match between the two club co-champions, George Mirijanian and Bruce Felton, who were both undefeated up to this point.  So...

Congratulations to George Mirijanian of Fitchburg, winner of the George Sturgis Memorial.  Congratulations also to Joe Bennett of Hubbardston, Martin Laine of Lunenburg, George O'Rourke of Concord, and Bruce Felton of Fitchburg, who tied for second.

Andrew Kiser received a full-point bye.  Tom Fratturelli, Ray Fortier, Reggie Boone, Caleb Comptois, Cristen Comptois, and Ben Brandt did not play the round.  Brian Biglow had already withdrawn from the tournament.
 

FINAL STANDINGS
Points
4.0	Mirijanian
3.0	Felton, O'Rourke, Laine, J. Bennett
2.5	Caleb Comptois
2.0	Giovino, Gurge, Soto, Couture, Valadares, Fandreyer
1.5	Condon, Fortier, Kiser
1.0	Fratturelli, Steadman, Boone, R. Bennett
0.5	Cristen Comptois
0.0	Biglow, Brandt

George Sturgis Memorial
Round 3 (of 4)

Bruce Felton defeated George O'Rourke in an exciting bishop-and-pawn endgame tonight to maintain a share of first place along with George Mirijanian.  Bruce's win broke George's 5 game winning streak.  Bruce and George M will face off next week in the final round of the tournament due to George's victory over Ken Gurge.  Ken tried to duplicate his previous victory over George by once again playing 2. Bc4 against George's Alekhine, but after 1. e4 Nf6 2. Bc4 e5 3. Nc3 George varied from his previous 3...Nxe4 by playing 3... Bc5 and went on to checkmate Ken in 25 moves.

Reggie Boone and Cristen Comptois received half-point byes.  Brian Biglow had already withdrawn from the tournament.
 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
3.0	Mirijanian, Felton
2.5	Caleb Comptois
2.0	O'Rourke, Laine, Gurge, Couture, Fandreyer, J. Bennett
1.5	Condon, Fortier
1.0	Soto, Fratturelli, Steadman, Valadares, Boone, R. Bennett
0.5	Kiser, Cristen Comptois
0.0	Biglow, Brandt

George Sturgis Memorial
Round 2 (of 4)

Ray Fortier, Reggie Boone and Andrew Kiser received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.0	Mirijanian, Felton, O'Rourke, Gurge
1.5	Condon, Caleb Comptois
1.0	Laine, Soto, Couture, Fratturelli, Steadman, Fandreyer, J. Bennett, R. Bennett
0.5	Fortier, Boone, Kiser
0.0	Biglow, Valadares, Brandt, Cristen Comptois

Brian Biglow withdrew from the tournament.

George Sturgis Memorial
Round 1 (of 4)

 Martin Laine and Alan Condon received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
1.0	Mirijanian, Felton, O'Rourke, Gurge, Soto, Couture, Fratturelli, Steadman, Caleb Comptois
0.5	Laine, Condon
0.0	Biglow, Fortier, Valadares, Boone, Fandreyer, Kiser, J. Bennett, R. Bennett, Cristen Comptois

Congratulations to George O'Rourke of Concord, winner of the Edmund N. Wheeler Memorial.  George was undefeated, giving up only one draw to Angel Soto.  Congratulations also to Ken Gurge of Leominster who finished second, and to Joe Bennett of Hubbardston, Alan Condon of Leominster, Dave Couture of Westminster, Martin Laine of Lunenburg, and George Mirijanian of Fitchburg who tied for third.  Special congratulations go to 17 year old Joe Bennett who was playing in his first tournament ever and tied for third even though he missed the first round!

Also tonight we welcomed Caleb and Cristen Comptois of Hubbardston.  Welcome aboard folks.  We're glad to have you with us!

Edmund N. Wheeler Memorial
Round 5 (of 5)

 Mike Meehan, Ray Fortier, Reggie Boone, Javier Diaz, and Andrew Kiser did not play the round.
 

