01.25.24 Eighteen chess players attended the Roger and Lois Morin Memorial chess tournament at the Memorial Union Hall in the Bangor room on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono on December 2nd, 2023. Wyatt Hendrix and Charlie Creswell won the Open section with 3.5 Points. Reese Pelletier played in his first ever US Chess tournament and dominated with 3 out of 4 points in the U1500 section to start their chess career!

Thanks to ChessMaine.net's newest contributing journalist Jacoby Grotton for submitting this report.

>> US Chess Crosstable of this event <<

In the 12-player open section, Wyatt Hendrix and Charlie Creswell blanked the field, only conceding a draw against each other in the 3rd round (see game below). Some other notable performances from the open section include the 3rd place finishers Joshua Lorenzo with 2.5 Points and Sam Nichols also with 2.5 points at his second ever USCF tournament!

In the U1500 section, an impressive performance by Resse Pelletier saw them put up 3 / 4 points in their first-ever USCF tournament to clinch 1st place. Runner-ups behind Reese who also turned in great performances include Jack Hildebrand and Dimitri Smalley both with 2.5 points.

The tournament was organized by the Maine Chess Association and the Tournament Director was Aaron Spencer.

Thank you to all the players who attended.

>> Charlie Creswell (1891) - Wyatt Hendrix (2087), RJM Memorial, 2023 <<

Wyatt Hendrix (file photo) who finished tied for 1st in this year's tournament.

Charlie Creswell (Middle) at the first Farmington Open. Aaron Spencer (left) served as the Tournament Director at the RJM Memorial.

Roger J Morin Memorial Scholarship:

The Roger J Morin scholarship fund was started in the summer of 2019 by Lois Morin in honor of her husband Roger who passed away on June 8th, 2019.

The Roger J Morin Scholarship Committee will accept applications from Maine High School Seniors and college students up until the application deadline. This year the deadline is May 15th.

A single award or multiple awards totaling no less than $500 will be awarded following a review of applications.
The Roger J and Lois Morin Memorial Tournament is a fundraising tournament to benefit this scholarship fund. It takes place in Orono each year.

Roger was a great man and an active chess player in Maine. A respected and beloved figure, Roger J. Morin had a long and distinguished career in Maine chess. Roger was a two-time Maine State Champion, winning in 1980 and 2009 (a record for years between championships). From 1998 until 2007, Roger took a nine-year break from over-the-board chess, only to resume his prolifically successful play in local tournaments. Roger was a chess coach and mentor to many players. An artist on chess board and canvas, Roger conducted several tournaments in his Houlton art studio.

Roger's wife Lois was a brilliant light on the landscape of Maine chess who stayed active in tournament chess into her eighties. She would often attend tournaments with her late husband former Maine state champion Roger Morin. In February 2016, Lois was rated second in the nation for women over the age of 80! Lois was a caring, compassionate, and loving friend who will be sorely missed. Lois sadly passed away around a year after Roger in 2020. These tournaments are dedicated to them and how much they contributed to Maine chess.

To donate to the fund: >> click this link. <<

Congrats to all the players who came to this amazing tournament! We hope to see you again!