Pictured from the USATE 2016 is the team West Orange Krush, winners of the Seniors category prize. From right to left, we are international master Mikhail Zlotnikov, national master Vladimir Lipman, national master Jim West, and 2003 U.S. Amateur East champion Steve Hrop. Not pictured is our alternate, class A player and former expert Charlie Hart.
At the USATE 2016, despite the fact that West Orange Chess Club president John Hagerty filled out the form which made us eligible for the category prize, the tournament directors had a Seniors moment when they forgot to input the information on their computer. Consequently, although West Orange Krush finished with 4.5 points, the Seniors prize was erroneously awarded to a team with 4 points, Vassar-Chadwick A Train. Or, as Duke Ellington never said, "Mistake the A Train!"
John Hagerty is graciously offering to pay the shipping costs if the Vassar-Chadwick Chess Club returns the prize winners' plaque to its rightful place, hanging on the wall of the West Orange Chess Club where three times I have won the club championship.
