Russell Wilson, CCPF Board Member
“I can’t believe it’s been twenty-five Queen City Classics already. I want to start by thanking the thousands of parents, hundreds of volunteers, and countless coaches; without your support this great event would not have been possible.
I had the privilege of being involved in the very first Queen City Classic. As in many things in life, the first time you do something is often the most memorable and so many of my most vivid recollections are from 2002, ranging in time from our efforts to publicize the event beforehand through the local media to the relationships that I still have with some of the original participants. And I will never forget the obvious joy on the faces of the players, from our first Queen City Classic to the last, which is ultimately what drives this tournament and the Queen City Classic Chess in Schools program.
When doing research for our Chess in Schools program, I read that some experts think the most important characteristic of a chess teacher is the ability to pass along their passion for the game. I thought of that while remembering the inaugural Queen City Classic and my interactions with the tournament director that year, Mike Anders. Gone too soon, Mike was a free spirit who shared his infectious love of chess with hundreds, including Corbin, Jory and Cody Pomeranz, and I want to pause to remember Mike and acknowledge his contributions to this tournament.”
Gregory Kaidanov, QCC Special Guest- Chess Grandmaster
“QCC became an important part of my life. Every year I am looking forward to this spring day when I can reunite with my friends and witness the birth of new young chess talents. Since I dedicated my whole life to chess, it is extremely heartwarming for me to see hundreds of kids playing (and enjoying) chess the same way I did many decades ago. It is also amazing to see those kids grow and I can’t count how many times I would meet a young man or a woman at the chess tournament and say “Oh, I remember you from the Queen City Classic!”My sincere gratitude goes to the Pomerantz family, who dedicated a big part of their life to running this event and making it such a big success. I also would like to thank many volunteers, who I befriended over the years, the tournament would not exist without their support. And, of course, my colleagues and close friends Maurice Ashley and Irina Krush, it is a real joy to see them every year and be able to work with them.”
Dr. Amador Delamerced
“Congratulations to the Pomeranz family and the Cris Collinsworth Proscan Fund for 25 great years of the Queen City Classic (QCC) Chess Tournament!
The Delamerced family members look fondly at the more than 20 years that they have been involved, either as players, sponsors or volunteers.
Anna Delamerced, MD, was not infrequently paired against male chess players in the QCC. She was toughened enough to enable her to win the National All Girls Chess Championship (2010, U-16) and two Ohio Girls Chess Championships (2007, 2010). She is now a Pediatric Fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital. “Chess taught me resilience – even if you lose, get back up and try again. Chess also gave me friends and fun memories with my dad, mom and brothers.”
Tino Delamerced, MD won his QCC division one year and used that experience to become 2-time city chess scholastic champion and help lead The Summit Country Day to become all-city team champions. In college, he led the Brown University chess team in 2018 (2018 is circled with a handwritten correction “2018” written beside it) to win the Ivy League Chess Tournament. He is now a Neurology Resident at Stanford University.
Joseph Delamerced participated in the QCC in 2015 and used that as a springboard to capture the 2015 National K-9 Chess Championship (Unrated). He finished with an A.B. In Education Studies from Brown University.
All 3 taught chess to inner city kids in the Leadership Scholars Program. They all still play recreational chess online and infrequently, over the board.”
