Michael Penway Wins 2014 Illinois Senior Open

For the first time in more than a decade, there is an official "Illinois Senior Champion". With three wins and two draws, Michael Penway claimed the 2014 title in the five-round, two-day event open to those aged-50 and up.

By virtue of their fifth-round head-to-head draw, James Condron and Daniel Modes both finished a half-point back from Penway, with 3.5/5's. Condron and Modes split second and third place prize money overall.

The event was hosted at the Country Inn and Suites in Naperville, March 22 and 23. Mikhail Korenman organized the Illinois Senior tournament and served as Chief Tournament Director. 10 players competed with three others picking up single games.

Crosstables can be viewed here.

Dormant since 1998, the event was resurrected by Korenman's proposal to the Illinois Chess Association in 2013. Korenman's International Educational and Cultural Services was the affiliate of record.

The diverse field included players ranging from Class A through Class D. The small entry pool resulted in every competitor qualifying for a cash prize with over $2000 distributed.

Penway entered the Senior Open with an official Class B rating, but he'd actually crossed into Class A territory at the USAT North in late February. Based on official March published ratings, he was only the sixth-highest rated out of the ten full-tournament participants.

Sam Henderson, Jr. claimed the Class B prize with a 2.5/5 tally. Carl Dolson and Ken Marshall shared top honors among Class C players with 2.0/5, drawing head-to-head in the fifth round. Provisionally-rated Bertrand Murrell was the lone Class D entrant.

Dolson serves as the Illinois Chess Association President and was complimentary toward the weekend, "Every tournament seems to take on its own personality. This tournament... felt like a gathering of friends rather than of competitors." Dolson attributed that feeling to the small hotel setting, the suburban location, the intimate turnout, and the maturity of the participants.

The ICA President would like to see the event continue, "Hopefully future renditions of this event will draw more participants and retain the same friendly atmosphere."