FINAL STANDINGS
Points
4.5	O'Rourke
4.0	Gurge
3.0	Mirijanian, Laine, Couture, Condon, J. Bennett
2.5	Felton, Soto, Biglow
2.0	Fratturelli, Steadman, Fandreyer, R. Bennett
1.5	Boone
1.0	Meehan, Kiser
0.5	Fortier, Diaz
0.0	Caleb Comptois, Cristen Comptois

George O'Rourke of Concord moved into 1st place with a victory over Ken Gurge of Leominster.  Joe Bennett of Hubbardston continued his auspicious debut with his third victory in as many games.  Joe's performance rating so far is an impressive 1814.  If he hadn't missed the first round he might well be in first place.  His father Richard also won tonight, scoring his first-ever tournament win.  Congratulations to both Bennetts!  Also tonight, the club welcomed back Mike Meehan of Westminster.

Edmund N. Wheeler Memorial
Round 4 (of 5)

 Tom Fratturelli received a half-point bye.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
3.5	O'Rourke
3.0	Mirijanian, Gurge, J. Bennett
2.5	Felton, Soto
2.0	Laine, Couture, Steadman, Condon, Fandreyer
1.5	Biglow, Boone
1.0	Fratturelli, Meehan, Kiser, R. Bennett
0.5	Fortier, Diaz

Ken Gurge took over sole possession of 1st place with an upset win over George Mirijanian.  The win was Ken's first-ever against George.  It was a week for upsets as Angel Soto also pulled off an upset win over Bruce Felton and Reggie Boone pulled off an "upset" draw against Martin Laine.  Joe Bennett continued his fine start in the world of tournament chess by winning again.  He has now won both of his first 2 games.

Edmund N. Wheeler Memorial
Round 3 (of 5)

Tom Fratturelli, Brian Biglow, Ray Fortier, and Andrew Kiser received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
3.0	Gurge
2.5	O'Rourke, Soto
2.0	Mirijanian, Condon, J. Bennett
1.5	Felton, Laine, Couture, Boone
1.0	Steadman, Fandreyer, Kiser
0.5	Fratturelli, Biglow, Fortier, Diaz
0.0	R. Bennett

After 2 rounds George Mirijanian and Ken Gurge are tied for first.  They will play each other in the 3rd round.  Also, congratulations are in order for Joe Bennett of Hubbardston who was playing in his first-ever rated game and won.  Congratulations Joe!

Edmund N. Wheeler Memorial
Round 2 (of 5)

Ray Fortier and Javier Diaz did not play the round.
 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.0	Mirijanian, Gurge
1.5	Felton, O'Rourke, Couture, Soto
1.0	Laine, Condon, Boone, Fandreyer, J. Bennett
0.5	Diaz, Kiser
0.0	Fratturelli, Biglow, Steadman, Fortier, R. Bennett

Edmund N. Wheeler Memorial
Round 1 (of 5)

 Javier Diaz and Andrew Kiser received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
1.0	Mirijanian, Felton, O'Rourke, Laine, Couture, Soto, Gurge
0.5	Diaz, Kiser
0.0	Fratturelli, Biglow, Steadman, Condon, Fortier, Boone, Fandreyer

Congratulations to Dave Couture, winner of the Columbus Day USCF-Rated Quick Chess tournament.  Congratulations also to Ken Gurge and Martin Laine who tied for second place.

    PLAYER          RATING  RD1  RD2  RD3  RD4  RD5  PTS.
1  Dave Couture     1517    L4   W3   W9   W8   W2   4.0
2  Ken Gurge        1582    W9   W4   W8   D5   L1   3.5
3  Martin Laine     1723    D6   L1   W7   W9   W5   3.5
4  Mustafa Buxamusa 1252    W1   L2   L5   W6   W8   3.0
5  Angel Soto       Unr.    L7   W6   W4   D2   L3   2.5
6  Brian Biglow     1436    D3   L5   W10  L4   W9   2.5
7  Javier Diaz      Unr.    W5   L8   L3   D10  W10  2.5
8  Tom Fratturelli  1465    W10  W7   L2   L1   L4   2.0
9  Alan Condon      1409    L2   W10  L1   L3   L6   1.0
10 Ernest Fandreyer 1164    L8   L9   L6   D7   L7   0.5

Tournament Director: George Mirijanian

     Although the turnout for the one-night tournament was low, we were delighted to have young Mustafa Buxamusa visiting all the way from Westford.  We also were glad to see Alan Condon return to the club after a layoff of a few months.

