Brock Stuns Field; Wins Downeast Open
08.21.08 According to his rating Curt Brock was expected to finish dead last in the Downeast Open Tournament played at Southern Maine Community College on August 16, 2008. Apparently no one alerted Brock to this minor detail as he went on to turn the crosstable up-side-down and score 3.5 points taking first with a 2190 or +637! performance rating.
With wins over Donald Plummer (1577), Ruben Babayan (2002), Barry Magda (1682) and a draw with Lucas McCain (1912), Curt Brock came from out of the blue to capture first place at the Downeast Open. McCain and John Phythyon (1900) shared 2nd-3rd scoring 3.0 points and Babayan took 4th with 2.5 points
In the Reserve section Orono High School student Gabe Borland (1332) took first with 3.0 points despite getting off to a slow start with a loss to Brian Roderick (670) in the first round. Borland then hit his stride blanking his next three opponents William Burtt (1245), Michael Dudley (1490) and Frank DiRenzo (1533). DiRenzo, Denis Nadeu (1510), Lee Doucette (1400) and Alex Wallach (1132) shared 2nd-5th scoring 2.5 points.
In the Rated Beginners Open (RBO) section Kris Fecteau (1155) went unbeaten with 3.5 points to take clear 1st. Wesley Parker (1022), Brett Parker (994), Gabriel Noblesmith (953), and Robert Freccero (810) shared 2nd-5th scoring 3.0 points.
Attracting a total of 38 players the Downeast was organized and directed by Phil Lowell.
The ChessMaine.net t-shirt proved to be a lucky charm for Brock.
Lucas McCain holding Curt Brock to his only draw of the tournament in round 3.
John Phythyon scored 3.0 to finish equal 2nd-3rd.
Ruben Babayan also got off to a slow start with 0.5 points in his first 2 rounds. He won his last two games to finish with 2.5 points.
Barry Magda took 5th with 2.0 points.
Tournament Director Philip Lowell
Chuck Cannone
Nick Parsons
Robert Shore
John Brady
Gabe Borland scored 3.0 points to take first in the Reserve section.
Always tough: Frank DiRenzo.
Saco Valley Chess Club President Denis Nadeau.
Lee Doucette
Alex Wallach battles Doucette in round 3.
William Burtt
John Jones
Brian Roderick
Michael Dudley
Steve Kaluzynski
Top in the RBO: Kris Fecteau scored 3.5 points.
Watch out for these kids! Wesley Parker...
...and brother Brett Parker.
Gabriel Noblesmith scored 3.0 points and tied for 2nd-5th in the RBO.
Robert Freccero
All the way from Romania: Gheorghe Teodoruscu.
Matthew Reale-Hatem
Scott Overlook
David Rice
Jack Demeter
Olympia Serban and Richard Penk prepare for their last round game.
Another member of the Romanian contingent: Ted Serban.
During the tournament a fierce lightning storm blew through...
...causing the lights to go out for a few minutes in the middle of round 3.
Southern Maine Community College student artwork adorns the walls outside the tournament room.
Comments
This site is such a great place to exchange chess ideas. I thank Phil for his insight and of course I agree with the points he makes. I admit that when I was in my 20s I also withdrew from tournaments after a disheartning loss. Oh the pain of it all. I gave up chess for 6 months once because I lost. I found out that quiting gets easier and easier the more you do it and can become a bad habit to carry on later in life. Maine players are the most courteous players I ever met and I hope I get to play all of you many times.
Posted by: roger morin | August 24, 2008 11:49 AM
I HAVE TO TAKE EXCEPTION TO FORMER STATE CHAMPION & ALWAYS A GENTLEMAN ROGER MORIN's COMMENT ABOUT WITHDRAWING BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT IS COMPLETED . ONCE YOU PAY YOUR ENTRY FEE YOU ARE NOT UNDER ANY OBLIGATIONS TO FINISH THE TOURNAMENT. THE ONLY DISCORTEOUS & UNSPORTSMANLIKE WAY TO WITHDRAW IS TO NOT NOTIFY THE TD THAT YOU ARE WITHDRAWING BECAUSE THIS LEAVES A PLAYER PAIRED IN A SUBSEQUENT ROUND WITH AN INVISIBLE OPPONENT. PLAYERS WITHDRAW FOR A MYRIAD OF REASONS i.e. " I WANT TO PLAY GOLF TOMORROW " , " I HAVE A BAD CASE OF THE FLU " , " I JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH THE GIRL WHO MADE MY ITALIAN SANDWICH " etc. THE TD HAS A LOT OF AUTHORITY IN A TOURNAMENT BUT REQUIRING A PLAYER TO SIT DOWN AT THE BOARD & PLAY WHEN HE OR SHE DOESN'T DESIRE TO IS NOT ONE OF THEM .
CONGRATULATIONS NEW CLASS "B" PLAYER CURT BROCK .
Posted by: PHILIP LOWELL | August 23, 2008 9:12 PM
Congratulations to Curt, and thanks to Dan for his (usual) outstanding cover of Maine Chess events. Driving nearly 3 hours each way to Portland to report on the Down East Open, as well as his coverage of national & international chess activities, shows why his website has won national recognition, and why it's the official website of the Maine Chess Association.
Posted by: Lee Doucette | August 23, 2008 12:54 PM
A most sincere congratulations to Curt E Brock for this stunning performance. I'd like to use this forum for this time to address players who loose and then drop out, especially higher rated ones. It's most uncourteous and disrespectful to the t.d. and to other players who would like to play you. I suggest a 20 dollar fee to anyone doing this. Of course there are legitament reasons for leaving that would nullify this ruling. I do hope this trend stops.
Posted by: roger morin | August 22, 2008 1:31 PM