Tournament Recap - August 30, 2008
It certainly is good to be back! After the longest break in our company’s short history, ACE Chess returned on August 30th in full force. The first Master Trek Grand Prix Cup of the Fall Season was a huge success in a number of ways, and all those who know and love ACE Chess hope that the huge turnout is a sign of things to come. The biggest Master Trek in our history totaled 79 players and over 20 first time Trekkers.
The Master Trek Grand Prix Cup will be on display for everyone to view at every Master Trek to come. Whose name will be next?
ASU’s Physical Science Building #118 was completely full on the 30th. It was the biggest single turnout for a Master Trek ever, with a total of 80 participants!
Two of the best scholastic players in the state, John Williams (far corner) and David Adelberg (with his back turned), battle it out against the top notch Adult Participation. Yulia Cardona (rated 2170 USCF) and Matthew Okunevich (rated 1980 USCF) competed on the 30th, and we hope to see them again at future Treks!
The day started off in good fashion with the Award Ceremony for the Spring Season of the Grand Prix Cup. Although the final standings had been out for some time, it seemed every All-Star was still very excited to receive their prizes and accolades. We will let the pictures do most of the talking, but let’s hope the ceremony set the tone for a competitive Fall Season, especially for all those players who barely missed out on All-Star status in the spring.
The reigning Most Valuable Player for the Spring Season of the first Annual, Master Trek Grand Prix Cup: Philip Godfrey.
Another Grand Prix Cup All-Star goes into a deep think about his game. Jonathan Booher is off to a great start in the current Race for the Cup.
A slew of first time Trekkers duke it out in the 700-999 Section.
David Adelberg, of Basis Elementary, finished in 1st place in the 1900 and Up Section of the 2008 Spring Season Grand Prix Cup Standings. He is an ACE Chess All-Star!
Daniel Pecherski, of World Champion Chess Academy, finished in 2nd place in the 1600-1899 Section of the 2008 Spring Season Grand Prix Cup Standings. He is an ACE Chess All-Star!
Dipro Chakraborty, of Desert Shadows Junior High, finished in 1st place in the 1600-1899 Section of the 2008 Spring Season Grand Prix Cup Standings. He is an ACE Chess All-Star!
John Williams, of Mountain Pointe High School, finished in 3rd place in the 1600-1899 Section of the 2008 Spring Season Grand Prix Cup Standings. He is an ACE Chess All-Star!
Daniel Bryant, of Verrado, finished in 3rd place in the 1300-1599 Section of the 2008 Spring Season Grand Prix Cup Standings. He is an ACE Chess All-Star!
Matthew Hoffman, of Chevalier Noir, finished in 2nd place in the 1300-1599 Section of the 2008 Spring Season Grand Prix Cup Standings. He is an ACE Chess All-Star!
Alec Andersen, of Copper Creek Elementary, finished in 2nd place in the 1000-1299 Section of the 2008 Spring Season Grand Prix Cup Standings. He is an ACE Chess All-Star!
Jonathan Booher, of Summit, finished in 3rd place in the 1000-1299 Section of the 2008 Spring Season Grand Prix Cup Standings. He is an ACE Chess All-Star!
It was clear from the start of the first round that this would be a tough tournament. As just about every Master Trek has become these days, looking at the field from top to bottom is like looking at a “who’s who” list of the best scholastic players in the state. The great turnout of Adult Participation doesn’t hurt our young players on their quest for chess perfection, especially in the top section where 4 players rated above 2000 ensured that the competition would be fierce. In the end, first place was captured by both WFM Yulia Cardona and high school sophomore John Gurczak. As Yulia is not eligible for the Grand Prix prizes, no Blitz Playoff was necessary to award the first place Grand Prix Points to Mr. Gurczak.
Michael Shevelev finished in first place in the 1600-1899 Section.
Ryan Harmonick finished in third place in the 1600-1899 Section.
Yulia Cardona and Lyle Engle both competed in the first Trek of the Fall Season.
The 1600-1899 was a wild and crazy affair. Tri-City Christian Academy Chess Coach, Matt Eberle, was running away with the section after winning his first 3 games, including a nail-bitter against Daniel Pecherski. However, when he withdrew his last round to catch the ASU Football home opener, Tucson’s Michael Shevelev caught up to tie for first in the section and capture the Grand Prix Cup points.
Matthew Hoffman finished in fourth place in the 1600-1899 Section.
Daniel Pecherski finish in fifth place in the 1600-1899 Section.
After not competing in a Master Trek tournament for over two years, Jeromie Devera dominated the 1300-1599 Section and finished 4-0.
The 1300-1599 Section was the home for our top two finishers from the Spring Season, Philip Godfrey and Alec Andersen. Both players gained an enormous amount of rating points to jump from the 1000-1299 into the 1300-1599 Section; however, playing against the tougher and more mature group of players left both of them out of the top 5 and out of the Grand Prix Points, at least for now… Jeromie Devera, playing in his first Trek in over 2 years, grabbed first place easily scoring a perfect 4-0 score.
Joey Hoffman of Chevalier Noir finished in third place in the 1300-1599 Section.
Wesley Fullmer of Brophy finished in fourth place in the 1300-1599 Section.
Shunta Hashimoto finished in fifth place in the 1300-1599 Section.
As is commonly the case, Chevalier Noir dominated the 1000-1299 with 4 of the top 5 places going to P.J. Smith, Jeffrey Poppell, Joseph Glover, and Ben Braaksma. Predictions: Look for all 4 of those players to be in the running for the Cup down the stretch!
P.J. Smith finished in first place in the 1000-1299 Section.
Jeffrey Poppell finished in second place in the 1000-1299 Section.
Joseph Glover finished in third place in the 1000-1299 Section.
The newly added 700-999 Section had over 12 first time Master Trekkers, but don’t expect them to be intimidated! First place was taken by a first timer –Adam Nehmeh went 4-0—and the rest of the first time Trekkers all had respectable scores as well. Chevalier Noir had 3 players finish in the top 5, and I expect those young Chevalier “up-and-comers” to be giving their teammates all they can handle here pretty soon.
Mike Stern finished in fourth place in the 1000-1299 Section.
Ben Braaksma finished in fifth place in the 1000-1299 Section.
First time Trekker, Adam Nehmeh, went 4-0 in the 700-999 Section and gained almost 300 Rating Points.
Thanks to all who came, and we will see you on the 13th of September! Expect the Grand Prix Cup Standings to be posted sometime following the next Trek.
Scott Lowery finished in third place in the 700-999 Section.
Levi Johnson, of Chevalier Noir, captured fourth in the 700-999 Section.
As the Tournament came to an end, Rahul Reddy and I stopped to capture the moment of his first Master Trek.
*NOTE: We apologize for the late posting of our Trek Recaps. Logistical and technical difficulties have inhibited us, and we will be more prompt in the future. Thank you for your patience and continued support.