The 2024 Hawaii Open, held from Saturday, August 31st to Monday, September 2nd, was a highly anticipated chess event, taking place at the elegant Capitol Modern venue in downtown Honolulu. Our prestigious tournament spanned three days, bringing together a diverse array of players competing in three divisions: Open, Reserve, and Under 800. With its welcoming atmosphere and prize purse of $5000, the tournament drew chess enthusiasts from across the State for a weekend filled with intense strategy and competition.

The event featured five rounds of classical time controls, with each round offering players 90 minutes on the clock and a 30-second increment for each move. This time format ensured that the matches were a blend of tactical precision and deep, thoughtful play, pushing players to maintain focus and stamina over the long rounds.

Among the participants were three National Masters (NMs), adding a high level of competition to the tournament’s Open division. The eventual standout was NM Cornelius Rubsamen, whose USCF rating of 2233 made him a formidable presence on the board. NM Rubsamen performed with remarkable consistency and skill, finishing the event with an impressive score of 4.5 out of a possible 5. His strategic prowess and ability to remain calm under pressure saw him secure the top spot in the Open division, continuing to build on his established reputation in the Hawaii chess community and earning him a $1200 first place check!

The Reserve division also witnessed its share of excitement, with Cooper Riley emerging as the division champion. Like NM Rubsamen, Riley finished with a score of 4.5 out of 5, showcasing his ability to stay ahead of the field and demonstrate strong tactical vision in key moments. Riley’s victory in the Reserve division was well-earned, marking a major milestone in his competitive chess journey.

The tournament didn’t just highlight the classical format but also featured an exciting blitz competition on the third day, which added a fast-paced thrill to the weekend’s events. The blitz tournament attracted 50 participants, a solid turnout that underscored the enthusiasm for rapid-play chess. Blitz games, with their quick time controls, demanded lightning-fast thinking and sharp intuition. Josh Lewis took control of the blitz field, sweeping through 12 rounds with a dominant score of 10.0. Lewis’s quick decision-making and keen understanding of the game allowed him to stay ahead of the pack and claim victory in this fast and thrilling format.

Overall, the 2024 Hawaii Open was a resounding success, offering a balanced mix of intense competition and community-building. With the presence of National Masters in the Open division, emerging talents in the Reserve division, and thrilling performances in both classical and blitz formats, the event had something for everyone. Players in the Under 800 division also gained valuable experience, growing their skills in a challenging yet supportive environment, and sharing in a portion of the prize purse.

The chess community in Hawaii continues to thrive, and this event exemplified the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship that defines our game. The Capitol Modern venue in downtown Honolulu provided an excellent setting for this prestigious tournament, offering both players and spectators an ideal space to enjoy high-quality chess; Mahalo to the staff and management of the Capitol Modern for their hospitality! We hope to build on this energy of the 2024 Hawaii Open in the coming year and look forward to more events as well attended and with equally high quality chess!