August 1, 2017
This year the result was a four-way tie for the top position. Each co-champion scored 5/6. Praveen Balakrishnan (VA) rated 2478 brought the home state advantage into play. The other three were: Edward Song (MI) rated 2411, Bryce Tiglon (WA) rated 2442 and Zhaozhi [George] Li (IL) rated 2408. Clearly this was one of the strongest fields to participate in the Denker. There was a group of twenty-two Masters among the forty-eight participants. Winner on tie-break was Praveen who will receive a $5,000 College/University Scholarship to the school of his choice.
There was a two-way tie (4.5/6) for Second Place which included Sungho Yim (AZ) rated 2358 and Ryan Sowa (RI), rated 2307. In addition, Third Place has a three-way tie. Leading that group was Gabriel Bick (CA-N) rated 2333. Included were Emmanuel Carter (NC) rated 2259 and Ryan Swerdlin (CO) rated 2245. Praveen Balakrishnan (VA) was also the winner of the $500 Ursula Foster Scholarship for best result under the age of 16.
Further details can be found here: https://www.denkerchess.com/wp-content/uploads/Denker-Standings.pdf
Illinois clear first in State Team Competition
Congratulations to Illinois on their First Place finish (14/18) ending any doubt that their state team average (2242) was strong enough to take the top spot. Their team was lead by Denker representative, Zhaozhi [George] Li (5/6). Barber representative, Aydin Turgut (4.5/6) and National Girls representative Marissa Li (4.5/6) who completed the effort. Second Place team, Washington state had a team average (2172) and was ½ point behind Illinois followed by Texas (2180) who took clear Third Place with ½ point below.
State Team winners in the Under Sections were Alabama (Under 2100), Indiana (Under 1900) and Idaho (Under 1700). Complete results can be found at: https://www.denkerchess.com/wp-content/uploads/State-Team-Standings.pdf