December 19th

Final Round (of 4)

Congratulations to Larry Gladding of Leominster and Martin Laine of Lunenburg for winning the George Sturgis Memorial tournament.  Congratulations also to George Mirijanian and Bruce Felton, both of Fitchburg for tying for third place.

George Mirijanian, Craig Andries, Eric Jakobowicz, Tom Fratturelli, Alan Condon, Wayne Steadman, Max Sewell and Francis Scanlon did not play the round. Brian Biglow withdrew from the tournament.

 

FINAL STANDINGS
Points
3.5	Gladding, Laine
3.0	----------
2.5	Mirijanian, Felton
2.0	Jakobowicz, Gurge, Fratturelli
1.5	Giovino, Couture, Soto
1.0	Andries, Condon, Miller, Valadares, Steadman, Scanlon
0.5	Sewell
0.0	Fandreyer

December 12th

Round 3 (of 4)

George Mirijanian received a half-point bye.  Dave Couture and Brian Biglow did not play the round.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.5	Mirijanian, Gladding, Felton, Laine
2.0	Jakobowicz, Gurge, Fratturelli
1.5	----------
1.0	Andries, Condon, Miller, Valadares, Steadman, Scanlon
0.5	Couture, Biglow, Sewell
0.0	Fandreyer

December 5th

Round 2 (of 4)

One Streak Ends - Another Continues

Craig Andries of Leominster saw his 5 game winning streak come to an end tonight with a loss to Martin Laine of Lunenburg tonight as Martin won his 3rd game in a row.  The win gives Martin a share of 1st place along with George Mirijanian and Bruce Felton, both of Fitchburg.

Dave Couture and Eduardo Valadares received half-point byes.  Brian Biglow did not play the round.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.0	Mirijanian, Felton, Laine
1.5	Gladding
1.0	Andries, Jakobowicz, Gurge, Fratturelli, Condon, Miller, Steadman
0.5	Couture, Biglow, Valadares
0.0	Sewell, Fandreyer, Scanlon

November 28th

Round 1 (of 4)

George Mirijanian writes:

Class A-rated player Eric Jakobowicz rejoined the club after an absence of nearly six years. His last rated tournament at the club was the WCC Christmas Quick event held in December 2001 when the club was meeting in Leominster.

 Larry Gladding and Brian Biglow received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
1.0	Mirijanian, Andries, Felton, Laine, Gurge, Fratturelli, Miller
0.5	Gladding, Biglow
0.0	Jakobowicz, Couture, Condon, Valadares, Steadman, Sewell, Fandreyer

Sunday, November 25th

Wachusett CC Players Win Prizes In "Harry Nelson Pillsbury Memorial" Tourney In Leominster

Hanon W. Russell Sexagenarian Open
Final Round (of 4)

Fitchburg's Felton Finishes First

Congratulations to Bruce Felton of Fitchburg for winning the Hanon W. Russell Sexagenarian Open tournament with a near-perfect score of 3 1/2 out of 4.  Congratulations to George Mirijanian, also of Fitchburg for his 2nd place finish.   Congratulations also to Craig Andries of Leominster, Martin Laine of Lunenburg, Alan Condon of Leominster, and George Miller of Ashburnham for tying for 3rd.

George Mirijanian writes:

We were honored Wednesday night by a surprise visit from five-time Wachusett Chess Club champion Allan Bennett, formerly of Chelmsford and now living in Columbus, Ohio.  We hadn't seen Allan since 2001.  He was accompanied by Nashoba Chess Club president Rolf Wetzell, who informed me that that club was discontinuing operations in Westford because of very low attendance.  Most of the Nashoba CC players have been playing regularly on Friday nights at the Billerica Chess Club.  Allan enjoyed analyzing Wachusett CC players' games in the skittles room and imparted some valuable instruction to those in attendance.

Dave Couture and Brian Biglow did not play the round.

 

FINAL STANDINGS
Points
3.5	Felton
3.0	Mirijanian
2.5	Andries, Laine, Condon, Miller
2.0	Gladding, Valadares
1.5	Gurge, Fratturelli, Couture, Steadman
1.0	Biglow, Sewell, Fandreyer
0.5	Scanlon

Note that the club is not meeting next week - the night before Thanksgiving.

