This past Tuesday, February 13th, the Media Chess Club hosted the third round of the Winter Warrior Swiss tournament.
A Duel for the Top
As we approach the final round, the competition for first place has reached a fever pitch as Tariq ascends to the lead following a gripping match against Brian Polka. Demonstrating exceptional skill and strategy, Tariq has now become the frontrunner to take home the tournament crown. Check out the current standings below
Bughouse Chess: The Post-Match Tradition Continues
Following the tension of the regular matches, the chess boards remained occupied as eight players engaged in the fast-paced world of bughouse chess. This week, a spirited double round-robin tournament unfolded, with the dynamic duo of Rob McFadden and Ed Kline proving formidable, winning four out of six matches. Ed’s consistent presence in the winning equation has sparked curiosity—will this trend continue?
Celebrating February’s Most Improved
We also take a moment to celebrate our most improved players for February. Michael Medford and Patrick Mc Ree have made impressive strides, each achieving rating increases of over 100 points. Congratulations to all on your progress!
Blitz Tournament: Save the Date!
Mark your calendars for our upcoming blitz tournament at Whole Foods Market in Newtown Square on Saturday, March 9th, at 11 am. Building on the success of our last event, we’re excited for another day filled with chess, camaraderie, and laughter. We’re adjusting the time control to 5 minutes per side with no delay, promising a brisk and thrilling experience. Follow the link below to learn more and to register.
Equinox Swiss: A New Twist
As we set our sights on the upcoming Equinox Swiss tournament, we’re introducing a novel format tweak to elevate everyone’s game experience. Thanks to Brian Polka’s ingenious input, we’re piloting a new system of pre-assigning points based on player ratings—1.0 points for those 1500 and above, 0.5 points for ratings between 1000 and 1500, and 0.0 for under 1000. This change is designed to balance first-round matchups more effectively, ensuring a competitive edge right from the start, all while preserving your rating integrity.
Should you have any reservations or queries about this new format, feel free to voice them to Brian—after all, this clever idea was all his! In all seriousness, we’re open to discussing any aspect of the tournament to make sure it’s a hit for everyone involved.
Looking forward to seeing everyone next Tuesday for the last round of the Winter Warrior Swiss. As always, thank you for making our club a fantastic place to enjoy chess!
Upcoming Events
- Tuesday, February 13th- Round 4 of the Winter Warriors Swiss
- Tuesday, February 20th – Round 1 of the Equinox Swiss
- Saturday, March 9th at 11am – Blitz Madness at the Marketplace
- 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.
Take a look at our event calendar and consider adding it to stay current.
Thank you to Cedar Creek Catering for providing the venue! Check them out at the Media Farmers Market.
Supporting Our Community
As our club grows and hosts rated tournaments and special events like our much-loved pizza nights, we’re inviting members who are able to contribute $20 annually to support these initiatives. Whether or not you choose to contribute financially, your presence and participation in the club are what truly matter and are greatly appreciated by all of us.
We’re also looking for volunteers to help with event organization, game annotation, member spotlights, the newsletter, and tournament directing. If you’re interested in contributing your skills, please reach out.