GM Alonso Zapata Wins Southeast Chess Open

Hello Chess Blog readers,

Southeast Chess held its first long time control tournament on 5 Apr 2014. 5 rounds, all of game in 120 minutes were held, beginning on Saturday, breaking the Georgia tradition of having a Game 90 first round on Saturday. The organizers report that this schedule, with no Friday option, was accepted well. Approximately 52 players attended. All rounds started on time. There were 4 Sections, as U1100 was incorporated into U1400. Ben Johnson was Chief TD, with Jeff Domozick and Grant Oen serving as assistant TDs.

Highlights Southeastern Chess has proven that they can organize weekend tournaments effectively. The tournament drew participants from a number of states: AL, SC, TN, FL, and IL. Resident GM, Alonzo Zapata played all 5 rounds, giving people a thrill. In the Open Section, as expected, GM Zapata won outright, with 4.5 points of 5. Kevis Tsao got clear second with 4 points, and Chao Zhang got clear third with 3.5 points. 

In U2000, Patrick Walker got clear first with 4.5 points, Albert Liang achieved clear second with 3.5 points, and Arden Markin got clear third with 3 points. In U1700, Kelvin Montgomery got clear first with 4.0 points, Robbie Grattan-Smith, Carlo Kenner, and Justin Zhou ended up in a three way tie for second with 3.5 points, with Robbie winning on tiebreaks. In U1400, Jonathan Sia placed clear first with 4 points. Rithvik Sarasani and Andrew Cook of Illinois scored 3.5 points, splitting 2nd and 3rd place prizes, with Rithvik winning out on tiebreaks. Read more at the Georgian Chess Website.

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