Hanon W. Russell Sexagenarian Open
Round 3 (of 4)

Not The Usual Suspects

With a pair of upsets, 2 players not usually seen at the top of the standings have joined Bruce Felton in 1st place.  The biggest upset saw Alan Condon of Leominster pull off a 355 point upset (as black) against Martin Laine.  George Miller pulled off the other upset (a 293 point differential) against Ken Gurge.  Congratulations to both Alan and George!

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.5	Felton, Condon, Miller
2.0	Mirijanian, Gladding
1.5	Andries, Laine, Gurge, Fratturelli, Couture
1.0	Biglow, Valadares, Sewell
0.5	Steadman, Scanlon
0.0	Fandreyer

Hanon W. Russell Sexagenarian Open
Round 2 (of 4)

George Mirijanian and Francis Scanlon received half-point byes. Dave Couture did not play the round.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.0	Felton
1.5	Mirijanian, Laine, Gurge, Condon, Miller
1.0	Gladding, Biglow, Valadares
0.5	Fratturelli, Couture, Steadman, Scanlon
0.0	Sewell, Fandreyer

Hanon W. Russell Sexagenarian Open
Round 1 (of 4)

World Series Edition

The number of players was down tonight as at least some of us were home watching the Sox hammer the Colorado Rockies 13-1 in Game 1 of the 2007 World Series.  Hopefully the Sox will finish the Rockies off in fewer than 6 games so there will be no conflict with NEXT Wednesday night!  Go Sox!

Tom Fratturelli, Dave Couture, Alan Condon, George Miller, and Wayne Steadman received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
1.0	Mirijanian, Laine, Gladding, Felton, Gurge
0.5	Fratturelli, Couture, Condon, Miller, Steadman
0.0	Biglow, Valadares, Sewell, Fandreyer, Scanlon

October 17th

Edmund Wheeler Memorial
Final Round (of 5)

Strange Days Indeed

Coming into this week we had a 4-way tie for 1st between Martin Laine, Craig Andries, George Mirijanian, and Larry Gladding.  Craig Andries was not able to make it and because there were an odd number of players George Mirijanian graciously sat out and took a zero for the round.  The 2 remaining 1st-place players Martin Laine and Larry Gladding played each other to a draw and Dave Couture who was previously tied for 5th won his game to move into a 3-way tie for 1st!  So...

Congratulations to Martin Laine of Lunenburg, Larry Gladding of Leominster, and Dave Couture of Westminster for winning the Edmund Wheeler Memorial tournament.

George Mirijanian, Craig Andries, Tom Fratturelli, Alan Condon, and Francis Scanlon did not play the round.

 

FINAL STANDINGS
Points
3.5	Laine, Gladding, Couture
3.0	Mirijanian, Andries, Gurge, Biglow
2.5	Fratturelli, Valadares
2.0	Felton, Soto, Sewell
1.5	Condon, Miller, Steadman, Fandreyer
1.0	Scanlon

October 10th

Edmund Wheeler Memorial
Round 4 (of 5)

Not Business As Usual

Usually as the weeks go on, the standings clarify and a leader emerges.  With this tournament just the opposite has happened.  Last week, Martin Laine had sole possession of 1st place.  This week there is a 4-way tie for 1st between Martin, Craig Andries (who received a 1/2 point bye), George Mirijanian (who beat Martin) and Larry Gladding (who also had a victory this week).

October 3rd

Edmund Wheeler Memorial
Round 3 (of 5)

Martin Laine Pulls Away

Martin Laine of Lunenburg defeated Bruce Felton of Fitchburg to take sole possession of 1st place.  So far this season Martin is an amazing 9 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw!

Craig Andries, Dave Couture, Wayne Steadman, Max Sewell and Francis Scanlon received half-point byes.
 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
3.0	Laine
2.5	Andries
2.0	Mirijanian, Felton, Gladding, Couture
1.5	Gurge, Fratturelli, Condon, Miller, Valadares
1.0	Biglow, Soto, Fandreyer, Scanlon
0.5	Steadman, Sewell

September 26th

Edmund Wheeler Memorial
Round 2 (of 5)

3-Way Tie After 2

After 2 rounds there is a 3-way tie for 1st between new club member Craig Andries, Bruce Felton of Fitchburg, and Martin Laine of Lunenburg.

