03.18.15 Twenty-eight players participated in the 2015 Saco Open played over the weekend of March 14-15 at the Hampton Inn in Saco, Maine. Two strong fields assembled in two sections: Open and U1750. GM Alexander Ivanov and IM David Vigorito shared the top spot in the Open with 3.5 points apiece--drawing with each other in round three. In the U1750 section, Dale Barkey and Mark Seedner posted an unbeaten 3.0 points to finish equal first. Here's the illustrated tournament report with USCF crossables.

Thanks to Alex Relyea and Nita Patel for contributing to this report

USCF crosstable of this event

With a Grandmaster and an International Master seeded at the top of the wall chart the outcome of this tournament may have been somewhat predictable but on any given day there is no telling what might happen. The two top players did not disappoint and turned in a very strong performance scoring 3.5 points in four games. They drew their third round encounter with each other and won games with their three other opponents.

Just off the lead were three players who shared 3rd-5th place with 3.0 points: Timothy Bishop, Alex Slive, and David Wasdahl. Sergio Mejia continues to climb the USCF rating ladder as he scored 2.5 points and tacked on twenty-nine points to his expert-level rating to finish the tournament at USCF 2032.

In the U1750 section, Dale Barkey and Mark Seedner went unbeaten with two wins and two draws to finish equal first. Jon Buxton, Paul Kolojeski, and Brian Hurst trailed in the 3rd-5th spots with 2.5 points.

GM Ivanov is no stranger to the winners' podium...

and neither is International Master David Vigorito!

Mark Seedner

Brian Roderick picks up his U1500 prize.

Dale Barkey

David Wasdahl

Alex Silve

Tim Bishop