Cibotarica Takes 2nd Place

Cibotarica, right, watches a game in progress

Alex Cibotarica has so mastered the game of chess that a second place showing in a tournament is a disapointment.

Along with two other members of the Hickory/Lenoir-Rhyne Chess Club, Ubaldo Gonzalez and Jack Shaver, he attended the 2005 Foothills Holiday Chess Tournament Saturday, December 17 in Hudson. Only Cibotarica, the area's strongest chess player, placed, winning two games and losing one to take second in the top section of the tournament.

He said he was very disapointed in his lost game, and that his position should have been winnable, despite time trouble. But he is philosophic about winning second place.

"It's another trophy for my collection," he said.

For more information about the Hickory/Lenoir-Rhyne Chess Club, visit hickorychessclub.org on the internet, or call club president Larry Robinson at 322-1493.

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