Congratulations to FM Hans Multhopp for winning the 2013 Cincinnati Chess Club Championship, held in four rounds from Aug. 16 to Sept 6. Jeremy Scheidt took second place by drawing with Hans in the final round. Jeremy also had the biggest ratings increase of the tournament – 50 points – with a win and a draw against two players rated more than 200 points above him! Daniel Cunningham and Luis Aragon tied for the under 1600 prize, with a total of two points each

Eleven chess enthusiasts played in this year’s event – a small turnout, but a well-fought contest nonetheless. Welcome to the three new members from New York and Pennsylvania who joined the club during this tournament – Jack Phelps, Matt Phelps and Matt O’Brien. May they have many exciting chess games in Cincinnati going forward!

Both Hans and Jeremy were undefeated going into their final game with each other (Hans with three wins, and Jeremy with two wins and a half-point bye). This game would decide the championship. They began with an unusual variation of the Reti Opening (1.Nf6). Hans sacrificed a Bishop for a couple of pawns and the attack, which Jeremy survived. Hans Queened a pawn first, but with Jeremy’s pawn one square from Queening, and less than a minute on his clock, Hans went for the draw by perpetual check. An excellent and worthy nail biter to decide the 2013 Cincinnati Chess Club Champion!

-Jeff Davis