Lakdawala Championship Series
Round 4 Report played on March 18, 2009
by Rick Aeria with special thanks to TD Chuck Ensey for supplying complete results
The Lakdawala Championship Series is actually a combination of different tournaments that are thaking place concurrently at the San Diego Chess Club that started .
In the Men's Finals, Masters Bruce Baker and Todd Smith have put a little separation from the pack after four rounds with 3 1/2-1/2 each and will face each other in round five on March 25th 2009. Bruce is playing his best chess ever! Todd has always been the eternal contender and this encounter will be one for the ages!
Just half a point away is John Funderburg, the Thunderbird with 3-1! John who looks like Sylar from the popular TV sci-fi series Heroes...well at least Sylar's 'good twin', nearly missed the event as he was the unlucky 13th qualifier with 5-2 from the Markowski qualifier. Only IM Felix Villarreal's withdrawal allowed John into the finals and he is at it again! Playing with steroidal fueled frenzy in this event like he has in years past. Check his game out against Wagner!
Trailing a full point below at 2 1/2-1 1/2 are masters David Hart and Ron Bruno, who is the defending champion - never count Ron out until the fat lady sings - along with Filipino expert Raoul Crisologo.. Former tournament leader , Dr. Carl Wagner suffered two successive defeats and now lanquishes in the middle of the pack with county champion Peter Graves at 2-2. Peter was one of the early favorites but perhaps the late hours and long commute is taking its toll on this excellent master!
In the Women's Finals, Mayra Murra shares the lead with Maria Elena Villarreal with 3-1 after defeating tournament leader Monica Ness. The situation is volatile with the lead changing hands with every round. Maria Elena Villarreal held the sole lead with 2-0 after the first two rounds but a loss to Monica Ness in round three gave the Monica the lead but Monica relinquished it in round four to Mayra.
in the Reserve Finals, William Wijaya will face off with Larry Vikander at 3 1/2-1/2 to determine the course of this heated battle. Donald Klaas at 3-1 is in sole third place. This honor of Reserve champion is contested even more hotly than the overall club championship, so it seems, with emotions running high amongst the contestants. We will be paying close attention to this race.