12.06.17 The UMA Fall tournament has become a well-anticipated event in Maine over the last few years. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of tournament organizers and directors Barry Magda and Brian Roderick, players have this fun, well-run event to look forward to on their chess calendars. This year's edition featured twenty-four players competing in five sections. Section winners were: Quad 1 Jarod Bryan, Quad 2 Dan Robbins, Quad 3 Minh Nguyen, Section 4 Stephen Morse and a four-way tie in Section 5 between Jakob McPhee, Dennis Kallor, Colby Allen, and John Li.

US Chess crosstable of this event

Thanks to Brian Roderick for contributing to this report.

Jarod Bryan went three for three in Quad 1 with wins over Wyatt Hendrix, Curt Brock, and Jon Buxton. Hendrix took second with 2.0 points and Brock and Buxton put up half a point on a mutual draw.

In the second Quad, Dan Robbins cobbled together 2.0 points for first place with a win a two draws. Nathan Gates and Rob Shore finished equal second with 1.5 points and Ramiro Ponce took forth with 0.5 points.

Minh Nguyen was perfect on the day with 3.0 points in Quad 3. The other three players in this quad, Ryunsu Sung, Kaleb Pendeleton, and DeclanThomas shared second with 1.0 point apiece.

The six-player Section 4 saw Stephen Morse out in front with 3.0 points. Ben Mock finished second with 2.0 points and third was shared by Aidan Thomas and Brian Conti.

In Section 5, a four-way log jam for first ensued between Jakob McPhee, Dennis Kallor, Colby Allen, and John Li with 2.0 points each. After these leaders, Amelia Buxton and Kenneth Park took fifth and sixth place respectively.

Thanks to all players, coaches, parents, organizers, and directors for participating in the UMA Fall 2017 tournament and a special thanks to the University of Augusta for hosting this event.

Quad 1 winner Jarod Bryan (left) plays Curt Brock in round three.

Rob Shore (facing camera) plays Nathan Gates

Amelia Buxton and Kenneth Park play in round one.

Lee Doucette (left) mixes it up with Stephen Morse.

The ceiling décor gives the impression of chess as a celebration.

Two players analyze in the skittles room.

An interesting endgame occurred in this game.

A closer look

Tournament director Barry Magda at the helm.

Thanks again to the University of Maine for hosting.