York Chess Club will hold a charity chess tournament in honor of Brian Costella, our late founder, on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the New Oxford Social and Athletic Club Pavilion in New Oxford, PA.
The tournament will be a five round open swiss, with a time control of G30;d5 (Each player gets 30 minutes of time, with a 5 second delay before the clock ticks down on each move).
Cost to enter is $30 per player and there will be a $400 in cash prizes. Net proceeds will benefit scholastic chess programs in Adams and York Counties — with 25% going to the New Oxford scholastic chess program (Brian’s alma mater), 25% to the Mason Dixon Chess League (Adams County scholastic league), and 50% percent to K-12 chess programs and events in York County through York Chess Club.
Brian was a 1984 graduate of New Oxford High School and was a member of a state-champion scholastic chess team there. He was also an Army veteran; a devoted husband, father, and grandfather; a U.S. Chess Federation senior tournament director; afounder of Center Square Chess Club; and a generous friend and mentor to chess players young and old over decades.
If you would like to sponsor the event; sponsor a team (can be a school, homeschool, club or other group of K-12 students); donate snacks, supplies, or services; or help in any other way, please email me at [email protected].
Brian was a true chess enthusiast, but his interest went way beyond the game. He cared about the people who played and he volunteered a lot of his time and money to help other people learn and enjoy chess. We hope this tournament and our choice of beneficiaries will honor and continue Brian’s legacy of making chess fun and accessible to many people.
Last month, the Pennsylvania State Scholastic Chess Tournament was held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Brian had been a familiar figure at the annual tournament over the years. During this year’s event, one young player was looking for Brian to say hello. When her mother learned Brian had passed away, she expressed sorrow and worried allowed about how her daughter would take the news.
Brian made a positive impact on that young player in just a few brief encounters. I know he had a similar impact on many others.
If you have a good story or memory about Brian you’d like to share, please do so in the comments.
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