04.24.10 MECA President Andy Bryan updates the Maine chess community in his monthly newsletter. Feedback and comments are welcome.

March Moments

Scholastic championships are crowned in March, and many special moments occur. 2010 brought many special moments to new champions and not-so-new champions with new titles. At the forefront were Bangor High School winning the High School Team Championship outright and ending John Bapst's unprecedented run and our youngest K-12 Individual Champion, sixth grader Matthew Fishbein from Cape Elizabeth. The other team champions were Cape Elizabeth in Junior High, Deer Isle-Stonington in K-6, and the Breakwater School of Portland in K-3. Team titles from four different towns shows good balance in the state.

Individual champions crowned besides Fishbein included Ritvik Kumeran in K-3, Bethanny Humphrey in K-6, and a trio of champions in K-8 - Colin Smith, Wesley Parker, and All Girls Co-champ Haley DeLuca Lowell. Fishbein's victory set a new standard for the next young phenom to shoot for; his victory advanced his rating past 1800 for the first time.

There were many other champions in reserve and novice sections as well as many performers exceeding expectations and gaining confidence with their games. The most exciting part of these proceedings was to see so much enthusiasm for chess and for these championships. All involved can celebrate the quality of these events and the ease in which these days passed without a major glitch. Thanks to all involved.

Another Presque Isle tournament and the 3rd John Bapst G/35 fundraiser also drew top competition to the board with Roger Morin and Steve Abrahams proving that their top ratings were well-deserved.

April has begun and there has already been a tournament in Houlton that despite only eight players drew an average rating of 1700. I would encourage players to make the trip up to "The County" for some great scenery and great chess.

The next exciting event is in Freeport on the 24th. It also has higher purses than usual and will be a good place to sharpen your game before the May 15-16 Grand Prix event in Bangor.

My next entry will announce specifics for the Maine Closed Championship to be held August 21-22.