(cross posted from Facebook with some additional info)

The NL Open this year came down to the wire with 4 players tied with 3/4 going in to the final round, so these two games had the most on the line. Roger Langen won over Rob Moloney and Jiaying Wang won over Mohammad Kowsari. There won’t be a tiebreak this year so 1st place is shared between Roger Langen and Jiaying Wang (pictured below). Congratulations!!

Currently retired and residing in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Roger Langen previously won the provincial championship in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1974. His sixth win in 2017 puts him in a tie with Warrick Walker for the all-time record. This is the first time Jiaying Wang has played the NL Open and she tied for first as part of a very strong field while still a junior player!  She is attending her final year of high school at Holy Heart. She is also the co-winner of the 2017 U18 U16 girls Canadian Youth Chess Championship.

3rd place prize was shared between Mohammad Kowsari and Ray McIsaac.
Top under-1700 was shared between Brian Oliver and Rob Moloney. Congrats to all the winners.

1st place two-way tie – 40% + 30% = $167.50 to each
3rd place tie – 15% = to $35 to both players
under-1700 -15% = $35 to both players
Great performances by many players, including Rob, Ben, Gary, and Brian.

See the complete standings here.

Big thanks to everyone for coming out, especially those like Ray McIsaac and Morley Payne who had quite a long trip from other areas of the province. It was great seeing you again. I hope everyone enjoyed the tournament.

Thanks as well to Morley for contributing a generous donation to the prize fund.
Brian Oliver generously donated five chess books as door prizes which were won by tournament participants in a random draw. Thanks to Brian for those.

I’d like to thank Mohammad, Jordan, and Nihad for help and advice leading up to the tournament and with organizing this tournament as well.