****************   News & Events   ****************

Home

Walter Muir Memorial Results

NM Russell Potter wins the Championship

Championship Section:

1^st:    NM Russell Potter ( 3-0 )

2^nd-3^rd tie:  Mario Arias & Josh Lilly ( 2-1 )

Amateur Section: 

1^st-3^rd tie:  Gilbert Stone, Chris Moore & Andrew Krawczyk ( 2.5-.5 )

 For the official USCF crosstable click here

Walter Muir:  Philanthropist and Local Chess Legend

 Celebrating Chess at the Festival in the Park

NM Russell Potter Goes Undefeated

Roanoke Valley Chess Club's exhibit at the  FESTIVAL IN THE PARK CELEBRATION  was by any measure a resounding success this year.   

Attendees arrived to find a well-organized presentation with tables, chairs, and chess equipment ready for action.  On Friday May 24th, numerous visitors stopped by for more information about the club, and local chess in the area.  Club members were on hand to answer questions, and to demonstrate their playing prowess to any who wanted to try a game. 

On Sunday May 25th, three time Virginia champion NM Russell Potter held two simultaneous exhibitions to see if anyone out there could "beat the Master."  No one should underestimate the difficulty of playing a dozen or more people at the same time, but our "Rusty" remained undefeated--despite some serious challengers.  Roanoke Valley Chess Club awarded medals and ribbons to the top finishers in each group. 

Medal Winners for our "Beat The Master" Competition

(2:00pm)      Tough to Beat:  Daryl Doyle        2^nd Toughest:  James Taylor        3^rd  Toughest:  Robert Steelman                 

(4:00pm)      Tough to Beat:  Meyen Bior            2^nd Toughest:  Robert Zack           3^rd  Toughest:  Mike Huff

Special Competitiveness Prize:  Nikki Davis

This event was part of Roanoke Valley Chess Club's ongoing commitment to promote chess in the region, and was open to the public free of charge.  It is estimated that over 500 people saw the exhibit, and dozens stopped for more information.  Fifteen signed up for our club contact list, and we hope to see them all at our regular meetings soon!      

We want to thank the volunteers who made this possible:  President Richard White, Mike Huff, and NM Russell Potter.  Special thanks to Donny Doyle and his son Daryl.  Their help transporting tables, chairs, and equipment was essential to our effort.

Click Here for Photos of the Action!

McCain Wins Starkweather!

Lynchburg's Felix McCain dominated the Don Starkweather Celebration with a perfect 3-0 sweep.  He netted a cool $125.00 for his effort, and the title of Champion.  Bluefield West Virginia's Gilbert Stone swept the lower section at 3-0, also pocketing $125.00!  Congratulations to the winners, and we sincerely appreciate everyone who participated!

Roanoke Mayor Issues Proclamation

in Honor of Roanoke Valley Chess Club's 60th Year!

Roanoke Valley Chess Club received a special honor from the Roanoke City Council on November 19th, 2007.

Roanoke Mayor C. Nelson Harris issued a Mayor’s PROCLAMATION celebrating the 60th anniversary of our club!  Roanoke Valley Chess Club is proud to be the oldest continuously operating chess club in the State of Virginia!  We want to thank Mayor Harris and the Roanoke City Council for honoring our years of service to the community.

Roanoke Valley Chess Club's 2007 Annual Reorganization Meeting

Roanoke Valley Chess Club’s annual re-organization meeting was held on September 7th, 2007.  This democratic process allowed members to elect officers and board members.  Now in our 60th continuous year, the club is an official 501(C)3 non profit organization promoting chess in the Roanoke Valley region. 

The 2007 Annual Reorganization Meeting is Scheduled for September 7th, 2007!

Greetings Fellow Chess Players!

Roanoke Valley Chess Club’s annual re-organizational meeting is nearly at hand.  We organize the club on the first Friday following Labor Day each year as mandated by our Constitution.  Friday September 7^th is the date for this year’s meeting. 

Our goal is to conduct the meeting in a positive and efficient manner.  Doors will be open about 6:30pm, and we will commence at 8:00pm sharp.  The business meeting normally takes about one hour if discussion on motions are succinct and to the point.  Click the link below for an itinerary of the business portion of our meeting.

Arrive early and enjoy refreshments!  We will provide various types of PIZZA (vegetarian, cheese, and combos with meat), chips with dip, and tea & sodas (regular & diet).  Seriously, folks, these pizzas won't eat themselves.  Bon appètit!             

We look forward to some chess and fellowship after the meeting.  We are, after all, chess players first and foremost!     

        Reorganization Meeting Itinerary                                      Sincerely,

                                                                                           Richard White, Acting Chairman

                                                                                           Roanoke Valley Chess Club Board of Directors

Seventy-nine players made chess history last weekend in Salem, Virginia.  For more details, click on the links above. 

This GRAND PRIX event would not have been possible without the generous annual grant from Walter & Dorothy Muir.  This grant is administered by the Foundation for Roanoke Valley, and is earmarked specifically to promote chess activity in the Roanoke Valley area of Virginia.   

We want to acknowledge the help of the many volunteers who helped make this event happen:  Former Roanoke Valley Chess Club President Dr. Bob Collins, Brian Roark, Randy Davis, Dave Vecellio, Jack Richards, Sam Phillips, and countless others.  Special thanks to current Vice Chairman of the Board Richard White, and Treasurer Marshall McDaniel for their tireless efforts.  Last but not least, NM Russell Potter put in countless hours behind the scenes, and offered free game score analysis on site.

We also want to thank Pam Podger and The Roanoke Times for their excellent coverage of the tournament.  It is our hope that the article will stimulate interest in the region, and will be a boost for Roanoke Valley Chess Club.  Read the story:  "Winning Takes All The Right Moves." 

Wait!  There are at least seventy nine other people to thank.  This year was one for the record books, and we couldn't have done it without your support.  Sincere thanks to everyone who took time from their busy schedules for this tournament. 

The 2007 Southwest Virginia Open Final Standings

Check out the official USCF Crosstable.

Open Section

1st:    (4.0 Each)  FM Master Andrey Chumachenko, NM Chris Mabe, Expert Patrick Tae, Matthew Marsh (breaks the 2000 barrier!)

2nd-3rd-Class:   Combined with 1st

Class Prize:    (3.5)  Scott Baldwin

Amateur Section

1st:   (4.5)  Jonathan McNeill

2nd:  Joe Wright, Merritt Johnson, David High

3rd:  Combined with 2nd

Class Prizes:    (3.5) Chet Fischer and (3.0) Jeffrey McGuire

Booster Section

1st:  (4.0)  Benjamin Jones

2nd: (3.5)  Dr. Walter High III

3rd:  (3.0)  Joshua Exposito, John Sasseen, William Rulison

Class:  Combined with 3rd.