Summer Chess-boxing Classic
The 2013 ICA
Summer Classic, held at Boise State University Student Union Building, lived up
to its name and will be remembered as the tournament that almost turned into
chess boxing. Chess boxing is a rage in
European countries where combatants alternate between rounds of chess and
actual boxing. The winner is either
knocked out or checkmated. Only one
match from the 37 contestants nearly came to blows during round 3. The Summer Classic, G/120 d5, contained two
sections, an open section with 24 players and an U1400 section with 13 players. The larger numbers of players, including five
players rated over 1800 and from other states (Montana, California, Washington,
Oregon, and of course Idaho) was in fact due to the larger prize monies.
Round 1
began a bit late and was a exercise in conservative, defensive-oriented games that
contained no surprises except numerous draws.
There were six draws as opponents sought to familiarize themselves with
each other's style of play. It is a rare
occurrence in Idaho tournaments to host players from other states. Carmen Pemsler (1635), fifteen and from
Boise, Idaho, notably drew a close game with Hanniegn Pitre (1839), sixty-seven
and from Seattle, Washington, and demonstrated the tentative nature of the
games. Attack was not in the air during
round 1.
Round 2 was
similar to the previous round as players ruminated their lunches and played
slow, methodical games with few upsets.
Cody Gorman (1657), of Idaho, played full time against Michael Hosford
(1882) from Bellevue, Washington. The
tournament was progressing as expected.
But the quiet room would soon boil with competiveness in round 3. Games were suddenly aggressive for both black
and white players and the air could be thinly cut with a knife. Sharp lines suddenly "wowed"
spectators and the tournament hall was about to erupt.
Round
3. Viktors Pupols (2214), from Kingston,
Washington was engaged in mindful warfare with Michael Vaughn (1754), from
Eugene, Oregon. Mumbles, seat
adjustments, sighs, and suddenly, "Shhhhuut Up" broke the silent
plotting of the players in the room. I
looked up from my board to see a man threatening to "punch him
[Viktors] in the face." Quickly, a
wide-eyed but determined TD, Jeff Roland, rushed to usher the gentleman to the
corridor. The argument continued to reverberate through the
tournament hall as the players continued their game verbally. Jeff effectively defused the bomb and after a
time the players respectably returned to their boards and quietly finished without
a round of boxing. The spectators were
not disappointed as Jeff was about to
add chess boxing referee to his tournament directing experiences. Viktors Pupols eventually won the tournament,
but his subsequent game against Caleb Kircher (1823), from Nampa would end in a
draw and they would both share the prize money with 4.5 points each at the end
of the tournament ($375 each).
Third and fourth place ($50) went to Michael Hosford and Hanniegn Pitre with 3.5 points
each. Cody Gorman won first place ($200) in lower half. George Lundy (1584) and Alex Machin (1569) won 2nd and 3rd prize with 3.0
points each. In the Reserve Section
(U1400), Adam Porth (1287) decisively won first place ($200) with 4.5 points,
Kyle Schwab (944) won second place ($100) with 4.0 points, and Desmond Porth
(1036) won third place ($50) with 3.5 points.
Prizes were awarded by Jeff Roland.
More to follow.
