Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2011 Memorial Results

HAPPY NEW YEAR! A record number of 49 chess players turned out for the first tournament of 2011! The cross table is at http://main.uschess.org/assets/msa_joomla/XtblMain.php?201101155701

The Urban Queens section continues to gain popularity with a total of 8 players, which hosted 7 females. This section is dedicated to the training and development of females and new developing tournament chess players. Newcomers, Laura E. Cohn,2nd grader at Lindbgergh Elementary, Da'Ron Lipscomb, Tomescia S. Weissinger and Jessica C. Dixon, 3rd grader at Charter School for Applied Technology, all made their marks in the section.

The results are Genuine M. Ubiles, 8th grader from North Park, was Undefeated Champion, 2nd Place - Da'Ron L. Lipscomb, 5th grader at Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence, 3rd Place Tie - Tomescia S. Weissinger, 7th grader at Charter School for Applied Technology and Ruby Z. Soudant, 2nd grader at Olmstead #64.

Others returnees are Luxury M. Ubiles, 5th grader at North Park and Eliza S. Conyers, 4th grader at Olmstead #64. We plan to take the entire Urban Queens Team to Rochester, New York in February for another team scholastic tournament.

In the Whitfield Jr. Scholastic K-12 Section hosted 12 players. Welcome newcomer James Lyon from Hamburg, NY. The final results had a 1st Place Tie with Trevor D. Cohn and Kevin Roulhac both members of the Urban Knights Chess Club. In December 2010, Trevor finished 3rd place and Kevin finished in 4th place and his first trophy. There was a five way tie for 3rd place, all had 3pts out of 5 games, shows how competitive the section has become. Tie breakers went to 3rd Place - James Lyon, 4th Place - Lucas Grisanti, Pioneer Chess Club and 5th Place - James Hampton from East High School. Other honors were Joshua Hampton, East High and Austin Will from Pioneer Chess Club.

In the MLK Jr. U1500 Section hosted 16 players. Welcome to the Buffalo Chess community are Randy H. Gugino, Attorney, Nicholas J. Moscatello, upgraded from the K - 12 section Champion - Matthew Rzeznick, Bishop Timon and Canadian Vinay Sharma, who returns and helps us keep our USA & Canada motto, The Archangel 8 Chess Academy is Buffalo's "Gateway to International Chess"!.

Top honor Co-Champions goes to the WNY BAR Association members Randy H. Gugino, Esq. and James P. Davis, Esq. Newcomer Randy H. Gugino, Esq.(1445), was the highest rated player and both finished 3.5 pts out of 4 pts. This was James P. Davis(1424) second consecutive top finish in two months. Other top finishers with 3pts were in the field of Medicine with Dr. James J. Paul, OD and Dr. Mark Mieth(Niagara Falls, NY).

Top Upset leaders were Nathan Palmisano(Pioneer) - 603.5pts, Nicholas J. Moscatello - 581pts, Diane M. Ruminski - 326pts, Reagan Lyle - 325pts, Matthew Leahy(Bishop Timon) - 148pts, Matthew Rzeznick(Bishop Timon) - 137pts, Michael Skok - 103pts, Justin Craddock - 92pts and James P. Davis - 10.5pts.

In the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Open Section hosted 13 players. Top rated players were National Master, Lionel L. Davis(2242),National Master, Barry Davis(2106)and National Master, Mark J. Clark(2067) from Jamestown, NY. Mark Clark host the Jamestown City Championships and is looking for tournament players.

Top Honors Co-Champions were Lionel L. Davis, Barry Davis and U1900 winner Erik W. Lubas from Kenmore West, all shared in the top money.

Top Upset leaders were Riyath A. Mallahi, Notre Dame University - 617pts, David S. Miller - 381pts, Gary Boye - 120pts, Barry Davis - 68pts, Mark Clark - 19.5pts, and Erik W. Lubas - 6pts.

Please "SAVE THE DATE", Friday, June 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2011 when we host the 5th Annual Mayor's Cup Class Championships, Campbell Student Union, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY. The Grandmaster Section will be a 3 day event, FIDE Rated, 7 Rounds, Swiss Championship with defending 2008 and 2010 Mayor's Cup Champion - International Master Kenneth W. Regan. Please send in your name for the Early Bird Discount list by January 31, 2011. The 2011 Mayor's Cup Champion will compete for $1000.00 first prize and $500 for 2nd place. More details will be listed in the upcoming Chess Life Magazine in the Grand Prix listing with Enhanced Grand Prix points.

Our next Buffalo Monthly Chess Tournament will be on Saturday, Feb. 19th, 2011, 4 Rounds, Swiss, Game 50. Paid Advanced entries are greatly appreciated. Advance entry fees are $25.00 or $35 at the door. Checks should be made payable to The Archangel 8 Chess Academy, 60F Guilford Lane, Buffalo, NY 14221 no later than Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011, with full name, USCF Id number, Section of play and phone.

I want to thank all of those who came out to support us and those dedicated loyal supporters who continue to support our tournament efforts. Special "GET Well" wishes should be sent to Jonathan Havey, father to Benjamin Havey was finally released from the hospital and is recovering at home.

Help us continue to grow the Buffalo Chess community, "Tell a Friend, Bring a Friend", we all benefit as more challengers become part of our chess community.

Reported by Mc Duffie, USCF Chief Tournament Director