A block of rooms is available at the Blennerhassett for $80/night for 7/18 or 7/19. Call 304-422-3131 and reserve with the group WV Chess Association, code 76748. Room rate available while rooms last or until 7/12.
Dr. William Payne, II 1949-2025
Dr. William Neill Payne, II, WV State Champion in 1966 and 1967, died Saturday, May 31, 2025. His obituary can be read here.
WV Action Championship
Ed Garner has won yet another title, winning the Action Championship with a score of 4.5/5. Anatoly Boshkin took second place. Luca Giancola and Lance Pitrolo were the U1600 and U1300 winners. Lance won the upset prize for his victory over David Hines, and he nearly upset Ed in the last round.
In the non-rated section, Seth Margolis took first with 4.5/5 and Hans Wikle was second at 4/5.
2024-2025 Grand Prix Standings
Standings after 1 Event
Events included: 24th Mountaineer Open
1. Benjamin M Good 10.00
Tristan A Johnston 10.00
Anatoly Boshkin 10.00
4. John Boylin IV 7.25
5. Markle W Butcher 6.00
David Lee Bruner 6.00
Tristan Marc Bly 6.00
8. Pushkal Solanki 3.50
9. Elijah David Schultz 1.00
Mike Price Memorial Tournament
The WVCA has received several donations in memory of Mike Price. At the annual business meeting, we decided to hold a tournament in Mike’s memory sometime in the next year in the Parkersburg area. We will be using the donations towards costs for the playing site and towards the prize fund if there is a surplus.
Thank you to all those who have donated.
Update (March 24, 2025): We are tentatively planning for July 19 at the Blennerhasset, but are exploring other playing sites and dates as well.
24th Mountaineer Open
The 24th Mountaineer Open was held on February 15 at the Mountainlair. 31 players competed in the two rated sections. Swarom Kanitkar (pictured) won the Open with a 4-0 score, with several players tied for second at 3-1. Kaiden Hammer won the Collegiate/Scholastic section with a 4-0 score.
John Phythyon 1942-2022
John Phythyon, 1972 WV State Champion, died February 11, 2022. He resided in Kennebunk, Maine at the time of his passing. His obituary can be seen here.
WV Senior Championship
Lewis Sanders and Ed Garner are the 2024 WV Senior Champions. They each finished with 3 out of 4 at the WV Senior Championship, held on October 19 in Bridgeport. FM Karl Dehmelt of Pennsylvania took first place overall with 3.5 out of 4. Lewis Sanders will represent WV in the Irvin Tournament of State Senior Champions next year.
2024 Business Meeting
The minutes of the 2024 WVCA Business Meeting can be found here: 2024 WVCA Business Meeting Minutes.
Summary:
- The WVCA will be dissolving as a non-profit corporation and will reform as an unincorporated non-profit association. This is to assist in getting access to a checking account and obtain a new EIN from the IRS.
- The chess camp for 2024 did not occur due to scheduling conflicts so no donations were made to support it.
- We received $130 in donations in memory of Mike Price. The WVCA will be sponsoring a memorial tournament in the Parkersburg area and will fund the costs for the playing site.
- Elijah Schultz was re-elected as President, Bob Greer was elected as Vice-President, and Ben Good will remain as the Secretary-Treasurer.
- The 2025 Thomas Bergquist Memorial will be held in Huntington. The 2025 WV Action Championship will be held in Grafton.
Ed Garner wins his fourth State Championship
Ed Garner of Pennsboro has won the 2024 Thomas Bergquist Memorial WV State Championship. Ed scored 4 straight wins and a last-round draw with the 2023 champion, John Boylin IV. Ed was previously state champion in 1984, 1986, and 2014. John Boylin finished second, while Charles Adams and Tristan Johnston shared third place. 24 players competed in the event, held September 14-15 in Clarksburg.