The Banff Open seems to gain in popularity each year, and for good reason! The setting for the tournament, with its beautiful views of Banff and the surrounding mountains, is hard to beat, as is the professionalism and care with which it is organized.
GM Joel Benjamin at Lake Louise | Photo: Dave Bhavik
This year saw the largest field ever, with 100 participants competing. There were several more players on a waiting list, but the tournament had to be capped at 100 players due to Covid.
It was the only tournament in Canada this year to receive a FIDE aid package and even though things might have looked a little different with social distancing and other Covid rules in effect, the tournament continued to be a success, with its spacious playing room easily accommodating 50 well-distanced tables.
Tournament hall with a view
The tournament was a swiss system with 6 rounds with 90 minute + 30 second time control. It was organized by FM Ian Findlay and saw IA Vlad Rekhson serving as the tournament director. Comprised of two sections (over 1800 and under 1800), the Banff Open, the tournament had its largest prize fund in its 5 year history, with new women's and veteran's prizes added this year.
Over 1800 section:
| # | Name | Rtng | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plotkin, IM Mark | 2549 | 5.5 |
| 2 | Benjamin, GM Joel | 2640 | 5 |
| 3 | Ng, FM Gary | 2368 | 4.5 |
| 4 | Mackinnon, Keith | 2259 | 4.5 |
| 5 | Cummings, IM David | 2416 | 4.5 |
| 6 | Plotkin, FM Victor | 2428 | 4.5 |
| 7 | Findlay, FM Ian | 2316 | 4.5 |
| 8 | Haessel, FM Dale | 2216 | 4.5 |
| 9 | Tolentino, Patrick Angelo | 1936 | 4 |
| 10 | Miller, David | 2224 | 4 |
| 11 | Ginsburg, IM Mark | 2414 | 4 |
| 12 | Gedajlovic, FM Max | 2329 | 4 |
| 13 | Khodjimatov, Sherzod | 2183 | 4 |
| 14 | Dukic, Zachary | 2359 | 4 |
| 15 | Wang, Paul | 2137 | 4 |
| 16 | Lin, Leo | 1947 | 3.5 |
...61 participants
Under 1800 section:
| # | Name | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kim, Justin | 5.5 |
| 2 | Funk, Andrew | 5 |
| 3 | Maheux, Pierre | 5 |
| 4 | Coates, Bruce | 5 |
| 5 | Ancheta, Rodelio Gallard | 4.5 |
| 6 | Stefanov, Marko | 4.5 |
| 7 | Bruneau, Gilles | 4 |
| 8 | Wolfram, Ben | 4 |
| 9 | Ratte, Daniel | 4 |
| 10 | Wang, April | 4 |
| 11 | Landon, Matthew | 4 |
| 12 | Wang, Lucas | 4 |
| 13 | Reuter, Gerhard | 3.5 |
...41 participants
GM Joel Benjamin was so kind to annotate a game from the event.
GM Joel Benjamin at the board
