Bierbaum Students Shine at Kids Beginner Tourney

[imagefield_assist|fid=16759|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=Roman Ryker, pictured at the club in 2011, has become a perennial competitor for first at the Chess Club's Unrated Beginner Tourneys.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=393]

More than 70 students participated in the ever-popular Unrated Beginner Tournament for Kids on Saint Patrick's Day, and students from Bierbaum Elementary represented with a number of top finishers in both sections.

In the 42-player K-3 section, Roman Ryker won the first game of the event as he applied the four-move Scholar's Mate on his unsuspecting opponent. In round 2, one of the pre-tourney favorites, Zeve Burton, USCF rated 448, also fell for Scholar's Mate. His opponent, former Kid's Beginner Champion, Andrew Voelker, appeared pleased with his swift victory.

Round 2 was also tough for Roman as he was held to a draw against Callan Sukanek, a student of CCSCSL instructor Ben Simon.

In round 3, Jaidath Lanka, a student of CCSCSL Scholastic Cooridinator Matt Barrett, got the full point against Callan to advance to 3-0 along with Ben Durkovic and Alex Lundy.

Alex and Ben were paired in the final round, and the winner would earn a free membership to the Chess Club. Andy successfully captured Ben's pawn utilizing the rarely used "en passant." But Ben's confidence never wavered, and he ultimately prevailed. Jaidath could not finish 4-0 as his dreams were derailed by Ben Sullins, who finished with 3.5 points for the day. His only blemish was a round 1 dubious draw against none other than the "Sultan of Stalemates" Sam Jerauld. Sam has accumulated an astonishing four stalemates in his last eight tourney games. His ability to get a half point out of dead losing positions is a testament to the creed, "Never give up, Never surrender!"

Bierbaum's Ben Durkovic finished alone at 4-0 and received a membership to the club. His classmate Roman Ryker finished strong to tie for second place with three wins and a draw.

In the 29-player 4th Grade and Up section, the kids from Bierbaum Elementary got off to a hot start. But in round 2, they had to face each other. Derian Ryker was able to outmanuever Nick Durkovic to survive the struggle. In round 3, Yusuf Hacking defeated top-ranked Lillian Selligman. Selligman recently surpassed the USCF 600-point threshold at a recent scholastic event making this her final beginner tourney. In the last round, Yusuf kept his momentum going by defeating Andrew Radford. Bierbaum’s Derian Ryker joined Yusuf in the winner's circle with an impressive last-round triumph.

The final Unrated Kids Beginner Tournament with two sections will be held April 7th. Starting in May, the club will divide the Unrated Kids Tournament. Also, the club will host the new rated Student Action Quads once a month. The tourney will be USCF rated and offer cash prizes.

SwissSys Standings. Kids Beginner: K-3

SwissSys Standings. Kids Beginner: 4th and Up