Scary Swiss Continues: From Bold Gambits to Global Chess Tales

Halloween Chess

The Scary Swiss charged into its second round last night. Despite the Phillies drawing some of our regular enthusiasts, the evening was replete with top-tier games. Drew Fleming remains undefeated, proudly leading the pack at the end of two rounds. See the full standings below.

Our spotlight game featured the brilliant Sean Pry taking on the tenacious Faelan McDermott. Sean opened with the daring Smith Morra Gambit, putting on pressure right from the start. Faelan, however, showed poise, fighting back with black. Down material, Sean was eventually able to convert his dynamic advantage into a winning position which he capped off with a beautiful 5 move combination. You can relive their 32-move spectacle at the end of this post.

Speaking of captivating games, ever thought of mixing the thrill of travel with the passion for chess? Dr. George Chressanthis certainly has, recounting his chess adventures around the globe. From securing seats with beer purchases in London pubs to competing amidst Paris’s iconic Luxembourg Garden, George’s tale is a delightful blend of culture and chess. Eager to know how he matched up against local Parisian maestros? Dive into his intriguing account and find your next chess-infused travel inspiration.

That wraps up this week’s round-up. With two rounds down and two more to go, the Scary Swiss is heating up! So, mark your calendars for next Tuesday. You never know which game might just steal the show!


Upcoming Events

  • Tuesday, October 24th – Round 3 of the Scary Swiss
  • Late November – Blitz Tournament. We will follow up with additional details in the coming weeks
  • Every Thursday – West Chester Chess Club meets at 7pm. If you are looking for more chess in your life, I’d 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.


Scary Swiss Standings


Key moment

Though down material, the engine evaluates the position slightly in favor of white. There is, however, only one difficult-to-find move that keeps the game in parity.

What would you play next?

Thank you to Cedar Creek Catering for providing the venue! Check them out at the Media Farmers Market.