South Suburban Chess Wars XIII

On April 17, 2016, the Glenwood Chess Club hosted Chess Wars XIII. A total of 29 players were in attendance.
 
In the Under 1250 division, new scholastic newcomer to the Chess Wars tournaments went undefeated 4-0 for 1st place. Nolan Fletes on a 3-1 tiebreak took 2nd, while James Marchert Sr. with the same scored nabbed 3rd place. Family members Hudson Lutfiyya (son) and Lynn Lutfiyya (mother) secured 4th and 5th place respectively.
 
In the U1650 division, ambitious competitors, Megan Chen and Zach Warsh decided to play a section up. However, they were met with stiff resistance from the players, in this section who repelled their best efforts and denied them from placing. Still, both Chen and Warsh should be given an “A” for effort(s).
 
Ignace Bielobradek went undefeated with a 3.5 score. Robert Johnson took 2nd and “whupped” the tournament organizer in a “Bounty Hunter Match” to earn an additional prize. The organizer took the 3rd place spot defeating Eric Mendenhall in a hotly contested match that went back and forth! This was “Sweet Revenge”!
 
As you may recall from Chess Wars XII, Mendenhall taunted and teased the organizer (LOL) when he (the organizer) lost to Eric’s fellow compadre Alex Ramirez. Mendenhall highlighted the fact that Ramirez richly deserved his Bounty Hunter Prize! Undoubtedly, Mendenhall will be seeking a rematch, ASAP. (smile) Mendenhall and Patrice Connelly, finished in 4th and 5th place.
 
In the Open Division, another young scholastic player, David Yong attending from Champaign, decided to play up!  Yong picked off Joe Emole in the 1st round and disposed of Sam Henderson in 11 moves in the 2nd round!
 
Eric Luster, under extreme pressure to slow down the “Downstater’s Momentum”, outlasted Yong in a Rook/Pawn endgame. Yong bounced back to win his last round.  In a final round match, Joe Emole and Eric Luster faced off. Emole’s goal was to beat the man that who defeated the talented boy/youth who had upset him earlier in the tournament.
 
In an extremely close contest, Emole emerged victorious. However, Luster won the tournament on tie break! Emole and Yong finished 2nd and 3rd, while Benjamin Hutter and Nick Allison rounded out the top five.
 
This event also appeared to be enjoyed and well received by the players.
 
For more information about Glenwood Chess Club, activities and events, please visit us at glenwoodchessclub.com