N WEST - Northwest Chess!

--ChristopherNorth"W"estlVIeIDorialGrand PrixMurlin Varner, administrator13329 208th Ave. NEWoodinville WA 98077mevjr54@yahoo.comCurrent standings (Includes an nents through 9/6/04, plus the EOregonMastersRaptis, NickHaessler, CarlZaikov, OlegProchaska, PeterGriffiths, MorganRowan,ThomasExpertsUn, BenjaminMartin, RogerSlye, DamonGutman, RichardMorris, MichaelHeywood,BillClass ASalisbury, BlakePhillips, BlakeBanner, RichardHerrera, RobertPritchett, PeteAlpernas, GregoriClass BRosenbaum, David 40Gagnon, William 38.5Gay, Daniel 35.5Gay, Patrick 35.5Jacobi, Gunther 35.5Yoshlnaga, Dave 27.5Class CSerres, Drew 66.5Robinson, Marcus 60Becker, Brett 50.5Arun, Aditya 28Sohn, Calvin 27Midson, Tony 23Class D and belowTerrill, Michael 72.5Wang, Eddie 43Taylor,Michael 34Nettles, Jordan 29Robinson,Tim 26.5Mowery,Zane 20.5OVerall LeadersRaptis, NickUn, BenjaminTerrill, MichaelSalisbury, BlakeSerres, DrewPhillips, BlakeBanner, RichardRobinson, MarcusBecker, BrettHaessler, CarlWashington153.5 Bragg, David50.5 Koons, Nat48.5 Pupols, Viktors22.5 Perez, Ignacio22 Sprenkle, David10.5 Schill, WIlliam78.5 Gale, Geoffrey45.5 Bartron, Paul24 Collyer, Curt16 Drake, Christopher14.5 Selzler, Richard5 Ballard, Clint155.5105.56746352971.5 Buck, Stephen 112.564 Steinocher, Kirk 10663.5 Cloy, Elston 93.548 Julian, John 8335.5 Kalina, Chris 8232.5 Cambareri, Michael 63May, AndyMathews, DanMay, ToddKnutson, KeeganFabian, SteveMonahan, DarbyKirtin, PatrickGriffin, DavidCharleston, ScottChen, HowardAttwood, AdamDelson, BenCountryman, ZachU, JerryWaugh, JamesAkopov, MichaelOmori, JeffreyInglis, David153.5 Bragg, David78.5 Gale, Geoffrey72.5 Buck, Stephen71.5 May,Andy66.5 Steinocher, Kirk64 Koons, Nat63.5 Cloy, Elston60 Bartron, Paul50.5 Mathews, Dan50.5 May, Todda horse race. Looks to be an interesting fall.Wash. Open):If our goal with the Christopher Memorial Northwest Grand Prix is toincrease events, prize funds and participation, we can declare the program apartial success. Last year, a total of 11623points were awarded. This year,with nearly 4 months left, we are on the verge of passing that number, with10453 points (90% oflast year's total) awarded thus far. This reflects higherprizes and increased participation. Roughly 70% of the year is in the books,and we have 469 players this year compared to 511 last year (92%), who1~.5 represent 1294 entries (82% oflast year's 1569). While the number of events79.5 with multipliers looks to be roughly the same as last year (12), a couple of7~.~ events have used higher multipliers this year. The total number of events,~:5 however,has shown only a small increase. Last year, we had a total of 68 GPevents. This year, 48 (71%) are reportedthus far. While the number of eventsin Spokane has increased somewhat this year, there have been small declinesin some other areas. Although there are only 52 weekendsin a year and weare averaging over one event per weekend,the Northwest is a vast area and Ithink there is room for more. I still am willing to show up with my pairingcards if you can find me a site and a place to park mytent-trailer, fromAstoria109.5 to Zillah, from Aberdeen to Zigzag.8985 A number of changes have occurred in the leader board, fueledprimarily~.5 by two eventsthat carried multipliers, the OregonOpen and the Eastern Wash-67.5 ington Open. Many of the class prize races have tightened up significantly.7472.56057.555.5505048.546.54342.541155.5145112.5109.5106105.593.591.58985Five players are within a single tournament of the lead in Oregon's Class Band six players, within less than two tournaments in Washington's Class D.Close competitionsare also seen in Classes A and C in both states. Oregon'sClass B is going to undergo a shake-up soon, however, as the current classCleader, Drew Serres, will be moving to class B with the next ratings update.Oregon's Nick Raptis has nearly caught up to Washington's David Bragg,acompetition that is not for money, but for bragging rights. (Yes, David ~appropriately named for this particular competition.) David, however,hasother things to be concernedabout, as Geoffrey Gale has movedto withinjust10.5 of David's lead. Also note that last year's winner from Washington,Stephen Buck, has taken over the Class A lead and has moved up to third onthe over-all list.Catching Raptis may be unlikely for other Oregon masters this year,andBragg, Gale, Benjamin LiD,and Michael Terrill all have fairly comfortable(but not insurmountable)leads, Jtbut for therest, it is stillIf you want tomake a big movein the standings,make your reservations forBellevue,WA,Thanksgivingweekend. TheWashingtonClasshas a $4000 prize fund and a multiplier of four! And don'tforget all the other events still coming up in Portland, Spokane,TacomandSeattle..16 October 2004USCF life Master3-Tune Oregon ChampionCarl A. HaesslerLessons . Lectures.exhibitions(503) 358-7871ssmith61540aol.comNorth-wpdrhlU:~