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September 02 1947
The Morning Call, Allentown, Pennsylvania September 02, 1947
Philadelphia Player Wins State Chess Championship in Tournament Here
Atillio Di Camillo, Philadelphia chess expert, retained his state championship last night at the Americus hotel after three days of competition, defeating Thomas Gutekunst, Allentown, in a last-round match. Di Camillo topped 58 competitors from 23 communities as he played six winning games and one draw for a 6½-½ score.
One of the largest tournaments in the history of the event, the 9th annual Pennsylvania State Chess federation drew large galleries throughout the Labor Day weekend.
Gutekunst, 1943 state champion, placed fifth, with a 5-2 record, behind Michael Yatron. Reading, 6-1; Joseph Schaeffer, Philadelphia, 5½-1½; and Harry Morris, Philadelphia, 5-2. A three-way fourth place tie was broken by rating playing scores of the competitors' opponents. Edwin Dreher, Philadelphia, who also finished with a 5-2 count, was sixth.
Gutekunst lost only to Di Camillo, playing to a draw with Morris and Dreher. Other local players including Woodrow Young, 4½-2½; Clarence Ziegler, 4-3; Robert Gutekunst, 3½-3½; and Paul Sherr, 3-4. Ed Faust, Fullerton, and Sigfrid Hauck, Northampton, scored 4-3.
The tournament's only woman contestant, Mrs. Mary Selensky, Philadelphia, finished among the top third with a 4-3 tally.
In the junior event, where play is limited for those under 21 years of age, Saul Wachs, Philadelphia high school student, took top honors. Forrest Schaeffer, Allentown, placed third.
Each contestant played seven matches in the senior event, with a four-hour limit on each match. Point scores determined the final standings on the basis of one point for each win and one-half point for each draw. After the first round players were paired with those having a similar score in accordance with the so-called Swiss system.
Competition was directed by Milton Finkelstein, New York City chessmaster. At a brief business session following the tournament a unanimous vote of thanks was extended to the host Allentown Chess club.
