John Boylin, Gagana Sadineni, and James Fuller represented WV in the 2022 Barber (Middle School Champions), Rockefeller (Elementary Champions), and Irwin (Senior Champions). Facing very stiff competition from across the US, each represented us well. John finished with 3/6 in the Barber tournament, while Gagana and James each had 2/6 in their events.
Tim Goan has passed away at the age of 62. The obituary can be found here.
14 students, ages 12-17, from WV and the tri-state area participated in the first ever chess camp in WV. Organized by the Huntington YMCA Chess Club, and sponsored by HIMG, Camden Park, Delta Hotels, Paris Signs, and Dan O’Hanlon, Chess Fundamentals was taught by St. Louis and CA-based GM Dariusz Swiercz.
Three days of intense instruction, games, puzzles, simuls, a mini tournament, lots of snacks and a pizza party left the participants tired, happy, and full of new chess skills and strategies. As one camper stated, “I did not think it would be this much fun!”
GM Swiercz loved Huntington and enjoyed working with the students. The Huntington YMCA Chess club hopes this will be an annual event.
Lewis Sanders won the Clarksburg Open with a perfect 4-0 score. Five players tied for second at 3-1. Max Aguilar won the scholastic section with a 3-0 score.
22 players competed in the ’22 WV Action Championship, held in Huntington on June 11. Lewis Sanders and John Boylin share the Action Championship, each scoring 5-1. 6 players tied for 3rd, including Sam Timmons, Ryan Ward, and Elijah Schultz who took home the U1700 prizes. Ryan VanBibber and Max Aguilar were 1st-2nd in the U1100 class.
Lewis has extended his lead in the Grand Prix and can likely only be caught by going into hiding and Sam Timmons winning the State Championship.
25 players competed in the Greater Beckley Open, held on April 9, 2022. Harold Mitchell and Sam Timmons tied for 1st with 3.5/4.
USCF Crosstable
Chess Camp with GM Dariusz Świercz
The Huntington-YMCA Chess Club announces Chess Fundamentals with GM Dariusz Świercz
This is a 3-day chess camp with study of strategy, calculations, endgames, and more! June 27, 28, and 29th at the Phil Cline YMCA, 917 Ninth St., Huntington, WV 25701 for the first 20 young people age 12-18. Fee: $100 per student, non-refundable
Registration and Payment or Inquiries: HuntingtonChess@gmail.com
GM Dariusz Świercz (FIDE 2664) is a Polish-American chess Grandmaster. In 2011, Świercz won the World Junior Chess Championship. In 2016 he won the 3rd Millionaire Chess tournament. In 2019 he represented the United States in World Team Championships. He also earned a wildcard spot in the prestigious 2021 Sinquefield Cup.
After a 2 year hiatus, the WV Scholastic Championship returned on April 2 in Clarksburg. 63 players competed in 4 sections (K-12, K-8, K-5, K-3). The winners are:
K-12: Shrihan Malkaram
K-8: John Boylin
K-5: Gagana Sadineni
K-3: Alexandrea VanMeter
Congratulations to the winners. We wish you luck at the national invitational events!
40 players competed in the Harrison County Open and Scholastic on March 5 in Bridgeport. John Roush won the open with a perfect 4-0 and Pushkal Solanki also had a perfect 4-0 in the scholastic section.
The Charleston Chess Club will resume weekly meetings on Wednesdays from 6 pm to 9 pm starting March 2, 2022 at the Dunbar City Hall at 210 12th Street, Dunbar, WV 25064. Hope to see you there!