Participants from 3 countries and 2 states showed up at Deadwood's historic Franklin Hotel for the first of what is hoped to be many premier chess events in the Black Hills, including Grandmaster and two-time United States Chess Champion Alex Yermolinsky,Hungarian-born International Master Sandor (pronounced Shandor) Kustar, myself, Brandon Beloskur and organizer Mark Derby of Spearfish, and William Pierce, who recently moved to Rapid City from Arkansas. A good time was had by all who showed up to get trounced by “The Yerminator” in the simul. This included Sandor and Derby, although Mark did allow the GM's clock to run out without telling him, when he could have resigned instead, since he was down a couple passed pawns. Alex graciously signed the scoresheet indicating Mark won the game by time forfeit.

Those who didn't make it missed out on the company of two of the nicest FIDE-titled players around. Sandor picked me up on the way over from Murdo, we took the scenic route from Rapid City to Deadwood via Rimrock Highway through the Black Hills Saturday morning, and we both enjoyed a more serene and scenic drive than the I-90 route provides. Grandmaster Yermolinsky is charismatic and energetic, and offered his services in the simul and as tournament director for all events, including bughouse, blitz, and the regular “plus-score” tournament won by IM Kustar with a perfect 4-0. In fact, Sandor and I were even live for $1100 in prize money Sunday (when we both made the final table of the evening Silverado poker tournament).

Sioux Falls resident Camilla Baginskaite played in the 2009 US Chess Championship held St. Louis with a schedule of events from Oct. 2nd to the 14th.

With a score of 6 1/2 of 9 she took clear second place ($12,000 in prize cash) behind Anne Zatonski who is the defending champion. Great tournament Camilla!