Ernest Fandreyer received a full-point bye.  George Mirijanian, Tom Fratturelli, and Dave Couture received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.0	Andries, Felton, Laine
1.5	Fratturelli, Couture
1.0	Mirijanian, Gladding, Gurge, Condon, Miller, Valadares, Fandreyer
0.5	Scanlon
0.0	Biglow, Steadman, Sewell

September 19th

Edmund Wheeler Memorial
Round 1 (of 5)

George Mirijanian, Gary Brassard, Arthur Barlas, and Francis Scanlon received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
1.0	Andries, Felton, Laine, Gladding, Gurge, Fratturelli, Couture
0.5	Mirijanian, Brassard, Barlas, Scanlon
0.0	Biglow, Condon, Miller, Valadares, Steadman, Sewell, Fandreyer

September 12th

Frederic S. Lawrence Memorial

Final Round (of 5)

Felton Finishes First - Fratturelli Finishes Fantastic!

Congratulations to Bruce Felton of Fitchburg for winning the Frederic S. Lawrence Memorial tournament.  Congratulations also to Tom Fratturelli of Leominster for his 2nd place finish during which he pulled off 2 big upset wins to raise his rating 96 points from 1552 to 1648!  Tom will be tested for HGH - Human GENIUS Hormone in this case 8^)  Kudos also to George Mirijanian of Fitchburg and Ken Gurge of Leominster for their 3 point performances which tied them for 3rd.

Paul Giovino, Gary Brassard, Joe Bennett, Dave Couture, George Miller and Arthur Barlas did not play the round.

 

FINAL STANDINGS
Points
4.0	Felton
3.5	Fratturelli
3.0	Mirijanian, Gurge
2.5	Laine, Giovino, Valadares
2.0	Brassard, Bennett, Couture, Biglow, Miller, Steadman
1.5	Gladding, Barlas, Scanlon
1.0	Sewell, Fandreyer

September 5th

Frederic S. Lawrence Memorial

Round 4 (of 5)

Gurge Moves Into Tie For 1st Place

With one round remaining, Ken Gurge and Bruce Felton will face off in the final round for sole possession of 1st place.  If they draw, then George Mirijanian and Tom Fratturelli will have a shot at sharing 1st.

Larry Gladding and Paul Giovino received half-point byes.  Gary Brassard and Joe Bennett did not play the round.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
3.0	Felton, Gurge
2.5	Mirijanian, Giovino, Fratturelli
2.0	Laine, Brassard, J. Bennett, Couture, Biglow, Miller
1.5	Barlas, Valadares, Scanlon
1.0	Sewell, R. Bennett, Steadman, Fandreyer
0.5	Gladding

August 29th

Frederic S. Lawrence Memorial

Round 3 (of 5)

Felton Leapfrogs into 1st Place

With a win over the previously undefeated Paul Giovino, Bruce Felton of Fitchburg moved from a 4-way tie for 2nd place into sole possession of 1st place.

George Mirijanian, Joe Bennett, Arthur Barlas, Tom Fratturelli, Dave Couture and Brian Biglow received half-point byes.  Martin Laine did not play the round.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.5	Felton
2.0	Mirijanian, Brassard, J. Bennett, Giovino, Gurge, Couture
1.5	Barlas, Fratturelli, Valadares
1.0	Laine, Biglow, Miller, Sewell, Steadman, Fandreyer
0.5	-----
0.0	Gladding

August 22nd

Frederic S. Lawrence Memorial

Round 2 (of 5)

Paul Giovino In 1st Place

After just 2 weeks of play, Paul Giovino of Lunenburg is the only player with 2 wins and no losses.  He will be returning to Bentley College in Waltham soon, but hopefully he will be able to finish the current tournament before he goes.

Martin Laine, Joe Bennett, Arthur Barlas, and George Miller received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.0	Giovino
1.5	Mirijanian, Felton, J. Bennett, Couture
1.0	Laine, Barlas, Gurge, Fratturelli, Miller, Steadman, Fandreyer
0.5	Valadares
0.0	Gladding, Sewell

August 15th

Frederic S. Lawrence Memorial

Round 1 (of 5)

Upsets Galore!

