01/05/25 National Masters Ted Belanoff and Majur Juac won the 2024 Maine State Chess Championship played in Waterville in April. The tournament was contested over three days in two sections: Championship and U1500. Tony Freudig took clear first in the U1500 section with a perfect score of four wins in four games. Here's the tournament report with US Chess crosstables.

>> US Chess Crosstable of this event <<

Fifty-eight of Maine's finest chess players convened at the Waterville Grand Hotel on a late April weekend to battle for the coveted title of Maine State Chess Champion.  When the dust settled after 3 exciting days of chess, two National Masters, NM Ted Belanoff and NM Majur Juac stood tied atop the podium boasting monstrous 4.5/5 scores! 

Close behind the leaders in a 4-way tie for 3rd were NM Matthew Fishbein, Wyatt Hendrix, Daniel Miles Hayes, and Hayden Mackenzie Tittle at 4/5.  In the under 1500 section, played on Saturday April 27th, Antony Karl Freudig stood alone at the top of the crosstable with a perfect 4/4!  In a 5-way tie for 2nd on 3/4 were Teddy Widom, Loki Drisko, David Haluska, John Paul Ciarrocchi, and Rebecca Diane Stanley. 

Big thanks to J. Paul Ciarrocchi for organizing the event, Alex Relyea and Nita Patel for directing, and to all the players for participating and making this event a great success.

Hayden Tittle vs Ted Belanoff

Charile Creswell vs Will Ravn

Maine Chess Association President J. Paul Ciarrocchi (right) and Treasurer Wyatt Hendrix welcome players and spectators to the event.

Many fierce battles were contested. Here Nathan Gates (left) tangles with Niek Luuring in the final round.

Inductees into the Maine Chess Hall of Fame pose with Maine Chess Association brass.

The tournament room in the Best Western Plus Waterville Grand Hotel.