July Blitz Tonight Could Decide Our Team

Good morning chess players, we’re back for another night of games.

Last week, Bushwick Chess saw the first time tournament entry of one of if not the New York’s most renowned chess boxer FM William Graif at the Club Rapid Tournament. This week, we train our speed chess skills for the monthly seven round Club Blitz which features the same time control of the annual NYCR Olympiad set for September 26th. With only a handful of tournaments left before the event the club is grinding to decide who will play for the team this year.

Reminder! Tonight is the monthly Club Blitz Tournament at Nook! Join us 7pm for seven rounds of 5|2 blitz Swiss, $20 with prizes for all skill levels.

We’re sending out our first round of invitations this week for the Fourth Annual NYCR Chess Club Olympiad to all previous teams from 2023-25, along with opening the door to a host of newcomer clubs. If you would like to hear more information or want your club invited, please email bushwickchess@gmail.com for more information.

» 2024 NYCR Chess Club Olympiad

» 2025 NYCR Chess Club Olympiad

The Regular Crowd Shuffles In

At the July Club Blitz, 28 players across two sections faced off against one another for glory amongst peers. The Open Section averaged 1883 NYCR among the 15 players with three strong newcomers, while the u1600 section saw 13 players averaging 1385 NYCR with three newcomers.

2214 rated FM William Graif joined the fray for the first time in a locally rated event, and faced 2387 rated FM Juan Pereyra in the third round with both players on a perfect 3/3. In a tense back and forth game, the two masters fought out a long, challenging endgame but FM Graif flagged in a dead drawn position.

After two more wins in round four and five against fellow clubmates, FM Juan Pereyra finished the night as Top Player with a score of 5/5, putting the to-beat player at the club at an astonishing 2410 NYCR. Second place went to Jack Nugent after a huge upset against Graif in the final round, finishing 4/5 and gaining 48 rating to hit 1898 NYCR. Najee-Ana Walthrust took third place on 3.5/5, gaining 33 rating finishing 1881 NYCR.

U2000 went to 1857 rated Atharva Washimkar on 3.5/5, gaining 19 rating. U1800 went to 1773 rated and newlywed Nick Marino, finishing 3/5 and gaining exactly zero rating. Top Unrated went to newcomer Nare Khachatryan who bested some serious talent to finish 3/5, ending the night rated 1996 NYCR!

The u1600 event saw sharp play too, with u1600 first place going to 1392 rated Jeffery Ho on 4/5, finishing the event rated 1443. u1600 second place went to Brooks Harris on 4/5, ending rated 1374. u1600 third place went to Justin Choi on 3.5/5, finishing rated 1543 NYCR.

And that’s it for this week chess players! Join us tonight for more chess and be sure to check our socials HERE. Much love chess players, see you over the board soon. You can find your updated NYC Rating HERE.