FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Joan DuBois
August 17, 2006	(931) 787-1234 #123
Press Release #46 of 2006	[email protected]

(Crossville, TN) The U.S. Chess Federation’s (USCF) 107^th Annual U.S. Open Championship, held at the Double Tree Hotel in Chicago-Oak Brook, Illinois August 8 – 13, 2006 concluded with Grandmaster Yury Shulman of Illinois being the victor in the Open Section. Over 500 players participated for a chance to compete for this prestigious title and join the rankings of previous U.S. Open Champions.  

The guaranteed prize fund was $40,000. There were three playing schedules offered in an effort to accommodate players: Traditional (9-Day), 6-Day, 5-Day. All players merged after having played five games. Other section champions were:

Top Master: (rated 2200-2399): Michael Aigner with 7.5 points

Top Expert: (2000-2199): Ryan Robert Milisits, Tony Cao, Joseph P. Richard tied with 7.0

Class A: (1800-1999): Maxx W. Coleman with 6.5 points

Class B: (1600-1799): Ryan D. Baker, Michael W. Auger, David E. Bohm tied with 5.5

Class C: (1400-1599): Taylor Bailey, Johnny Vela, Benjamin A. Corcoran, Eddie Chen Chang, Philip C. Placek tied with 5.0

Class D: (1200-1399): George J. Ruan and Mike Thariath tied with 4.5

Class E: (Under 1200): Dana C. Hannibal and Adam J. Schuld tied with 4.0 scores.

Unrated: Tongon Khurelchuluun with 5.0.

The 2006 U.S. Blitz (quick chess) Championship, held on August 12 was won by GM Susan Polgar with a score of 12.5 out of 14. The competition consisted of 14 games, five minutes per player per game!

Additional results and crosstables from the U.S. Open, Denker High School Tournament of Champions, Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls, U.S. Open Side Events, 2006 U.S. Blitz Championship, can be found at: http://www.uschess.org/tournaments/2006/usopen/  - “Results.”

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The United States Chess Federation (USCF), founded in 1939, serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and is now headquartered in Crossville, Tennessee. USCF is devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. It promotes the study and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, and as a means for the improvement of society. The USCF is a not-for-profit membership organization with over 80,000 members.

For additional information on the USCF see: http://www.uschess.org.