12.10.23 A whopping 73 players (the largest number in this event's history) turned out to compete in the 18th Aurora Winter Solstice Chess Tournament held in the tiny hamlet of Aurora, Maine on Saturday, December 9, 2023. The event was held in four sections: U400, U800, U1200, and Open and offered prizes for top U1600 players. Here's the tournament report with US Chess crosstables.

Thanks to Airline Community School especially Janelle Jones, and the kitchen crew Emily Lowell, Liz Linders, Trafton and Jayden for supporting this tournament. Thanks also to Daniel Monahan who served as the tournament's assistant director and as always, thanks to the players, parents, volunteers, and drivers who make this event a great success year after year.

>> US Chess Crosstable of this event <<

After a ten-year hiatus, Alba (Hoty) Briggs reentered tournament life with an undefeated and untied 3.0 point tournament victory in the open section of the 18th Aurora Winter Solstice. Tony Freudig took sole second place with 2.5 points while four players put up 2.0 points to tie for third: Isaiah Fallon, Collin Peaselee, David Glidden, and Snowy Loveday.

In the U1200 section, Jonah Dean went perfect on the day to score 4.0 points in as many games. Tobias Coffey took clear second with 3.0 points and a group of four players scored 2.5 points to place equal third: Zachary Wilson, J. Paul Ciarrocchi, Isaac Klein, and Jack Hildebrand. Scholastic player Isaac Klein was given the nickname Carl Schlecter (the Austro-Hungarian chess master who drew a match with World Champion Emanuel Lasker in 1910) because of his uncanny ability to put up half point after half point. Klein scored three draws and a win to finish the tournament undefeated.

In the 33-player U800 section, two players rose to the top of the crosstable: Sam Gagnon and Kalani Kokotovich each scoring a perfect 4.0 points in four games. A logjam of players tied for second place with 3.0 points including: Baxter Engelman, Angel Mejia, Noah Dean, Aiden Byrne, Liam Holesha, Tien Vo, and Harrison Pennell.

Bennett Aronowitz won the U400 section which was open to K-8 scholastic players with an unbeaten and untied 4.0 points in four games. Grace Cobb, Landon Godfrey, and Cadance Stehman finished equal second with 3.0 points apiece.

Thanks to all who made this event a great success!

Alba (Hoty) Briggs (right) won the Open section with 3.0 points.

David Glidden contemplates his next move in the Open section.

Finishing second in the Open section Tony Freudig gets a birds-eye view of the board.

Players check results and pairings in the main tournament room.

The U800 contingent.

Winners all in the U400 section with tournament director Dan DeLuca.

A huge SHOUT OUT and thank you to the kitchen crew! Pictured here (left to right) are Emily, Janelle, and Jayden.

That's dedication. Although recording of moves was optional in the U400 section, this diligent player dutifully recorded his moves--a sure-fire way to improve one's game!