Click below for revisions to the MD-Sweet-16 Qualification Rules that apply to MD Sweet 16 2018. The revisions give strong players (typically rated 1800+) more opportunities to qualify by rating for the invitational tournament at UMBC. See the tournament-announcement page for further details.
Read more: Revisions to MD-Sweet-16 Qualification Rules: 2018+
by Chris Y Kim
With a draw vs Philip Keisler early in Round 4, Sahil Sinha has clinched the title of Champion of the 2018 Maryland Sweet 16 tournament. With the title, Sinha receives a 4-year scholarship to UMBC (University of Maryland - Baltimore County), the host site. Sinha, an 11th grader from Poolesville High School in Montgomery County with a rating 2355, was the highest rated player in the tournament. He won his first three matches, including a Round 3 win vs the #2 seed, Yu Hao (Alan) Li. As a result, Sinha needed only a draw in the 4th and final round to secure the title.
Congratulations to Sahil, and further details to follow.
by Chris Y. Kim & John D. Rockefeller V
Welcome to the 2017-2018 qualifying season for the Maryland Sweet 16 2018 on 2018.03.03-04. Since 1995 this annual invitational tournament has featured 16 of the top K-12 Maryland players competing in a separate section of the UMBC Open at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The MD-Sweet-16 tournament-announcement page contains all tournament details, including qualification rules & Varsity-Points scoring rules. The MD-Sweet-16 Champion will receive a MD-Sweet-16 UMBC Chess Scholarship, valued at $46,072. (There are 2 additional types of UMBC Chess Scholarships for which high-school seniors from any state are eligible.)
8 of the 8 scheduled MD-Sweet-16 Qualifiers in this qualifying season have been completed. The Final Standings include the results of MD Chess Poly & Western January (NEW DATE) on 2018.02.17.
Click below for the current MD-Sweet-16 Qualifiers, 2 Alternates, Backup Alternates, & Full Standings.
by Chris Y Kim
Day 1 (2 rounds) of the 2018 Maryland Sweet 16 tournament has a sole leader - #1 seed Sahil Sinha. We came one game short of an 8-way tie for first place. It has been a competitive two rounds so far in this annual invitational tournament showcasing the top Maryland scholastic players and is increasing in strength every year. [Former winners of the tournament are not allowed to compete.] This has a potential for an exciting Day 2 tomorrow!
In Ratings order, here are the standings with the USCF ratings:
2.0: Sahil Sinha (2355)
1.5: Yu Hao Liao (2103); Bijan Tahmassebi (2042); Philip Keisler (2014); Neel Jay (1964); Shane Jayasundera (1945); Max Mathura (1772)
1.0: Douglas Malcolm (2037); Jeffrey Du (2000); Shiyam Rupeshkumar (1788); Joseph Tarantin (1698); Andrew Diep (1636)
0.0: Sean Kee Power (1916); Emerson Holcolm (1789); Dylan Booth (1757); Jordan Best (1715)
Here are the pairings for Round 3 that will start at 10:30 Sunday morning (White listed first):
1: Sahil Sinha (2.0) vs Yu Hao (Alan) Liao (1.5)
2: Bijan Tahmassebi (1.5) vs Neel Jay (1.5)
3: Philip Keisler (1.5) vs Shane Jayasundera (1.5)
4: Max Mathura (1.5) vs Jeffrey Du (1.0)
5: Joseph Tarantin (1.0) vs Douglas Malcolm (1.0)
6: Andrew Diep (1.0) vs Shiyam Rupeshkumar (1.0)
7: Jordan Best (0.0) vs Sean Kee Power (0.0)
8: Emerson Holcomb (0.0) vs Dylan Booth (0.0)
by Chris Y. Kim & John D. Rockefeller V
Welcome to the 2017-2018 qualifying season for the Maryland Sweet 16 2018 on 2018.03.03-04. Since 1995 this annual invitational tournament has featured 16 of the top K-12 Maryland players competing in a separate section of the UMBC Open at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The MD-Sweet-16 tournament-announcement page contains all tournament details, including qualification rules & Varsity-Points scoring rules. The MD-Sweet-16 Champion will receive a MD-Sweet-16 UMBC Chess Scholarship, valued at $46,072. (There are 2 additional types of UMBC Chess Scholarships for which high-school seniors from any state are eligible.)
7 of the 8 scheduled MD-Sweet-16 Qualifiers in this qualifying season have been completed. The standings are current through MD Chess Poly & Western January (ORIGINAL DATE) on 2018.01.06. The final scheduled MD-Sweet-16 Qualifier will be MD Chess Poly & Western January (NEW DATE) on 2018.02.17.
Click below for the current MD-Sweet-16 Qualifiers, 2 Alternates, Backup Alternates, & Full Standings.
