Happy National Chess Day, Oct. 9

Our little 12 player National Chess Day Tourney

President Gerald Ford set October 9th, 1976 aside as a day "To give special recognition to a game that generates challenge, intellectual stimulation, and enjoyment for citizens of all ages."  For the 2010 ICA Wood River Progressive Weekend, it was exactly that.  The 2nd annual Wood River Weekend was held on October 9 on National Chess Day.  The tournament attracted 8th grade scholastic players up to the usual, and much older ICA Crowd.  There were challenges for the players and the TD.  Not to mention the intellectual stimulation provided by the games and the contestants.  

Winner Jeff Baggett (4.0 pts.)

The tournament boasted a unique time control that "progressively" got longer as the day wore on.  Round 1 was G/30, Round 2 was G/60, Round 3 was G/90, and Round 4 was G/120.  I think that most players liked the games getting progressively longer, however, I noticed it was difficult for most to make the jump from the 3 hour games to the 4 hour games as most were finished within 2 1/2 hours. After trying to figure out how to upload the tournament for rating with the USCF, it was decided that this would be the last rated time control of the sort.  The weather and views were beautiful on Saturday and as players gathered at Wood River High School, players were reminded of the other activities available in between rounds - the Trailing of the Sheep Festival.  It certainly seemed like fall as the games started!

Trailing of Sheep Festival

For me, Round 1 placed me against Chase Hutchinson and I solidly won.  Chase is an up-and-coming freshman in our chess club and is already learning a lot about chess tactics, however, he needs to pay attention to tactics used against him.  Discovered attacks and pins seemed to be the main problem for his game against me.  In Round 2, I played a very strong game against Jeff Baggett, with an even end game, me in a better position, but Jeff with tempo.  I came under time trouble as the flag began to lift and edged toward the final fall.  I lost the game as I hurriedly tried to gain tempo and a flea carcass holding the flag up.

Play chess online

In game 3, I was able to win against Kevin in another solid game.  Against Sean Manross of California, an experienced international player, I fell apart and never had a chance due to really bad moves on my part.  And I mean really bad moves!  I don't think I put one piece in an optimum position during the opening.

Sean Manross comes all the way from California to play in Idaho tournaments

Chase Hutchinson gets his first taste of non-scholastic chess

Kevin Patterson gets a draw in Round 2 

##	Player	ST	Rating	1	2	3	4	Score	Prize
1	Jeff M. Baggett	ID	1606	W7	W6	W2	W5	4	1st Place Cash
2	Sean Manross	CA	1809	W3	W5	L1	W6	3	2nd Place Cash
3	Nick Jon Bruck	ID	1041	L2	W10	W9	W7	3	1st Student Trophy
4	Fred Bartell	ID	1645	W9	D8	L5	W11	2½	3rd Place Cash
5	Barry D. Eacker	ID	1600	W10	L2	W4	L1	2
6	Adam Porth	ID	1229	W11	L1	W8	L2	2
7	Taylor Walton	ID	802	L1	W11	W10	L3	2
8	Kevin R. Patterson	ID	1270	W12	D4	L6	D9	2
9	Katie Rae Patterson	ID	979	L4	W12	L3	D8	1½	2nd Student Trophy
10	Desmond Porth	ID	685	L5	L3	L7	W12	1	3rd Student Trophy
11	Chase Russsell Hutchinson	ID	Unr.	L6	L7	W12	L4	1
12	Jake Whitlock	ID	Unr.	L8	L9	L11	L10	0

1st place $50-Jeff Baggett(4.0), 2nd place $38-Sean Manross, 3rd place $25-Fred Bartell, 1st place trophy Nick Bruck, 2nd place trophy Katie Patterson, 3rd place trophy Desmond Porth.

Nick Bruck plays Sean Manross into the endgame