Schmakel Wins 2016 Winter Open; Perez Sweeps Reserve

With a fifth round victory over Eric Rosen, Sam Schmakel won the 2016 Tim Just Winter Open completed January 17 in Schaumburg, Schmakel's tally was 4.5/5 for the event. 

Rosen was up 4.0-3.5 heading into the last set of matches. Rosen tied for second through sixth place with Jonathan Kogen, David Peng, Tansel Turgut, and Pete Karagianis.

Schmakel's only blemish was a draw against Karagianis in the penultimate round. Karagianis also drew Peng in the final round.

13 players tied for seventh place with 3.5's. 79 entrants played multiple rounds in the section.

61 faced off in the Reserve with Jose Perez posting the lone perfect 5.0/5 score. 

After sitting out 2014, Perez played four rated events in 2015: three CCA events and the Chessapalooza in August. Pending re-rate, he went up 33 points to 1801, becoming a Class A player for the first time.

Nicholas Ladan took second with a 4.5 posting.

Four players tied for third through sixth places at 4.0: James Webb, Billy Hoseman, Adam Chambers and David Rockwell.

Webb gave both Rockwell and Chambers their only losses, while Webb's loss came versus the champion Perez in the fourth round.

Seven entrants tied for seventh place honors with 3.5's.

Among the top finishers, Webb's rating went up 137 to 1592; Ladan boosted his rating 105 points to 1617.

Perry Zhao gained 235 rating points while Natalie Wisniowski incremented her rating by 205. Both finished with 3.0's.

Robert Reinke had the biggest rating increase in the Open Section with 74 points to 1733. While eligible to play in the Reserve, Reinke posted a 2.5/5 playing up in the Open.

Nikhil Kalghatgi and Shon Shtern both enhanced their ratings by 61 points. Kalghatgi was in the 3.5 score group while Shtern went 3.0.

Chess for Life organized the event.