Upsets were pretty much the rule tonight.  Tom Fratturelli overcame a 323 point rating disadvantage to beat Larry Gladding who made one of those heartbreaking one-move blunders when he had the game in hand - an experience pretty much everyone can identify  with!  Eduardo Valadares managed a draw against Arthur Barlas who is rated 300 points higher.  That game featured a locked pawn structure with all 16 pawns on the board.  The other upset draw was Couture-Felton with the lower-rated Dave Couture hanging in to pull out a draw in a position where he was down a bishop for a (doubled) pawn.

George Mirijanian, Martin Laine, Brian Biglow, and George Miller received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
1.0	J. Bennett, Giovino, Gurge, Fratturelli
0.5	Mirijanian, Felton, Laine, Barlas, Couture, Biglow, Miller,  Valadares
0.0	Gladding, Sewell, Steadman, Fandreyer

John W. Loyte Memorial

Final Round (of 5)

Congratulations to Martin Laine of Lunenburg for winning the John Loyte Memorial with a perfect 5-0 score!  Congratulations also to Larry Gladding of Leominster for coming in 2nd and to George Mirijanian, Bruce Felton, Paul Giovino, and Ken Gurge who all tied for 3rd.

It should be noted that with his 5-0 performance Martin improved his rating 71 points from 1795 to 1866!

Parker Montgomery and George Miller did not play the round.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
5.0	Laine
4.5	-----
4.0	-----
3.5	Gladding
3.0	Mirijanian, Felton, Giovino, Gurge
2.5	Barlas, Biglow, Steadman, Sewell
2.0	J. Bennett, Fratturelli, Couture, R. Bennett
1.5	-----
1.0	Montgomery, Miller, Valadares, Fandreyer

August 1st

John W. Loyte Memorial

Round 4 (of 5)

Wayne Steadman received a full-point bye.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
4.0	Laine
3.5	-----
3.0	Gurge
2.5	Gladding, Barlas, Biglow
2.0	Mirijanian, Felton, Giovino, Couture, Joe Bennett, Richard Bennett
1.5	Steadman, Sewell
1.0	Montgomery, Fratturelli, Miller, Valadares, Fandreyer

July 25th

John W. Loyte Memorial

Round 3 (of 5)

Parker Montgomery and George Mirijanian received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
3.0	Laine
2.5	Gladding
2.0	Mirijanian, Felton, Barlas, Giovino, Gurge
1.5	Biglow
1.0	Montgomery, Fratturelli, Couture, Miller, Valadares, Fandreyer
0.5	Steadman, Sewell

July 18th

John W. Loyte Memorial

Round 2 (of 5)

After 2 rounds, we have a 3-way tie for 1st between 2 of the "usual suspects" Bruce Felton of Fitchburg and Martin Laine of Lunenburg and a newcomer to the club Arthur Barlas.

July 11th

George Mirijanian repeats as the club champion!  Congratulations George!

As mentioned last week, George Mirijanian had to play a make-up game against tail-ender Dave Couture this week.  George needed a draw to clinch a tie for the club championship and a win to clinch the championship outright.  George did just that and came up with a come-from-behind win to clinch the championship.  This is the third consecutive club championship for George for also won it outright last year and shared it with Bruce Felton back in 2005.  Congratulations again George!

The two remaining make-up games will not be played.

2007 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL STANDINGS

GB - Games Behind

GR - Games Remaining

20006-2007 Season Statistics Leaders

John W. Loyte Memorial

Round 1 (of 5)

July 4th

Happy Independence Day!

June 27th

Wachusett Chess Club Championship

Round "6 1/2" (of 7) Results

STILL Down To The Wire!

Each of the 2 remaining contenders for the club championship, George Mirijanian, who leads by a half point and Parker Montgomery, have one remaining makeup game to play with tail-ender Dave Couture.  The first makeup game will be Couture-Mirijanian and if Couture who is currently 0-4 in the tournament can pull off a win or a draw with Mirijanian, then the makeup game Montgomery-Couture will be played to determine the championship.

