Gratz Wins Rock River Chess Inaugural Tournament

 

USCF Expert Glen Gratz was a late arrival but timely play at the board earned the former North Boone High School coach the championship of the very first Rock River Chess rated tournament.

Chief TD Erik Czerwin secured the Rockford Public Library East Branch location for the event and 39 competed in three sections on July 22.

Gratz posted 3.5/4 while locals Sureshkumar Rajamani and Joseph Hernandez tied for second with 3.0/4 tallies.

Adam Fleming posted 3.5/4 in the U1600 Reserve -- earning a provisional rating of 1668 in his very first tournament. Nathan Blair and Nathan Roys tied for second in the 12-player section, both with 3.0's.

16-players faced off in the U1200 Booster with three players earning 4.0/5 scores: Samraat Zagade, Asher Witek and Evan Ericson. Witek defeated Zagade in the third round, but lost to Ericson in the final round. In the opening round, Ericson lost to Zagade.

Ericson secured his first non-provisional rating, enhancing his rating 226 points!

Jacob Devadas came in fourth place with a 3.5 posting, raising his rating 179!

Rock River Chess is an ICA-affiliate with information posted at www.RockRiverChess.org.