2009 WVU Russian Club Charity Tournament
Date: November 18, 2009
Site: West Virginia University, Mountainlair - Shenandoah Room, Morgantown, WV 26505
Format: Unrated knockout. G/15.
Participants: 18
Winners: 1st Ben Good, 2nd Dave Iorio, 3rd-4th Shih-Houng Young and Elias Stewart.
Congratulations to Ben Good who won the 2009 WVU Russian Club Charity Chess Tournament! All proceeds will be used to pay for the shipment of three
suitcases of toys and toiletries being collected for Russian orphans in the St. Petersburg area and Siberia. Eighteen players delivered
exciting games at the adopted G/15 time control. These included sudden death between Terry Wassell Sr. (0.5) and Caleb Aites (1.5) and
a finely played rook and pawn ending by Dave Bruner, who visited from Elkins, against Lawrence Iorio.
Ben (WV Co-Champion) earned his place at the podium by taking out in succession Bill Austin (Morgantown Champion), Lawrence Iorio,
Shih-Houng Young, and Dave Iorio. Feeling that Ben's 270 rating point advantage was not enough, Dave Iorio (black) uncorked an opening
"novelty" in the Vienna sacrificing a knight for pawn and phantom attack. It was a charity chess event! Ben reacted incredulously
before calmly accepting the piece. Though the game later proved interesting, Ben's advantage was never in jeopardy as he proceeded to
apply pressure on the kingside. White's threat of tripling rooks plus queen on the open f-file translated to a king and pawn ending
where black was unable to avoid zugzwang.
The WVU Russian Club graciously hosted and provided a comfortable playing site. It was an excellent opportunity for Phil DiSalvo
to promote the WVU Chess Club and the MCC was well-represented with seven participants. This was the tournament's third edition and
they intend to keep it as an annual event. Thanks to everyone who helped make this a successful fundraiser!
Join us
Club meets Thursday evenings from 7 to 11pm at First Christian Church (basement) in Morgantown (directions). The club is closed the last Thursday of every month.
Sept 3-5
WV State Championship
Sept 4
WV State Junior Championship
October 16
12th Mountaineer Open