Results from 2026 Spring Chess Tournament
Mendoza, Mock Sweep Their Respective Quads in Sean Thierfeldt Classic (By Ralph Lopez)
The Sean Thierfeldt Classic Chess Tournament was held at Eastern Shore Community College on Saturday, March 28th. Sean Thierfeldt is an ESCC alum who started the Melfa Monarchs Chess Club at the college together with english professor Christina Duffman. Sean also participated in the tournament.
The tournament was divided into quads and a Swiss format. A quad is four players of roughly the same United States Chess Federation chess rating, each playing the rest of the quad. Both Roliet Mendoza and Alan Mock won every single one of their chess games and won their quads easily. In the third quad, Luke Newman, (former president of the Melfa Monarchs) and Bruce Austin tied for first place with two wins out of three games.
The remaining players were matched in a Swiss format, as there were too many players to have another quad. In very competitive games, there was a two-way tie for first in the Swiss as well. Two students, Christian Diaz Vasquez from Northampton Public Schools and James Ross from Chincoteague of the Accomack Public Schools, won the Swiss with two wins each.
The Melfa Monarchs meet every Wednesday in the Student Lounge at the Eastern Shore Community College, from 12pm to 1pm and 4pm to 5pm. The Monarchs welcome everyone to friendly and competitive games and fellowship. If you are new to chess, there are mentors available. Email for more information on the club and upcoming tournaments.