Stick around chess clubs long enough and eventually you will get a
disagreement over something or other. At a recent tournament out of
state, I saw at least one player lose his temper and control. At a
chess club, given enough time, you'll see some unhappiness at some
point. In our case however it happened a year ago and it certainly
has ended up for the better because Ashburn Chess Club was created.

We held our first anniversary tournament on 31st July at the nearby
Springhill Suites hotel in Ashburn. It was the first time we had run
a tournament at this location and there were a few things to get used
to - such as a door that had to be closed because of the noise outside
but at the same time, had to be open because you couldn't get in
without a key or someone inside opening it up for you. It got a
little comedic at times.

Pictures are available here.

It was a short notice tournament for various reasons but it was well
attended and had many new faces at the same time. Masters that
attended include frequent contributor to VCF newsletter, FM Dov
Gorman, VA State Closed Champion Andrew Samuelson and Shawn Hoshall.
Luan Nguyen is no stranger to many of us that go to Sakasa but having
him play a rated tournament was something totally new. Scott Knoke
also hasn't played a rated tournament in more than a decade and so
this was if not a first, definitely a homecoming of sorts.

As the dice rolled, or rather, as the computer paired up the players
for the first round, Scott Knoke ended up on the top board against
Dov. Herky got to play the VA State Closed Champion, Andrew
Samuelson. Samuelson joked about having to play the organizer that
invited him to the tournament in the first round. We were more than
happy that he was there to participate in the event. The last pairing
of note was Dino having to play Eric Cawi. For those of you that
don't know, Dino teaches at Stone Bridge High School, where Eric
attends school and is a member of the chess club that Dino helps out
with. In this round, Dino was still the teacher today.

In the first round was the first upset with Luan the Unrated beating
much higher rated player on time. Too bad we didn't have an upset
prize.

If there was one game that Matt DiBeneditto really wanted to win, it
was the one against NM Shawn Hoshall in round 2. He lost that one but
as disappointed as he was, it proved to be his one and only loss of
the day. Luan managed to draw an expert in round 2 under time
pressure.

In round 3, I would have to say that the top board provided some of
the best entertainment for spectators as Dov Gorman played Andrew
Samuelson with both into time pressure. I am very glad that there was
a 5 second delay as it enabled the two of them to really show their
stuff as strong players. A big thank you to William Marcelino as well
for stepping in in round 3 as a house player when we really needed
one.

By the end of round 4, Dov was in the lead by half a point with Matt
DiBeneditto, Daniel Weissbarth, Andrew Samuelson at this heels. The
last round would feature Dov against Daniel and Matt against Andrew.

Dov Gorman and Matt DiBeneDitto both ended up winning with 4 points
each so they are Ashburn Chess Club's first co-champions. Their names
will go up on the plaque that will be displayed on the wall at
Sakasa.

I just want to say thanks to everyone that participated in the event
and to give a great big "HI!" to all the new faces that turned up. I
hope to see of you in the future in Ashburn Chess Club's events.

MSA results are here.

For those of you that are interested in other activities in the Loudoun
County area, may I suggest you consider the Purcellville Chess Club..