State Scholastic Tournament Update

WV Governor Justice has strongly urged groups to cancel events that involve large gatherings. He aimed this comment initially at extra-curricular activities and Friday, March 13 closed secondary schools indefinitely. Subsequently the State Superintendent of Schools banned all scholastic extra-curricular activity until at least April 10.

Therefore, I am postponing the 51st WV State Scholastic Chess Championship that was scheduled for March 28 in Bridgeport, WV. Here is the contingency plan:

(1) If able, we will reschedule by May.

(2) If we cannot hold the event, we will consider holding it in conjunction with the Clarksburg Open on June 6.

(3) If that is not possible, we will hold an invitational event with the top-rated players for each section, K-12, K-8, and K-5.

(4) If that is not possible, we will select participants based on rating and number of events participated in this year to determine the invites to the US Chess invitationals (Denker, Barber, Haring, and Rockefeller) in August.

I am sorry for the inconvenience, but the safety and health of our youth chess players is important. Those who have registered will remain registered, if you would like to withdraw and reregister later please email the TD (greerlaw@aol.com) and request your refund of the entry fee.

Bob Greer

2019-2020 Grand Prix Standings

Standings after 3 Events
Events Included: 20th Mountaineer Open, 3rd Concord Southern Open, 2020 Winter Open

 1. Robert Canary         37.90
 2. Sam Timmons           32.40
 3. Joseph Michael Baker  21.25
 4. David F Hines         19.75
 5. James Reszler         18.00
 6. Brian Lucas           16.25
 7. John Parks Boylin IV  15.25
 8. Markle W Butcher      14.75
 9. David Lee Bruner       8.25
10. David M Iorio          7.25
    John G Sefton          7.25
12. Michael Felton         6.50
13. Rodney R Adkins        6.00
14. Richard Keith Lilly    4.75
15. Aidan A Rogers         3.50
16. Lawrence Iorio         1.00

Thomas O. Bergquist 1928-2019

It is with sadness that I announce Tom Bergquist, Secretary-Treasurer of the WVCA for 53 years, passed away early last year. Tom was first elected President of the WVCA in 1959. He moved to the Secretary-Treasurer position in 1960, which he held until 2013. Tom was 90 years old.

Tom, fourth from left, at a reunion dinner in 1996.

Bridgeport Library #15

A record crowd was in attendance for the 15th Bridgeport Library tournament on an extremely warm day for January. 28 players competed in the open and under 1000 sections. Ben Good and Robert Canary tied for 1st in the open section with 2.5/3. Connon McCauley won the under 1000 with a perfect 3-0.

USCF Crosstable