2019 U.S. Armed Forces Open Kicks Off at Camp LeJeune

This Columbus Day weekend, and as part of National Chess Day, the U.S. Marine Corps is hosting the 2019 U.S. Armed Forces Open (USAFO) Chess Championships at Camp LeJeune, NC. For the next three days (Sat-Mon), soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines – active duty, retired, reservists, academy cadets, and military veterans – are vying for honors as the best service and top individual player.  Unlike most other tournaments, there is no money involved in the USAFO.  Rather, it's all about the love of chess, service pride, honor, and the brotherhood / sisterhood of military service. The field is led by NM Eigen Wang (USCF 2366, FIDE 2217), a Lieutenant in the US Air Force and a recent Silver Medalist at the 2019 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Championships (link). Chief TD for the 2019 USAFO is International Arbiter and NTD Rudy Abate from Henderson, NC.  Mike Hoffpauir, FA and NTD from Yorktown VA, authored this short article and will provide updates throughout the weekend.