03.12.17 While the 2017 State Scholastic Team Chess Championships were taking place in Orono, a six-player Swiss was contested a few hours to the north. On Saturday, March 11, 2017, the March Houlton Open was swept by Roger Morin with a perfect three for three. Tied for second were Canadian scholastic phenom Leonardo Cui and Lance Beloungie with 2.0 points.

USCF Crosstable of this event

Returning to over 2000 USCF, Roger Morin took three games in a row to post another tournament win. With an average rating of USCF 1763, this tournament, and many others in this series of Houlton tournaments, provides an opportunity for players who live in or have access to Aroostook County to enjoy USCF-rated tournament games.

Lance Beloungie and Leonardo Cui put up 2.0 points, each of them having dropped one to the tournament winner, Roger Morin.

Nathan Gates started strong with a win in the first round. He then was paired against the tournament's number one and two players for rounds two and three. Gates finished with 1.0 point.

Ray Haines and Roger Hardison agreed to a last-round draw to finish the day with half a pint apiece.

Thanks to the players, organizers, and director of this event for continuing to support chess in "The County."