03.09.10 Two hundred forty-three scholastic chessplayers competed in the 2010 Maine State Scholastic Team Chess Championships at the University of Maine in Orono on March 6, 2010, making it the largest chess tournament on the Maine chess calendar by far. We bring you a complete run-down of all the action in this richly-illustrated tournament report.

Two Hundred forty-three young chess players gathered at the University of Maine in Orono on Saturday, March 6, 2010 to compete for state championship titles at the 2010 Maine State Scholastic Team Chess Championships. Players were grouped in eight sections: (High School Championship, High School Reserve, High School Novice, Junior High School Championship, Junior High School Novice, K-6 Championship, K-6 Novice and K-3 Championship) and played four rounds of competitive chess.

The High School Championship is the only section in this tournament to use a match play format. That is, a five-player team squares off against another five-person team in board order--a mechanism coaches use to rank their players within the team. In this system, the team to score three or more points out of five per match receives one match point. If each team wins two games and draws the third, each team receives one-half match point. All other sections used a Swiss-style pairing system in which players are matched based on their ratings and performance in the tournament.

Bangor High School captured the title in convincing fashion winning all four of their matches to finish with a perfect match score of 4.0 points. The Bangor High School State Championship Team in board order is: Henry Chai, Andrew Audibert, Keji Xu, Scott Dennis and Kellon McDonnell. The key last-round pairings pitted Bangor (leading with 3.0 points) with Cape Elizabeth High School (2.0 points), John Bapst Memorial High School (2.0 points) with Orono High School (2.0 points) and Thornton Academy (2.0 points) with Deer Isle - Stonington High School (1.0 point).

Bangor's Kellon McDonnell finished his game first with a win over Cape Elizabeth's Ian McInerney. His teammate, Scott Dennis, followed suit with a win over Benjamin Hansel. At this point Bangor needed only a draw to put them out of reach with 3.5 match points. And a draw they got. Andrew Audibert, playing the black pieces and * went right down to the endgame. Audibert had king and g-pawn vs. * king, knight and h-pawn. The pawns were traded and the two shook hands to give Bangor the title. Both top board Henry Chai and third board Keji Xu threw in wins for good measure to give Bangor 4.5 game points out of a possible 5.0 in the last round.

John Bapst took care of Orono and Thornton Academy did the same to Deer Isle -Stonington High School resulting in a Bapst-Thornton tie for second place, each team scoring 3.0 match points.

John Bapst's Maggie Bryan received a trophy for the highest scoring female and Cam Prescott received the trophy for highest scoring unrated player in the High School Championship section

Bangor High School also captured first in the High School Reserve section with their team of Paul Rudnicki, Josh Audibert and Nathan Dee scoring 8.0 points. Bangor edged out Deer Isle - Stonington's team of Nick Eaton, Connor Morey, Tobias Schulze, Alec Eaton and Gareth Warr who scored 7.0 points.

In the High School Novice (unrated) section, Belfast Free Library's High School Chess Club consisting of Patrick Thayer, Clayton Clemstson and Cameron Jack took first. Second place went to Piscataquis Community High School (Henry Carfagno, Benjamin Maines, Darius Shaffer and Richard Ryckman). The top individual performers in this section were Patrick Thayer and Clayton Clemetson both scoring 4.0 points in four games.

In the Junior High School Championship section, Cape Elizabeth, led by their three 4.0 point getters (Matthew Fishbein, Wesley Parker and Matthew Reale-Hatem), won with 17.0 points. Daniel Brett kicked in 3.0 points and both Ethan Duperre and Nicholas Shedd scored 2.0 points. Trailing Cape Elizabeth and finishing in second place scoring 15.0 points was Orono Middle School. Orono's five top scorers were Jesse Amar (3.5 points), Nash Allen-Rahill (3.0 points), Anthony Bottie (3.0 points), Helen Zhang (3.0 points), and Justin O'Brien (2.5) points.

Bucksport Middle School (Adam Bohlen, Kaitlen Arey, Gabriel Flegel, Dakota Appleby and Eric Carlson) won the Junior High School Novice section. Finishing in second place was the Belfast Free Library's Middle School Chess Club (Tucker Caldwell, and Alex Johnson). The top individual performer was Patrick Coyne of W.S. Middle School in Bangor.

Deer Isle - Stonington Elementary won top honors in the K-6 Championship section. The DIS team consisted of: Bethany Humphrey, Soozin Cha (both of whom scored 4.0 points in four games), Kinsey Bartlett, Noah Davis, Kris Melanio, Matson Oliver, Brendan Penfold, Tyson Rice, Ethan Shepard, Isaac Vaughn and Orly Vaughn. Trailing Deer Isle - Stonington Elementary and receiving the second place trophy in the K-6 Championship section was the Airline Community School in Aurora. Airline fielded Laddy DeLuca Lowell, Max DeLuca Lowell, Zachary Grindal, Isaiah Massey, Oliver Sheehan and Sam Keefe.

