CCSCSL Instructors Win Adult Beginner Tourney

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A total of 12 players vied for a free USCF Membership at the monthly Adult Beginner Tournament. Among the mix of players were two after-school chess instructors for the CCSCSL, Evan Baker Smith and Grace Foo, a father-son combo of George Jordan Jr. and George Jordan III, kid’s class veteran Hunter Pecoraro, new club member James Adams and new USCF member Emma Baak.

In round 1, Grace got the better of Emma, while the Jordans both came out victorious. It wasn’t as easy for Evan Baker Smith as he played his opening moves backwards. But he managed to recover for a nice win. James Adams outwitted young Hunter.

In round 2, George Jordan Jr. had black vs. James Adams. Adams had just captured Black’s knight on f6 with his bishop. Jordan Jr. thought he picked up his queen to recapture the undefended bishop on f6 but instead accidently picked his bishop on c8 and proceeded to move it. Ooops! Even though the event is touch move, Adams allowed the faux pas to slide and let Jordan Jr. to capture his bishop with the queen. No good deed goes unpunished as Jordan Jr. went on to win the game and eliminate all hopes of Adams winning the tourney.

Things didn’t go as well for George Jordan III as he was taken down by Evan Baker Smith. Fellow chess instructor Grace Foo was up so much material in her game it forced her competitor to call it a day. Young Hunter could not withstand the onslaught generated by David Chandler. And there couldn’t be a beginner tournament without the dreaded stalemate. Emma Baak was unfortunately on the wrong side of that one.

Going into the 3rd and final round, there were three undefeated players: Grace Foo, Evan Baker Smith and George Jordan Jr. Smith played Jordan Jr. while Grace was paired against Jordan III. Smith and Jordan Jr. battled down to just pawns but Smith had a passer and that proved to be the decisive difference. Grace maintained great concentration throughout the event to advance her score to 3-0. James Adams just couldn’t catch a break. After graciously allowing a touch move redo for his opponent in round 2, he touched his knight in round 3. He tried to move another piece but his opponent exclaimed, “Touch Move!” forcing Adams to move his knight to a bad square. Adams of course proceeded to lose the game. The Tournament Director awarded Adams a chess book, “Starting Out: Chess Tactics and Checkmates” for being such a great sport about everything. Emma finished the tourney with a checkmate!

It was a good day for the CCSCSL instructors. Both Evan Baker Smith and Grace Foo received USCF Memberships for winning the tourney and plan to win some money at the Friday Action Quads.

Adult Beginner Tourney Standings