30 players competed in the annual Thomas Bergquist Memorial State Championship, held September 19-20 in Clarksburg. And for the second time in WVCA history, we have a 12-year-old State Champion.

Day One:
Gallagher Kelsch and Lewis Sanders were the only two players with perfect scores at the end of day one. Ben Good and Jimmy Fuller were at 2.5 after their round 2 draw and winning in round 3. John Roush had a round 2 draw and a 1/2-point bye to remain at 2-1 with several others.

Day Two:
In round 4, Gallagher beat Lewis and John Roush beat Ben Good. Jimmy Fuller won his game against Ed Garner to move to 3.5 and have a chance against Gallagher in round 5. Gallagher won somewhat quickly, though, to secure his first state championship. On board two, Lewis and John Roush were both at 3-1 and could take clear second with a victory. Five other players joined Jimmy Fuller at 3.5. Depending on the result of board two, 3.5 would either be third or second place. John had been up a pawn for the entire game after Lewis’s Wing Gambit, but the position remained tense. John, down to about 1 minute, found himself down a piece, then a rook, and resigned. Lewis then took clear second.

The final game was between John Vallelonga and Ronald Maddalena, both at 2-2. A win for either would give them clear first in the Under 1300. John navigated a tricky rook and opposite color bishop endgame and nabbed a couple of pawns before Ronald lost his rook and resigned.

Final Results:
1st – Gallagher Kelsch 5.0
2nd – Lewis Sanders 4.0
3rd – Ben Good, Jimmy Fuller, Anatoly Boshkin, Elijah Schultz, Siddhartha Bora, Lane Moore 3.5
U1600 – Elijah Schultz 3.5
U1300 – John Vallelonga 3.0
Upset Prize – Alex LeCloux (655) for his victory over David Bruner (1500)

USCF Crosstable