Upsets Shake Up Matt Parry Memorial Club Championship Heading into Final Round

Wilson Liu (Left, Black pieces) vs Henry Swing

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 21, 2026 – The race for the title tightened considerably Wednesday night as several lower-rated players scored notable upsets in Round 3 of the 2026 Matt Parry Memorial CCCR Club Championship at the Rochester Chess Center, creating a wide-open battle entering the fourth and final round.

Following the awarding of the evening's door prizes, attention turned to the chessboards as competitors prepared for what many viewed as a pivotal round in the championship. With several contenders vying for position near the top of the standings, Tournament Director Ken McBride asked that the chess clocks be started and Round 3 was officially underway at the Rochester Chess Center.

The biggest surprise of the evening came on Board 1, where Wilson Liu (1918) knocked off top seed Henry Swing (2055). The victory vaulted Liu into contention for the championship and denied Swing an opportunity to take sole possession of first place.  post.

Another upset occurred on Board 11, where Nathan Pedersen (1345) defeated Matthew Sherman (1357) despite being the lower-rated player. While modest in rating difference, the result kept Pedersen in the hunt and earned him a favorable final-round pairing.

Elsewhere, the higher-rated players generally held serve. David Carr Jr. (1971) defeated Thomas Weaver (1805), while Jacob Snell (2032) overcame Nicholas Secours (1634). Rolando Scrubb (1797) continued his strong tournament by defeating David B. Carr (1543), joining the crowded group of players with two points.

Among the lower boards, Deyan Mihaylov (1610) defeated Joseph Sarratori (927) and John Strazzabosco (1400) scored against Anastasia Gore (772). Eric Luce (1850), Adam Snyder (1675), and James Attaya (1500) also collected important victories.

After three rounds, no player has emerged as a runaway leader, setting up several critical encounters in the championship-deciding fourth round.

Round 3 Results

Board 1: Wilson Liu (1918) defeated Henry Swing (2055)
Board 2: David Carr Jr. (1971) defeated Thomas Weaver (1805)
Board 3: Wesley Ross (1770) defeated Nathan McKay (1734)
Board 4: Jacob Snell (2032) defeated Nicholas Secours (1634)
Board 5: Eric Luce (1850) defeated Bill Pollifrone (1600)
Board 6: Rolando Scrubb (1797) defeated David B. Carr (1543)
Board 7: Adam Snyder (1675) defeated Michael Lionti (1423)
Board 8: James Attaya (1500) defeated Chris Floro (1316)
Board 9: Deyan Mihaylov (1610) defeated Joseph Sarratori (927)
Board 10: John Strazzabosco (1400) defeated Anastasia Gore (772)
Board 11: Nathan Pedersen (1345) defeated Matthew Sherman (1357)

Final Round Pairings

Several games in Round 4 will have direct implications for the championship.

Board 1: Wilson Liu (1918) vs. David Carr Jr. (1971)
One of the tournament's most important contests will be played on Board 1, where co-leader David Carr Jr., sporting a perfect 3-0 score, takes on Wilson Liu, coming off the tournament's biggest upset of the event. Liu will look to continue his momentum against a player who has yet to drop a point in the championship.

Board 2: Henry Swing (2055) vs. Wesley Ross (1770)
Ross enters the final round with a perfect score of three points and controls his own destiny in the championship race. Swing, despite suffering a surprising setback in Round 3, remains one of the tournament's strongest players and will be looking to play spoiler while keeping any remaining title hopes alive. Despite his upset loss, Swing remains dangerous and may still have title hopes if results elsewhere break his way. 

Board 3: Rolando Scrubb (1797) vs. Jacob Snell (2032)
Scrubb has been one of the tournament's biggest success stories and now faces one of the event favorites.

Board 4: Eric Luce (1850) vs. Adam Snyder (1675)
A strong performance by either player could result in a high overall finish.

Other final-round pairings:

• Thomas Weaver (1805) vs. James Attaya (1500)
• Nathan McKay (1734) vs. David B. Phelps (1931)
• Deyan Mihaylov (1610) vs. Nicholas Secours (1634)
• Nathan Pedersen (1345) vs. Bill Pollifrone (1600)
• Dakaylah Winfield (1467) vs. Michael Lionti (1423)
• John Strazzabosco (1400) vs. Chris Floro (1316)
• Joseph Sarratori (927) vs. Matthew Sherman (1357)
• Anastasia Gore (772) receives a pairing with a house player

As the championship enters its final round, the standings remain closely contested. Liu's upset of the top seed was the headline result of Round 3, but with several players clustered near the top, the 2026 Matt Parry Memorial CCCR Club Championship appears destined for a dramatic finish.

