Facing competition from a free tournament in Oakland and a particularly-fun adults-and-analog-clocks-only event in Carmichael, the Berkeley Open drew 60 players in four sections Sept. 14-16. Bryon Doyle directed.

Derek Sijing Wu, who shared 1-3 place in the master section, played the game of the event.

Accidents happen

White played Nb4-a2+. Black, having declined a draw offer a moment earlier, but with no winning chances, overstepped the time limit.

Sriram Krishnakumar achieved a 2000 rating for the first time. He had help from his opponent in the last round. In reply to …Rxa3+, White walked into Kh4 g5#.

Prizewinners

2200+
Josiah Stearman
Eugene Yanayt
Derek Sijing Wu

u2200
Adrian Kondakov

U2000
Jason Childress
Max Hao

U1800
Luiz Antonio Uribe
Viktor Mishkin

U1600
Ricky Hu
Arin Sen
Ryan Tang

U1400
Buwei He