Congratulations to Martin Laine and George Mirijanian, co-winners of the Raymond W. Fortin Memorial.  Congratulations also to Bruce Felton who finished third.

   FINAL CROSSTABLE

    PLAYER          RATING  RD1  RD2  RD3  RD4  RD5  PTS.

1  George Mirijanian 1945   bye  bye  W5   W8   W2   4.0

2  Martin Laine      1754   W13  W9   W7   W3   L1   4.0

3  Bruce Felton      1872   W15  D5   W12  L2   W4   3.5

4  Dave Couture      1554   W17  bye  bye  W6   L3   3.0

5  Tom Fratturelli   1545   W14  D3   L1   W12  D8   3.0

6  Wayne Steadman    1366   L7   W19  W9   L4   W13  3.0

7  Larry Gladding    1887   W6   W8   L2   bye  ---  2.5

8  Kenneth Gurge     1547   W19  L7   W15  L1   D5   2.5

9  Angel Soto        1544   W18  L2   L6   W14  D15  2.5

10 Eduardo Valadares 1340   W11  L12  W19  bye  ---  2.5

11 Gary Brassard     1872   L10  bye  W13  bye  ---  2.0

12 Brian Biglow      1470   bye  W10  L3   L5   bye  2.0

13 Ernest Fandreyer  1223   L2   W18  L11  W15  L6   2.0

14 Javier Diaz       1288   L5   L15  W18  L9   W19  2.0

15 Reggie Boone      1364   L3   W14  L8   L13  D9   1.5

16 Raymond Fortier   1400   ---  W17  ---  ---  ---  1.0

17 Paul Migliozzi    1154   L4   L16  bye  bye  ---  1.0

18 Thomas Ruff       Unr.   L9   L13  L14  W19  ---  1.0

19 Andrew Kiser      1075   L8   L6   L10  L18  L14  0.0

Martin Laine increases his lead to a full point.

Raymond W. Fortin Memorial
Round 4 (of 5)

Larry Gladding, Gary Brassard, Eduardo Valadares, and Paul Migliozzi received half-point byes. Ray Fortier had withdrawn from the tournament.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
4.0	Laine
3.0	Mirijanian, Couture
2.5	Gladding, Felton, Fratturelli, Valadares
2.0	Brassard, Gurge, Soto, Steadman, Fandreyer
1.5	Biglow
1.0	Fortier, Boone, Migliozzi, Diaz, Ruff
0.0	Kiser

Wachusett Chess Club takes 2nd place in 1st WMCA Interclub Match!

Twenty-four contestants from five different chess clubs participated in the three round, game/60 tournament.  The club was ably represented by George Mirijanian, Bruce Felton, Martin Laine, and Ken Gurge.

Going into the final round, the club was leading the field with 6.5 points, with the Pioneer Valley Chess Club "A" team at 5.5 points.  In the final round, the Wachusett Chess Club could only score a half-point out of 4 with Martin Laine's lone draw.  The Pioneer Valley Chess Club "A" team rallied for 3.5 points to finish first with a score of 9-3.  Congratulations to Chris McDaniel, Dave Hall, Larry Williams, Tom Smith, and Ed Borowski!

Complete Tournament Crosstable

Martin Laine moves into first place.

