The 2007 Eastern Idaho Open was another very successful and memorable ICA event, kicking off a new season of chess events for us. Four (4) states were represented in this event (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah). Jay Simonson ran the event with his customary efficiency (ALL rounds always start on time when Jay is the TD!!!), and there were many very interesting chess games played.

Victor Watts of Pocatello again won first place outright scoring 4½ points, making it two in a row for him (he also just won the 2007 ICA Summer Classic in July). He says he plans to come to the Southern Idaho Open in November and try to make it three in a row! Randy Zumbrunnen of Salt Lake City was second place with 4 points and there was a tie for 3-4 place between Hans Morrow (current Idaho State Champion who now lives in Utah) and Jeff Roland of Boise, each with 3½ points.

In the Reserve Section, Ricky Abderhalden of Boise won first place with 4 points, and there was a tie for 2-3 place between Katie Abderhalden of Boise and Kevin Patterson of Boise, each with 3½ points.

Out of the 20 total players in the event, 4 of them were unrated players playing in their first USCF rated tournament.

Attendance numbers were down a bit due to several factors... 1) it snowed a lot Friday night and Saturday morning; 2) it happend during ISU's "homecoming"; and 3) it was one weekend before the big Western States Open tournament in Reno. Nevertheless, we were able to pay out even more prize money than was advertised (50% instead of 40%) and nothing detracted from the quality of play.