Last night, the Media Chess Club hosted the third round of the 2024 Opening Moves Swiss, marked by the tenacity of nine players who braved challenging icy weather conditions.
Tied at the Top
After three rounds, Aaron Biscoe and Ian Millstein are leading the standings, each with a commendable 2.5 points. Ian’s recent performances, in particular, have been a highlight of the tournament, and we eagerly anticipate his rating potentially climbing above 1700 after this tournament’s results are officially recorded.
Welcoming New Members
A special welcome to our newest members, Marc Huffnagle and Ian Millstein. Marc, a resident of the borough of Media, shares a personal tie with our venue – he was married just a floor above where we play. Ian, balancing his med school commitments with a passion for chess, is a familiar face from the West Chester Chess Club and is rapidly enhancing his skills on the board.
Featured Game
The featured game this week was between myself, Nick Lampros, and Ian Millstein. Ian had the black pieces and played the Bogo Indian defense. He demonstrated surgical precision winning the game with an accuracy score exceeding 90% and a single game rating estimate of 2350 according to Chess.com. Ian is playing fantastic chess and we hope to see him next week battling for 1st place against Aaron. The full game is included below for everyone’s enjoyment (and my learning!).
Final Round and Pizza Night
Don’t miss out on the final round next Tuesday, which will bring this tournament to a close. Also, keep an eye out for details about our upcoming pizza night planned for early to mid-February. It’s going to be a fun way to relax and socialize before we get underway for our usual chess matches!
Member Spotlight
Lastly, we are thinking of starting a member spotlight to share more about the people in our group. If you’re interested in being featured or know someone who is, drop me a line, and I’ll send over a few light interview questions. Let’s celebrate the diverse and fascinating personalities that make our club special. Stay warm, and see you next Tuesday for another round of chess adventure!
Upcoming Events
- Tuesday, January 30th – Start of the Winter Warriors Swiss
- Mid/Early February – Cedar Creek Pizza Night – details coming soon
- Every Thursday – West Chester Chess Club meets at 7pm. If you are looking for more chess in your life, I recommend this club in the borough of West Chester. It has been around for 50 years and is a great place to play.
Take a look at our event calendar and consider adding it to stay current.
Opening Moves Swiss Standings
Featured Game
Thank you to Cedar Creek Catering for providing the venue! Check them out at the Media Farmers Market.