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Turgut Wins Illinois Class Championship
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- Created: 13 December 2011 13 December 2011
Editor's note: See the ICA Chess Blog link below for game analysis from the Illinois Class.
ICCF Grandmaster Tansel Turgut knows something about over-the-board play, too, as evidenced by his victory in this past weekend's 2011 Illinois Class Championships with a 3½-½ score.
Dr. Turgut had a narrow escape in the final round against 8-year-old (!!!) Awonder Liang. It appeared to this kibitzer that Awonder (in clear first at the beginning of the round) had his esteemed opponent on the ropes at one point. But he lost, and tied for second with FM Albert Chow with 3-1 scores.
In the skittles room, Awonder was disconsolate about his loss in an eight-year-old kinda way. But his father and siblings reminded him that he played very well, that he should be proud, and that it's only a game. (Useful advice for adults, too.) Dr. Turgut came to collect Awonder's signature on the scoresheet "so I can show other people someday that I beat a world champion." Adream Liang chimed in, "But he's already world champion!"
Thus cheered up, Awonder started kibitzing my post-mortem:
Brock-Moskwa (variation)
White to play and win with style
(yes, 1.Bf4 and 1.Rf4 are good enough, but look for the coolest move)
I don't think it took Awonder more than two seconds to spot the shot. (Hint: leave your queen and rook en prise, and allow Black to capture a third piece with check.) What a phenomenal talent!
Classes A and B were combined. 15-year-old Nathaniel Kranjc of Wheaton (a 2011 ICA Warren Scholar) won the tournament (and Class A) with a 4-0 score. Eight-year old David Peng of Northbrook (another 2011 ICA Warren Scholar, and one of several veterans of the just-completed World Youth Championships in Brazil) took clear second with a 3-1 score.
The winners of Class B were one of Chicago's finest, Dmitri Kosteris (adults can play chess, too!), Brian Harrigan of Indiana, and Rachel Ulrich of Wisconsin, a home-schooled sixth-grader. (Rachel and I compared our age-ten-ratings last year: divide her rating by two, and you'll get my original rating.)
Thanks to the Orland Park Cultural Center, organizer Mikhail Korenman, and TD Sevan Muradian for a smooth and fun event. Games are now on the ICA website!