The 2025 WVCA Business Meeting Minutes can be found here: 2025 WVCA Business Meeting Minutes
Thomas Bergquist Memorial
14 players competed in the Thomas Bergquist Memorial 86th WV State Championship, held on September 13-14, 2025 in Huntington. No one escaped unscathed among the small field, and when the dust settled, Lewis Sanders won his third State Championship title.
As the tournament was nearing a close, Gallagher Kelsch and Markle Butcher had already finished their games and had 3.5 points. Lewis was playing Harrison Stone on board one, each having 3 points. A win would mean clear first, and a draw would mean a four-way tie for first. Lewis with the white pieces had been down a pawn most of the game. The players traded down into an opposite color bishop endgame, which are notorious for being drawn and this one was no exception. However, as the time pressure ensued, Harrison slipped and allowed Lewis to push his pawn with discovered check and promote to a queen. Lewis won and became our champion with 4 points out of 5.
Gallagher Kelsch won the Junior Champion title with his second place score of 3.5.
Ed Garner, Vishwadhipa Voore, and Harrison Stone shared the U1900 and U1600 prizes with 3 points.
Vishwadhipa Voore, who started with 3 straight wins, took the upset trophy with his win over Lewis Sanders in round 3.
David Comer and Tina Statts shared the U1300 prize with 2 points each.
2024-2025 Grand Prix Final Standings
Final Standings
Events included: 24th Mountaineer Open, WV Action Championship, Clarksburg Open, Mike Price Memorial, WV Italian Heritage Festival, Thomas Bergquist Memorial
1. Gallagher Kelsch 68.50 $240
2. Edward A Garner 65.42 $120
3. Markle W Butcher 56.02 $60
4. Benjamin M Good 46.25
5. Anatoly Boshkin 43.00
6. Lance Pitrolo 38.92
7. Lewis F Sanders 29.00
8. David Wayne Hundley 24.35
9. Harrison Stone 24.10
10. Lucas Marsh 17.50
11. David Lee Bruner 17.35
12. Joseph Baker 16.60
Tristan A Johnston 16.60
14. David Comer 15.00
15. James Crump 14.00
16. Vishwadhipa Venkata Voore 11.00
16. Pushkal Solanki 10.10
17. Aaron William Clarke 10.00
18. John Everett Roush 9.50
19. Tina Statts 9.00
20. Ack Morgan II 8.00
21. John Boylin IV 7.25
22. David F Hines 6.00
James Daniel Preece 6.00
Tristan Marc Bly 6.00
Andrew M Thomas 6.00
26. James A Fuller II 5.00
27. Robert Allan Wells 2.25
28. Elijah David Schultz 1.00
Henry M Schaer 1.00
WV Scholastic League
The WV Scholastic Chess Association is pleased to announce the beginning of the newly-revised Scholastic Chess League for 2025-2026. The WVSCA will manage the league and the USCF will rate the games. The tournaments will be held at hte following locations:
September 20 – Suncrest Middle School, Morgantown
October 11 – Saint Francis Elementary School, Saint Albans
December 6 – Saint Francis Elementary School, Saint Albans
January TBD – John Adams Middle School, Charleston
February TBD – Saint Francis Elementary School, Saint Albans (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
WV Italian Heritage Festival Open and Scholastic
31 players competed in the WV Italian Heritage Festival Open and Scholastic event, held on August 23 at the Harrison County Senior Center in Clarksburg. Gallagher Kelsch showed no signs of slowing down his rating climb, reaching 1900+ after going 4-0 in the Open. Andrew Tichenor of Virginia took second with a perfect 3-0 before a 1/2 point bye in round 4.
The scholastic section was won by Aaron Ross with 4-0. Cheat Lake Elementary took the team trophy. Dominic Ashton and Ethan Rakes took home second place trophies, and Sarah Good won a trophy for the highest finishing girl.
Mike Price Memorial
12 players competed in the Mike Price Memorial on July 19 at the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg. A few others visited during the event, including Reggie Best and Pat Kelly. Mike’s parents and sister were present for the event as well. A large collection of books and some chess sets were donated and we will be offering those that remain at future events.
Benjamin Good and Gallagher Kelsch tied for first with 3.5/4 after their last round draw, the only draw of the event. Ed Garner and Lance Pitrolo finished with 3.0/4.
Special thanks to Cindy and Paige from the Blennerhassett, Mike’s family, and all those who came to celebrate Mike.
Mike Price Memorial Hotel Rooms
A block of rooms is available at the Blennerhassett for $80/night for 7/18 or 7/19. Call 304-422-3131 and reserve with the group WV Chess Association, code 76748. Room rate available while rooms last or until 7/12.
Dr. William Payne, II 1949-2025
Dr. William Neill Payne, II, WV State Champion in 1966 and 1967, died Saturday, May 31, 2025. His obituary can be read here.
WV Action Championship
Ed Garner has won yet another title, winning the Action Championship with a score of 4.5/5. Anatoly Boshkin took second place. Luca Giancola and Lance Pitrolo were the U1600 and U1300 winners. Lance won the upset prize for his victory over David Hines, and he nearly upset Ed in the last round.
In the non-rated section, Seth Margolis took first with 4.5/5 and Hans Wikle was second at 4/5.
Mike Price Memorial Tournament
The WVCA has received several donations in memory of Mike Price. At the annual business meeting, we decided to hold a tournament in Mike’s memory sometime in the next year in the Parkersburg area. We will be using the donations towards costs for the playing site and towards the prize fund if there is a surplus.
Thank you to all those who have donated.
Update (March 24, 2025): We are tentatively planning for July 19 at the Blennerhasset, but are exploring other playing sites and dates as well.