2025 Maine State Championship Tournament Report
06/25/25 The 2025 Maine State Chess Championship was played from April 25-27 at the Waterville Grand Hotel in Waterville, Maine. FIDE Master FM Alimzhan Amirkul took first place with 4.5 points in five rounds. Here's the illustrated tournament report.
>> US Chess Crosstable of this event <<
Thanks to Will Ravn for contributing to this report.
The 2025 Maine State Championship was played from April 25-27 at the Waterville Grand Hotel in Waterville, ME. Thirty-six players competed in 2 sections, an Open consisting of 19 players, and an U1725 consisting of 17 players. In a very strong Open field with an average rating of 1880, 3 players were tied for 1st on 3.5/4 going into the final round, FM Alimzhan Amirkul, William E Ravn, and Gabriel Eaton. William and Gabriel drew to finish on 4/5 and tie for 2nd, while Alimzhan managed to come back from a pawn-down position against 10-time state champion FM Jarod Bryan to finish on 4.5/5 and claim the title of 2025 Maine State Champion! Congratulations Alimzhan! In the U1725 section Tanner David Hachey took clear first with a perfect 5/5, and 2nd place was split between Daniel Robbins and Benjamin Usadi on 4/5. A big thanks to Glenn Miller for acting as tournament director, to Wyatt Hendrix for organizing, to the Waterville Grand Hotel for hosting, and to all the players, without whom this event wouldn't be possible!
Gabe Eaton (left) and William Ravn square off in the last round. This game ended in a draw.
The dramatic last-round game between Jarod Bryan (left) and Alimzhan Amirkul that inked the title for Amirkul.
The winners' podium (left to right): Sam Lewis (equal 4th Open section), Gabe Eaton (equal 2nd Open section), FM Alimzhan Amirkul (1st Open section), William Raven (equal 2nd Open section).
Emma Mazur (left) plays David Haluska in the U1725 section
More action in the U1725 section
Matthew Fishbein shows off his certificate making his induction into the Maine Chess Hall of Fame official!
Later, Matthew plays an offhand game in the skittles room.
Julian Farcasanu (left) plays Tobias Coffey in the U1725 section.
Tanner Hachey (right) who finished 1st in the U1725 section posed with Ben Usadi.
Congratulations to all players! We hope to see you back next year for the 2026 Maine Chess Championship!
