Ahyan became CalChess State Champion in Under 1600 rating group in the Labor Day Weekend Tournament of 2018. He scored 5 out of 6 along with Mohammad S Khan. With the champions trophy he also got 966 dollars prize check and a 51 rating points increase to push him to the next rating group. You may find the full standings here.
My own performance in Under 2200 group was a disaster scoring 2 out of 6 and am pushed down 52 rating points and 1 group below. Ahyan is now 1 rating group behind to catch me. Also I ran for the CalChess Board Membership during this tournament. I lost by 2 votes less than the 4th board member who was elected but I see lots of responses from chess players and parents. I will try it again next year. Thanks to everyone who voted for me, supported me and encouraged me.
IM John Donaldson congratualted Ahyan at Mechanics' Institutechess newsletter - http://chessclub.org/news.php?n=842
"Congratulations to Mechanics’ member Ahyan Zaman, who tied for first in the under-1600 section of the Northern California state championship, held over Labor Day weekend. Ahyan scored 5–1 to raise his rating from 1590 to 1641."
