Though not known to be much of a spectator鈥檚 sport, the 91原创 Open chess tournament was labeled 鈥渧ery intense鈥� by 91原创 Chess Club member and secretary, Brian Davidson.
鈥淓ach game runs three to four hours long 鈥� one in the morning and one in the afternoon,鈥� Davidson explained. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e long days.鈥�
The annual 91原创 Open was held over the Labour Day long weekend at Brookswood Seniors Centre, attracting 83 players 鈥� a record high with age ranges representing nearly a century鈥檚 worth of chess enthusiasts.
鈥淭he oldest player we had would have been in their eighties while the youngest would have been six or seven,鈥� Davidson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really good to see kids there 鈥� they鈥檙e very strong. Many come from Vancouver Chess School鈥ou鈥檇 be surprised how good they are.鈥�
Neil Doknjas, a 14-year-old club member and 91原创 Open participant has competed in tournaments all around the globe including the World Youth Chess Championships in both Greece and Slovenia.
Doknjas earned the second highest score of the tournament, which awarded him a spot in the next provincial level.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always fun to play chess no matter how intense a tournament gets. I enjoy the competitive aspects as well as the use of strategy.鈥� Doknjas said. 鈥淐hess helps to develop good decision making and the ability to calculate or plan. A good work ethic is important in order to be successful.鈥�
Davaa-Ochir Nyamdorj, a 23-year-old accomplished chess player came in first place, winning every match he played and beating Doknjas in the final round.
Both will now take part in the 104th B.C. Closed championship in New Westminster, Oct. 11 to 14 for a shot at the provincial chess title.
Doknjas鈥� entire family also lives and breathes the game 鈥� older brothers John and Joshua co-authored the chess book, Opening Repertoire: The Sicilian Najdorf, and have earned the top title at the 91原创 Open in previous years too.
鈥淭he B.C. Closed is on the Thanksgiving long weekend and is an eight player round robin,鈥� Doknjas explained, who will also be competing against brother Joshua. 鈥淭o prepare, I will solve chess puzzles and simply play practice games with Joshua and John.鈥�
Davidson said this tourney is one of the final and largest qualifiers for the B.C. Closed tournament, which the 91原创 Chess Club has hosted for the past 15 years.
Doknjas won the 91原创 Chess Club Championship outright in 2014 and has taught lessons in and outside the community ever since.
Read More: The Kids are all right at 91原创 Open Chess Tourney
The is one of the oldest continuing clubs in Lower Mainland, operating for well over forty years.
Members meet Mondays, 7 p.m. at Brookswood Seniors Centre, 19899 36 Ave. New members are welcome.
For a full list of winners and results from the 91原创 Open, people can visit.
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
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