Boylston Chess Club Dominates 72nd New England Open

by Doc Kinne

BCC Member IM David Vigorito Plots His Way to the Top
During the 1st Round of the 72nd New England Open
(Photo by Kinne)

 Over the Labor Day weekend the New England Open, and associated side events, were held in Leominster, MA. After a tough battle lasting three days, the defending title holder, International Master Igor Foygel, was defeated by a triad of 2012 New England Champions: USCF Life Senior Master Denys Shmelov, International Master David Vigorito, and International Master Jonathan Yedidia - all Boylston Chess Club members!

Combined, the New England Open Championship had 162 players battling for the New England Open Championship title, class titles, scholastic titles, and the 2012 New England Blitz Championship title. The Open Section, nicely, was FIDE-rated as the tournament was directed by FIDE Arbiter, and the New England Chess Association President, Robert Messenger. He was aided by National Tournament Director George Mirijanian.

The New England Championship Trophy!
It's All Boylston's This Year!
(Photo by Kinne)

The BCC was nicely represented further down the Open section as well with such luminaries as FIDE Master Chris Chase, USCF Life Master Lawyer Times, and Woman Candidate Master Natasha Christiansen, who received her highest rating in 14 years and is on her way to breaking through the 2000 "glass ceiling" very soon, all participating.

Boylston had good people in the lower sections as well.  Ross Eldridge took 2nd in the Under 2000 section. The Under 1700 section, however, was dominated by ME and CT with the top MA player only coming to third. The Under 1500 section sported Boylston CC tournament players and members such as Eddie Wei, Eddie Wang, Marc Turgeon, and Doc Kinne, who may have gained his first 4th Category Title norm.

The 2012 New England Blitz Championship, a 10 round tournament drawing a respectable 18 players, was won by USCF Life Master Vadim Martirosov who gained a decisive 9/10 points, fully 1.5 points ahead of 2nd place winner 1st Category Frank Wang.

All in all the 72nd New England Championship was a great success and a wonderful way for New England to start off its Fall chess season!