Raymond W. Fortin Memorial
Round 3 (of 5)

Dave Couture and Paul Migliozzi received half-point byes. Ray Fortier withdrew from the tournament.
 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
3.0	Laine
2.5	Felton
2.0	Mirijanian, Gladding, Couture, Gurge, Steadman, Valadares
1.5	Brassard, Fratturelli, Biglow
1.0	Soto, Fortier, Boone, Fandreyer, Diaz
0.5	Migliozzi
0.0	Kiser, Ruff

Raymond W. Fortin Memorial
Round 2 (of 5)

 Dave Couture, George Mirijanian and Gary Brassard received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.0	Gladding, Laine
1.5	Felton, Couture, Fratturelli, Biglow
1.0	Mirijanian, Gurge, Soto, Fortier, Steadman, Boone, Valadares, Fandreyer
0.5	Brassard
0.0	Migliozzi, Kiser, Diaz, Ruff

Raymond W. Fortin Memorial
Round 1 (of 5)

George Mirijanian and Brian Biglow received half-point byes.
 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
1.0	Gladding, Felton, Laine, Couture, Gurge, Fratturelli, Soto, Valadares
0.5	Mirijanian, Biglow
0	Brassard, Steadman, Boone, Fandreyer, Migliozzi, Kiser, Diaz, Ruff

Congratulations to Ken Gurge, winner of the Frederic S. Lawrence Memorial tournament!

Frederic S. Lawrence Memorial
Round 5 (of 5)

 George Mirijanian, Gary Brassard, George O'Rourke, Brian Biglow, Wayne Steadman, Reggie Boone, and Harold Chattaway did not play the round.
 

FINAL STANDINGS
Points
4.0	Gurge
3.5	Felton, Giovino
3.0	Mirijanian, Gladding, Fratturelli, M. Migliozzi
2.5	Brassard, O'Rourke, Laine, Soto, Valadares
2.0	Fandreyer, Kiser
1.5	Biglow, Fortier, Steadman, Boone, Diaz
1.0	P. Migliozzi, Chattaway

The Raymond W. Fortin Memorial tournament begins next Wednesday.

Frederic S. Lawrence Memorial
Round 4 (of 5)

George Mirijanian, Paul Giovino, Raymond Fortier, Eduardo Valadares, Matthew Migliozzi, Paul Migliozzi, Andrew Kiser, Javier Diaz and Harold Chattaway received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
3.0	Mirijanian, Felton, Giovino, Gurge, Fratturelli
2.5	Brassard, O'Rourke, Valadares
2.0	Gladding, M. Migliozzi, Kiser
1.5	Laine, Biglow, Soto, Fortier, Steadman, Boone, Diaz
1.0	Fandreyer, P. Migliozzi, Chattaway

Frederic S. Lawrence Memorial
Round 3 (of 5)

Ken Gurge, Martin Laine, Matthew Migliozzi, Andrew Kiser, Raymond Fortier, Paul Migliozzi and Harold Chattaway received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.5	Mirijanian, Felton, Giovino, Gurge
2.0	Gladding, Fratturelli, Valadares
1.5	Laine, Biglow, Boone, M. Migliozzi, Kiser
1.0	Soto, Fortier, Steadman, Diaz
0.5	P. Migliozzi, Chattaway
0.0	Fandreyer

Frederic S. Lawrence Memorial
Round 2 (of 5)

Martin Laine, Reggie Boone, Brian Biglow, and Raymond Fortier received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.0	Mirijanian, Felton, Gurge
1.5	Giovino, Biglow, Boone
1.0	Laine, Soto, Fratturelli, Valadares, M. Migliozzi, Kiser, Diaz
0.5	Fortier
0.0	Steadman, Fandreyer, P. Migliozzi, Chattaway

Frederic S. Lawrence Memorial
Round 1 (of 5)

Martin Laine received a half-point bye.
 

July 27

The club's Thud and Blunder Open, the final time-handicap quick chess tournament of the summer season, was played on July 27 and ended in a four-way tie among Larry Gladding and Gary Brassard, both of Leominster, and Bruce Felton and Matthew Migliozzi, both of Fitchburg, in a field of 16 players. All finished with scores of 3.5-1.5.  Runners-up with 3-2 tallies were Martin Laine of Lunenburg, Ernest Fandreyer of Fitchburg, and George Mirijanian of Fitchburg, the last of whom sat out the first and last round in order to keep the field even and thus avoid issuing full-point byes.
 

