Final Results of Jim Morrison GAYP National

[rich beckwith]

Jim Morrison wins by an honor point decision over Joe Schwartz and Richard Beckwith (each winning $1933). Albert Tucker edges Josh Armstrong for the majors by honor points. Willis Shewcraft won the minors. Wilma Wolverton won the ladies title by one point.
I calculated honor points for trophy positions, but not for the lower position yet. Minors played a round-robin, so there are no tie-breaks there.

Jim Morrison – 34 (356)
Joe Schwartz -34 (349)
Richard Beckwith – 34 (314)
Richard Hallett - 33
Jack Francis - 31
John Webster – 30
Larry Keen - 29
Anthony Bishop - 28
Earl Morrison - 27
Tim Laverty - 27
Carl Reno - 25
Alan Millhone - 24
John Acker – 17
Larry Pollard -17
Ron Bailey – 13

Majors

A. Tucker 36 (345)
Armstrong 36 (339)
Gerhauser 35
Teal Stanley 31
O'Grady 31
Shultz 28
Estes 27
Hedrick 26
Mays & Harvell 25
A. Weaver & McClintock 24
Powell, Christian & McClard 21
Hickman 15
D. Ramsey withdrew after 9 rounds with 16 pts.

Minors

Shewcraft 40
Holder 34
Buck Smith & McCracken 33
Helterbrand, Shelly, & JR Smith 30
Wolverton 26
Willis 25
Hughes 24
Atkins 18
Trey Stanley 16
Bill Stanley 11
Mohr 2 (withdrew)

I do note the prize distribution is very top-heavy towards the Masters Top 5 places. The bid amount was very low this year unfortunately. (This is not a complaint at all to the fine Tennessee folks -- without them we may not have had a National!) Derek Oldbury specifically left a fund for the top places in the Masters. We currently do not have such a fund to promote Majors and Minors. The overall purse was $9000

[tommyc]

Well done Jim Morrison and congratulations ,my predictions came out on the right side if only on honor pts .well done to Joe Swartz and Rich B IN SUCH A RIGHT OCTAVE AND CLOSE CONTEST TO FINISH ON THE SAME 34 PTS SCORE ALSO .

My hope for Wade Holder(2nd)minors and Jimmy O Grady seniors (4th) proved a good weeks work too and congrats to all prize winners.

The discussion of players in "grey "areas is difficult and its a problem from the smallest Ty to the biggest ,personally i have always favored some sort of HANDICAP SOLUTION for such players ........ie for players who play above themselves a PLUS handicap score (im not on favor of thiis practise) and for those forced down or by theIr own initation a MINUS handicap score.You will find there are always players who enter ths GREY area and i could never see any other fairer and practical way out of it.Its most important people play at their own level .

[Ingo_Zachos]

Congratulation to Jim Morrison.
He proved impressive that this was indeed his tournament.

Also congratullations to Joe Schwartz and Richard Beckwith,as they were equally good, but edged out only due to the weakness of their own opponents.

Congratulations to Albert Tucker and Josh Armstrong for theit major titles amd Willis Scewcraft for his minor victory.
Las but not least congratulations to Wilma Wolverton who had a successful trining for the QT in September.

Greetinx from old Europe,

Ingo Zachos

[Eric Strange]

congratulations to all the leaders. Jim you did an excellent job winning masters. That is quite an accomplishment, you must be thrilled. It wasn't much of a surprise but good job winning majors Albert. Josh I am very proud of you man. You did a really great job and although you didn't win, you tied with a master GAYP player. I think if me and Jolt spent 1 more day preparing you for this you would have won it. Congrats to the minors winner also, If you come play at kurnik you will be a master by next year. Good close tournament guys. I hope you can all make it to district nine once it's announced.

-Eric Strange

[Michael Holmes]

WOW!! Great job Jim! and Albert!

Josh, looks like you have proven yourself to be one of the strongest young players since my friend Clayton Nash came along. This means my son Alex may have to wait a few years to win the adult youth tournament. However, this will just toughen him up.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Jim Morrison. For me no surprises at all. It was his time and his tournament, he stayed in leading group from beginning to the end of event and only names of his competitors were changed. I am very glad to see that he is fully ready now to participate in the upcoming QT in Englad and compete with best GAYP World players. I am very confident that Jim is good enough giving more shot to Ron King for title. Congratulations, Jim !

Joe Swartz. That was a pleasant surprize to be honest. Joe didn't play much in Master Division 5-10 years ago and some people even convince him in sandbagging. However, when he came to arena and started to compete seriously with Masters, he just proved easy and graciously, that no jokes about his level and abilities. His eceptional performance in International Match in Las Vegas in 2006 and other events was additional prove. I think more serious and intensive communications, work and preparation with Richard Hallet also helped him to improve his level. Joe is in his own class and even in his age his progress not stopped yet. I am positive that this fantastic success not a last one and we'll here more about him in the nearest future. Joe - way to go !

