Taken for a Facebook post by Spokane Chess Club.
“INLAND EMPIRE OPEN — THREE’S A CROWD!!
This year’s installment of the Inland Empire Open ended up with the top three seeds sharing first place and claiming the prizes for first, second, and third. Michael Cambareri, Michael Murray and Pavlo Zaborskyy all scored 4.0 to top the 28 player field. Five players had finished the first day’s action on top of the leader board. The only two perfect scores to play in the third round — top seed Michael Cambareri and Gordon Higbie — fought late into the night before drawing the day’s final game. They were joined at 2.5 by Mark Anderson, Garrett Casey, and Michael Murray, all of whom took third round byes. The fourth round saw Cambareri topple Anderson and Murray defeat Higbie, while Zaborskyy stopped Garrett Casey. Zaborskyy won his final game and then everyone watched while Cambareri and Murray fight four hours before drawing when Michael, with one second left, lost his pawn advantage in the time scramble.
The class A prize was won by Brad Bodie (3.5), while Gordon Higbie was second at 3.0. Mark Anderson took first in class B with another 3.5 score, while Garrett Casey took second at 3.0. Class C saw a tie between Nick Martonick and Tito Tinajero, both with scores of 3.0. First in class D went to Jim Burney with 2.5, while 2.0 scores gave second place to Arlene Bodie, Jim Waugh, and Ron Weyland. Ron also claimed the biggest upset with a victory in the first round over an opponent rated 477 points higher.
The Inland Empire Open is Spokane’s oldest tourney. It was first played in 1954.”
Another facebook post about the event, this by Mike Murray
“49 years ago, I was involved in a 3 way tie for First in the 1967 Inland Empire Open, after I missed a winning move in the last round and only drew. This year, i was again involved in a 3 way tie for First, after my last round opponent missed a win (which would have given him outright First) against ME. Is this Karma or what?”
CLICK HERE for link to the xtable.