Tournament Director Tom Hales is all smiles due to a strong turnout on June 10th.

Twenty four players participated in The Asheboro Open XIII! Thanks to all who participated: we can't do it without you!

Fide Master Andrey Chumachenko (left) gives Joe Helton an Exederine headache in round one.

Russian born Alexei Gorbounov (left) faces Greensboro's own David Moose (right).

We want to welcome Alexei to North Carolina and The Asheboro Open!

Charlotte's Laura Lee (left) and Kevin Huang square off in round one.

Asheboro's own Robin Johnston (left) faces Chapel Hill's Dane Simon in round one.

We want to welcome Dane, a talented young player with a promising future.

David High (left) had his hands full in round one vs. NC State's Charles Yu.

Mason White (left) makes his Asheboro Open debut against veteren Larry Williams.

Milton Kicklighter (left) survived time pressure to win his round one match with Jim Eller.

We want to welcome Jim to his first Asheboro Open!

Greensboro's Ambrose Jacobs (left) fought young gun Tanner Hogue to a first round draw.

Charlotte's Bobby Lee (right) has his hands full against higher rated Ian Haigler in round one action.

Tanner Hogue (right) faced tough veteren player Ambrose Jacobs in round one.

Two former Asheboro champions collide!! Greensboro's Matthew Greene (left) squeezed out a win in round one against Asheboro alumnus Daniel Solarez.

Return of The Moose!! Greensboro player David Moose (right) returns to tournament play after more than ten years. Alexei Gorbounov is on the left.

North Carolina's Leading Lady of chess Laura Lee (left) in her first round match against Kevin Huang.

Fayetteville's Larry Williams (left) gives FM Andrey Chumachenko a good fight in round two.

Charlotte's Laura Lee (right) faces Russian expert Alexei Gorbounov in round two.

Alexei Gorbounov (left) had a good match with Class A player Laura Lee.

The return of Richard Ward!! Greensboro's Richard Ward (right), a former TD and organizer, returns to rated chess after a long absence.

NC State's Charles Yu is his opponent in round two.

Asheboro wants to welcome Richard Ward (left) back into USCF rated chess. We missed you, Richard!

Milton Kicklighter (left) kicks it into high gear in round two action against Ian Haigler.

Charlotte's Kevin Huang (left) won a tense endgame battle with Greensboro's David Moose.

Dr. Walter High (left) in just his sixth tournament game faced a determined young Dane Simon in round two.

Eli Helton (left) played with a lot of heart and was a good sport. His opponent in round two was David High.

Jim Eller (left) in his first appearance at The Asheboro Open. His opponent in round two was Bobby Lee, brother of Laura Lee.

High Point's Scott Parker (left) faced smoking hot Robin Johnston in round two.

Asheboro's own Robin Johnston has been on a mission lately, picking up dozens of rating points and pocketing several cash prizes.

Mason White (left) in second round action with Joe Helton.

Two Greensboro players fight to a draw. Ambrose Jacobs (left) faces former champion Matthew Greene.

Jim Eller (left) in his second round match with Bobby Lee.

Two youngs guns in a duel! Charlotte's Kevin Huang was outdrawn by Tanner Hogue in round three action.

Former Asheboro Open Champion Daniel Solarez (left) in his round three matchup with Larry Williams.

Laura "Leading Lady" Lee faced a tough matchup against underrated Matthew Greene in round three.

Matthew Greene is a former Asheboro Open Champion, and is quickly gaining rating points and respect.

Milton Kicklighter (left) was on fire and unstoppable at TAO XIII. Richard Ward is his opponent.

NC State's chess ambassador Charles Yu (left) faces the infamous "Echidna" Defense of Robin Johnston. The Echidna lives!

Two players with bright chess futures. Bobby Lee (left) faced Dane Simon in round three.

Fide Master Andrey Chumachenko established clear dominance with his 3-0 performance and captured 1st place in the Championship Section. Whoosh!

Chumachenko, a former Asheboro Open Champion, is also one of the highest rated players in the state at 2463.

Greensboro's Matthew Greene finished with 2.5 to earn a clear 2nd place. Congratulations!

Joe Helton picked up some rating points and the class prize for his 2.0 performance in the Championship Section. Nice work!

Asheboro's Robin Johnston (left) shared the spoils with Milton Kicklighter in the Candidate's Section. Each finished with 3.0--BRAVO!! Encore!

The future of NC Chess. Dane Simon (left) and Bobby Lee shared the class prize in the Candidates Section. Congratulations!!