Dr. Richard Beckwith. Richard already reached a level when we can say that any other place rather than 1st is not a perfect end. I would like to point your attention to one more important fact - along wih playing in this tournament, he also performed a very hard duties of helping referee. This is an amazing fact. Ususally I, personally, am very tired during the tournament and just take rest, sleep and/or couple beers after the game. Not Richard ! His enthusiasm and psychological strength and spirit are very solid. Richard, I wish you good luck in England, you are ready and well prepared. Richard, time for action !

Richard Hallet. Old bulldog (!!!) who has a metal teeth and can eat everyone easy ! He is the only live man today who has a positive balance score on me in 3-moves. He hates GAYP but it doesn't stop him to be always on top in any tournament and be a danger opponent for everyone in the World. His luck in this tournament was limited and also, I beleive, all his opponents just tried to secure a draw without taking (and giving) any chances. I suggested his win in this ty, but my predictions were based on luck which he didn't have this year. He was a danger opponent for Derek Oldbury in 1991 and he remains to be one of top 3 strong players in the World today. Mr. Hallet - it's never late !

Jack Francis. Any congratulations to him would be insult because he fought for the 1st place. In this tournament Jack just proved again that his level is high enough to secure a 5th place in such high calibre event when he is not in his best form. And when he is in his best form - he fights for medal. One of Jack major problems is - he is over, super ambitious and always beleive that he is best player in the World. Jack, I wish you some day your ambitious and dreams become a reality !

Albert Tucker. He is a man in his class ! I learned checkers from him and other greatest players in Internet starting 1997. He is very good GAYP player, certainly Master level and well above of average player. He graciously proved that he is good enough to compete against young aggressive players in Major Division and give them a hard time. Albert, congratulations and good luck in Master Division next year !

Josh Armstrong. I am very jelious, because he doesn't have anything behind and everything is still ahead for him and future looks bright ! I think Josh became very close to Clint Olsen record who also won his first Major Division in 2000 (Clint had a clear victory without tie). Fantastic success of Division debutant and I can't wait to see his performance in Master Division. Josh, nothing impossible !

Wilma Wolverton.My hot congtulations to Wilma for winning very respectable title and prove again her level. Wilma, well done !

Kim Wills. She was a referee of tournament and also played in tournament. It's not an easy task to do two things at the same time - command mans and command pieces on the board ! It looks like it was a bit easy easy to operate mans and humans. You are my hero and you are a man !!! (ohh ... should I say - you are a Woman ?!) Dear Kim, many thanks for your service, enthusiam, and efforts !

Alan Millhone. I am very proud for being a friend of this gentlemen. Some people challenge his abilities to play in Master Division but he very solidly confirmed that he belongs here. His level is slowly turning from "average amateur" to "average Master" ! Alan, many thanks for your service and good luck to you in all your initiatives - as ACF President and as checkers player.

Organisers. I already wrote earlier in other post on this forum - it was a Gene Lindsay and Frank/Mary Davis dream to run National in TN and it became a reality ! Many thanks to them for this bid and everyone else who worked hard to bring it to success. I wasn't there but from everything I read and heard so far - it was tremendous, obvious success ! I wish you folks to make a similar or better TN bid next year for the upcoming 3-moves National and name it in memory of Gene Lindsay. Gene Fund maybe a good source for such bid.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Actually, Alex (and everyone), as I announced at the tournament I'm organizing a bid to have next year's tournament in Springfield, IL, home of (and in memory of) the late Richard Fortman.

Oh-h-h I didn't know this. We wanted to run National in the middle of West for long time. Good deal and you have my full support of this. If there is anything I can do - let me know. Mr. Fortman well deserved to have National in his home town and name in his honor.

Alex

[kiwinurse]

Congrats to all, and particular congratulations to Wilma,in her hard fought battle.Well done Wilma,and Kim good job in running it, regards jan

[JR Smith]

I don't know how your computer by Swiss Perfect works or who made the mistake but at the end of the 12th round Shewcraft had 37 and drew a 3 point bye in the 13th round making him 40.
Buck Smith had 30 and beat Gayle Helterbrand 2 games giving him 34
Wade Holder and JR Smith both had 32 each and Wade played Trey Stanley and drew giving him 34
Perry McCracken had 30 and beat JR Smith a game and drew the other giving him and JR Smith each 33.
The final standing on these 5 top playes should be:

1 Willis Shewcraft 40
2-3 Buck Smith & Wade Holder 34
4-5 JR Smith & Perry McCracken 33