(CROSSVILLE, TN)The U. S. Blind Chess Championship held June 24-25, 2005 in Elkins, West Virginia was organized by Rich Varchetto at the Hampton Inn. Jeff Siebrandt and Alex Barrasso with 3.5 points each split the first and second place prize money to collect $300 each. Agan Hajric took third place honors and $175 with 3 points.

With 2 points out of 4 each and tied for the U1800, U1600, and U1400 prize Michael Davis, Albert Pietrolungo, Henry Olynik, Richard Mc Straw, James Hart, and Virginia Alverson all took home $62.50 each. Joseph Wassermann and Allen Betts rounded out the field of 11 players with each scoring 1.0.

Three different scholastic programs supplied the game scorers each round while Rich Varchetto and the Elkins Lions Club (PO Box 1002, Elkins, WV 26241 for donations--Please make a note that the donation is for the 2005 US Blind Championship) supplied the financial support to present this event. Tim Just and Ira Lee Riddle were the Tournament Directors. The Hampton Inn supplied the playing site, sleeping rooms and food.

Additional details, the wallchart and the games in PGN can be found at: http://www.chessforlife.com/chess/blind05.html, provided by Chess For Life, LLC.

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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 almost 90,000 members. For additional information on the USCF see: http://www.uschess.org.