2008 Bottom Half Class Championship

The 2008 Bottom-Half Tournament, held July 5-6, 2008, produced 61 players and outstanding competition at all levels. Very positive feedback was received regarding the venue at the Hampton Inn in Sterling Heights. A number of players expressed fatigue at playing the final three rounds at 40/2, SD1. It called for potentially 12 hours of play on Saturday and Sunday. Next year, I think it would be good to make RD3, G120, and RDS 4 & 5, 30/90, SD1.

No players entered the tournament with a 2200 or higher rating; however, Dmitriy Obukhov left the tournament with a 2200+ rating. He achieved 4 ½ out of 5 points, giving a draw only to Ariel Levi and handily winning the 1900+ section.

Shawn Bale also won 4 ½ out of 5, taking the title for the U1900 section. Peter Chen and Daniel Schey tied in the U1700 section with 4 points each, but Peter took the title on tiebreaks. Forrest Reddick dominated in the U1500 section with 4 ½ out of 5. He valiantly tried for a perfect score, sacrificing a Queen for a Bishop against Jeff Futrell in the last round in order to avoid a perpetual check. However, he was still held to a draw.

In the U1300 section, Melissa Lee and Kameron Tolliver each scored 4 points with Melissa taking the title on tiebreaks. There was three-way tie with 4 points in the U1100 section: Nathan Berman, Robert Prosniewski, and Anirudha Hagadali with Anirudhi taking the title on tiebreaks.

Report courtesy director Ed Mandell. BC 7/10. Photos and games to come.