This years 8th Banff Open resulted in a four way tie for first. Chandra, Anand Rishi, IM Chiku-Ratte, Olivier Kenta, IM Hébert, Jean, and FM Keleberda, Tymur with 4.5 points out of 6. In the Armageddon playoff (white gives draw odds, but gets 5 minutes to 4 minutes with no increment till move 60), Anand as white checkmated Tymur with a nice combination. Olivier played very accurately as black to draw with Jean to advance to the final. In the final game, Anand chose white and in a very sharp Guico Piano, Olivier was able to force a repetition of moves to win the tournament. Congrats to everyone. Results of all sections can be seen at Chess Results website. A link to the videos of the Armageddon games to follow.

I would like to thank Sean Wu and Bhavik Dave for directing. The generous support of the Banff Centre, the Alberta Chess Association and last but not least, the Calgary Chess Club for supplying the very expensive 10 digital boards, sets and clocks, 28 wooden sets and 30 plastic sets and 58 clocks. Special thanks to Gordon Campbell and Michael Anderson who packed the equipment and also made our board numbers and scoresheets!

Sadly this is my (Ian Findlay’s) last year of organizing this fabulous tournament. Hopefully it can continue in some manner.

Entries are now open for the 2024 Banff Open. Entries are limited to 130 this year. Last year entries were full by the end of September, so please enter early and plan to come to this event. Sadly, due to change of management, this will be Ian Findlay’s last year organizing this event and the last year the tournament will be held at the Banff Centre. You can enter by going to 2024 schedule or by this link https://www.albertachess.org/home/2024-banff-open/

I am happy to announce IM Mark Ginsburg is back, trying to win the tournament for a third time.

I am delighted to announce the entry of IM Jean Hébert.

Jean Hébert who holds the ICCF title of Correspondence Chess Grandmaster and the FIDE title of International Master. The winner of the Canadian Chess Championship in 1978 and 2009, he also tied for the title in 2007, but lost in playoffs. He represented Canada at the 1979 Interzonal tournament as well as seven times at Chess Olympiads. He also took part in the Chess World Cup 2009, but was knocked out by Peter Svidler in the first round. In 2022, Hébert won the Canadian Seniors’ Championship.

I am thrilled to announce the entry of IM Raymond Kaufman.

I am excited to announce junior sensation FM Tymur Keleberda from Edmonton has just entered and is currently ranked #3 in the tournament.

Masters Sherzod Khodjimatov, Amir Bahmani, FM Ian Findlay, Anand Rishi Chandra, Leo Lin, Omid Malek, Mahan Eshraghi and FM Dale Haessel have also entered.

*** I am delighted to announce the entry of IM Olivier Kenta Chiku-Ratté. At 2455 he is the number 1 seed. ***

** As of Nov 3, we are up to 131 entries. Due to space restrictions, I will close entries at 131 and will start a waiting list at that time. Entries close midnight Nov 6, 2024**

**** Entries are now closed. If you wish to be put on waiting list, email ianfindlay2314@gmail.com ****

Congratulations to NM Anand Chandra from Calgary who won the 2023 Banff Open in an Armageddon playoff beating IM Raymond Kaufman from Vancouver scoring 5/6. This year saw a record turnout of 132 players. Sherzod Khodjimatov from Calgary let Raymond Kaufman escape with a perpetual check in the last round to tie for 3rd with IM Leon Piasetski from Vancouver.

The exciting finish can be seen here.

https://www.facebook.com/61553555332010/videos/367590772292149

The results can be found here

https://chess-results.com/tnr838720.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6&flag=30

https://chess-results.com/tnr842224.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6

https://chess-results.com/tnr838718.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6

I am happy to announce a change of heart by the organizer Ian Findlay. This will not be the last Banff Open!! Thanks to the encouragement of the new Banff Centre President, we will be back November 9-11. Mark your calendar for Banff Open 2024!

Congratulations to the winners in the Alberta Junior Championship:

Closed: Hemant Srinivasan

Open: Mark Ivanescu

Under 1300: Jaiven Jahal

Under 800: Kevin Guo

Girls: Ashlyn Lu

Thanks to Cristian Ivanescu for organizing and to Dustin Koperski for lead directing.

Good luck to everyone playing in the very popular Banff Open this weekend!

Congratulations to Dale Haessel on winning the Alberta Senior’s Championship, and to runner-up Sardul Purewal.

Thanks to Terry Seehagen for organizing and Dustin Koperski for directing.

The Alberta Senior’s and Women’s Championships take place this weekend, October 29-30. Players can still pre-register via the tournament webpages or e-mail to the organizer, Terry Seehagen, and may also register on-site (prior to 9:45 a.m.).

Please note that the travel grant prize for each of these two events is up to $1000 — it was originally listed as $500.

Thank you to Sean Wu for directing and Lars Lowther for organizing. The following report provided by Lars Lowther.

The 2022 Alberta Open ran from October 8-10 at the Calgary Chess Club. Through six rounds of grueling play over 3 days, 40 participants battled it out to determine who would become the 2022 Alberta Open Champion and earn a qualifying spot into the 2023 Alberta Closed.

Calgary’s Sherzod Khodjimatov beat out Calgary youngster Patrick Angelo Tolentino on head-to-head tiebreaks, after both finished the tournament with a 5/6 score.  The fate of the winner was determined in the final round when Patrick – who was 5/5 heading into the round, was defeated by Sherzod.

Full results can be found here.

Prize Winners:

1st: Sherzod Khodjimatov
2nd: Patrick Angelo Tolentino
3rd: Rafael Arrubarrena/Maxim Vasic/Leo Lin/Hemant Srinivasan

U2000
1st: Yash Darvekar
2nd: Michael Decaire

U1700
1st: Cally Ntete
2nd: Kevin Hawkshaw

U1400
1st: Paul Viminitz
2nd: Stephen Demaer

The Alberta Junior Championship is now open for entries. Go to the 2022 schedule and follow the link. It will be held at the Quality Inn West in Edmonton and organized by Cristian Ivanescu with Dustin Koperski directing.