Evanston Chess Club set a record attendance of 64 players at our September 22 Three x Three tournament.  More on that later in the article, but for now, here’s a big “thanks” to all the chess players for your support. (Turn to the end of the story for a photo gallery, courtesy of Rick Lang.)

Guest master FM Kevin Bachler and Aamir Ansari shared first place honors in the Gold Section with perfect 3/0 records. Thanks to Kevin for supplying analyzed games, which are published in ICA’s chess blog. Ansari is provisionally rated and definitely on his way up, with a rating gain of 173 points he’s now an A player. NM Ken Wallach, Expert Vince Hart and Joe Emole each had 2 points for the day.

Jonathan Tan was clear winner of the Silver section with 3 points; Mark Coleman and Ted Moon were close behind with 2.5 points.

Matthew Ylinen, Keith Ammann and Lorenzo Sampson each had 3 points in the enormous 28-player Bronze section. Jair Herrera and Adam Wallach each had 2.5 points.

Part – but by no means all – of the crowd was attributable to high school players. For the second year in a row, Coach Lucian Bogdan from Argo Township HS (southwest suburbs) loaded his team on a school bus and came up for a day of intense practice before their IHSA chess season begins. Other high schools, including the home town ETHS wildkits, were also represented. My hat is off to Bogdan, who both coached his team for the day and had a respectable showing of 2 points in the Silver Section.

We completely filled our playing space, and had to turn players away. Our players love us, Evanston Chess Club loves its players, and we don’t want anyone to show up and be disappointed. We strongly suggest you pre-register by email if you plan to play, then arrive at the tournament by 9:15 a.m. This should both guarantee you a seat and help us get started more smoothly and on time.

by Maret

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Photos courtesy Rick Lang.