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.

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.

Mike Price of Parkersburg has passed away at the age of 48. He will be missed. Mike played in several events over the last 30+ years. His obituary can be found here.

Visit the KCPL on July 19 where WVCA President Elijah Schultz will be hosting a class for beginners.

Hardy Gu, our recent K-5 champion, was featured in a story by WBOY. Check out the article at wboy.com.

Benu Rellan has written an article about the Chess Camp with GM Swiercz for the September 2023 Chess Life. Well done!

Here are the the minutes from the annual business meeting:
2023 WVCA Business Meeting Minutes

Eighteen middle school and high school students from WV and KY attended the Huntington YMCA Chess Club’s Second Annual Chess Camp with GM Dariusz ŚwiercZ. The camp, June 26-29, included instruction on tactical as well as positional play, a simul, many, many puzzles, friendly matches and an end-of-camp four round tournament. We hope to do it again next year!

Group photo
Back row, left to right: Mark Hathaway, Zach Haden , Matt DeGroff, Clay Thompson, Oskar Meade, Matthew Phelps, Caden Eldridge, Dimitri Moore, Alex Peterson, Micah Barnette

Front row, left to right: Joe DeGroff, John Boylin, Jackson Denning, Alex Oliashirazi, Abram Hess, GM Swiercz, Duncan Bishop, Luke McCallister, Kaden Jeffers, Natasha Bradley

Photos by Seth Rutt

Dale Eggleton of the Charleston Chess Club has passed away at age 74. His obituary can be seen here.

James Gikas, 63, of Wheeling, WV passed away Saturday, February 6, 2021. Obituary