03.02.15 Over sixty 60 players competed in six sections at the 2015 All Saints Winter Warm-Up tournament hosted by All Saints School in Bangor on February 21st. There was a three-way tie for first in the open section between Jarod Bryan, Sergio Mejia, and William Ravn. Here's the illustrated tournament report with USCF crosstables and a selected game.

Thanks to Steve Wong and Roger Morin for contributing to this report

USCF crosstable of this event

The very strong open section included two Maine State Champions and had an average rating of 1849. Three players put up three points in the four-round competition: Jarod Bryan, Sergio Mejia, and William Ravn. Dean Astumian was just off the lead with 2.5 points.

In the U1500 section Ezra Briggs took first with 3.5 points and sent his rating from 1194 to 1330--leapfrogging the entire 1200 rating category! This is reminiscent of a young Bobby Fischer who never had a rating in the 1600's and GM Larry Christensen who skipped the International Master title on his way to becoming a Grandmaster.

Greg Wadsworth and Brendan Penfold shared first in the K-12 section with 3.0 points drawing their game with each other in the final round.

Colyn Rich and Cyrus Grindal went unbeaten and untied in the K-8 section and scored a perfect 4.0 points to share the top spot.

The K-6 section saw a three-way tie for first between Milo Sanokklis, Liam Farrell, and Tomasso Wheeler each putting up 4.0 points in five games.

The tournament also provided a non-rated section for beginners.

Thanks to all players, parents, coaches, organizers, tournament directors and All Saints School for making this event possible.

Current Maine State Champion Jarod Bryan shared first place with

Sergio Mejia and

William Ravn.

Dean Astumian put up 2.5 in the open section.

Three players scored 1.5 points: Troy Franklin

Curt Brock and

Brian Hurst.

Roger Morin and

Ryan Tripp put up 1.0 point.

Action in the open section: Curt Brock (left) takes on Sergio Mejia.

Ezra Briggs showed he can still play after nearly a year's break from tournament chess.

Joe Powell shared second in the U1500 section with

Tony Freudig.

Stan Small

Nathan Green

Alba Briggs

K-12 section winner Greg Wadsworth (right) plays Aaron Wilson-McFarlane

Assistant Tournament Director Ed Rudnicki watches over the K-6 and non-rated sectons.

Chess is a game for all ages and skill levels!