In the Elementary School Novice Section, Stepping Stones Montessori School of Augusta (Isaac Bell, Gabe Gervais, Joshua Bell, and Bridger Holly) took first in the team competition. Again in second place was the Belfast Free Library, this time with their K-6 group of Chase Sanders, Isabel Kelly, Bryce Caldwell, Christopher Thayer, Caleb Wallace and Kirk Stillman. The top individual performer, scoring 4.0 points in four games, was Isaac Bell of Stepping Stones Montessori School.

The Breakwater School in Portland is the new K-3 State Champions thanks to fine performances by their students Ian Youth, Eric Youth and Samuel Rallis. This trio netted 9.5 points out of a possible 12.0. Pond Cove Elementary School in Cape Elizabeth (Kyle Russell, Rohan Freedman and Zahara Freedman) and All Saints School in Bangor (Michael Hayden and Timmy Robinson) tied for second place in this division each scoring 7.0 points.

Players who scored 3.0 points or more in a championship section of this tournament are invited back--with entry fee waived--to the Maine State Scholastic Individual Chess Championships held at the University of Maine in Orono on Saturday, March 20, 2010. Of course, any Maine scholastic player can participate in the Individual Championships, but those scoring 3.0 points or more in a Team Champinship section will receive free entry. See the events page of ChessMaine.net for more information and registration for the Maine State Scholastic Individual Chess Championships.

This tournament was organized by the Maine Association of Chess Coaches with assistance from the Maine Chess Association. Many thanks to tournament organizers and tournament directors Ron Lewis, Kathy Richards, Andy Bryan, Steve Abrahams, Phil Lowell, Tom Sandford, Ryan Tripp, Bob Solinger and Lee Doucette. Much thanks to parents and coaches for supporting your child's interest in chess and of course, a big thank you to the players themselves!

USCF Crosstable of the K-3 Championship and K-6 sections

USCF Crosstable of the High School Championship, High School Reserve and Junior High School Championship sections

The Fabulous Five! Bangor High School's state championship team (left to right): Henry Chai, Andrew Audibert, Keji Xu, Scott Dennis and Kellon McDonald.

Runners-up in the High School Championship section John Bapst Memorial High School (left to right): Deanna Power, Aaron Spencer, Daniel Honeycutt, Kurt Eyerer and Maggie Bryan.

Bangor (left) vs Cape Elizabeth in the last round of the High School Championship section.

Top board for Bangor, Henry Chai, takes and interest in his teammate's game.

Second board for Bangor High School: Andrew Audibert

Keji Xu

Scott Dennis

Kellon McDonnell

Top board for State Champion Runner-Up John Bapst Memorial High School: Aaron Spencer

Second board for Bapst, Maggie Bryan, received the highest scoring female trophy in the High School Championship section for scoring 3.5 points in four games. Only two players scored higher: McDonnell and Xu both from Bangor.

Curt Eyerer

Dan Honeycutt

That 1/2 point for Andrew Audibert was the tipping point for Bangor High School. After this last-round draw, the championship was safely in Bangor's grasp.

Tied for second place in the High School Championship section Thornton Academy (left) takes on John Bapst in the second round.

Cape Elizabeth's top board: Brett Parker

Just off her Co-Championship performance at the Maine Girls Scholastic tournament: Miriam Nielsen.

A view of the High School Championship section playing hall in the Memorial Union at the University of Maine, Orono.

In the chess "kitchen"

Cape Elizabeth player Ian McInerney with coach John Brady

John Bapst Chess Coach Yuri Riabkov checks out some games in the High School Reserve section.

Caribou High School (left) takes on Erskine Academy.

Orono High School's top gun: Ryan Vienneau

Jaiwei Zou

Avery Cole

Yuval Boss

High School Reserve section top boards in the Bangor vs. Deer Isle - Stonington match: Paul Rudnicki (background left) plays Janelle Ciomei and Brian Brett (foreground left) plays Connor Morey.

Looking "down the line" in the High School Reserve section

Piscataquis High School's team in the High School Reserve section

Bangor High School (right) playing Deer Isle - Stonington High School in the High School Championship section.

Cheverus High School (right) vs. Westbrook High School in the second round of the High School Championship section.

Tournament Director for the High School and Junior High School Championship sections: Lee Doucette

Cape Elizabeth High School (left) plays Orono High School.

Deer Isle - Stonington Chess Coach Dick Powell (red t-shirt) makes a point at the coaches meeting that took place after round two. To his right: Piscataquis High School Chess Coach Kathy Richards, All Saints School Chess Coach Ed Rudnicki and Cheverus High School Chess Coach Dan Lavallee. To Dick's left is Ron Lewis, President of the Maine Association of Chess Coaches.

Winners in the High School Novice (unrated) section: Belfast Free Library (left to right) Patrick Thayer, Cameron Jack and Clayton Clemetson

Second place in the High School Novice section: Piscataquis High School (left to right) Henry Carfagno, Darius Shaffer and Benjamin Maines

Ben Maines

Patrick Thayer

Clayton Clemetson

Holly Brewer

Abigail Grindle

Cameron Jack

Darius Shaffer

E. Cameron

Henry Carfagno

Heidi Brewer

Tournament Director for the Novice sections, Tom Sandford, assists a player.

