2024-2025 Grand Prix Standings

Standings after 4 Events
Events included: 24th Mountaineer Open, WV Action Championship, Clarksburg Open, Mike Price Memorial

 1. Edward A Garner            43.92
 2. Lance Pitrolo              35.42
 3. Anatoly Boshkin            32.50
 4. Markle W Butcher           27.42
 5. Benjamin M Good            24.75
 6. Lucas Marsh                17.50
 7. David Wayne Hundley        12.75
 8. James Crump                11.75
 9. David Lee Bruner           10.75
10. Tristan A Johnston         10.00
11. Ack Morgan II               8.00
12. John Boylin IV              7.25
13. Tristan Marc Bly            6.00
    David F Hines               6.00
    John Everett Roush          6.00
    James Daniel Preece         6.00
    David Comer                 6.00
18. Pushkal Solanki             3.50
    Aaron William Clarke        3.50
20. Robert Allan Wells          2.25
21. Elijah David Schultz        1.00

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.

USCF Crosstable

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.

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.

USCF Crosstable

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.

24th Mountaineer Open

The 24th Mountaineer Open was held on February 15 at the Mountainlair. 31 players competed in the two rated sections. Swarom Kanitkar (pictured) won the Open with a 4-0 score, with several players tied for second at 3-1. Kaiden Hammer won the Collegiate/Scholastic section with a 4-0 score.

USCF Crosstable

WV Senior Championship

Lewis Sanders and Ed Garner are the 2024 WV Senior Champions. They each finished with 3 out of 4 at the WV Senior Championship, held on October 19 in Bridgeport. FM Karl Dehmelt of Pennsylvania took first place overall with 3.5 out of 4. Lewis Sanders will represent WV in the Irvin Tournament of State Senior Champions next year.

USCF Crosstable

2024 Business Meeting

The minutes of the 2024 WVCA Business Meeting can be found here: 2024 WVCA Business Meeting Minutes.

Summary:

  1. The WVCA will be dissolving as a non-profit corporation and will reform as an unincorporated non-profit association. This is to assist in getting access to a checking account and obtain a new EIN from the IRS.
  2. The chess camp for 2024 did not occur due to scheduling conflicts so no donations were made to support it.
  3. We received $130 in donations in memory of Mike Price. The WVCA will be sponsoring a memorial tournament in the Parkersburg area and will fund the costs for the playing site.
  4. Elijah Schultz was re-elected as President, Bob Greer was elected as Vice-President, and Ben Good will remain as the Secretary-Treasurer.
  5. The 2025 Thomas Bergquist Memorial will be held in Huntington. The 2025 WV Action Championship will be held in Grafton.