Mike Montchalin of Happy Valley, Orgon and a junior in high school, won the 1970 Idaho Open with a perfect 5-0 score. In the last round he won from Scott Liddell of Ogden, Utah, to clinch the title. Liddell was a front runner from the start, playing the numbers 1, 2, 5, and 7th place finishers to garner a total of 17½ solkoff points, the highest in the tounament. In round three he beat second ranked Dick Vandenburg, and in round four he drew with first ranked Dave Reynolds, and this draw prevented Reynolds from playing Montchalin in the final round due to the Harkness pairing used. Reynolds won in the last round from Glen Buckendorf to place second and Don Turner, from The Dalles, Oregon, placed third with a 4-1, after losing to Reynolds in round three. Montchalin's last published rating was 1962 but is currently figured at well over 2000, putting three of the tournament entrants in the expert class.

The first three rounds were played in Boise's YMCA building but the weather was so nice Tournament Director Dick Vandenburg set Sunday's games for Boise's beautiful Ann Morison Park, which proved to be a perfect setting for the final competition. Like the previous Idaho Open, this tournament attracted the largest field in recent years, with 30 entrants, all from utah, Wyoming, Oregon and Idaho. Previous tournament winners who entered were Don Turner, Dick Vandenburg and Glen Buckendorf.

Mike won the first place trophy plus $60.00, Reynolds won $30.00 and Turner $20.00. First in class "B" was Jens Lund ($25.00), 2nd was alan Taye ($10.00), both from Utah. First in class "C" was Tim Estle ($15.00), a fourteen year old high school boy from Boise who narrowly missed winning his last round game and a fifth place finish, and second was Ezra Brumbach ($7.00). Junior trophy winners were Phil Irwin and Debra Stikes. Prizes were more than planned due to the large field.

Dick Vandenburg, Director