Participants from 3 countries and 2 states showed up at Deadwood's historic Franklin Hotel for the first of what is hoped to be many premier chess events in the Black Hills, including Grandmaster and two-time United States Chess Champion Alex Yermolinsky,Hungarian-born International Master Sandor (pronounced Shandor) Kustar, myself, Brandon Beloskur and organizer Mark Derby of Spearfish, and William Pierce, who recently moved to Rapid City from Arkansas. A good time was had by all who showed up to get trounced by “The Yerminator” in the simul. This included Sandor and Derby, although Mark did allow the GM's clock to run out without telling him, when he could have resigned instead, since he was down a couple passed pawns. Alex graciously signed the scoresheet indicating Mark won the game by time forfeit.
Those who didn't make it missed out on the company of two of the nicest FIDE-titled players around. Sandor picked me up on the way over from Murdo, we took the scenic route from Rapid City to Deadwood via Rimrock Highway through the Black Hills Saturday morning, and we both enjoyed a more serene and scenic drive than the I-90 route provides. Grandmaster Yermolinsky is charismatic and energetic, and offered his services in the simul and as tournament director for all events, including bughouse, blitz, and the regular “plus-score” tournament won by IM Kustar with a perfect 4-0. In fact, Sandor and I were even live for $1100 in prize money Sunday (when we both made the final table of the evening Silverado poker tournament).
More pessimistic souls might focus on the low turnout and the organizer's financial loss, but GM Yermolinsky and Mark Derby are convinced that Black Hills chess will rebound with their help. Alex is going to try to get Fargo and East River players, as well as “Sultan of Suat” GM Suat Atalik, to attend the June festival Mark will put on with the help of the Chamber of Commerce. Agreement was made that future Black Hills Chess Festivals will be rated events, and may be located in Rapid City, so that Grandmasters won't have an expensive cab ride to Deadwood, as Alex said Korchnoi did from L.A. to Lone Pine one year. Here's some games from the tournament and we hope to have more soon with analysis. When we figure how to put the bughouse in pgn format and find time to review the blitz games we will post them, but you can get a idea of the tactics and excitement of the games from the videos. See the action of the 2009 BHCF at: www.youtube.com/chessplayerb4 or just click on a few of the video clips below.
The organizer would like to extend a super duper big thank you to Tom, Jamie, John and the entire staff of the Silverado-Franklin for their hospitality and fine venue for the first BH Chess Fest! Special thanks to GM Yermolinski for serving as tournament director, what he brings to chess in SD and for being the "Yerminator"
William Pierce Studies his options with Norquist.
Yermo Simul- with Sandor being the only real competitor having a chance to not lose his game.
