Home Page arrow Chess Life Online arrow Bartell and Melekhina Share PA State Title
Bartell and Melekhina Share PA State Title Print E-mail
October 19, 2010
Image
Alisa Melekhina, Photo Bob Reynolds
Thomas Bartell and Alisa Melekhina tied for first at the 2010 Pennsylvania State Championship, held in Philadelphia over the October 16-17 weekend. Organized by the Masterminds Chess Club, this year's PA Championship was also a memorial for PA chess promoter Ira Lee Riddle (1946--2009). Melekhina told CLO about her crucial win over IM Bryan Smith, an opponent who she had much trouble with in the past.

I must have lost to him at least 5 times, and in the Liberty Bell US Chess Scoop last year, I talked about how I was winning in my game against him, but lost. I was preparing for and expecting a Ruy as usual, but he played 1.g3 and surprised me. I later sacked a pawn, and it turned out that his pawns were on the wrong color in the bishop ending, and I was able to break through.

4973

Alisa pinpointed 43...Be1 as an important finesse. If 43...a3 immediately, 44.Kxb3 axb2 45.Kxb2 Kd5 46.Kc2 Ke4 47.Bd2 and White draws.

Bartell and Melekhina drew the final round to share the state title. According to preliminary research, this makes Melekhina the first woman to win the PA State title. She has also raised her rating to a personal peak of 2353. See the complete MSA crosstable here.

 
 
 
Read or Write Comments on this Article
(14 so far)
Advertisement

Nationwide Insurance Offer


Make your tax-deductible donation to the Phillip LeCornu Memorial Olympiad Fund

USCF Benefactors

Register for an Upcoming USCF National Event

Registration now open for 2016 spring national scholastic events!

Where to play USCF rated online chess?
On ICC
On Chess.com

 

October - Chess Life Online 2010

Nakamura Falls to Ivanchuk in FinalsKaufman on the World Senior: Midpoint Update Zierk Golden at World Youth; Silver for Xiong & Troff Carlsen a Smash Hit in Nanjing Medal Prospects Bright as World Youth Approaches FinaleUSCF Affairs: Register to Vote & a Reminder to DelegatesWorld Youth Round 9: Zierk Wins Again; Xiong Wins Gamechanger Time for SPICE Cup at Texas Tech Nakamura Nails Hammer in QuarterFinals Khachiyan Atop Western States Open Again Troff Increases Lead at the World Youth; Zierk Clinches IM NormGM Kaufman on the 2010 World Senior: Arrival in ArcoWorld Youth Gallery and Update Juniors Excel in National Action Events GM Robert Hess on Top of the Boardwalk Open Larry Larkins: 2010 US Armed Forces ChampionNakamura on a Roll in Cap D'Agde Western States Underway US Chess League Week Nine Highlights: Frenzy for Playoff SpotsAction Packed Weekend Set for Skokie and Reno 11 Still Perfect at the World Youth The Response to Donaldson's Olympic Impressions GMs Hess and Van Wely to Play in Berkeley InternationalWorld Youth Underway USCF Email Server AlertBartell and Melekhina Share PA State Title Amanov Unstoppable at the Midwest Class Softball Icon Jennie Finch Visits the Dean of Chess US Chess League Week 8 Highlights: Playoffs Loom2010 Chess Olympiad: Final Impressions Register as a USCF Voting Member More on National Chess Day: From Alabama to Arizona US Chess Championships Return to Saint Louis in 2011 Daniel Steininger 2010 US Blind Chess ChampionUS Blind Championship Underway3rd Annual Schein-Friedman Awards AnnouncedKacheishvili Wins Continental Class Mike Goodall, Chess Promoter, Dies at 64 New US International Titles Ratified at FIDE CongressNational Chess Day Round-Up: From Freeport to Bakersfield National Chess Day Parties Kick Off!Happy National Chess Day!US Chess League Highlights: Week SevenContinental Class Kicks Off in VirginiaThe Scoop on Nuit Blanche The October Check is in the Mail Mauricio Flores Wins U.S. ClassNational Chess Day on October 9th: It's Official! Ukraine & Russia Take Gold; US Teams Finish Strong USA Falls to Israel, Women Sweep Peru US Chess League Highlights: Divisions Battle in Week Six

Announcements