Our rated quads are nearing completion, per the image below. Andy Shih and Viyan Vijay put on something of a clinic in groups 1 and 4, respectively, with perfect 3-0 scores—congratulations to both!—while Daniel Vilenchik or Jerome Oriel could join their ranks depending upon the outcome of the group 3 make-up games next week. The single remaining game in group 2 between David Bajot and Umit Bas could decide 1st place in that quad and, speaking of 1st place, the prize for that distinction in each quad is a $20 gift certificate for Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park.
Apart from the quad make-up games next Wednesday, there will be casual, blitz and bughouse play, as usual, and the following week, May 25th, we’ll hold another unrated Swiss system blitz tournament, with free entry and open to everyone, and may ask the top 8 finishers compete in a knockout-style bracket for three top prizes (likely gift certificates for a local bookstore or for the US Chess website). We may also use the blitz tournament to seed a club ladder, using the practice of inverting the final standings such that the winners begin at the bottom of the ladder and must play their way up. More to come on this event soon!
