The Chess Simultaneous with Bodhi Blaska
This chess simultaneous was held at the Rochester Chess Center on July 30th, 2026, beginning at 6:45pm. The last game finished at 11:45pm. Thirteen players played the black chess pieces against our Community Chess Club of Rochester (CCCR) club co-champion, Bodhi Blaska, commanding a strong USCF rating of 1980. The final result for Bodhi was 8 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses. The simultaneous event is held annually, and the club champion (or co-champions) traditionally takes the role to play all of the opponents at the same time. Marco Tipiani, who is also co-champion, was unable to participate because he has moved to Texas.
The evening started out with a pre-event dinner at 5:30pm. The club provided pizza, snacks and beverages for all of the players and spectators. At 6:30pm, the players and spectators moved to the main playing room for a questions & answers session to review the simul rules and etiquette. Promptly at 6:45pm, the simul started and Bodhi began his rounds of tables set up with chess boards. Bodhi played the white pieces on all the boards, which is tradition. By 9pm, no games were finished. After 9pm Bodhi won his first game against Jacob Snell. Over the next hour a win by Adam Synder and David Phelps was scored. Then after 11pm, draws by Deyan Mihaylov, Jim Attaya and John Manning were scored. By the end of the event at 11:45pm, the final game was drawn with John Manning. As Manning's game was the last game, a time delay clock was introduced.
In the final tally, Bodhi was defeated only by Adam Snyder and David Phelps, earning draws against Deyan Mihaylov, Jim Attaya, and John Manning.
During the 4 1/2-hour chess simultaneous Bodhi took no breaks, except to restock his beverage and have some snacks while playing. Only during the final game did Bodhi take a seat to finish his game with John Manning.
Bodhi is currently attending Monroe Community College and is majoring in Business Administration. We all are grateful to Bodhi for providing all of us with a great evening of chess. We will celebrate the results on Wednesday night, August 5th at 7:30pm with a cake and other treats along with the awards ceremony.
Bodhi shakes hands with Bill Pollifrone
at the start of the chess simultaneous.
Bodhi makes his move against Matt Sherman.
Bodhi studies the chess position in his game with Chris Floro.
former CCCR Champion David Phelps
Joe Sarratori (AKA the Strongest Chess Player) lasted
until the very end until eventually resigning to the Bodhi.
Bodhi agreed to a draw with Jim Attaya after a fantastic game.
was introduced for the final game.
Bodhi found he could hold the position so no progress could be made.
Both players agreed to a draw for the final game of the night at 11:45pm.
Participants & Results
Who is this masked man?
😆 The chess‑playing gorilla strikes again!
