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Chess Life Online 2010 June Santarius Wins Hales Corners Challenge XI
Chess Life Online 2010 June Santarius Wins Hales Corners Challenge XI | Santarius Wins Hales Corners Challenge XI |
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| By Tom Fogec | |
| April 21, 2010 | |
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The Hales Corners Challenge XI was held this past weekend on Saturday, April 17, 2010. This was a USCF Grand Prix (10 points) and Wisconsin Tour Event. It's a one day, four round, Game in 60 tournament. Held in Milwaukee, it drew players primarily from Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Five Masters participated including Erik Santarius, Alex Betaneli, Aleksandar Stamnov, Bill Williams and Jeff Cooper. What makes this event a bit different is that in addition to its own prizes, it has attracted sponsorship in recent years from Goddesschess and for the first time, from the North American Chess Association. Goddesschess sponsors cash prizes for female chess players and, in addition, this time provided free entry into Hales Corners Challenge XII in October 2010 to Rachel Ulrich, who had the best score for a female with 3 out of 4 points. Rachel, as well as Joanna Huang and Sandra Pahl, who tied for second best score for a female, all received cash awards from Goddesschess. In addition, the North American Chess Association awarded an eNotate electronic scoresheet (PDA and software) to the top finishing K-8 player in each section. The Open Section winner of this prize was Abe Sun and in the Reserve Section (<1600) it was Rachel Ulrich. By the way, the Ulrich family were big winners. Rachel in the Reserve Section split the Class D prize in addition to winning the Goddesschess and North American Chess Association awards. Her older brother, Tommy, split the Class A prize and won the Best Game prize. The tournament was sponsored by the Southwest Chess Club of Milwaukee Wisconsin and the TDs were Robin Grochowski, myself (Tom Fogec) and Allen Becker, who also played.  Pictures from the last round on Board 1 in each section include Master Aleksandar Stamnov (left) and Open Section winner Master Erik Santarius in the top picture and Justin Rajsky (left), winner of the Reserve Section and Rachel Ulrich in the bottom picture.  See USCF rated results here. |