In the "B" division Paul Giovino came up with a must-win while Larry Gladding who had won 5(!) in a row was finally stopped by Arthur Barlas giving Paul sole possession of 1st place, Larry 2nd place, and Arthur 3rd.

Congratulations Paul, Larry, and Arthur!

"A" Division

Due to the uneven number of games that each player has played so far, the standings are listed in the order of winning percentage.

The 2 players listed in blue are still in contention for the club championship.

Player	W	L	D	.PCT	GB	GR
George Mirijanian	4	0	2	.833	-	1
Parker Montgomery	3	0	3	.750	½	1
Gary Brassard	4	3	0	.571	1½	-
Martin Laine	3	2	2	.571	1½	-
Bruce Felton	2	1	4	.571	1½	-
Ken Gurge	2	3	1	.417	2½	1
Brian Biglow	1	6	0	.143	4½	-
Dave Couture	0	4	0	.000	4	3

GB - Games Behind

GR - Games Remaining

"B" Division

June 20th

Wachusett Chess Club Championship

Round 6 (of 7) Results

Down To The Wire!

With one round (plus makeup games) remaining, 4 of the 8 players in the championship section are still in the running for the club championship (see the standings below).  Next week Martin Laine, who is tied for 3rd, will have white in a must-win game against tournament leader and current club champion George Mirijanian.  Gary Brassard, who is tied for 3rd as well, also has a must-win game as black against Parker Montgomery who is in 2nd place.

Meanwhile in the "B" division only Paul Giovino has a chance of catching Larry Gladding.  A win by Larry will guarantee him 1st place, while a draw will guarantee him at least a tie for 1st place.

It looks like it will be an exciting week all around!

"A" Division

Due to the uneven number of games that each player has played so far, the standings are listed in the order of winning percentage.

The 4 players listed in blue are still in contention for the club championship.

Player	W	L	D	.PCT	GB	GR
George Mirijanian	3	0	2	.800	-	2
Parker Montgomery	2	0	3	.700	½	2
Gary Brassard	4	2	0	.667	½	1
Martin Laine	3	1	2	.667	½	1
Bruce Felton	1	1	4	.500	1½	1
Ken Gurge	1	3	1	.300	2½	2
Brian Biglow	1	5	0	.167	3½	1
Dave Couture	0	3	0	.000	3	4

GB - Games Behind

GR - Games Remaining 

"B" Division

June 13th

Wachusett Chess Club Championship

Round 5 (of 7) Results

Mirijanian and Gladding Keep Rolling On!

With another win this week, club champion George Mirijanian of Fitchburg has taken over sole possession of 1st place, 1/2 a game ahead of Parker Montgomery of Keene, NH and Martin Laine of Lunenburg.

Meanwhile in the "B" division Larry Gladding of Leominster improved to 4-0(!) to take over sole possession of 1st place in that division.

"A" Division

Due to the uneven number of games that each player has played so far, the standings are listed in the order of winning percentage.

Player	W	L	D	.PCT	GB	GR
George Mirijanian	3	0	1	.875	-	3
Parker Montgomery	2	0	2	.750	½	3
Martin Laine	3	1	1	.700	½	2
Gary Brassard	3	2	0	.600	1	2
Bruce Felton	1	1	3	.500	1½	2
Ken Gurge	1	3	1	.300	2½	2
Brian Biglow	1	4	0	.200	3	2
Dave Couture	0	3	0	.000	3	4

GB - Games Behind

GR - Games Remaining 

"B" Division

June 6th

Wachusett Chess Club Championship

Round 4 (of 7) Results

"A" Division

Due to the uneven number of games that each player has played so far, the standings are listed in the order of winning percentage.

Player	W	L	D	.PCT	GB	GR
Parker Montgomery	2	0	1	.833	-	4
George Mirijanian	2	0	1	.833	-	4
Gary Brassard	3	1	0	.750	-	3
Martin Laine	2	1	1	.625	½	3
Bruce Felton	1	1	2	.500	1	3
Ken Gurge	1	2	1	.375	1½	3
Dave Couture	0	2	0	.000	2	5
Brian Biglow	0	4	0	.000	3	3

GB - Games Behind

GR - Games Remaining 

"B" Division

Drawing half-point byes were Tom Fratturelli, Eduardo Valadares, Arthur Barlas, Francis Scanlon and Max Sewell.

