7th U.S. AMATEUR NORTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
May 27-28, 2000 - Boynton School, Detroit, Michigan
page updated 7/9/2000 4:22 p.m.
The 7th U.S. Amateur North Chess Championship was held again
at the Boynton School in Detroit May 27-28, 2000. Peter Nixon was the director again. There were sixteen players
in the Under 2200 section with sixty-one in the under 1600.
The tournament went very smoothly. We gave out twenty-four clocks this year. Michael Collins and Duane Kietzman
each won two clocks!! (You can win an upset prize and a class prize.)
Come and join us next year. We plan to give away even more clocks.
UNDER 2200 SECTION
The first round had several upsets. Most notable were Robert Herndon of Ann Arbor beating Armin Burghart on board
one while western Michigan rivals Robert Moore toped Stan Jarosz. Walter Smith showed up a little late and managed
to make the section an even sixteen. All of the other higher rated players won.
Round two had no real upsets, but did have several draws. Robert Herndon played fellow Ann Arborite Ray Santiago
to a draw. Herndon had not played in several years and looked strong.
In round three John Dowling continues his winning ways on board one over Walter Smith. On board two Ray Santiago
defeats Tom Laforge, 1997 U.S. Amateur Champion.
Round four leaves us with one player with a perfect score, John Dowling. Ray Santiago holds him to a draw, but
is a half point behind because of a draw in round 2. Tom Laforge beats Armin Burghart on board two to give him
a chance to face Dowling in the final round.
John Dowling is alone at 3.5 while Santiago, Laforge,Santus and Jarosz are trailing with three. Dowling manages
to beat Laforge giving him the U.S. Amateur title. Santiago defeats Jarosz to give him second place While Santos
draws with Burghart. John Dowling is the Under 2200 champion.
UNDER 1600 SECTION
Lots of upsets in the Under 1600 also. Michael Collins won the upset prize for beating a player rated 597 points
higher. With one no-show the section had 57 players. This section was heavy with junior players that have been
playing a lot. The adults would have their hands full.
Chris Johnson had an upset of 602 points to win the prize for round 2. Their were a total of eight upsets this
round in the Under 1600. There were also six draws. Top rated Anthony Scioly was held to a draw on board one by
Dennis Smeckert.
In round 3 Chris Johnson had his second upset of 602 points! We have a rule allowing only one upset prize per individul,
so the prize went to Aaron West at 335 points over the same upset victim from round 1. There were seventeen upsets
out of twenty-seven boards. Board one was again a draw with veteran players Kenneth Schell and Michael Venia playing
a hard-fought game.
Round four has four players with perfect scores.Anthony Holden beats Robert Hayley on board one. Donte Gillam Draws
with Anthony Turpoff on board two. Duane Kietzman wins the upset prize by beating a player rated 606 points higher.
Round 5 sees Anthony Holden is standing alone at 3.5 with Gillam, Turpoff, Smeckert, and Jack Dolin at three points.
Gillam manages to beat Holden to put him at four points. Jack Dolin defeats Anthony Turpoff to also put him at
four. Dennis Smeckert loses to Ron Grzegorczyk to knock him out of a piece of first place. Gillam and Dollin tie
for first place. Gillam wins on tiebreak and gets to go on to the national playoff. The upset prize went to Wayne
Norwood with a 556 point upset.