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Hi all,
125 players came and played in the Reading Week Open. Very consistent with our normal standards, though we will try to match the Winter Open's attendance at some point in future :)
We were a bit upset with ourselves mostly, for having started the 1st round about 1 hour late. A mix of having a computer setback (which could have totally been avoided with more advanced preparation), and some snow that delayed several of the participants. Something that must be improved for next time. Being more strict with late registrations will be necessary as well.
Apart from that, the tournament was an overall success. Most players seemed to have enjoyed it. In particular, 8 players played in their first ever tournament and at least 5 of them who I talked to in more detail were truly excited about the experience.
The Winners:
In the Open Section, tournament favourite Grandmaster Bator Sambuev topped the group with 4.5/5, taking down IMs Noritsyn and Vavrak as well upcoming star Razvan Preotu. Only a draw conceded to IM Tomas Krnan.
IM Bindi Cheng and Razvan Preotu shared 2nd and 3rd with 4.0 points each.
Within the Open Section, three players split the U2300 prize. WFM Jackie Peng, Konstantin Semianiuk and our right-hand-man for these tournaments, Geordie Derraugh.
In the U2200, playing all the top competition, Matthew Nicholson came clear first with 4.5/5. Zehn Nasir took 2nd with 4 points, and Bill Evans shared 3rd with UT troublemaker Jonathan Yu.
The largest section this time was U1900, with 42 players. All the favourites finished just below the prize-winnings. Derick Aghamalian took clear 1st with 4.5 points. Two more youngsters, Daniel Sirkovich and Alexandre Michelashvili, along with veteran Will Rutherdale, shared the rest of the exploits. All clear outperforming their ratings, climbing the ranks with the next section in sight for next time!
In the U1600, Harry Zhao cleared the field, entering the last round with 4/4! He had to play his dad in the last round, Yanchun Zhao, who also did terrific again and finished 2nd-4th. Chess is in the family :) -- Taking also 2nd-4th were upcoming juniors, Richard Guo and Daniel Liu.
For a change, the Team Prize never seemed in doubt. The 'Zen Masters' took a lead and never looked back. They were Matthew Nicholson, Zehn Nasir, Robert Li and Richard Guo.
The results can all be found in our website:
http://hhchess.sa.utoronto.ca/hhopen
You may need to refresh, to see the Standings link at the bottom, separated by sections.
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I also want to thank Bryan Lamb for an amazing job as always.
Making this tournament possible were also the stellar Hart House Chess Club Volunteers. The phenomenal people who go above and beyond: Leon Perelman, Haizhou Xu, Geordie Derraugh. And with the essential on-site help, making the difference: Adrienne Todd, Jack Ding, Jonathan Yu, Bindi Cheng, Chris Wehrfritz, Samir Hossain, as well as our alumni who weren't even playing in the tournament, Edward Chan, Kit Ng, Bernd Hahn. We also had the pleasure of having Aquino Inigo with us again. At Hart House tournaments, we gladly offer High School students the opportunity to help out and collect volunteer hours to graduate.
Thank you all for coming, and hope it was an enjoyable experience,
Alex Ferreira
Hart House Chess Club
125 players came and played in the Reading Week Open. Very consistent with our normal standards, though we will try to match the Winter Open's attendance at some point in future :)
We were a bit upset with ourselves mostly, for having started the 1st round about 1 hour late. A mix of having a computer setback (which could have totally been avoided with more advanced preparation), and some snow that delayed several of the participants. Something that must be improved for next time. Being more strict with late registrations will be necessary as well.
Apart from that, the tournament was an overall success. Most players seemed to have enjoyed it. In particular, 8 players played in their first ever tournament and at least 5 of them who I talked to in more detail were truly excited about the experience.
The Winners:
In the Open Section, tournament favourite Grandmaster Bator Sambuev topped the group with 4.5/5, taking down IMs Noritsyn and Vavrak as well upcoming star Razvan Preotu. Only a draw conceded to IM Tomas Krnan.
IM Bindi Cheng and Razvan Preotu shared 2nd and 3rd with 4.0 points each.
Within the Open Section, three players split the U2300 prize. WFM Jackie Peng, Konstantin Semianiuk and our right-hand-man for these tournaments, Geordie Derraugh.
In the U2200, playing all the top competition, Matthew Nicholson came clear first with 4.5/5. Zehn Nasir took 2nd with 4 points, and Bill Evans shared 3rd with UT troublemaker Jonathan Yu.
The largest section this time was U1900, with 42 players. All the favourites finished just below the prize-winnings. Derick Aghamalian took clear 1st with 4.5 points. Two more youngsters, Daniel Sirkovich and Alexandre Michelashvili, along with veteran Will Rutherdale, shared the rest of the exploits. All clear outperforming their ratings, climbing the ranks with the next section in sight for next time!
In the U1600, Harry Zhao cleared the field, entering the last round with 4/4! He had to play his dad in the last round, Yanchun Zhao, who also did terrific again and finished 2nd-4th. Chess is in the family :) -- Taking also 2nd-4th were upcoming juniors, Richard Guo and Daniel Liu.
For a change, the Team Prize never seemed in doubt. The 'Zen Masters' took a lead and never looked back. They were Matthew Nicholson, Zehn Nasir, Robert Li and Richard Guo.
The results can all be found in our website:
http://hhchess.sa.utoronto.ca/hhopen
You may need to refresh, to see the Standings link at the bottom, separated by sections.
----------------------------------------------
I also want to thank Bryan Lamb for an amazing job as always.
Making this tournament possible were also the stellar Hart House Chess Club Volunteers. The phenomenal people who go above and beyond: Leon Perelman, Haizhou Xu, Geordie Derraugh. And with the essential on-site help, making the difference: Adrienne Todd, Jack Ding, Jonathan Yu, Bindi Cheng, Chris Wehrfritz, Samir Hossain, as well as our alumni who weren't even playing in the tournament, Edward Chan, Kit Ng, Bernd Hahn. We also had the pleasure of having Aquino Inigo with us again. At Hart House tournaments, we gladly offer High School students the opportunity to help out and collect volunteer hours to graduate.
Thank you all for coming, and hope it was an enjoyable experience,
Alex Ferreira
Hart House Chess Club
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