 

CURRENT "B" DIVISION STANDINGS
Points
3.0	Gladding, Giovino, Fratturelli
2.5	Valadares
2.0	Barlas, Miller, Steadman, Fandreyer
1.5	Scanlon
1.0	Kiser
0.5	Sewell

May 30th

Wachusett Chess Club Championship

Round 3 (of 7) Results

"A" Division

Due to the uneven number of games that each player has played so far, the standings are listed in the order of winning percentage.

Player	W	L	D	.PCT	GB	GR
Parker Montgomery	1	0	1	.750	-	5
George Mirijanian	1	0	1	.750	-	5
Martin Laine	2	1	0	.667	-	4
Gary Brassard	2	1	0	.667	-	4
Bruce Felton	1	1	1	.500	½	4
Ken Gurge	1	1	1	.500	½	4
Dave Couture	0	1	0	.000	1	6
Brian Biglow	0	3	0	.000	2	4

GB - Games Behind

GR - Games Remaining 

"B" Division

 

CURRENT "B" DIVISION STANDINGS
Points
3.0	Giovino
2.5	Fratturelli
2.0	Gladding, Valadares, Fandreyer
1.5	Barlas
1.0	Miller, Steadman, Scanlon
0.5	-----
0.0	Sewell

May 23rd

Wachusett Chess Club Championship

Round 2 (of 7) Results

"A" Division

 

Player	W	L	D	GB	GR
Martin Laine	2	0	0	-	5
George Mirijanian	1	0	1	½	5
Bruce Felton	1	0	1	½	5
Gary Brassard	1	1	0	1	5
Parker Montgomery	0	0	1	1	6
Ken Gurge	0	1	1	1½	5
Dave Couture	0	1	0	1½	6
Brian Biglow	0	2	0	2	5

GB - Games Behind

GR - Games Remaining 

"B" Division

Ernest Fandreyer drew a full-point bye.

 

CURRENT "B" DIVISION STANDINGS
Points
2.0	Giovino, Valadares
1.5	Fratturelli
1.0	Miller, Steadman, Fandreyer, Scanlon
0.5	Barlas
0.0	Sewell

May 16th

Wachusett Chess Club Championship

Round 1 (of 7) Results

"A" Division

 

Player	W	L	D	GB	GR
George Mirijanian	1	0	0	-	6
Martin Laine	1	0	0	-	6
Bruce Felton	0	0	1	½	6
Ken Gurge	0	0	1	½	6
Parker Montgomery	0	0	0	½	7
Dave Couture	0	0	0	½	7
Gary Brassard	0	1	0	1	6
Brian Biglow	0	1	0	1	6

GB - Games Behind

GR - Games Remaining 

"B" Division

Francis Scanlon drew a full-point bye and Arthur Barlas received a half-point bye.

 

CURRENT "B" DIVISION STANDINGS
Points
1.0	Giovino, Valadares, Steadman, Scanlon
0.5	Barlas
0.0	Miller, Sewell, Fandreyer

Wachusett Chess Club Championship Preliminary

Final Round (of 5)

Congratulations to Ken Gurge, Bruce Felton, Gary Brassard, Dave Couture, and Brian Biglow who qualified tonight for the remaining places in the championship section.

Brian Biglow and Alan Condon did not play the round. Clay Bradley had already withdrawn from the tournament.

Championship round qualifiers in blue.

FINAL STANDINGS
Points
4.0	Laine
3.5	Montgomery
3.0	-----
2.5	Mirijanian, Gurge
2.0	Felton, Brassard, Couture, Biglow, Miller
1.5	Steadman, Fandreyer
1.0	Bradley, Scanlon
0.0	Condon

• Martin Laine, Parker Montgomery, George Mirijanian (last year's champion), and Bruce Felton are all returning from last year's championship section.

• Ken Gurge, Gary Brassard, and Dave Couture are returning from the 2005 championship section and...

• Brian Biglow, who scored a big upset win is making his first appearance in the championship section!

