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October 23, 2010
To celebrate National Chess Day, the Utah Chess Association sponsored the annual Utah Open tournament. It was the strongest field in Utah since the end of the era of GM Igor Ivanov. Two masters and two 2100 players topped the list. When top-rated Harold Stevens lost to his chess nemesis, Frank Flynn, it opened the field. Twelve-year-old Kayden Troff, also known as "Utah's Mozart of Chess," crossed the finish line first with a perfect 4-0 score plus one bye.
Kayden narrowly missed the Utah Open title two years ago, at age ten, when he went into the final round a half point ahead of the field but lost a complicated last-round game on board one. After finally earning the monumental title of Utah Open Champion, Kayden learned he had been awarded the prestigious Schein-Friedman chess scholarship! It arrived just in time to help sponsor his trip to Greece next week where he will represent the United States in the World Youth Championships.
Steve Gordon took clear second place in the Open with four points and a wildly tactical final game. Brenda Ahlemann and Jamie Olsen-Mills drew in the final round to tie for the state women's title, while rising young star Davis Unruh earned the under 2000 prize and trophy. Michael Parsons secured the under 1800 prize and a place in the Utah Closed Championship tournament next month.
Aaron Case won the Under 1600 section, with Brad Tew and Jeff Evans close behind. The u1400, u1200 and u1000 trophies went to youngsters Andrew Roach, Clancey Black and Gatlin Black. Tournament newcomer Mitchell Sailsbery won the Under 800 section with a convincing 7-0, with Tommy Jones taking second place. The Utah Open High School Champion is tournament veteran Eliza McIntosh. Harrison Unruh earned the Junior High title and Sam Mason took home the Elementary trophy.
UCA President Grant Hodson played skittles games with several of Utah's young stars at this event, and reports that their strategic and tactical skills are far above their current ratings. On National Chess Day, he affirms that the future of chess in Utah is brighter than ever.
Utah Open Champion Kayden Troff (age 12) receives champion's
trophy from TD Damian Nash
Other Utah Open Prize Winners, left to right -- Back Row: TD Damian Nash, Brenda Ahlemann, Jeff Evans, Brad Tew, Aaron Case, TD Grant Hodson. Front Row: Jamie Olsen-Mills, Clancey Black, Gatlin Black, Joseph Garcia, Vishwa Srinivasan, Eliza McIntosh
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