MISSOULA — This weekend, chess players from across Montana and the west gobbled up games at the 44th annual Turkey Open in Missoula. The tournament and festival, put on by the Missoula Chess Club, drew in 70 players for days of competitive play.

“It’s been a great year. A near-record crowd, including a grandmaster from St. Louis, here playing against our top players from around the area from kids on up to adult,” said Eric Walthall, president of the Missoula Chess Club. “You can see the smiles on the kids’ faces. You can see happy and sad adults as they play and win or lose.”

The Turkey Open kicked off on Friday evening, with a lecture and simultaneous exhibition from grandmaster Varuzan Akobian aimed at local elementary school players. It continued on Saturday and Sunday with two days o

See Full Page