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CCC Will Meet Dec. 29 

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CCC NEWS &VIEWS 12-23-99 

Fuerstman Bounces Back; Shares Lead In Wendy's X - Ashamalla Still Perfect! In Lower Section 

Twenty-eight of Santa's little helpers arrived by raindeer and sleigh bearing gifts! Wednesday evening as they took a brief respit between their busy shopping schedules to compete in Rd:4 of Wendy's X (our final tournament of the Millennium). In the Top Section, leader Patrick McCartney (1812) was bested by the French Defense of Gary Newsom (1941) while NM Leland Fuerstman (2004) pressed on in what some in the crowd thought to be an obviously drawn OCB ending versus NM Daniel Liu (2032) ultimately forcing resignation. (See Game 0077)  Also in the Top Section, CCC "favorite son" William F. "Frankie" Newton II (2160), who was absent for Rd's 1 & 2, manhandled recent returnee David Jaap (1868) while Michael Curcuru(1797) was tripped up by Todd "Flowers" Trower (1968).  In the Middle Section, ("one of my New Year's resolutions is to pay a bit more attention to my middle section"), shuttleman Paul Calloway (1662) defeated John Meyer (Unr) to lead with 3.5 while Doug "Sky" Millsaps (1644) was bested by Mike Eberhardinger (1603). In addition, Jerome "Bouncer" DeBell (1529) initiated recent returnee to competition Randy Hight (1550). To view an example of DeBell's games  (See Game 0078)  In the Lower Section, CCC Lower Section Representative Alphonse Ashamalla (1268) continued his winning streak by knocking off Daryl "Flash" Gordon (1321) enabling him to invoke the "Fischer Rule" and claim the Wendy's X Lower Section Title! Congratulations Alphonse, you have done it the old fashion way; you've earned it! Other Lower Section winners were: Helton Clavijo, Anthony Smith, David Roman, Terry Brown and Don Norwood.  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