CCC News & Views

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CCC Will Meet Dec. 22 

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CCC NEWS &VIEWS 12-16-99 

McCartney Upsets NM Fuerstman (who vows to "possibly give up chess for good?!?")  Ashamalla Maintains Perfection in Lower Section of Wendy's X 
Twenty procrastinating Christmas shoppers disguised themselves as chessplayers Wednesday evening as they competed in  Rd:3 of Wendy's X.  In the Top Section, NM Leland Fuerstman (2004) uncharacteristically  blundered away the Win on one move, and the Draw two moves later? to opportunist Patrick McCartney (1812) who now leads the tournament with 2.5-.5.  (See Game 0076)  Also, in the Top Section, NM Daniel Liu (2036) drew with CCC Favorite Son William F. "Frankie" Newton II (2160) while recent returnee David Jaap (1880) and Gary Newsom (1941) did the same.  In the Cruiser-Weight Division, Mike Eberhardinger (1600) outboxed CCC Internal Affairs Committee Chairman Paul F. Lucas (1663) while in the Middle Section, with the Black pieces Randy Hight (1565) took care of Mike Isner (1539). To view "shuttleman" Paul Calloway's recent encounter with Mike Eberhardinger  (See Game 0075)  In the Lower Section, CCC Lower Section Representative Alphonse Ashamalla (1350) eaked out a win from an even K & 3 pawns ending versus Brandon Brown (1209) to lead with a perfect 3-0! Other Lower Section winners were Daryl "Flash" Gordon, Joe Ulaky, John Meyer and Michael "You know you make me wanna' " Shoup!  For all results see "Current Crosstable." 

Thirteen chessplayers dressed in Santa outfits shared the yuletide spirit as they competed in the final CCC 3 rounder of the Millennium. In the Top Section, NM Leland Fuerstman (2004) bounced back from his horriffic loss of the preceeding Wednesday to equal the score of Todd "Flowers" Trower (1964) who upset CCC favorite son  William F. "Frankie" Newton II (2160) in Rd:2. Each scored 2.5-.5 and took home $60. In the Lower Section, Anthony Smith (1137) unwrapped three early Christmas gifts scoring 3-0 and winning $40. Fuerstman directed.

Samuel Christopher & Don Norwood   NM Daniel Liu

Patrick McCartney & Gary Newsom

Paul Calloway & Jerome DeBell    Frankie Newton & Todd Trower

John Meyer    Todd Trower

Call it an experiment if you'd like, but the concept of "quick chess" (G/29) seems to be catching on. Though this author was upset in Rd:1 by tournament co-winner Mike Eberhardinger, the spacious, well lighted facility, superb steak and mashed potatoes dinner, and friendly waitresses and management made it all worthwhile!  A rather light turnout of only 8 players witnessed Eberhardinger and Patrick McCartney agree to a "quick" Draw in their final round encounter each scoring 2.5-.5 and taking home $60. "We'll do this again in about a month. It was fun!" (The next one will be Jan 7. See ya' there!) LF 

CCC "Favorite Son" Expert Frankie Newton (2145) came face to face with "Ex-CCC Favorite Son" NM Matthew Hoekstra (2250). With the State Title in his sights, fatigue, the clock and the relentless determination of his opponent left Frankie dreaming of what might have been. Still a darn good showing for the aspiring Master; It's only a matter of time! Also, in the Championship Section, NM Daniel Liu (2050) scored 2.5-2.5. 

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In the Under 2000 Section Randy Lovelace (2002) and Patrick McCartney (1771) yielded only two draws each as they tied for 1st-4th with 2 out-of-staters?!? all with 4-1. 

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 In the Under 1600 Section Jerome DeBell (1529) grabbed a share of 3rd place with a 4-1 result while Carl McKern (1500) scored 3-2. 

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(For a more detailed description of the events of the N.C. Championship see the CCC "Message Board" at

www.charlottechess.com/bbs 

Congratulations are in order for CCC member Justin Daniel who, at the tender age of 15 has, according to the USCF December Rating Supplement, achieved the Title of Expert with a published rating of 2019. Justin, who recently relocated from Charleston, S.C.with his father, Kevin and family, is a highly motivated and intellectually stimulated "home taught" student. (Where have we seen this before?) His recent results at the Charlotte Chess Club include wins over NM Leland Fuerstman (2018) and Harold "Wyn" Mouzon (2190). We are honored to have such an extremely talented and polite young man in our mix. Watch out Frankie!! Here comes Justin!!! 

Would someone please give me one good reason why our sovereign State Championship is Open to players from all states and/or countries? From the best of my recollection, back in around 1975, the NCCA decided to allow "out-of-staters" to play in order to bolster the prize fund! Ten years later, when I was elected President of the NCCA, that rule was voted down.  And I might add that the prize fund for the 1985 N.C. Championship was four times greater than it was this year! with NO "OUT-OF-STATERS! Allowing OoSP's to compete totally defies the very idea of determining the true champions of our own state! It is simply unfair to all who are in contention.  We have other tournaments in North Carolina for that: The LPO, the Land of the Sky, etc. We need at least 1 sovereign one. 
Secondly, who came up with this ridiculous idea of allowing players to re-enter? What is this, your "Mulligan" like in golf?  Again, that scheme surfaced in the mid-seventies with your big money tournaments; but certainly not with your State Championship.  And finally, the tournament's improper design rendered the prize fund unappealing.  It is now, and has always been the responsibility of the NCCA to obtain sponsorship in order to defray expenses and increase the Prize Fund.  The current administration simply did not do this.  If these changes are made, and they certainly should be, maybe I will grace them with my presence next year! LF