Gill earns his fourth U.P. Open Championship!
Report and photos by Jim Dowling, James Sawaski, and Stan Beckwith
Gary Gill won the 39th Michigan Upper Peninsula Chess Championship trophy. Tony "Le Tigre" Nichols once again won the whole event with 4.5 / 5.0.
U.P. chess's Satchel Paige? Gary was also the U.P. Chess Champion in 1986, and 2004. How many people have ever been a champion of any sport three times, spanning four different decades?!
The U.P. Open Players of 2011. Seated from left to right: Tom Manion (1st AB), Ken Schell, Jim “Captain” Walters, Gary Gill (U.P. champion and 2nd overall), Phil Taskila (TD), Stan Beckwith (=2nd AB), Russ McCracken (=1st C), Barry Endsley; “Crouched" from left to right: Bob John (=1st C), Jim Mitchell; Standing from left to right: Bruce George, James Sawaski, Ken Jewell (=2nd AB), Steven Foix, Daniel Foix, David Sundeen, Quentin Sprenglemeyer, Ray Garrison, Rod Schaaf (2nd D/E/Unr), Tony “Le Tigre” Nichols (1st Overall), Patrick Brewster (1st D/E/Unr), Tom Hogan. Not pictured: Jim Dowling.
Photo Credit: Jim Dowling
Tournament Director Phil Taskila awards trophy to 2011 U.P. Champion Gary Gill.
Photo Credit: James Sawaski
Michigan Chess Hall-of-Famer Stan Beckwith displays the plaque during the business meeting at the U.P. Open which reads: “USCF 2010 USCF Membership Appreciation Program, State Chapter Affiliate Category, Michigan Chess Association, 1st Place - 578 Memberships”
Photo Credit: Jim Dowling
Quentin Sprenglemeyer vs. James "Captain" Walters. There was a most interesting character named Walters in Sawaski's novel, The Chess Team...
Photo Credit: James Sawaski
Top Boards
Photo Credit: James Sawaski
Russ McCracken
Photo Credit: James Sawaski
Downstaters Ray Garrison and Tony "Le Tigre" Nichols have made the U.P. Open an annual tradition. Tigre has also recently made getting the best overall score his personal annual tradition.
Photo Credit: James Sawaski
Gary Gill (right) prevails in the deciding last round matchup with Patrick Brewster. In his last tournament, in 2007, Brewster was rated USCF 305 and beat strong A player Ray Garrison. This year, rated 489, he found himself in contention throughout the tournament, even nearly upsetting Gill in the finale. Maybe Brewster should play more often!
Photo Credit: Jim Dowling
Russ McCracken (left) and Barry Endsley square off in an opening round game between last year’s U.P. co-champs.
Photo Credit: Jim Dowling
Here are top scorer Tony "Tigre" Nichols' five games:
http://www.westmichiganchess.com/Shared%20Documents/2011/08%20-%20August/2011upopen.htm
And here is Tournament Director Phil Taskila's USCF Rating Report:
http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201108283741-12753902
