Bapst scholar state chess champ

Sean O’Brien, a senior at John Bapst Memorial High School, won the high school title in the Maine Scholastic Chess Championships on Saturday in Bangor.

Kevin Townsend of Orono and Nick Ciomei of Deer Isle-Stonington were co-champions on the junior high level, and home-schooled James Ouellette of Sidney was the elementary school champion.

More than 70 youngsters took part in the state invitational tournament at John Bapst, one of three events sponsored each March by the Maine Association of Chess Coaches.

Seeded in the middle of the roster of 34 competitors for the high school trophy, O’Brien would seem to be a surprise winner.

But the seedings are based on U.S. Chess Federation ratings, which don’t include the most recent competitions, explained Coach Mike Schaab.

“Sean has been playing well recently,” Schaab said. In fact, the student was the only player to win all four of his games Saturday.

O’Brien, who will attend the University of Maine next year, was exuberant about his victory, but no more so than Schaab.

“Awesome,” said the coach as he gave O’Brien a congratulatory hug.

Nick Ciomei and Kevin Townsend each earned three wins and a draw – the latter a lengthy game against each other – to tie for the junior high title. Both have played in the scholastic tournaments for several years, and Ciomei tied for third last year.

Also experienced is elementary winner James Ouellette, the Sidney boy who is home-schooled. He had three wins and a draw.

Tied for runner-up on the elementary level with three wins were five pupils: Cullen Edes, Julianna Alex and Henry Chai, Stillwater Montessori School; and Bryant Ciomei and Jon Eaton, Deer Isle-Stonington.

In the junior high category, three players tied for second place with three wins – Joe Lawlor and Stu Gramlich, Holbrook School, Holden; and Jared Littlefield, Williams Middle School.

Among high-schoolers, Isaak Marnik of Mount Desert Island High School took second place with three wins and a draw.

Tied for third, with three wins, were five players: Joseph Caldwell, Mount Ararat, Topsham; Joseph St. Pierre, Katahdin; Nathan Gates, Old Town; and Rick Spearen and Corey Solinger, John Bapst.

The tournament began at 10 a.m. Saturday, and didn’t conclude until nearly 7 p.m.

The state scholastic chess season is over, but some of the players will go on to the national competition at the end of this month in Kansas City.

Schaab was the tournament organizer and Steve Wong was the tournament director.