The 25th anniversary edition of the LOTS Speed Chess Championship concluded with GM Timur Gareev winning 100% of his games. That feat almost never happens; typically a draw or two slips into the GM’s wall chart during these speed events.
One of the reasons to play in this event is to get a chance to sit across from a GM and play two games. The young Chad Moody (1730) did just that in the first round. He was a “happy camper” even though he lost both games.
Chad won two games in the second round and withdrew to prepare for his main tournament. This allowed Julie Sheil, our only female participant, to join the event, and she was able to score 3 out of the 6 remaining games.
Our youngest participant ever was six-year-old Sean Huynh. He was able to score two points; however, the remainder of his opponents out-rated him by several hundred points. I’m proud of Sean for not letting all those higher rated adults intimidate him.
Our event had familiar names on the wall chart like Paul Calloway, Mike Williams, Cezarte Ramos, Donny Gray and Ron Simpson. Also, joining us were people we haven’t seen at the LOTS Speed like Modesto Garcia, Andrew Crigger, Adam Shaw, Lee Whipple, Marvin Sparrow, Viktor Zenkov, Evan Roberson and 9-year-old Advait Patel.
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A big THANK YOU to all of the players that came to the 25th LOTS Speed Chess Championship.
I recognize that anyone can get on the internet and find a 5 minute game at any time of day or night; BUT, there is nothing like speed chess, face to face, “mano y mano”. It is such a visceral experience to see the look on your opponent’s face when you execute a devastating combination. Or to see the blood drain out when you snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. In our computer-dominated world it is too easy to forget the pure pleasure of human vs. human competition. I’m hoping that more of you take your hand off the mouse and join the rest of us at the 2013 LOTS Speed Chess Championship January 26, 2013.
BTW, if you think of ways to encourage more participation, email me at ken_baxter@roadrunner.com
List of 2012 winners:
- GM Timur Gareev First Place
- Ron Simpson, Donny Gray and Cezarte Ramos tied for 2nd and 3rd
- Modesto Garcia First Place U1800
- Advait Patel Second Place U1800
- Lee Whipple and Viktor Zenkov tied for third place U1800