July 20

Brian Biglow of Leominster won the FIDE Anniversary time-handicap quick chess tournament on July 20. Initially ranked sixth in a field of 17 players, Biglow scored 4.5-0.5 and was the only undefeated contestant. Runner-up with a 4-1 tally was Martin Laine of Lunenburg. Deadlocked in 3rd-7th place with 3-2 results were Bruce Felton, Angel Soto and Matthew Migliozzi, all of Fitchburg, Tom Fratturelli of Leominster, and Eduardo Valadares of Hudson.

The tournament marked the anniversary of the founding of the Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE), which took place on July 20, 1924 in Paris, France.

July 13

Bruce Felton, Ken Gurge, and Angel Soto tied for first place in the Dr. Max Levinger Memorial time-handicap quick chess tournament, held July 13. All three scored 4-1 in a field of 16 players. Runner-up with a 3.5-1.5 tally was Paul Giovino.

Dr. Paul Migliozzi and his son, Matthew, returned to the club and played in the time-handicap event. In the 4th round they had to be paired against each other since they were the only ones in their score group.  Matthew won the game.

George Mirijanian says, "Dr. Max Levinger was a charter member of the Wachusett Chess Club,  whom I remember playing as a teenager more than 45 years ago. When I joined the club in the late 1950s, Dr.. Levinger was an active member of the club. He was so passionate about chess that several club members, including me, used to play at his medical office Friday nights on Grove Street in Fitchburg, where the sessions would last until the wee hours of Saturday morning. Sometimes I would play him on his desk and sometimes I would play him and others on an examining table! Dr. Levinger was born in July 1894 and died in March 1973. Although his practice was in Fitchburg, he lived in Lunenburg. He was one of the most colorful chess players the area has ever known. He was an impeccable dresser and very distinct in his speech. He also hated to lose. If you beat him, he would immediately challenge you to another game. Some of those Friday night sessions lasted long because he wouldn't let you go until he had beaten you. It was a great pleasure having known him."
 

6-July-2005: Martin Laine of Lunenburg won the John W. Martin Birthday Time-Handicap Quick Chess tournament with a perfect score of 5-0 in a field of 17 players. Runners-up with 3.5-1.5 tallies were Bruce Felton of Fitchburg, Ken Gurge of Leominster, and Mike Meehan of Westminster.

29-June-2005: We had 6 new players - 3 from Hubbardston, 2 from Fitchburg, and 1 from Townsend - show up at the club Wednesday night to play in another 5-round time-handicap quick chess tournament, the last one held at First Church Unitarian Universalist in Leominster.

The Eli L. Bourdon Time-Handicap Quick Chess Memorial tournament ended in victory for Paul Giovino of Lunenburg, who scored 4.5-0.5. Runner-up with a 4-1 tally was Bruce Felton of Fitchburg, whose only loss was to Giovino. Tied for 3rd-5th place with 3.5-1.5 results were George Mirijanian of Fitchburg (who drew Giovino but lost to Felton), Tom Fratturelli of Leominster, and Angel Soto of Fitchburg.  A total of 18 players competed in the event.

Eli Bourdon (1907-80) of Holyoke helped the Wachusett Chess Club conduct their first rated weekend tournament in June, 1961 and played in the 16-player event. He is best known for organizing the Western Mass. & Conn. Valley events for many years in Springfield.

22-June-2005: The June 22nd Paul Morphy Time Handicap Quick Chess Tournament ended in a three-way tie for first between George Mirijanian, Bruce Felton, and Angel Soto, all of Fitchburg, scoring 4-1.

15-June-2005: Bruce Felton and George Mirijanian are the new club co-champions!  Congratulations Bruce and George!  Congratulations also to the following finishers in the "B" Division:  1st Place - Paul Giovino, 2nd Place - Brian Biglow and Wayne Steadman.

08-June-2005: Congratulations to club members Gary Brassard and Martin Laine for their performances at the 74th Massachusetts Open!  Gary tied for 1st in the U2000 section of the May 28-30th Event and Martin took 1st on tie-break in the U2000 section of the One Day Event!