01.21.18 The 2018 edition of the Stillwater Montessori MLK Jr. Day Chess Tournament was held on Monday, January 15, 2018. Fifty-two players competed in four sections: Open, K-12, K-8, and non-rated K-6. Here's the illustrated tournament report with US Chess crosstables.

US Chess crosstable of this event

Thanks to Joe Alex for contributing to this report.

MLK Jr. Day always falls on a Monday holiday. This, it turns out, is a great day to host a chess tournament. This one attracted fifty-one players and, on the same day, the Lincolnville Central School Tournament attracted thirty-nine players. It seems that chess in general, and scholastic chess specifically, is enjoying continued popularity in Maine.

On to the results of the tournament!

In the Open section, Ben Amar went undefeated with two wins and two draws to take first with 3.0 points. He was trailed by Aaron Spencer and Roger Morin with 2.5 points.

Liam Farrell and Zachary Grindal shared equal first in the K-12 section scoring 3.0 points in four rounds.

In the K-8 section, Tommy Owen and Swaroop Handrel both put up perfect scores of 4.0 points in four games to take top honors.

The tournament also offered a non-rated K-6 section which included twelve players. Walker Bayless scored 4.0 points to win this section. He was pursued by Tala Bayless and Mikhail Prostatin who each scored 3.0 points.

Aaron Spencer (left) plays Roger Morin to a draw in round two.

An interesting view of players behind the wire

Winners in the K-6 non-rated section

The K-8 contingent

The K-12 section

Thanks to Joe Alex and the Stillwater Montessori School for organizing this tournament and to Steve Wong for directing. As always, we are grateful to all the players for participating and to the parents and volunteers who assisted and supported their children's interest in chess.