Expert Donny Gray (GA, 2114), cleared first place at the 2nd Lee Hyder Memorial tournament held May 1-3, 2009, in Aiken, South Carolina. His last round draw against Expert Patrick McCartney (NC, 2042), gave him 4.5 points out of a possible 5.0.

 

 

Gray, who decided to bypass the Georgia State Championship to play in the Aiken tournament, was brilliant on his way back to becoming a Master, a title he last held in 1996.

 

Class A participant Steven Willard (GA, 1975), put together a 36 move masterpiece against Greenville favorite, Expert Wayne Christensen (SC, 2106), to tie for second with Expert and Aiken favorite Kevin Kane (SC, 2021), each with 4.0 points.

 

The Aiken County Chess Club (ACCC) sponsored the event which was held at the Tri-Development Center of Aiken County, an organization that provides services to children and adults with disabilities. The facility was excellent, with one large room to play quality tournament games in peace, and an adjoining, but private room in which to carry on conversation, to review games, and to play skittles. The tournament was directed by ACCC officer and SCCA secretary Bill Taylor. ACCC officer Gerald Battaglia was Assistant TD.

 

 

At 29 participants, the total prize fund was $1,300. First place finishers in class are listed below.

 

U2000 with 3.0 points:

Charles Reeve (SC, 1985)
David Causey (SC, 1925)
Dan Quigley (GA, 1812)

 

U1700 with 3.0 points:

Russell Thurmond (SC, 1601)
Steve Boshears (SC, 1659)
Robert Mahan (VA, 1438)

 

U1400 with 2.5 points:

Keith Robinson (GA, 1355)

 

Rolfe Memorial Upset Prize:

Scholastic player Chris Labrecque (SC, 1009) for his win over Bruno Huguet (SC, 1267)

 

The event is in memory of the late Dr. M. Lee Hyder, who tirelessly promoted chess in South Carolina for more than forty years.

Dr. Hyder earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of California (Berkley) in 1962. He then took a position at the Atomic Energy Commission's Savannah River Laboratories near Aiken, South Carolina, where he worked as a research chemist until retirement. He was a pillar of South Carolina's chess community. He won the state championship six times: 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1974, and 1978. Dr. Hyder edited the SCCA's newsletter from 1968-1975, 1981-1983, and 1990-1995. He organized many tournaments and was instrumental in bringing the quarter-final match for the World Championship between Korchnoi and Mecking to Augusta in 1974. He became the first and (so far) only South Carolina resident to be elected to the USCF Policy Board, as national secretary. He also served as a trustee of the US Chess Trust for over a decade. He passed away on November 3, 2003.