PA State Tourney 2009

Alex_Moiseyev · Post by **Alex_Moiseyev** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:12 am

I never missed this one since 1997 and hopefully - never will. It will be my 13th attempt to fight in this event. I was kicked off from 1st place only twice - by Ed Bruch in 2002 and Ron King in 2005. It is very unfortunate fact that number of attendants is dropping every year. Several years ago we changed schedule from 3 days to two, and number of Divisions also went to one from 2. I remember at the end of 90's when we had more than 20 players from various states, including Lowder, Laverty, Balderson and many others.

Hence, thats all history now. What is not history - Pennsylvania State Tournament today is alive and doing well !

See you there on Saturday, folks !

I plan to leave earlier Satrurday morning and be on time, but if something happened ... just wait for me !

Regards,

Alex Moiseyev
many times winner of PA State Tourney

Alan Millhone · Post by **Alan Millhone** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:07 pm

Hello Mr. Alex:

I am in my room at the hotel and ready to do battle with you tomorrow :=) I have not heard from Mr. Bruch for some time now and wonder about him ?

See you and the other players in the morning. Number of players diminish over time as we do little to attract young players into our fold. This year at our Nationals will be the 5th. annual " Arthur Niederhoffer " youth tournament. Other than that precious little is done to encourage beginners to tackle this most difficult game. In time the Pa. Tourney may have to combine with the Ohio Tourney. I am not intentionally being negative, just stating the truth .

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation

Alex_Moiseyev · Post by **Alex_Moiseyev** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:05 pm

Should I also say that Stanley Cup went to it's home - Piitsburgh !!! Previous time this happened in 1992, just few months after we arrived to USA and went to Pittsburgh. I remember this unforgettable time.

I am also a cautious optimist and beleive that some day OH and PA Checkers State Ty's will have enough sufficient number of players and fans.

Sincerely,

AM

Palomino · Post by **Palomino** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:39 am

I have not heard from Mr. Bruch for some time now and wonder about him ?

This perked my curiosity so I made a call to Mr. Bruch to check and was told that he was on his way to Grove City. I’m sure that he is there by now and is deep in battle with Alan, Alex and the rest.

The following article has been posted the last several years at this time and was inspired by the memories created by the Pennsylvania State Checker Tournament. Copied from the ACF History Section: "Checkers in the News".

"Tournament Fun for Everyone"
For those that have never attended a checker tournament, It is recommend that you do so. One may feel that such events are only for the better players - their names are like everyday household words for many of us - but this perception is entirely untrue. These annual get togethers are really fun for everyone regardless of your level of play. The comradery that is experienced, not only in playing checkers but also through the intermingling with the notables of our game is like taking a walk in checker history. The old-time players are virtual encyclopedias of knowledge. Their stories of the personalities of the game command one's attention, and their play across the board leaves one spellbound in amazement.

Nobody loses in these events, for the memories of the cast of characters that you meet will be treasured more than the winning of any game. What better way to meet a group of nice guys, make a new friend or two, and get to play checkers all at the same time. I hope to see you there soon, so please try to take in the next checker tournament in your area, for "Tournament Fun For Everyone."

kim willis · Post by **kim willis** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:58 pm

Just spoke with Alan he is at the PA Tournament and the attendance of this years PA Ty was 8 players.
After 4rds looks like Alex has 14pts

stay tuned i will post more later.

kim

kim willis · Post by **kim willis** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:25 pm

Here are the results after 4rds

Alex M (ohio) 14pts
Dr.Beckwith (ohio) 10pts
Louis Cowie (ohio) 10pts
John Webster (NC) 9pts
Laverne Wray (PA) 8pts
Alan Millhone (ohio) 7pts
Neil Wienberg (PA) 4pts
Billy Runge (PA) 2pts

More later
kim W

kim willis · Post by **kim willis** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:14 pm

here is the final results of the PA Ty.

Alex M 21pts
Dr.Beckwith 20pts
Louis Cowie 19pts
John Webster 18pts
Laverne Wray 12pts
Alan Millhone 11pts
Neil Wenberg 8pts
Billy Runge 7pts

I would like to Congratulate Alex for winning the PA Ty,And Laverne Wray becoming PA State Champion.
Congrates to you all.

Kim

rich beckwith · Post by **rich beckwith** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:06 pm

I had Runge with 6 pts and Wenberg with 5 points (the 7 and 8 were their placements, not points). Congrats to Alex Moiseyev and newcomer (and new ACF member) Laverne Wray. Near the end of the tournament, Alex (at his own suggestion) played two opponents simultaneously to get all the round-robin games completed within schedule! He needed to win an ending in the last game for sole possession of first place. Ed Bruch visited the tournament and donated $50.

kim willis · Post by **kim willis** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:27 pm

Thank you Dr.B for the correction. Blame Alan lol,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

kim

JR Smith · Post by **JR Smith** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:27 am

Alan Millhone sent these PA Open pictures via BlackBerry by AT&T to my email

http://www.nccheckers.org/NCCA/2009%20P ... 3%20Ty.htm

BillyBoy · Post by **BillyBoy** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:27 am

My God! That was the worse picture I ever had online I look like I have mental problems. Great tournament nice seeing old friends and meeting Webster for the first time. Billy

Jay H · Post by **Jay H** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:00 pm

rich beckwith wrote: Ed Bruch visited the tournament and donated $50.

Richard,
Can you ,or anyone else, tell us what the Dan Frank Fund contribution to the tournament prize was for this (2009)year...?...just curious...

Regards

Jay H

Palomino · Post by **Palomino** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:11 pm

Jay H wrote:
Richard,
Can you ,or anyone else, tell us what the Dan Frank Fund contribution to the tournament prize was for this (2009)year...?...just curious...

Hi Jay,

It's good that you're back.

This year the CD in which the Keystone Checkers Trust funds were invested in paid $195.44 and that amount was added to the PA State Tournament prize fund.

This amount is a good bit less than previous years due to the fall in interest rates and as should be expected next year's earnings will be far less again.

..."Pal" Bucker

Jay H · Post by **Jay H** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:18 am

Palomino wrote:
This year the CD the funds were invested in paid $144.95 and that amount was added to the PA State Tournament prize fund.

..."Pal" Bucker

Thanx.....and tell Mr. Checkers we don't have to get lost in semantics.
Dan Frank left a fund.
Hence..."The Dan Frank Fund"......
As a Pennsylvanian, I will always honor Dan Frank and his contribution to PA Checkers by, at the very least , including his name when mentioning the Fund, and/or it's contribution to the PA State Tourney prize.

Jay H

Palomino · Post by **Palomino** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:07 am

we don't have to get lost in semantics.

I agree with what you said there Jay. I was just trying to clarify. The tone of my post was not what it should have been.
I'll edit it a bit. The Keystone name was chosen I believe to identify it as being for the benefit of Pennsylvania checkers.

It's Hind site now and I think "Mr. Checkers" would agree that it would have been appropriate to have included Mr. Franks name in the title.

Respectfully..."Pal"

The American Checker Federation