03/08/25 Twelve players participated in a unique Sunday afternoon 5-Round Double Swiss G/3+2 blitz tournament at the Lubec Memorial Library on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in honor and remembrance of Shandi Hopkins the brother of Lubec Chess Club member Rafi Hopkins. Shandi was a kind, compassionate, curious, and intelligent soul. He was an ardent chess player and blitz chess specialist who played in Harvard Square and Washington Square Park and was a friend of IM Josh Waitzkin the subject of the book and film Searching for Bobby Fischer. Wherever chess is played his memory will always live.

>> US Chess Crosstable of this event <<

Orono Middle School Chess Coach Ryan Tripp pulled no punches as he dispatched opponents one after another to go 10-0 without a single loss or draw. Congratulations Ryan!
Rafi Hopkins finished in sole second place with 7.0 points. A three-way tie for third ensued between Nicolaas Jan Luuring, Chris Crittenden, and David Glidden who each put up 6.0 points.
The dynamic sibling duo of Myles and Mia Brichacek tied for sixth place with 5.0 points.
Olesya Shafirina took eighth place with 4.5 points while Seamus Farrell, William Breen, Alba Briggs, and Julian Nolan rounded out the crosstable with 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, and 0 points respectively.

Thanks to all who participated and to those who make this event possible. A big thank you to Nancy Briggs and the Lubec Memorial Library for letting us use the beautiful library space for a tournament.

Ryan Tripp won the tournament with the remarkable performance of 10-0.

Second-place finisher Rafi Hopkins (foreground left) plays Seamus Farrell in Round 1.

Always a tough competitor: Niek Luuring

David Glidden (foreground right) makes a move in his game vs Julian Nolan.

Olesya Shafirina nearly cracked US Chess 1000 in her first rated tournament.

William Breen

Lubec's own Julian Nolan

Mya Brichacek

Plenty of food and drink (and coffee!) was on hand for players and spectators.

Thanks to the Lubec Memorial Library for hosting this event!