Lucas McCain Represents Maine at Denker Tourament
08.28.09 The Denker Tournament of High School Champions, played during the 2009 U.S. Open in Indianapolis, Indiana from August 1, 2009 to August 4, 2009, fields High School State Champions from across the United States. Maine's representative this year, Lucas McCain of Yarmouth, turned in a strong performance scoring 3.0 points with only one loss in six games. Lucas gives us his impressions of the tournament as well as all six of his games with notes.
I spent the first through fifth of August in the great city of Indianapolis, playing in the Denker Tournament of High School Champions. Although I came in second at the Maine Individual Scholastic Championships for the third year in a row, the winner, Gabe Borland, graciously donated his spot at the Denker to me. I cannot thank him enough as I had an amazing time playing my first out-of-state scholastic tournament. All of my opponents were great guys and we all got along very well.
Below are my games from the tournament. I ended with 3/6 points having scored one win, four draws, and a last round loss. Although, of course, I want to win every game I play, the last round game was very tough because I could no longer say that I was undefeated : ). My technique was not great in these games so if you value your eyesight you may not want to look them over.
My screen name on ICC is therifleman62, in case anyone ever wants to play some blitz or bullet.
2009 Denker Tournament of High School Champions Crosstable
It's down to business for Game 1.
Denker Tournament of High School Champions 2009
Round 1
Lucas McCain (1935) - Jeffrey Haskel (2289) 1/2
Replay
Denker Tournament of High School Champions 2009
Round 2
Daniel Dodds (1788) - Lucas McCain (1935) 0-1
Replay
Denker Tournament of High School Champions 2009
Round 3
Lucas McCain (1935) - Evan Sandberg (2110) 1/2
Replay
Denker Tournament of High School Champions 2009
Round 4
Joshua Bowman (2070) - Lucas McCain (1935) 1/2
Replay
Denker Tournament of High School Champions 2009
Round 5
Lucas McCain (1935) - Kerry Xing (2105) 1/2
Replay
Denker Tournament of High School Champions 2009
Round 6
Lucas McCain (1935) - Andrew Ng (2220) 0-1
Replay
Congratulations Lucas, you made all of us in Maine proud of your accomplishments at this prestigious tournament.
Comments
Congratulations Lucas .
Five games against higher rated with only one loss suggests you are underrated.
Your assignment for 2010 is to qualify for the Missouri State Championship.
Philip H. Lowell, Jr.
President
Maine Chess Association
Posted by: PHILIP LOWELL, JR. | August 31, 2009 11:59 AM
Congratulations on an excellent performance, Lucas.
Appreciate the story, and thanks to Gabe B. for helping it happen.
p.s. your hat is on backwards.
- barry
Posted by: Barry Magda | August 30, 2009 12:54 AM
Great fighting chess indeed. Thanks for the games. I went over them all and enjoyed the evening playing them out. Congratulations again on a good performance.
Roger Morin
Posted by: roger morin | August 29, 2009 10:14 AM
Congratulations, Lucas - a great performance! And thanks to Gabe - a magnanimous gesture! - Alba.
Posted by: Alba Briggs | August 29, 2009 7:47 AM
Lucas, thank you for sharing your positive story with all of us. Anne and Akagi
Posted by: Anne and Akagi | August 28, 2009 7:21 PM
What a great job!
Posted by: Brian R | August 28, 2009 6:33 PM