Kistler’s Summer Cruise Leads to 3rd Club Championship
On May 15, after two losses in two Watertown Spring tournaments, Dr. David Kistler was tied with Class B rated Robert Kratzat for first place in the Watertown club standings. His rating had dropped below Expert level.
Local players were beginning to dream that a Watertown Chess Club Championship might just be within their grasp. Unfortunately, after spring comes the heat of summer and with it dreams sometimes wither. Thus, it was for the 2012 Chess season. With more than two thirds of the tournament season ahead Dr. Kistler decided enough was enough!
Dr. Kistler began his summer cruise by sweeping the annual June Class Championship and never looked back. He finished out the tournament season with a record of +19-0=1, winning all four tournaments including his 3rd straight Jefferson County Championship. The Kistler summer cruise returned his rating to Expert level at USCF 2035. He even decided to vacation and not play in the annual Quick Fall Tournament, won by Adolfo Prieto 5-0.
Dr. Kistler finished the North Country Tournament season with a record of +30-2=2, in first place a full 3 ½ games ahead of Club Championship Playoff qualifier Adolfo Prieto.
Dr. Kistler finished his summer cruise with his third straight club championship with a swift 2-0 match victory over Mr. Prieto, winning in 30 and 35 moves. The Watertown Chess Club held its annual Invitational Chess Tournament concurrently during the Club Championship Match. Local non-USCF and non-club players are invited each year to play in the four round event. This year saw a three way tie for first with Bob Kratzat of Carthage, Don Klug and Josh Kelsey of Watertown tied with scores of 2 ½-1 ½. Invitee and non-club member Zach Kozatek finished tied for 4th with two wins.
Watertown Chess ClubAdmin
Congratulations to David Kistler! Certainly a worthy champion.