06.25.07 Phil Lowell took time away from his busy tournament directing schedule to participate in the ChessMaine.net Championship on June 23, 2007 at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Lowell posted one win after another and when the last piece was pushed he was alone at the top of the crosstable with 4 points. The event drew twenty-five players competing for the ChessMaine.net title as well as fun, experience and prizes. Here's a fully illustrated tournament report with interactive USCF crosstables. Games from this event are coming soon.

Colby College in Waterville, Maine was the site of the first annual ChessMaine.net Championship. USCF Crosstable of this event

Many of Maine's tournament circuit players were on hand for the ChessMaine.net Championship and the competition was very stiff. To give you an idea of just how competitive the tournament was, in a field chock full of up-and-coming class players, former state champion and expert Ruben Babayan (2035), only managed a tie for seventh place with 2.5 points. Lucas McCain, who played in his first rated tournament in January 2006 has gone from unrated to USCF 1306 to USCF 1683 in only eighteen months. He met Babayan, the tournament's top-rated player who is also McCain's chess teacher, in the second round. The game ended with Babayan turning over his king in just twenty-four moves. This game and many others from this tournament will be posted on ChessMaine.net soon.

Tied for second overall and percolating to the top of the second place finishers through the tie-break system was Andrey Savov. Savov won his first three games including a fine win over second seeded Robert Feldstein Esq. (2000) in the third round when hes was stopped by tournament winner Phil Lowell (1800) in the final round. Feldstein was the only non-Maine resident to participate in the tournament making the trip up from Brooklyn, New York to compete. Sharing second with Savov and Feldstein were Derrick Crocker, Lucas McCain and Nimrod Drizlikh all scoring 3 points. Savov, Crocker, McCain and Drizlikh shared the Class B prize as well. Curt Brock (1461) took the Class C prize with two wins and a draw. In his only loss (to Robert Feldstein) Brock had a very promising position, most likely winning, when he made a misstep allowing Feldstein to queen a pawn and eventually win. Still, a fine performance for this rising talent. Portland Chess Club player David Rice (1387) took the Class D prize and Kris Fecteau (1002) was top in Class E. The Under 1000 prize was shared by Charles Rotmil (980) and John Soong (907).

Tournament winner Phil Lowell

Andrey Savov (right) who tied for second overall and shared the Class B plays Bob Nixon in the first round.

Robert Feldstein Esq. from Brooklyn, New York plays Andrey Savov on board 1.

Derrick Crocker

Lucas McCain (right) plays the white pieces vs Ruben Babayan in round 2. This game ended 1-0.

Nimrod Drizlikh (right) vs Ghezai Menelik. Menelik managed to win this game to finish with 2.5 points.

Tom Sandford also finished with 2.5 points.

Class C prize winner Curt Brock (left) plays Class E prize winner Kris Fecteau in round two. This game ended in a draw.

Chuck Cannone, just back from Las Vegas where he competed in the 2007 National Open, held Ruben Babayan to a dramatic last-round draw with both players' clocks showing under two minutes.

Saco Valley Chess Club member John Brady in full concentartion mode.

Ed Hatch just missed the Class C prize when Curt Brock defeated Barry Magda in the last round.

Charles Rotmil shared the U1000 prize with...

John Soong from Cape Elizabeth.

Barry Magda

Gheoghe Teodorescu (right) plays Brian Roderick in round 2.

Nicholas Scott

2006 Chessplayer of the year, Lee Doucette

The tournament's youngest competitor, Jack Demeter.

Robert Freccero

Thanks to Colby College and the Office of Special Events for assisting with planning this tournament. The ChessMaine.net Championship was orgainzed and directed by Dan DeLuca with support from Andy Bryan.