Front to Back & From Left to right: 
Wesley Ross vs Nathan McKay
TJ Weaver (not pictured) vs David Carr Jr
Wilson Liu vs Henry Swing

Front to Back & From Left to right: 
Bill Pollifrone vs Eric Luce
Nick Secours vs Jacob Snell

Deyan Mihaylov vs Joe Sarratori

Jima Attaya vs Chris Floro

                              Round 3 Results:

                                                 

                Round 4 "Preliminary Pairings"

                                Wall Chart:

Round 2 Delivers Upsets and Black-Side Successes

The second round of the Community Chess Club of Rochester's club championship was held Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Rochester Chess Center, featured several notable upsets and an exceptional showing by the Black pieces. While top seed Henry Swing continued his march through the field with a win over Eric Luce, lower-rated players Thomas Weaver, Wesley Ross and Mike Lionti scored impressive victories against opponents rated more than 150 points higher. In a rare occurrence, Black won eight of the twelve games played, turning conventional wisdom about White's first-move advantage on its head.

The biggest upset came on Board 2 where TJ Weaver (1805) defeated Jacob Snell (2032) with the black pieces, overcoming a rating deficit of more than 200 points. Another major upset occurred on Board 4 where Wesley Ross (1770) also scored with Black against David Phelps (1931). Another upset occurred on Board 8 where Mike Lionti (1423) defeated the higher-rated Deyan Mihaylov (1610). 

Board 1 saw tournament favorite Henry Swing (2055) continue his strong start, defeating Eric Luce (1850) from the Black side. Higher-rated players generally held serve on most boards, as David Carr Jr., Wilson Liu, Bill Pollifrone, and David Carr all converted their rating advantages into victories.

Black pieces proved to be a powerful weapon throughout the round. Fully eight of the twelve games were won by Black, an unusually high percentage and a reversal of the traditional first-move advantage enjoyed by White. Several of those Black victories came on the top boards, dramatically reshaping the standings heading into Round 3.

Among the lower boards, Nathan McKay, Nicholas Secours, James Attaya, and Dakaylah Winfield scored important victories to remain in contention. Winfield's win over Anastasia Gore and Attaya's victory over Matthew Sherman ensured that several players remain within striking distance as the tournament enters its second half.

With two rounds now complete in the four-round event, the standings have tightened considerably. The upsets in Round 2 demonstrate once again that ratings provide only a forecast, not a result, and every remaining game could have a major impact on the final standings.

Round 3 promises several key pairings as tournament leaders and upset winners collide in the battle for the championship.                                                    

A big thank you to Eric Luce who provided a complete analysis of his game with Henry Swing on Board 1. 

                                                     Round 2 Results:

                Round 3 "Preliminary Pairings"

                                Wall Chart:

Round 1 Opens 3rd Annual Matt Parry Memorial Club Championship

    

Matt Parry

US Chess Original Life Master

The 3rd Annual Matt Parry Memorial Club Championship got underway Wednesday evening October 7th at the Rochester Chess Center, kicking off what promises to be an exciting four-week battle for the club title. The championship is being contested over four consecutive Wednesdays in October, with one round played each week. Over four rounds, players will battle for the prestigious title of 2026 Community Chess Club of Rochester (CCCR) Champion.

A special moment before the start of play was the attendance of Matt's parents, Neil and Diane Parry, who joined players and club members for the opening ceremony of the memorial tournament honoring their son.

A strong field of 25 players entered the event, ranging from experienced experts to improving club competitors. After the opening round, the field has naturally split into score groups, setting up several intriguing encounters for Round 2.

The top board will feature a clash between two of the tournament favorites as US Chess Expert Henry Swing (2055) takes on Eric Luce (1850). Other key matchups among the leaders include US Chess Expert Jacob Snell (2032) against Thomas Weaver (1805), Rolando Scrubb (1797) versus David Carr Jr. (1971), and David Phelps (1931) facing Wesley Ross (1770).

Further down the pairings, Wilson Liu (1918) meets Adam Snyder (1675), while Nathan McKay (1734) takes on Joseph Sarratori (927). Several evenly matched contests are also on tap, including Nicholas Secours (1634) versus Chris Floro (1316) and Deyan Mihaylov (1610) against Michael Lionti (1423).

With three rounds still to play after next week's action, every point will be critical as players seek to remain in contention for the championship. Round 2 is expected to provide a clearer picture of the early favorites, while also giving underdogs an opportunity to make their mark in this year's memorial event.

The Rochester Chess Center hosts Round 2 next Wednesday as competitors continue their pursuit of the 2026 3rd Annual Matt Parry Memorial Club Championship title.

                            Round 1 Results: 

Round 2 Preliminary Pairings:

                                  Wall Chart: