Pathak Wins Adult Beginner Tourney

[imagefield_assist|fid=17374|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=David Green (right) entered the Adult Beginner Tourney as the odds-on favorite.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=479]

By Mike Kummer

While over 200 players were playing at the 18th Annual Mid-America Open over Saint Patrick’s Day weekend, the Chess Club held their monthly Adult Beginner Tournament. David “This is Me” Green was the clear-cut favorite in the nine-player field.

But two chess playing buddies, Manhan Pathak and Brian Smith, were ready to challenge for the top spot. Sal Falcone also threw his hat in the ring.

In the first round, playing on board 1, Pathak got the better of Falcone’s English opening. Sal seemed more amused than distraught over the loss. He was bewildered by how fast Manhan played his opening moves. Smith got on the scoreboard with his victory over Eumin Lee, who promptly withdrew. Green was tested early, but in the end promoted his pawn to a rook!? to seal the victory.

In round 2, Falcone rebounded with a quick win. he spent the remainder of the round questioning why I didn’t just adjudicate the rest of the games so we could start round 3 already. Green showed why he was the favorite in his win over Smith.  Pathak was in trouble in his game vs. one-time Adult Beginner winner, Thomas Fitzgerald Jr. Pathak was down three pawns and only had two minutes left on his clock. So he decided to do what any rational person would do in that situation: unleash an all-out mating attack. Fitzgerald Jr. didn’t defend well enough and the point was Pathak's.

Life didn’t get much easier for Pathak in round 3 as he was paired with black vs. Green. He arrived late for the game as well, but he caught Green “sleeping” and instituted the very common back row checkmate to claim the championship. He chose a free membership to the club and said he looks forward to attending the Grandmaster Lecture Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

It was nothing but shenanigans in the battle for second place between Falcone and Smith. Mid-way through the encounter, Smith’s phone went off causing him to lose half his time. One time deduction deserves another as Falcone moved his knight to an illegal square, losing two minutes of his time. He blamed it on how much time he spends playing computer chess. After all the delays and deductions, Smith came out on top and tied for 2nd-4th with Green and Perry DeLay.

This Adult Beginner Tournament was definitely one for the books.

SwissSys Standings. Adult Beginner: Open