Back row (l-r): Adam Porth (wearing a hat), Jamie Lang, Caleb Kircher, Jeff Roland, Dan Daggett, Kevin Ness, Nick Bruck, Fred Bartell, Kevin Patterson. Front row (l-r): Tom Booth, Jake Whitlock, Jay Simonson, Desmond Porth, Carmen Pemsler, Scott Featherston, Katie Rae Patterson. Kneeling at table in front: Barry Eacker. Not pictured: Hugh Myers, Gene Tatom, Glen Buckendorf, Aleksandr Vereshchagin.

by Jeff Roland

Twenty-one (21) of some of Idaho's best chess players assembled at the Obenchain Insurance Building in downtown Twin Falls on Saturday, November 13, 2010 to play in the Southern Idaho Open. In attendance and playing was 10-time Idaho State Chess Champion, Glen Buckendorf, Jr. Also in attendance (and also all playing) was the entire ICA Board of Directors. Barry Eacker was the Chief Tournament Director, and he was assisted by Jay Simonson. Coffee and donuts were provided.

The tournament took place on the day following the funeral for Idaho Chess Icon, Dick Vandenburg, who passed away on November 7, 2010. The tournament membership observed a special moment of silence in honor of our good friend.

All twenty-one players were Idaho residents, all coming from the southern part of the state. All games were Game/60, which qualifies them for full USCF rating factor. The longest game was Jamie Lang vs. Katie Rae Patterson from Round 1 and played in the U1400 Section and lasted 75 moves ending in checkmate. The shortest game was Katie Rae Patterson vs. Dan Lee Daggett II from round 4 and lasted 16 moves ending with checkmate, also in the U1400 Section.

First place in the Open Section was Caleb Paul Kircher (Nampa) with a perfect score of 4 points. Tied for 2nd-3rd were Gene L. Tatom (Eagle) and Tom R. Booth (Boise) each with 2½ points. Barry Eacker (Twin Falls) was 4th place with 2 points. First place in the U1400 Section was Nick Jon Bruck (Hailey) with a perfect score of 4 points. Tied for 2nd-4th were Kevin D. Ness (Twin Falls), Adam Porth (Bellevue), and Kevin R. Patterson (Meridian) all with 3 points.

Glen Buckendorf Jr. donated a special book prize to one player in each section. In the Open Section, Jeff Roland received an autographed (by Glen) book on the French Defense, and in the U1400 Section, Jamie Lang won an autographed (by Glen) book on the Zurich 1953 Candidates Tournament. Both books were beautiful hard-back editions.

There were some very nice games played. It seemed like everyone had a great time and enjoyed themselves. Over-the-board chess is truly chess for the people. It is where great friendships and memories are made. ICA is in the habit of providing excellent chess tournaments for people who really love to play chess and to share the tournament experience. This was truly a fine tournament, well run, very enjoyable, and will be fondly remembered.

The next tournament will be the Western Idaho Open, December 11-12, 2010 in Boise Idaho. We hope to see everyone there for what looks to be another very fun ICA event.