Club Championship Preliminary

Round 4 (of 5)

The club members welcomed 2-time club champion Bruce Felton back following his surgery.  With a win next week, Bruce would qualify for the championship section.

George Mirijanian, Gary Brassard, Brian Biglow and Francis Scanlon did not play the round. Clay Bradley had already withdrawn from the tournament.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS (top 8 players qualify for championship)
Points
3.0	Laine (already qualified)
2.5	Montgomery, Mirijanian (already qualified)
2.0	Couture, Biglow
1.5	Gurge, Steadman, Fandreyer
1.0	Felton, Brassard, Miller, Scanlon
0.5	Valadares
0.0	Condon

Club Championship Preliminary

Round 3 (of 5)

Congratulations to George Mirijanian, Martin Laine, and Parker Montgomery who qualified tonight for the championship section.

Gary Brassard, Ken Gurge, and Francis Scanlon did not play the round.  Clay Bradley withdrew from the tournament.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS (top 8 players qualify for championship)
Points
2.5	Mirijanian, Laine
2.0	Montgomery, Biglow
1.5	Steadman
1.0	Brassard, Couture, Miller, Scanlon
0.5	Gurge, Valadares, Fandreyer
0.0	Condon

Club Championship Preliminary

Round 2 (of 5)

Clay Bradley, Parker Montgomery and George Miller did not play the round.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS (top 8 players qualify for championship)
Points
2.0	Mirijanian, Laine
1.5	-----
1.0	Bradley, Montgomery, Brassard, Couture, Biglow, Scanlon
0.5	Gurge, Valadares, Steadman, Fandreyer
0.0	Miller

Club Championship Preliminary

Round 1 (of 5)

Francis Scanlon received a full-point bye.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
1.0	Bradley, Montgomery, Mirijanian, Brassard, Laine, Scanlon
0.5	Gurge, Fandreyer
0.0	Couture, Biglow, Valadares, Miller, Steadman

Dr. Max Levinger Memorial
Final Round (of 5)

Congratulations to Martin Laine of Lunenburg and Ken Gurge of Leominster who finished tied for first in the Dr. Max Levinger Memorial.  Congratulations also to George Mirijanian of Fitchburg and Dave Couture of Westminster who finished tied for 3rd.
 

Brian Biglow received a full-point bye.

 

FINAL STANDINGS
Points
3.5	Laine, Gurge
3.0	Mirijanian, Couture
2.5	Brassard, Condon
2.0	Biglow, Valadares, Fandreyer
1.5	Giovino, Miller, Steadman
1.0	Soto, Kiser
0.5	-------
0.0	Scanlon

Dr. Max Levinger Memorial
Round 4 (of 5)

Three Player Pile-Up

Typically as the weeks go by, the number of players tied for first place gets whittled down.  In  this tournament the opposite is happening.  Two weeks ago Gary Brassard had sole possession of first place.  Last week George Mirijanian and Martin Laine had overtaken Gary and were tied for first.  Now this week, Ken Gurge has joined them at the front of the pack.  How many will be tied for first after the next week's final round?  Stay tuned!

Brian Biglow received a half-point bye.  Angel Soto did not play the round and Paul Giovino had already withdrawn from the tournament to return to school.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
3.0	Mirijanian, Laine, Gurge
2.5	Brassard
2.0	Couture, Valadares, Fandreyer
1.5	Giovino, Condon, Miller, Steadman
1.0	Soto, Biglow, Kiser
0.5	-------
0.0	Scanlon

Dr. Max Levinger Memorial
Round 3 (of 5)

Paul Giovino had to withdraw from the tournament to return to school.  Angel Soto and Andrew Kiser received half-point byes.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.5	Mirijanian, Laine
2.0	Brassard, Gurge
1.5	Giovino, Couture, Condon, Miller
1.0	Soto, Valadares, Fandreyer, Kiser
0.5	Biglow, Steadman
0.0	Scanlon

(*) Minimum of 10 games.

Dr. Max Levinger Memorial
Round 2 (of 5)

Brassard Rolls On!

After going undefeated to win the previous tournament, Gary Brassard continued his winning ways tonight by winning a king and pawn endgame over Ken Gurge.  After only 2 weeks he now has sole control of 1st place.

