Handicapping the Club Events

Although the schedules for both Saratoga and Schenectady call for the Club Championships to be further along than they are, progress is being made. Alan LeCours has posted the crosstables. A quick review tells us that the Saratoga tourney has a clear leader, the Schenectady Prelim B has three qualifiers for the Finals pretty well identified, but Schenectady Prelim A is still a close battle.

In Saratoga Steve Taylor has minus 1/2 with six games to play and leads the field. A full point back with minus 1 1/2 with three games to play is Phil Sells, and he is having a good year both in Saratoga and in the Schenectady B Prelim. Following Phil is Gordon Magat with minus 2, with two to play, Gausewitz with minus 2 1/2, with two to play and Alan Le Cours with minus 3, with three to play. Both Jonathan Feinberg and Little are trailing a point futher back and more or less out of the running for first.

In the contest for the under 1800 prize at Saratoga, Jeff Hrebenach seems to be leading. However, Ray Alguire is making a challenge and the prize winner won't be clear until more of the make-up rounds are completed.

The Schenectady A Prelim remains a tight battle for the three quaifying spots. At minus one point are Le Cours with five to play, Howard with six to play, Mockler with three to play and Little with four to play. Bobby Rotter is at minus 1 1/2 with four to play. Rotter has met all of the leaders. The others at the top of the table have not done so. Little's games with Mockler and Howard will likely have a lot to do with who makes the Finals.

The Schenctady B Prelim is much more clear. Phil Sells is leading with minus 1/2 and three to play, Patrick Chi with two to play and John Phillips, three to play, at minus 1 are tied for second. John Barnes at minus two with four to play, needs some help to get back into contention for a spot in the Finals. Jonathan Lack appears out of the running at minus 3, with three to play. There must be some big upsets for Jonathan to hope to get into the Finals.