Winners in the Junior High School Championship section Cape Elizabeth (left to right): Arden Wing, Wesley Parker, Dannt Brett, Matthew Fishbein, Ethan Duperre, Leo Wing, Nick Shedd and Matthew Reale-Hatem

Runners-Up in the Junior High School Championship section Orono Middle School (left to right): Helen Zhang, Natalie Smith, Jacob Johnson, Anthony Bottie and Jesse Amar

Highest scoring female in the Junior High School Championship section (tied with Orono's Helen Zhang): Anna Bryan

Highest scoring unrated player in the Junior High School Championship section: Jesse Amar

John Xiang

The highest rated scholastic player in the state: 6th grader Matthew Fishbein (USCF 1783)

Matthew Reale-Hatem

Ezra Briggs

Humza Khan

Wesley Parker

George Spahn

Dan Brett

2010 Maine State Scholastic Girls Co-Champion Haley DeLuca Lowell

Andrew Turner

Zach Hamilton

Adrianna Keefe

Helen Zhang

Reid Bartlett

Langdon Holly

Nick Shedd

Louise Nielsen

Natalie Smith

Andrew Jones

Jacob Neal

Kyle Welsh

Leo Wing

Colin Smith

Austin Burtt

Justin O'Brien

Ethan Duperre

Jordan Guillane

Nicholas Chouinard

Jacob Johnson

Anthony Bottie

Josh Burleigh

Jacob Chubbuck

Ivan Zembrusky

Chris Normand

Nash Allen-Rahill

Andrew Balser

Sasha Zembrusky

Austin Riley

Winners in the Junior High School Novice section Bucksport Middle School (left to right): Dakota Appleby, Gabe Flegel, Eric Carlsen, Kaitlen Arey and Adam Bohlen

Second place in the Junior High School Novice section Belfast Free Library (left to right); Tucker Caldwell and Alex Johnson

Receiving a trophy for top individual performer in the Junior High School Novice section: Patrick Coyne

Winners in the K-6 Championship section Deer Isle - Stonington Elementary (left to right): Isaac Vaughn, Tyson Rice, Kris Melanio, Kinsey Bartlett, Noah Davis, Ethan Shepard, Soozin Cha, Mason Oliver, Bethany Humphrey, Orly Vaughn and Brendan Penfold

Runners-Up in the K-6 Championship section Airline Community School (left to right): Isaiah Massey, Max DeLuca Lowell, Laddy DeLuca Lowell, Zachary Grindal and Sam Keefe

Ben Allan-Rahill

Krisford Melanio

Bethany Humphrey

Oliver Sheehan

Laddy DeLuca Lowell

Brendan Penfold

Ethan Shepard

Isaiah Massey

Max DeLuca Lowell

Noah Davis

Sam Keefe

Soozin Cha

Stuart MacKay

Mason Oliver

Hope Gross

Caitlin Hillery

Tyson Rice

Zach Grindal

Eamon Laskey

Catherine Rudnicki

Travis Terra

Kinsey Bartlett

Kylee Atwood

Earl Gary

Ennis Marshall

Joshua Huston

Eliot Nevells

Noah Williams

Isaac Vaughn

Taylor Leavitt

Orly Vaughn

Rebman Jackie

Kyle Bedell

Kurtis Bolton

Zach Caron

Nathan Thompson

Ryan McCauley

Chase Houde

Phil Lowell directed the K-6 and K-3 Championship sections.

Winners in the Elementary Novice Section Stepping Stones Montessori School of Augusta (left to right): Isaac Bell (Isaac also received a trophy for top individual performer in this section with four wins in four games.), Gabe Gervais, Joshua Bell and Bridger Holly

Second place in the Elementary Novice section Belfast Free Library (left to right): Bryce Caldwell and Christopher Thayer. Not pictured are: Chase Sanders, Isabel Kelly, Caleb Wallace and Kirk Stillman

State Champions in the K-3 Championship section Breakwater School of Portland (left to right): Ian Youth, Samuel Rallis and Eric Youth

Tied for second place in the K-3 Championship section All Saints School of Bangor (left to right): Coach Ed Rudnicki, Michael Hayden (Michael also received a trophy for top unrated player in this section.) and Timmy Robinson.

Tied for second place in the K-3 Championship section Pond Cove Elementary of Cape Elizabeth. Kyle Russell is pictured without teammates Rohan Freedman and Zahara Freedman.

Gabe Allen

Ian Youth

Eli Spahn

Cam Stewart

Ross Stewart

Kyle Russell

Rylee Eaton

Eric Youth

Samuel Rallis

Timmy Robinson

Michael Hayden

Ashlin Savage

The tournament's youngest competitor: five-year-old Ruby DeLuca Lowell of the Airline Community School in Aurora.

Jacob Pung

Avery Reynolds

Natalie Sheehan

Cole Stewart

Colby Haskell

Myles Brown

Ben Penfold

Rohan Freedman

Jayden Keefe

Andrew Pappianne

Ian Cust

Zahara Freedman

Thanks to the University of Maine for again hosting the Maine State Scholastic Team Chess Championships.