GM John Bohrer (right) and Joshua Gottesman watch as Jack Stalica takes his move.	Quick play is a strong point for Chicago Express and fun too apparently.

This was the first year for Chicago Express at the World Boardgaming Championships. Queen Games kindly supplied a truckload of prizes for the event: Chicago Express games, posters and the new Chicago Express: Narrow Gauge & Erie Railroad Company expansions.

Pete Staab ran a comprehensive Demonstration on Friday at 2 pm on the Terrace. It was attended by 20 gamers who received posters and left with a complete understanding of the game. The First Heat was held in Lampeter, two hours later. 37 gamers played on nine tables. One game was tied and decided by a die roll, so ten new Chicago Express games were awarded to the winners. The Second Heat was also held in the Lampeter, Friday at 6 pm. 25 gamers contested six tables. Six new Chicago Express: Narrow Gauge & Erie Railroad Company expansions were awarded to the winners of the Second Heat.

The Third and final heat was held Saturday at 3pm, still in the cool, brightly lit Lampeter Room. 27 gamers contested six boards. One game was tied and decided by a die roll, so seven new Chicago Express: Narrow Gauge & Erie Railroad Company expansions were awarded to the winners.

12 gamers advanced to the semi-final to do battle in three games. The four winners decided to play the Final that evening, instead of the scheduled Sunday 12 slot. Grant LaDue (G), Cody Sandifer (C), Pete Staab (P) and S. Deniz Bucak (D) were the Finalists. This was a hard fought, no nonsense game. Below is the record of this first WBC CHX Final, with the first letter denoting the player selecting the Action:

D Offer NYC
C Offer B&O
P Build C&O
G Offer PA
D Build PA
C Build NYC
P Build C&O
G Build B&O
Dividends
D Offer C&O
C Offer C&O
P Build C&O
G Offer C&O
D Build PA
C Build B&O
P Build C&O
G Build PA
Dividends
D Offer PA
C Build NYC
P Build C&O
G Build PA
D Offer NYC
C Build PA
P Offer C&O
G Build PA, Then Chicago Dividend, Wabash Started
Dividends
D Build Wabash
C Build NYC
P Build C&O
G Offer Wabash
D Build Wabash
C Offer Null
P Build C&O
G Offer C&O
Dividends
Game End! Grant LaDue wins.