Aripov Wins 2013 Club Championship

[imagefield_assist|fid=16417|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=Iskandar Aripov upset a field of two IMs, an FM and two NMs to secure the title of Club Champion (photo courtesy susanpolgar.blogspot.com).|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=640]

A total of 31 hopefuls came out to vie for the title of 2013 CCSCSL Club Champion. Many of the players qualified for the Club Championship with their successful performance at club events in 2012. The two favorites entering the event were the International Masters from Lindenwood University. The duo, IM Priyadharshan Kannappan and IM Levan Bregadze, both qualified for the event by winning the 2-on-2 Team Championship in October. Other nationally ranked players competing included FIDE Master Doug Eckert and National Masters Kevin Cao and Spencer Finegold.

In round 1, the five top seeds were all paired against "A" players, and the results didn't go exactly as planned. On board 1, longtime tournament player Rodney Vaughn got into a tight minor piece endgame against IM Kannappan. Vaughn had the bishop, and Kannappan had the knight. Kannappan created a passed center pawn, but it was going nowhere. After Vaughn neutralized that threat, he created his own passer on the queenside. With both sides in deep time pressure, Kannappan had to sacrifice his knight for Vaughn's passed pawn, but shockingly--Vaughn didn't capture the knight back with his king. The game petered out to a draw. FM Eckert arrived late to his game and made a slight misstep against the upset-minded Matt Hosler. Hosler took advantage and cashed in for the full point. Jonathan Schrantz played flawlessly vs. Fineglold to secure the win. IM Bregadze and Cao held serve.

In round 2, Finegold and his student, Matt Larson, were out for blood. Spencer defeated his 1600-rated opponent in 29 moves, while Larosn dispensed of his in just eight. IM Bregadze and Cao advanced to 2-0. IM Kannappan barely survived for a victory against Schrantz. FM Eckert rebounded against a 1600.

In round 3, Webster Groves High School Junor Iskandar Aripov played IM Bregadze to a draw. Cao defeated Larson to remain the only player with a perfect 3-0 score heading into Sunday. Although just 16, Aripov already trains with Webster University's SPICE team and has gained more than 150 rating points over the past four months.

In round 4 on Sunday morning, IM Kannappan knocked off NM Cao to improve to 3.5/4. IM Bregadze also climbed up the leaderboard with his victory over fellow teammate, expert Zach Stuart. Aripov came through in the clucth over his Friday Action Quad rival FM Eckert.

Finegold and Larson both defeated "A" players to stay a half point behind the three leaders: IM Kannappan, IM Bregadze, and Aripov.

In the fifth and final round, the two IMs were paired against each other, while Aripov had the black pieces against Cao. Finegold had black against his most talented student, Larson. On board 3, the epic battle of "the student" vs. "the master" ended in true storybook fashion as the Larson applied the knowledge bestowed upon him by the Finegold to score the upset victory. The IMs drew one another to join Larson at 4 points, and they were hoping for Cao to knock off Aripov or at least hold him to a draw. Aripov was in no mood to comply. Aripov saw through all of Cao's tricks to stand alone at the top of the leaderbaord with 4.5 points. With his stellar performance, Aripov's rating broke the 2200 threshold for the first time in his career. His victory earned him $500 and he will have his name engraved on a prestigious trophy that is displayed on the club's award's case year 'round.

Congratulations!

SwissSys Standings. Championship