Leave it to Sean to play with three ladies.	Ashley Collinson watches Lisa Rennert make a move.

Last year I had 139 players and 60 games; in 2010 I got 58 games and 131 players. That's a slight decrease and certainly not enough to think anyone is getting scared by the best two heat format. So that should be the system as long as I'm around.

Don Greenwood mentioned in his annual post convention summary that this was the Year of the Family. Look no further than this tournament to verify that. It started with the demo that had two children with familiar last names plus old friend John Keating who had to learn the game "because everybody knows how to play except me." That works for me. In fact we did a quick check of the attendance sheet for last names and came up with: 4: McCorry, Beach (seems like there's more of them); 3: Keating, Henning, Strock (seems like more of them too), Wojtaszczyk, Yaure and a whole bunch at two. My apologies if I missed a few family connections especially if they don't share a last name. I'm actually a little surprised at who's NOT there. Where's the Engelmanns, the Hebners or the Gutermuths? Only one each? I got more Reiffs than that and there are only two of them!

Once again I have to make my yearly plea - BRING A COPY OF THE GAME!! This year was a little better but I still had to turn players away. And if it takes you 10 minutes to go back to your room or car to get it, you're cutting it close on time. Why not just get the game in the first place and guarantee a seat?

For the semis we had ten 2-game winners (one more had to leave early) and six players with a first and second who squeaked past a few Strocks, Collinsons and Keatings on tiebreakers. After untangling who was related to who and this one is dating that one, we got some sort of random seating for the semi-finals.

It was not a good day for the defending finalists, as Meghan Friedmann was able to edge defending champion Brittany Bernard on Table #1. Meanwhile, Bruce Reiff on table #2 wasn't getting a fifth plaque in 2010 as Jason Levine beat Meghan McCorry. Table #3 had Steve Lewinter beat Tom McCorry in a close game but on Table #4 repeating laurelist Joe Yaure held on for the win. The dreams of an all-McCorry Final didn't quite work out, but Tom and Katie did finish a close enough second in the semis to take fifth and sixth place. Losers were comforted by these words of wisdom from the GM, "It's better to lose in the semi-finals than to complete paperwork during the semi-finals."

The Final saw Jason Levine pull defeat from the jaws of victory, as Steve Lewinter got a big triple turn near the end to overtake him and earn the championship. Final score: Steve Lewinter 12, Jason Levine 11, Joe Yaure 10 and Meghan Friedmann 9.

Thanks to all who played and see you next year!

After a day tending to the Junior's room, Joanna Melton really is seeing spots before her eyes.	Ewan enjoys a joke, doubtless about gall bladers, as Stein ponders more cheese.