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On October 13th and 14th, the Roanoke Valley Chess Club held its 2023 Walter Muir Tournament at Westhampton Christian Church on Grandin Road, SW.
Sixteen players (and one house player) competed in 5 rounds. Time control was G/60, i20 for Rounds 1-4; G/60, SD for Round 5.
First and second places were split between Chase Bailey (1904) and Phil Harmon (1443), who each scored 4.5 points. Harmon, having to surmount the second highest rated player at the tournament: Felix McCain (1784), pulled through in ending time pressure to secure his victory. Harmon gained 99 rating points in this tournament, which puts his new rating at 1544! Bailey won all his games and had to take a bye in the last round for personal reasons. Junior player Nathaniel Zuraw (1425) came in 3rd, with 3.5 points; an impressive performance from Zuraw, also having gained 30 rating points from this tournament!
Felix McCain and Gabe Kaczor (1462), as well as two provisional players from Christiansburg, each scored 3.0 points.
The Roanoke Valley Chess Club sincerely appreciates everyone who participated and helped make this a successful event!
Club Treasurer Ray Megginson also did an outstanding job directing this tournament! Ray once again proved how committed he is to his craft, as he was spotted studying the USCF TD Handbook between and during rounds.
Thanks also to Westhampton Church for hosting our tournaments at their facilities.
Finally, we pause to remember Walter Muir (1905-1999), a great friend, benefactor, and former President of the Roanoke Valley Chess Club. Walter was also very instrumental in developing postal chess in the U.S., and was a top postal competitor both nationally and internationally for several decades. Walter, an International Correspondence Chess Master, was known as “The Dean” and “The Grand Old Man” of American Correspondence Chess.
The RVCC conducts this event every year in Walter Muir's honor, with his annual endowment, which makes our largest chess tournament possible!
On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, the RVCC held its Summer Quick Championship. Twelve players competed in a 3-round G/15 event at RVCC headquarters, Raleigh Court Public Library.
Isaac Spence and Phil Harmon tied for 1st and 2nd places, with a perfect 3.0 score each.
Tying for 3rd, 4th, and 5th places, with 2.0 points apiece, were Jon Hudson, Nathaniel Zuraw, and Martin Irving.
Ben Dubuque directed this tournament very smoothly and efficiently, using random pairings for the first round. Mike Huff took care of registration, collecting entry fees, and awarding prizes.
As always, the RVCC appreciates the Raleigh Court Public Library, for hosting our weekly meetings and quarterly quick tournaments.
On Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at RVCC HQ at Raleigh Court Public Library, FIDE Master Macon Shibut gave us a brief lecture, followed by a simul. This was a contest pitting the master against 19 opponents simultaneously.
Four club members managed to defeat the master: RVCC Champion Chase Bailey and fellow expert Isaac Spence, along with Ray Megginson and Martin Irving. There were no draws.
Several other players hung in there tenaciously, but eventually succumbed to Shibut's technique.
Thanks to all who participated, including the master and his opponents. As always, we express our gratitude to the Raleigh Court Branch Public Library for hosting our club.
2023 RVCC 75th Anniversary Championship Report
The Roanoke Valley Chess Club (RVCC) held its 75th Anniversary Club Championship on June 16-17, 2023, at Westhampton Christian Church. Twelve players competed over 5 grueling rounds. (President Mike Huff served as house player to avoid byes.)
This event marks the debut of a new Friday-Saturday format, as well as a new G/60, i20 time control for the first 4 rounds. Time control for the final 5th round was G/60 SD.
First place went to Chase Bailey, with a perfect 5.0 score. Congratulations, Chase!
Second place winner was Christian Dotson. Well done, Christian!
Third place went to Caleb Larsen of Blacksburg. Good job, Caleb!
Nathaniel Zuraw was Top Junior. Way to go, Nathaniel!
Many thanks to Treasurer Ray Megginson, who did a splendid job in directing and ensuring a smooth tournament. We also thank Westhampton Church for providing excellent playing facilities, and club officers for organizing this event.
-- Submitted by Mike Huff
The Thematic Tournament on February 8 had fantastic turnout, once again showing the boost of popularity Chess has had since 2020. The Tournament is unusual because it was the Thematic Tournament, which has done quite well over the past couple of years.
The Thematic Opening was 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Be7 4. Bc4 Bh4+.
This is a peculiar variation of the Cunningham, and as expected led to a tremendous amount of fighting and interesting chess.
Black did score unusually well, despite being attacked so early after either of white's 5th moves: 5. Kh1 or 5. g3.
The placing is as follows:
- Christian Doctson took sole 1st with a perfect 4/4.
- Phillip Harmon took 2nd with 3/4.
- Nathaniel Zuraw took 3rd with 2.5/4, showing why draws can absolutely matter as one of his draws was enough to secure him a sole 3rd place and separating him from a pack of 4 players with 2/4.
The Grand Prix is also neck-and-neck with a total of 4 points separating 1st from 3rd.
As part of its series of special, one-day rated tournaments, the Roanoke Valley Chess Club recently held the 2022 Walter Muir Tournament. This 3-round event took place on Saturday, October 15, at Westhampton Christian Church at 2515 Grandin Road.
Tournament Director Courtney Barnes ran our 3-round event very smoothly, and also played, to avoid byes. We had 10 entries, all fighting hard over the board.
First/second places were shared between Courtney Barnes and Daniyar Zakirov, who each scored 2.5 points. Eric Diaz and Ben Dubuque split 3rd/4th places, with 2.0 points each. Nathaniel Zuraw was top U1200 player.
The Roanoke Valley Chess Club sincerely appreciates everyone who participated and made this Saturday Special event yet another successful one in our series.
Thanks also to Westhampton Church, for hosting our tournament in their Fellowship Hall.
Finally, we pause to remember Walter Muir (1905-1999), a great friend, benefactor, and former President of the Roanoke Valley Chess Club. Walter was also very instrumental in developing postal chess in the U.S., and was a top postal competitor both nationally and internationally for several decades. Walter, an International Correspondence Chess Master, was known as "The Dean" and "The Grand Old Man" of American Correspondence Chess.
The RVCC conducts this event every year in Walter Muir's honor, with his annual endowment, which makes our largest chess tournament possible!
-- Submitted by Mike Huff
RVCC members are now giving game score analysis on youtube.
Just click here