by Jeff Roland

Caleb Abernathy, 16 years old, won the title of Idaho State Chess Champion over President's Weekend in Twin Falls at the 2011 Idaho Closed by outscoring everyone with a score of 5 points. Larry Parsons and Jeff Baggett tied for 2nd-3rd place with 4½ points each.

Twenty-eight players competed in the tournament (the 65th Annual event for the Idaho State Chess Champinship title which started in 1947), including 16-time Idaho Champion, Larry Parsons, 10-time Idaho Champion Glen Buckendorf, and 1995 Idaho Champion, John Carr. The tournament was one of the toughest ever, owing not because of ratings, but because of high quality play by so many of the players. Out of the 28 participants, 8 were Juniors, 8 were Seniors, and 12 were neither Junior nor Senior. 3 players were Women.

The tournament was directed by ICA President, Jay Simonson, and assisted by Barry Eacker. Jeff Roland provided some additional gratuitous assistance to Jay Simonson as well.

The Annual business meeting took place on Sunday morning. Election Results: Jay Simonson was re-elected President, Kevin Patterson was elected Vice President, Adam Porth was re-elected Secretary/Treasurer. Angie Abderhalden was elected as Trustee for Scholastic Developmet to fill the position vacated by the death of Dick Vandenburg who passed away on November 7, 2010. Hugh Myers was elected to the position of Trustee for Tournament Organization (since Kevin Patterson will need to resign his Trustee position on March 30 to become Vice President). The rest of the ICA Board, not up for election this year are Barry Eacker, Trustee for Tournament Organization and Jeff Roland, Trustee for Web Development and Maintenance. Jeff Roland will remain Acting Idaho Scholastic Director and Chairman of the ICA Scholastic Committee (appointed by Jay Simonson on December 3, 2010) until March 30, 2011.