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GM Browne Cruises Home to 2014 Senior Title Print E-mail
By Al Losoff   
September 22, 2014
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2014 US Senior Champ GM Walter Browne
Walter Browne is the 2014 US Senior Champion, clinching the title with a last round draw against Ariel Levi who placed second with 5 points. 3rd place was shared by William Marcelino, Steven Stoyko and Alan Casden.

The complete cross table and prize list is posted here. Look for more photos and games to be posted there in the coming days.

Bill Snead did his usual excellent job as tournament director, and everyone had a great time cruising, playing chess and visiting ports. Many of the players and their traveling companions also took advantage of the Card Player Cruises excellent Poker Room. We saw shows, ate gourmet meals, listened to great music, played water sports, and generally took advantage of the largest cruise ship in the world.

In addition to the U.S. Senior Open Walter Browne gave a simul and we had a blitz tournament. Walter went 11-0 in the simul but he gave a prize to Matt Sankovich for playing the most interesting game.

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Bill Snead, GM Walter Brown & Alan Losoff


Walter won the blitz tournament with a score of 9-1/2 out of 10 and William Marcelino, who nicked Walter for his only draw, took second. Henry Ebarb won the under 1800 prize.

There were plenty of interesting games in the event. Of the following victory, Bill Pursel said, "I am as proud of this game as any I have played in a very long time, especially my 18th move (a very sound 'exchange sac' with no immediate compensation) and the follow up the rest of the way."
 
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The players all asked that we do this again, and so we shall. Next year the Senior Open will be on dry land, but we will propose another Senior Chess Cruise to USCF in a future year.
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Al Kantor of the USCF


Meanwhile Card Player Cruises and Vegas Chess Festivals has already scheduled an open chess event next year during their August 29-September 6th and September 6th-13th cruises.  Linda Johnson, “The first lady of poker”, said, “As a partner in Card Player Cruises, it (was) a pleasure to have the US Senior Chess tournament on one of our cruises.

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Linda Johnson

The chess players (got) along very well with the poker players and (enjoyed) crossover play. Now I have met lots of really nice chess players and learned what a "simul" and "blitz" are.” We hope this becomes an annual event on one of our cruises."

Look for more details on both the 2014 results and stay tuned for more on 2015 plans.

Find GM Browne's book, The Stress of Chess and its Infinite Finesse, on USCF Sales.

 
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