2011 Elaine Howie Fund - Finalist Achievements (Bronze)

Melissa Giblon
GRADE 7, Thornhill, Ontario

School: Henderson Av. P.S.

Melissa Giblon is a grade 7 student from Thornhill, Ontario. During 2011, she attended twelve events in Canada, eleven in which she performed well enough to progress her rating! She represented Canada in the Under 12 Girls section of the World Youth Championship, and had a standout first place finish at the Canadian Youth Chess Championship. In addition to ongoing successes, the Giblon family has been extremely dedicated to chess for many years. Congratulations!

Full list of Melissa's best achievements in 2011:

· Ranked 28th in U14 (CFC 1528) and 21st in Grade 7 (CMA 1453) by the end of the year
· CFC +180, CMA +218
· Participation in the WYCC, U12 Girls
· Rating progress in 11/12 tournaments in 2011
· Participation in various elementary/secondary team tournaments
· 1st place (7.0/7.0), CYCC, U12 Girls, performance rating of 1586 (195 pts. above Melissa’s pre-tournament CFC rating of 1391)
· Tied for 1st place (4.0/5.0), OGCC, Grade 6
· 2nd place (3.5/5.0), OYCC, U12 Girls
· 2nd place (4.0/5.0), York Region Chess Challenge, Grade 6
· Score of 4.5/5.0, Ontario Teams Chess Championship, K-6
· Score of 3.0/4.0, Ontario Teams Chess Championship, K-9
· Performance rating of 1685 (211 pts. above Melissa’s pre-tournament CFC rating of 1474), Toronto Labour Day Open, U2000

Nicolas Robichaud
GRADE 9, Moncton, New Brunswick

School: Ste-Bernadette

Nicolas Robichaud is a grade 9 student from Moncton, New Brunswick. During 2011, he attended sixteen events in Canada, fifteen in which he performed well enough to progress his rating! He and his family are extremely committed to the game, travelling not just around the Maritimes, but across the country to events such as the Canadian Youth Chess Championship and Canadian Chess Challenge. Not only did he represent his province well in both these events, he brought a great, positive attitude. As quoted by his family, “Nicolas really enjoyed his experience as a member of team New Brunswick and his travel at Victoria BC for the CCC2011 (Canadian Chess Challenge), a wonderful experience at the other side of Canada.”

Nicolas also finished first place at the New Brunswick Chess Challenge, second place at the Nova Scotia Youth Tournament, and gave shining performances at the Charlottetown Open & Maritime Open. Congratulations!

Nicolas would like to send out a huge thanks to the Maritime chess community, and to his parents for supporting his experience (including travel opportunities). His family would like to congratulate the rest of the fund finalists as well.

Full list of Nicolas' best achievements in 2011:

· Ranked 39th in U16 (CFC 1518) and 41st in Grade 9 (CMA 1318) by the end of the year
· CFC +254, CMA +300
· Rating progress in 15/16 tournaments in 2011
· Representing various tournaments across the Maritimes (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI), including the Maritime Team Championship
· Great commitment to chess – over half of his tournaments involved travel, including to the CYCC and Canadian Chess Challenge
· 1st place (5.0/5.0), New Brunswick Chess Challenge Championship, Grade 8
· 1st place (4.5/5.0), October seasonal tournament, performance rating of 1635 (167 pts. above Nicolas’ pre-tournament CFC rating of 1468)
· 2nd place (4.0/5.0), Nova Scotia Youth Tournament, Section 2
· Tied for 2nd place (3.0/5.0), March winter tournament, performance rating of 1618 (308 pts. above Nicolas’ pre-tournament CFC rating of 1310)
· 3rd place (3.0/5.0), Dec-Feb tournament, performance rating of 1556 (292 pts. above Nicolas’ pre-tournament CFC rating of 1264)
· Performance rating of 1736 (374 pts. above Nicolas’ pre-tournament CFC rating of 1362), Charlottetown Open
· Performance rating of 1628 (173 pts. above Nicolas’ pre-tournament CFC rating of 1455), Maritime Open
· Performance rating of 1621 (216 pts. above Nicolas’ pre-tournament CFC rating of 1405), CYCC, U14

Nikola Isaev
GRADE 11, Saint-Hubert, Quebec

School: Jean-Eudes (coll.)

Nikola Isaev is a grade 11 student from Saint-Hubert, Quebec. During 2011, he attended Chess ‘n Math’s Montreal Saturday Club as well as various secondary school matches and other events around Quebec. Highlights include first place finishes at the Quebec Sponge Towels Championship and Montreal Open. As the only senior student in this year’s fund, Nikola will serve as a great example for rising juniors. His great attitude towards the game will inspire both now and in the future. Congratulations!

Full list of Nikola's best achievements in 2011:

· Ranked 23rd in U18 (FQE 1676) and 24th in Grade 11 (CMA 1473) by the end of the year
· FQE +520, CMA +306
· Representing the CMA Montreal Saturday Club
· Participation in various secondary school matches
· 1st place (8.0/10.0), Quebec Sponge Towels Championship, Section C, performance rating of 1488 (156 pts. above Nikola’s pre-tournament FQE rating of 1332)
· 1st place (5.0/5.0), Montreal Open, Section C, performance rating of 1703 (169 pts. above Nikola’s pre-tournament FQE rating of 1534)
· Tied for 3rd place (4.0/5.0), Santa Claus (Pere Noel) Tournament, Section C, performance rating of 1560 (404 pts. above Nikola’s pre-tournament rating of 1156)
· Tied for 3rd place (3.0/5.0), Florence Tournament, Section A, performance rating of 1787 (365 pts. above Nikola’s pre-tournament FQE rating of 1422)
· Tied for 4th place (3.0/5.0), Pepsico Junior Championship, U16, performance rating of 1754 (103 pts. above Nikola’s pre-tournament FQE rating of 1651)
· Score of 3.0/3.0, Secondary Team Championship