State Closed Player Selection
Submitted by Murray Strong on 05/08/2012

Ten individuals for the Montana State Championship (Closed) were selected based on the MCA bylaws. The individuals qualifying for the 2012 State Closed, August 25 and 26 in Helena include the following: Collin Caffry, Dean Drake, David Duke, Lukas Geyer, Mike Jensen, Bob Martin, Ed McLauglin, Bob Phillips, Jim Skavron, and Will Strickland. Please confirm with Murray Strong (murstrong@aol.com or (406) 459-6684) regarding your plans for tournament.

In the event that any of the above mentioned are unable to attend the event, they shall be replaced with the following, in order of preference: Rommie Carpenter; Bob Rajala; Conrad Lee; Scott Crawford; Dennis Petrak; Loren Meierding; Sherwood Moore; Michael Martin.

Annual Business Meeting
Submitted by Murray Strong on 04/29/2012

The Montana Chess Association’s annual business meeting was held during the Montana State Open, April 29. Secretary/Treasurer Jim Wiersen reported that the organization had ~$250 in the bank, prior to the weekend tournament, and that the figure is similar to what has been present prior to the Open, the past several years. Generally speaking, tournaments are paying for themselves. There are approximately 60 members of varying activity.
Elections were held with outcomes as follows: President – Murray Strong; Executive Vice President – Dan McCourt; East Regional V.P. – Bill Spencer; West Regional V.P. – Mike Jensen; Secretary/Treasurer – Jim Wiersen. Ed McLaughlin has graciously volunteered once again to represent the organization, at his own expense, to the National Chess Congress, held during U.S. Open in Vancouver, Washington in August. Ed was asked by members to proffer the idea of having a tournament membership, by which individuals could pay to play in rated tournaments on an event basis, without paying full USCF yearly membership.
The general assembly discussed the possibility of having entry fees waived for Master and higher rated players. The consensus was that in order to attract such players, there would have to be greater incentive – prize fund in excess of $1,000 and paid travel costs - neither of which MCA is in a position to account for.
This year’s Montana Closed State Championship will be enlarged from 6 to 10 individuals, due to the fact that there was a shared title last year. The event will be held, along with the Barto Open, on August 25th and 26th in Helena. The ten individuals will include co-champions (2), top 3 players in the Grand Prix, and top 5 finishers in the State Open.
The possibility of leaning towards shorter time controls in the Closed and other tournaments was discussed, changing a standard game/120 minutes to game/90 minutes. There was a mixed verdict. The Closed will remain at game/120 minutes. In other tournaments, it will be up to the organizer/director.
The shortage of active Tournament Directors was discussed. Past directors, who have become inactive, are encouraged to reactivate their roles. Others interested in becoming TDs are highly encouraged to do so.
Next year’s Montana Open is scheduled for April, in Billings. There are at minimum five other tournaments scheduled within the state, prior to the 2013 Open.

77th Montana Open
Submitted by Dan McCourt on 04/28/2012

Jeremy Krasin and Cameron Leslie shared 1st-2nd prizes at the 77th Montana Open. Each scored 4.5 points with Krasin the leader on tie-breaks. Mike Murray, Ed McLaughlin, Jim Skovron, and Lukas Geyer took up the 3-6 slots respectively on tie-breaks. Their 3.5 scores earned each a share of the 3rd-4th prize money.
Class prizes went to Mike Jensen (A), Bob Martin (B-on tie-breaks), Wil Strickland (C-on tie-breaks), Colin Caffrey (D), and Larry Singleton (E/below).
Ted Baker and Steve Collins scored 1st round upsets of 402 and 371 respectively and both numbers stood the test of time for the Biggest Upset prizes. Among the provisionally rated scoring upsets, Larry Singleton\'s first round win overcame a 916 point rating difference and Sabrina Lee\'s 2nd round draw made for a 566 point upset.
While Conrad Lee\'s class C rating didn\'t land in the prize money for upsets, he did hold two class A players and an expert to draws. Once again the youngster from Bozeman finished a tournament with a rating gain of over 100 point.
Colin Caffrey, Larry Singleton, and Sabrina Lee also posted rating gains of 100 or more points.
Top score for the Seniors went to Mike Murray while Conrad Lee topped the Juniors.
The 77th Montana Open will go down as one of the biggest in several decades with 36 participants. Thanks to all who entered and played and thanks to Sam Saroff and Sabrina Lee for playing for the house when odd numbers arose.