04.17.19 Wyatt Hendrix of Hermon and Lucas McCain of Yarmouth won the 2019 Maine State Chess Championship held at the Waterville Grand Hotel on April 13-14th. Both players put up 4.0 points--Hendrix an undefeated three wins and two draws, and McCain four wins and one loss. Congratulations to our newly minted State Champions!

Thanks to Dan Robbins, Lucas McCain, Michael Dudley, and Phil Lowell for contributing to this report.

US Chess crosstable of this event

The two-day 2019 Maine State Championship attracted thirty players and was contested in two sections: Open and U1600.

Going into the final round in the Open section, the title was in reach of five players: McCain, Hendrix, Jarod Bryan, Curt Brock, and Ray Simmons. The pairings were: Simmons - McCain, Hendrix - Bryan, and Bill Hartt - Brock. McCain scored the full point bringing his total score to 4.0. Hendrix held multiple State Champion Jarod Bryan to a draw for 4.0 points as well and Bill Hartt defeated Curt Brock to take him out of the winners' circle.

Bryan and Hartt finished equal third with 3.5 points.

A long list of players finished the Open section with a very respectable 3.0 points including: Adam Schalk, Ray Simmons. John Phythyon, Curt Brock, and Caleb Morse.

Notable first-round upsets were: Edward Nevells (1744) over Matthew Fishbein (2300), Nathan Gates (1704) over Alan Schalk (2000), and Tristan Cousineau (1489) over John Phythyon (1800). Also in round one, Dan Robbins (1747) held Jarod Bryan (2250) to a draw as did Andrew Nevells (1188) in his game with Curt Brock (1751).

Tommy Owen and Jose Lugo shared the top spot in the U1600 section with 4.0 points in five rounds.

One point back and tied for second place in the U1600 section with 3.0 points were: Evan Smith, Isaac Thomas, and Brian Roderick.

Lucas McCain's final-round win over Ray Simmons was key to clinching the title. As was Wyatt Hendrix's draw with Jarod Bryan (background).

Hendrix had his crack at Ray Simmons as well in round four. The game ended in a draw.

Bill Hartt (left) won his last-round game vs Curt Brock.

John Phythyon (left) and Ed Nevells played to a draw in the final round.

Jarob Bryan (left) and Nathan Gates discuss their fourth-round game.

Tournament Director Phil Lowell enjoys an off-hand game during the tournament.

One of the U1600 Champions Tommy Owen (left) plays Evan Smith in round five.

Ellen Han (left) plays Isaac Thomas in the U1600 section.

Thanks to all who participated in this event including the players, organizers, directors, volunteers, and thanks to the Waterville Grand Hotel for hosting.