Under summery skies with a gentle breeze about 80 persons young at heart assembled at CBA on Wednesday to celebrate the enormous work and effort of all our region’s chessplayers. Balaji earned top honors for all his hard work, followed by Ellie and Kassie! Fine champions all. Mike Klugman received his Coach of the Year award but had to leave early for another event. Brother John, inducted into the Chess Hall of Fame, acknowledged our predecessors along this journey. All those scoring 20 or more points this past year received individual awards. Top ten teams were also acknowledged. Hot dogs, hamburgers, apple pie and ice cream, with lots of good Indian food, helped round out the celebration. Charles Anderson provided the music. Stewart’s Ice Cream and Walter’s Indian food also were great treats. Here is a partial listing of our guests:
- Carl & Francine Schaefer -2
- Luke Villani -1
- Liz Gialanella -4
- Mandeep Sidhu – 2
- Dyrleif Bjenieleh – 3
- Jessica Aquino – 3
- Mahadevan – 4
- Bonnie Bauer – 2
- Brother John McManus – 1
- Wargacki – 4
- Amit Goel – 2
- Samantha Giknis – 3
- John Lamont – 3
- Jennifer Lange – 1
- Bill Matters – 1
- Todd Koblensky -4
- David Rynkowski – 1
- Abimael Rodriguez – 3
- Santhosh Abraham – 3
- Walter Mockler – 1
- Karl Heck -1
- Martha, Nino, Zaza – 3
- Albany Community Charter School (Dwayne B) – 8
- Herman, Zach Calderon – 3
- Joe Nardone – 2