Spokane Chess Club

The club’s July 30th meeting is an evening of blitz chess. The following week, August 6, is the beginning of the always popular August Ajeeb Quads. Clear your calendar and come down to club for both events!

A unique quad pairing format — grouping players by age instead of rating — is underway at club. The “Old Men Rule — Not Quick Quads” is entering its third and final week this Thursday, July 23. The Elders section has Dave Rowles in the lead with a 2.0 score. The Middle Age quad features John Frostad and Cam Leslie in the lead with 1.5 scores, while the Youngsters quad has Michael Cambareri in the lead at 2.0.

Drop in to watch the action and/or play some casual chess this week.

The Mid-Summer Night’s Dream event drew 8 players on June 25. Three tied with 3-1 scores for the top honors: Michael Cambareri, Ken Erickson, and John Frostad. The class D prizes were shared by Brian Thomas, Sean Thomas, and Jim Burney, each of whom scored 2.0 in the four round event.

Jo Ong took advantage of an early blunder and beat Michael Cambareri, who had entered the final round with the sole perfect score among a field of 20, to win the club’s Spring Championship. Michael and Travis Miller (4.0) tied for second place. A final round makeup game is being played Tuesday night and the tournament will be submitted for rating shortly afterwards.

Spokane’s oldest weekend tournament was won by Eric Billaux and Drew Bunch. They each scored 4.0 to finish one-half point ahead of Michael Cambareri, Ken Erickson, and James Stripes. The competition at the top was intense — Ken beat Eric and lost to Drew, and only a half-point bye on Saturday night kept him off the top line.

A more complete story from TD Craig Moore is expected in coming days.

The USCF cross table link: 2026 Inland Empire Open | US Chess Ratings

The club’s annual election of officers was conducted at the May 7 club meeting. Craig Moore takes over as President while proud father-to-be Ben Shedlock is off for paternity leave this fall. Michael Cambareri will continue as Vice President and Cam Leslie will return as Secretary. Kevin Korsmo steps back in to the role of treasurer.

The annual Taxing Quads are now complete, with plenty of winners! Quad A was won by Travis Miller, recently returned to the area after a sojurn in Alaska, with a 2.5 score. The Johns won Quad B — John Frostad and Jonathan Rorabeck each scoring 2.5. That same score was enough for Walter van Heemstede Obelt to win Quad C. Quad D winners Michael Michalek and Craig Moore each scored 2.0. Patrick Kirlin won Quad E with the only perfect 3.0 score for the entire event! Congratulations to all of the winners!

The USCF cross table link: Taxing Quads 2026 | US Chess Ratings

Club stalwart Michael Cambareri is the new champion of Idaho after winning the Idaho Closed Championship held in Post Falls March 28-30. Michael Scored 5-1 to edge Linus Wannamaker and Ken Erickson (4.5). Congratulations to the new State Champion!

The USCF cross table link: 80th Idaho State (Closed) Championship | US Chess Ratings

Nikolay Bulakh scored a perfect 4.0 to win the quick event held at club on March 19. Michael Cambareri and Ken Erickson each scored 3.0 to tie for second place. The USCF cross table link: March Quick | US Chess Ratings

Michael Cambareri won the three-week, six-game Winters End g/45 event held at club February 26 through March 12. Michael scored 5 from 6 to edge Ken Erickson (4.5). Jo Ong and Drake Wilson finished third at 4.0. The USCF cross table link: 6 Rd Winters End | US Chess Ratings