11th WV Senior Championship

14 players competed in the 11th Annual WV Senior Championship, held in Bridgeport. Anatoly Boshkin and Marco Wotschka (OH) tied for first with 4.5/5 points. However, due to a lapse in WVCA membership, the Senior Champion title again goes to James Fuller, who finished with 3.5/5. Jimmy will be offered a spot in the Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions in 2026.

USCF Crosstable.

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.

USCF Crosstable

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.

USCF Crosstable

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.