Sam Schmakel Takes 2015 Illinois Blitz State Championship

19 players ventured out to the Crowne Plaza in Northbrook on Saturday evening, September 5, to compete for the Illinois Blitz State Chess Championship title. 

After five rounds of double Swiss action (10 games), our congratulations go to Sam Schmakel, who took the Illinois Blitz state champion's title with a score of 8.0 points. USCF Crosstables here.

Schmakel was followed by Dritan Zekaj and Vadim Ruzell, each with 7.5 points.

Schmakel, Zekaj, Ruzell, and Jonathan Hrach were tied at the top after three rounds with 5.0/6.0, with Nicholas Bartochowski a half point behind. Schmakel's separation from the pack came in round four, when he took both games from Hrach, while Zekaj gave up a half point to Ruzell. In the final round, Schmakel took the first game from Zekaj, cementing his Illinois Blitz state champion's title.

Ruzell finished strong with 2.0 points against Bartochowski to reach 7.5 points and secure a tie for 2nd place.

In addition to paying prizes to the top three finishers, prizes were also awarded to the highest finisher rated U2200: Jonathan Hrach, U2000: Nicholas Bartochowski, U1800: Abhyudhaya Venkat, and U1600: Justin Weinzwieg.

The ICA saw that, despite the low tournament turnout, no prize awarded was less than the $30 entry fee.

The ICA experimented with this year's Illinois Blitz Championship by putting it up against, and across the hall from, the second round of the Illinois Open. It was hoped that, with the Blitz FIDE-rated, the availability of a half-point bye in round two of the Open, and a 2-day schedule for the Open beginning Sunday morning, more players would have entered the Blitz tournament. Despite the low turnout, it was a fun evening event for the participants.

Thanks to Chief Arbiter Maret Thorpe, a USCF Senior Tournament Director, directing her first FIDE-rated tournament, and to Bill Buklis, who had no official role in directing the tournament, but assisted Maret with registrations and stayed for the tournament.