The Miramichi Chess Association hosted this year's New Brunswick Open Chess Tournament in the Miramichi Community College in northern New Brunswick. While on arrival, we were immediately impressed by the cornerstone laid by Premier Frank McKenna in this beautiful new community college, we were even more impressed by the surrealistic chess murial in the main entrance!
Four Nova Scotians participated - Brian Burgess, Andrew Wallbank, Alvah Mayo and Steve Saunders.
Fred McKim, frmckim@itd.vac-acc.gc.ca wrote a quick "day after" summary:
Thirty-four played including 8 over 1900, 4 from NS, and 3 from PEI. A good job by the Miramichi group, especially Clarence Malley. First finished with a three way tie between Robert Breau, Justin Gulati, and Randy Maillet, with Randy winning on 2nd tie break (median) over Robert, after 1st tie-break (cumulative) failed to resolve the issue.
Fredricton, New Brunswick
Drew: Robert Breau (4)
Steve Saunders (3.5)
Beat: Fred McKim (3.5)
Alvah Mayo (3)
Martin Robichaud (2.5)
Drew: Randy Maillet (4)
Daniel Mallais (3)
Beat: Eric Bertrand (3.5)
Hubert Duivenvoorden (3)
Clarence Malley (3)
Drew: Steve Saunders (3.5)
Franco Frenette (2.5)
Beat: Brian Boyce (3)
Hubert Duivenvoorden (3)
Yvon Leger (3)
Later, Fred McKim, frmckim@itd.vac-acc.gc.ca wrote:
A total of 34 showed up for the NB Open, making this (I would think) the Miramichi's largest tournament to date. As well with the 8 players rated between 1900 and 2040 the title and $250 first place prize were clearly up for grabs.
In addition to the NB players, there were 4 from Nova Scotia and three from PEI. The organizer was Clarence Malley who certainly gave the impression of being a one man dynamo as far as organizing the event went.
These are the top half pairings
R.Breau 1-0 H.Duivenvoorden J.Brun = F.McKim J.Gulati 1-0 B.Boyce M.Robichaud 0-1 R.Maillet D.Mallais 1-0 A.Wallbank A.Cooper = A.Mayo S.Saunders 1-0 P.Losier F.Frenette 1-0 B.BurgessA total of 2/8 for the underdogs, with Franco Frenette posting the biggest upset.
D.Mallais(1) = R.Breau(1) F.Frenette(1) = J.Gulati(1) R.Maillet(1) = S.Saunders(1) ..... C.Malley(1) 1-0 J.Brun(0.5)
The only bottom half winner to sneak through with an upset victory was Clarence Malley, who would share a piece of th elead going into round 3.
As it turns out there was no one to share the pie with. The last three games of the rounds to finish were the top three boards. Despite being up a pawn for a long time, Robert was lulled into exchanging into a drawn K+2 vs K+1. Steve was up a pawn for awhile against Randy, but chose to repeat moves when he was short of time. Justin appeared determined to drag his game out to a decisive end, but when all of the material was gone it was still a draw.
So going into round three Clarence has sole possesion of first place. Some of us tried to convince him to withdraw at this point (ala Fischer), but he wouldn't have any part of it.
R.Breau(1.5) 1-0 C.Malley(2) F.Frenette(1.5) 0-1 F.McKim(1.5) E.Bertrand(1.5) 1-0 D.Mallais(1.5) J.Gulati(1.5) = S.Saunders(1.5) R.Maillet(1.5) 1-0 A.Mayo(1.5)
Robert seemed to win a fairly even game all of a sudden and I never did find out what happened there. He was joined in a first place tie by myself, as I converted a pawn plus position against Franco, Eric Bertrand (who had received a first round bye) who had little trouble with Daniel, again converting a pawn advantage, and Randy who turned a pawn advantage into a completely lost game for Alvah. The only top game this round to produce a draw was Justin's battle with Steve's Sicilian. Both players decided to wait and fight another day as time trouble encroached them.
E.Bertrand(2.5) 0-1 R.Breau(2.5) F.McKim(2.5) 0-1 R.Maillet(2.5)A good day for black: Robert seemed to have a good position but again seemed to have one of those instant wins, as the next time I looked Eric was down a piece. As for myself: part way through this game I was deciding what I should spend my $250 on, I should have paid more attention to the position. After getting a protected passed d5 pawn early on, some optimism was warranted, however the following positions were exceedingly complicated and I ended up losing my way in the R+B ending (Randy's 1st win against me -- congrats!).
Other players with a mathematical shot at sharing a tie for first included Justin, Brian Boyce, and Hubert Duivenvoorden, all with 3.
R.Breau(3.5) = R.Maillet(3.5) J.Gulati(3) 1-0 H.Duivenvoorden(3) B.Boyce(3) 0-1 F.McKim(2.5) D.Doucet?(2.5) 0-1 E.Bertrand(2.5) (I'm guessing at EB's opp) D.Mallais(2.5) = B.Burgess(2.5) S.Saunders(2.5) 1-0 J.Brun(2.5)My win over Brian (I nearly frittered away a N for 2P advantage) removed him from contention. Next to go was Hubert, who in a difficult position traded his Q for 2rooks. Unfortunately he only lasted a handful of moves after this. I thought Rob and Randy had a very complex position and was hoping for a decisive result so I could pick up a share of third. It was not to be as the two decided to call it a day and take a share of first.
I was working on the tie-breaks as that game was winding down. First tie-break (cumulative) would eliminate Justin. Second tie-break (median) depended on the result of one of the two remaining games. Robert was hoping for one of his previous opponents, Daniel Mallais to win, which would force a third tie-break, which would go in Robert's favour. A draw or loss by Daniel would give the second tie-break to Randy.
Now this was the game that when Randy asked me, I said well Daniel's up a rook....but Brian's got 4 pawns for it. I had been watching this wild game for quite some time...and I certainly couldn't figure it out. My senses said Daniel should win, but I certainly didn't have any brilliant ideas on to accomplish it.
Randy decided to go watch the game and returned beaming shortly...Brian had taken a perpetual check. The winner of the Howard Johnson's NB Open Trophy for 1997...Randy Maillet. Of course all three winners (including Robert Breau and Justin Gulati) are to complimented on their fine showing.
Oh by the way Clarence finished off his great tournament with draws against Steve Saunders and Alvah Mayo. There were three class prizes In the U1900 a three way tie (3), u1700 a four way tie (3), u1500 - Luc Fournier(2.5). The prize for top unrated went to Rene Smith (2)
Before I close off I'll just mention that the NB Open Blitz Tournament was won by Justin Gulati & myself with scores of 10/12. (14 played)
Total prize fund = $880
....more to come (including the complete crosstable)
