NEWS – PRESS RELEASE
For immediate publication!!!
The Western Massachusetts Chess Association is please to announce it’s sponsorship of a very important chess event: the 1st annual Eli L. Bourdon Memorial (2007 is the centennial anniversary of the pioneer teacher and legendary promoter/organizer) on Saturday, September 8, 2007.
The tournament, a three round event, will be rated by the United States Chess Federation, and will be held in the city that Bourdon resided in, at the historical Holyoke Public Library on 335 Maple Street.
Eli Bourdon, former president of the W. Massachusetts Chess Association helped to bring rated events to western Massachusetts in the early 1950’s and served as a USCF regional vice president in the early 1960’s. Bourdon (who was rated as an expert ) was a top contender in Massachusetts, winning the title of W.MA/CT Valley champion in 1949, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1965 and 1970.
Born in Claremont NH, a graduate of the N.E. Conservatory of Music with a master’s degree in music and public school education, he was the music supervisor in Marlboro and then Easthampton for ten years. He was a member of the Easthampton School Committee, before moving to Holyoke in 1951, where he founded the Brown Roofing and Siding Company, where was active until a few months prior to his death. His love of teaching music to young students, including the playing of several musical instruments, translated into the teaching of chess to students of all ages. He taught at the YMCA clubs in the area and even on weekends in his home. Eli was a beloved personality, strongly supporting the chess clubs in the western MA area including Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton, Greenfield, Westfield, Pittsfield, Chicopee and Hartford, CT.
The Western Massachusetts Chess Association, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1946, has promoted chess and supported chess clubs and players who reside in the western half of the state for nearly three-quarters of a century. WMCA has worked closely with Maria Pagan, the director of the Holyoke Public Library, to organize what should be an historic annual event, with confirmed pre-registered contestants from all over New England and New York. There will be a display and remembrance for Mr. Bourdon, with scheduled speakers who will share memories of the late promoter as well as an early history of organized chess in western Massachusetts. The tournament will begin at 9:30 AM on Saturday, September 8th and is expected to run into the early evening.
A total prize fund of $450 is being offered with cash prizes available for first and second place finishers, as well as various rating class prizes as well. Additional information can be found on the Western Massachusetts Chess web site at: www.wmass-chess.us, or by contacting Edward Kostreba, WMCA treasurer at 413-967-7984.
Eli Bourdon Memorial Chess Tournamentcelebrating the 100th anniversary of his birth, in the city of his birth!!
Sponsored by the Western Massachusetts Chess Association
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th, 2007
HOLYOKE PUBLIC LIBRARY, Community Room
335 Maple Street
Holyoke, MA
Just 2 miles from Route 91 exit 16
Parking is available behind the library off of Chestnut Street
PRIZE FUND: $450 That’s 75% of the mailed entry fee rate. Entries paying the SPECIAL ENTRY FEE are not included in the b/30. A half-off fee counts as half an entry.
FORMAT: 3SS, Game/90, U.S.C.F. Rated. U.S.C.F. membership is required.
BYES: Limit of one 1/2-point bye, available for any round, specified with entry.
AT SITE REGISTRATION: 8:30am – 9:15am
ROUND TIMES: 9:30am, 1:00pm, and 4:15pm
SECTIONS//PRIZES:OPEN // 1st $120, 2nd $80U1800 // 1st $80, 2nd $60U1400 // 1st $60, 2nd $50
ADVANCE ENTRY FEE: $22, Postmarked by September 4th.
SPECIAL ENTRY FEES: Titled Masters of any kind, and New and unrated players, $5 postmarked by September 4th. New and unrated players must play in U1400 Section, and are not eligible for prizes.
W.M.C.A. MEMBER DISCOUNTS: Adults, $2 off. Youth (under age 18), half-off.
ALL AT DOOR ENTRIES: Add a $5 late registration fee.
U. S. Chess Federation (MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED)
Western Massachusetts Chess Association (MEMBERSHIP NOT REQUIRED): Membership dues – Adults $10, Students $5.
Mail check, payable to W.M.C.A., and entry form to:
Edward Kostreba
P.O. Box 1372
Ware, MA 01082-5372 Any questions? Call Ed at 413-967-7984 or e-mail: cadcamsv@bellatlantic.net
WMCA website: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/WesternMassachusettsChessAssociation
What a nice event. I hope you guys have tons of people.
Wow, there’s a name from my chess past. I went to a girl’s prep school in Greenfield, MA back in the early 70s. I played my first rated event at the 1972 U Mass Open. Through out my senior year in high school I played in a number of events in Amherst and, Springfield. I continued to come down from Vermont during my freshman year at UVM in the fall of 1973.
I remember Eli from many of those tournaments. I have fond memories from my early years in chess, and enjoyed the chess scene in Western Mass.
I’m sorry I can’t make this year’s event. It would have been nice to see if any of my chess friends from those days are still around.