Martin Laine received a half-point bye.  Andrew Kiser did not play the round.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
2.0	Brassard
1.5	Mirijanian, Laine, Giovino, Couture
1.0	Gurge, Valadares
0.5	Condon, Soto, Biglow, Miller, Steadman, Kiser
0.0	Scanlon

Dr. Max Levinger Memorial
Round 1 (of 5)

The Big Chill

Tonight saw a record low turnout of only 7 players.  Was it the bitter cold temperatures and wind chill?  Let's hope so.

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
1.0	Brassard, Laine, Gurge
0.5	Mirijanian, Couture, Biglow, Kiser
0.0	Condon, Valadares, Miller

The Gary R. Brassard Quinquagenarian Open
Final Round (of 5)

Gary Brassard Wins... "The Gary Brassard Open"!

The Boston Red Sox had a lunar eclipse on the night that they won their first World Series in 86 years.  Well, in an event of comparable cosmic significance, Gary won his first clear 1st place in over 2 years with a must-win victory on his 50th birthday!  Congratulations Gary!

So here are the final top 3:

1st Place: Gary Brassard (Leominster)

 2nd Place (tie): Parker Montgomery (Keene, NH)

2nd Place (tie): Martin Laine (Lunenburg)

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
4.0	BRASSARD
3.5	MONTGOMERY, LAINE
3.0	MIRIJANIAN
2.5	GURGE, BIGLOW
2.0	FELTON, O'ROURKE, VALADARES, CONDON
1.5	MILLER, SCANLON, KISER
1.0	COUTURE

Obituary from the Dee Funeral Home website:

 George E. O'Rourke
July 29, 1929 - February 26, 2007
 

George Edmund O’Rourke, 77, of Concord died Monday February 26, 2007 at Emerson Hospital in Concord. He was the beloved husband of 46 years of Jeannette (Ouellet) O’Rourke.

Born in Washington, DC on July 29, 1929 he was the son of the late George Edmund O’Rourke and Nan (Geier) O’Rourke. He attended schools in Washington and was a graduate of Gonzaga High School in Washington. He later received a Bachelors degree from Georgetown University in Washington and a Masters degree from Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.

In 1969, Mr. O’Rourke was a founder and later became President of Corporate Tech Planning in Waltham. He retired in 1993.

He had previously been employed in the Research Laboratory at Sylvania in Waltham for ten years.

A Concord resident since 1958, he was a member of the Concord Republican Town Committee and served as a delegate to the Massachusetts and National Republican Conventions.

He was a long-time communicant of Holy Family and St. Bernard’s Parishes in Concord.

An avid chess player, he was a member of the Westford and Wachusett Chess Clubs and the U.S. Chess Federation. He competed in chess tournaments throughout the area and the United States.

For over 25 years, he enjoyed his summer home in Surry, Maine.

In addition to his wife Jeannette, survivors include five children, Edmund O’Rourke of Surry, Maine, Anne Louiselle of Hooksett, New Hampshire, Larry O’Rourke of Arlington, Virginia, Kate O’Rourke of New York City and Neil O’Rourke of Hudson; 8 grandchildren, Christopher, Tommy, Bill, Sarah, Michael, Americah, Juliette and Will; and a sister, Pat Caulfield of Rockville, Maryland.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday March 2nd at 1:30 P.M. in Holy Family Parish, Monument Square, Concord.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Gonzaga College High School, 19 Eye St. NW, Washington, DC 20001.

The Gary R. Brassard Quinquagenarian Open
Round 4 (of 5)

Parker Still Alone In 1st

Parker Montgomery, the club's highest rated player, beat club champion George Mirijanian this week to retain a half point lead over Gary Brassard with one week remaining in the Gary R. Brassard Quinquagenarian Open.  Gary will need a win over Parker next week to win his (Gary's) eponymous tournament ON his 50th birthday!

 

CURRENT STANDINGS
Points
3.5	Montgomery
3.0	Brassard
2.5	Laine, Gurge
2.0	Mirijanian, Felton, O'Rourke, Condon
1.5	Biglow, Miller, Scanlon, Kiser
1.0	Couture, Valadares