08.19.19 Four Mainers competed in the 49th Annual Continental Open held in Sturbridge, Mass. on August 14-18, 2019. ChessMaine.net contributor Elisabeth Fowlie Mock was there and submitted this report.

Thanks to Elisabeth Fowlie Mock for contributing to this report.

US Chess Crosstable of this event

The Future of Maine Chess at Sturbridge, Mass

Maine Chess was well represented by 4 young chess players at the 49th Annual Continental Open tournament (held in Sturbridge, Massachusetts every August). Ben Amar of Orono, a UConn student and 6th highest rated player in Maine, played in the U2100 section and finished with 4.5 points in the 7 round tournament.

Benjamin Mock of Holden, a student at John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, finished with 4 points playing in the U1900 section. Evan Smith, an Orono High School student, also finished with 4 points and Aidan Thomas of Cheverus High School in Portland finished with 2.5, both in the U1700 section.

All four players saw their ratings increase at least modestly which was helped by playing well, 'playing up,' and playing competition from a wide geographic region. A total of 273 players participated in this 6 section tournament, including 12 Grandmasters and 7 International Masters.

In Saturday night Blitz action--a field of 28--Ben Amar finished 11th with 4.5 out of 8 possible points, Benjamin Mock was 15th with 4.0, and Evan Smith was 18th with 3.5. Blitz includes players of all ratings, including one who was over 2200!

We congratulate each of these players on their fine results!

Ben Amar

Aidan Thomas

Evan Smith

Benjamin Mock