Awards Night Celebration

The Community Chess Club of Rochester New York celebrated awards night on November 20th, 2024 at the Rochester Chess Center for the 1st Matt Parry Memorial Club Championship.  Our club's vice president Jamshed Ahmed presented the awards. Here are some photos from awards night. Congratulations to all winners and thanks to all chess players who participated. 

Front Left to Right: Matthew Sherman, James Hiltunen, Karlo Lizarraga
Back Left to Right: Brendan Merna, Richard Weise, Petro Chomik

1st Place Champion James Hiltunen

Jamshed Ahmed and James Hiltunen (1st Place)

Jamshed Ahmed and Karlo Lizarraga (2nd Place)

Jamshed Ahmed and Matthew Sherman (4th Place)

Jamshed Ahmed and Brendan Merna (U1600 Winner)

Jamshed Ahmed and Richard Weise (U1400 Winner)

Jamshed Ahmed and Petro Chomik (U1100 Winner)

Jamshed Ahmed and Joe Sarratori
Joe received a special award for being the Strongest Chess Player in the tournament!

James Hiltunen wins 1st Matt Parry Memorial Club Championship 2024

From back to front & Left to Right: Hiltunen vs Tipiani, Carr Jr vs Lizarraga, Liu vs Esterman

Congratulations To James Hiltunen who is 

Rochester New York's new Chess Champion!

The fourth and final round of the 1st Matt Parry Memorial Club Championship took place Wednesday night at the Rochester Chess Center on October 30th, 2024.  On the top board, James Hiltunen (USCF rating 2146) won his game against Marco Tipiani (USCF rating 1839) in a close game to become the new club champion.  James Hiltunen finished with a 3.5 score out of 4.0 in four rounds and won the tournament by tie-breaks.  With that win, James became the 2024 club champion. The tournament was played over 4 Wednesdays in October (9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th).

The awards ceremony will be held at the Rochester Chess Center at 7:30pm on Nov. 20th where cake and soft drinks will be served, and prizes will be awarded.  Regular G/80d5 games will follow the awards ceremony.  The chief TD was Ken McBride, with assistant TD Mike Lionti.  We look forward to next year's annual CCCR chess simultaneous when James Hiltunen will lead the chess simultaneous event.  Congratulations to James Hiltunen on becoming the new club champion.  Also, congratulations to all our other prize winners. 

1st Place: James Hiltunen

2nd Place: Karlo Lizarraga

3rd Place: Marco Tipiani

4th Place: Matthew Sherman

Top Under 2000: Wilson Liu

Top Under 1600: Brendan Merna

Top Under 1400: Richard Weise

Top Under 1100: Petro Chomik

Rochester New York's 

Community Chess Club Championship Hall of Fame: 

Toby Rizzo (2023), Matt Slomski and Ryan Beh (2022), David Phelps (2021-2020), Lev Paciorkowski (2019-2016), Clif Kharroubi (2015), Webster Kehoe (2014), Abraham Glasser (2013-2012), Doug Spencer (2011), Don Stubblebine (2010), Isay Golyak (2009, 2006-2005, 2000-1999), Igor Nikolayev (2003-2001), Matt Parry (2008), Craig LaSalle (2007), Andrey Kozitsky (2004), Jim Clague (1998) and Mike Winans (1997). 

Photos from the 1st Matt Parry Memorial Tournament:

David Carr analyzing his game with Karlo Lizarraga

John Strazzabosco (left) and
Joe Sarratori (aka the STRONGEST chess player in Rochester!)

Join us for the awards ceremony at the Rochester Chess Center 

at 7:30pm on Nov. 20th, 2024.