12.11.21 The 16th Aurora Winter Solstice Tournament was held at the Airline Community School on Saturday, December 11, 2021. The event offered five sections for players to choose from: Open, U1600, U1200, U800 & Unrated, and U400 & Unrated. The AWS is one of the tournaments on the Scholastic Grand Prix schedule and, because of a new Maine Chess Association initiative, is offered to K-12 students at no cost to them--for either US Chess memberships or entry fees.

US Chess crosstable of this event

Two-time Maine state champion Wyatt Hendrix swept the Open section with a perfect 3.0 points in as many games. Trailing the winner were Ben Mock with 2.0 points for clear second. Tristian Cousineau and Nathan Gates scored 1.0 and 0.0 points respectively.

Hayden Tittle of Lewiston High School took first in the U1600 section with three straight wins. Tony Freudig finished clear second with 2.0 points. Maine Chess Association Treasurer Oisin O'Searcoid put up one point for third place and Sam Winter rounded out the crosstable scoreless.

Many interesting and hard-fought games insued in the U1200 section. When the dust had cleared, Tony Huang took top honors with 2.5 points in three rounds. Just off the leader's pace with 2.0 points was Andrew Miller. Arda Hatipoglu of Lee Academy finished third with 1.5 points and John Li finished the section scoreless.

Charlie Creswell and Christian Zhang finished equal first in the U800 & Unrated section scoring an unbeaten and untied 4.0 points. Seven players tied for third place with 3.0 points: Tom Luong, Amanda Battulga, Henry Penfold, Rachel Norment, Kutay Ertuk, Adam McClure, and Felicity Le.

In the U400 & Unrated section, Manuel DaSilva took first with a perfect 4.0 points. Tied for second were: Riley Richardson, Lilly Tripp, James Freudig, and Noah Evans.

Thanks to all who made this event a great success including players, parents, coaches, drivers, volunteers, organizers, and directors. We hope to see you all back at the 17th Aurora Winter Solstice Tournament in December 2022!

Winners in the Open section (left to right): Ben Mock (2nd), Wyatt Hendrix (1st), and Tristan Cousineau (3rd).

Ben Mock (left) and Wyatt Hendrix at the board in Round 2.

Nathan Gates (left) battles Tristan Cousineau in the Open section.

U1600 champion Hayden Tittle (left) plays Tony Freudig in Round 2.

Sam Winter (left) plays Oisin O'Searcoid in the U1600 section.

Andrew Miller (right) put up 2.0 points for second place in the U1200 section.

The U1200 section over the board.

Winners in the U1200 section (left to right): Arda Hatipoglu (3rd), Tony Huang (1st), and Andrew Miller (2nd).

The U800 & Unrated section was the tournament's largest.

The U800 & Unrated contingent

Action in the U800 section.

Representing Lee Academy: Zachary Holt

U400 section winner Manuel DaSilva (left) plays James Freudig in the final round.

U400 section players

Reeds Brook Middle School Chess Coach David Bishop was the lucky winner of the handmade chess-themed holiday placemats crafted by the late Lois Morin. The proceeds of this raffle went to the Roger and Lois Morin Scholarship Fund.

A huge shout out to the kitchen crew (left to right): Emily Lowell, Janelle Jones, and Kate Anderson!