Results So Far at the Paignton Congress

Last night saw a civic reception at Oldway Mansions in honour of the congress's Diamond Jubilee. All of the chess players were invited. One of the invited guests was Ken Bloodworth, who played in the first Paignton Congress, and would have been playing in this one too if ill health had not forced his withdrawl.

There have now been 4 rounds in the afternoon events and 3 in the morning events. It is fairly tight at the top in all but the Open section in which Keith Arkell is a point clear of the field. The results for the top players in each section are given below:

Ron Bruce Open

1. Keith Arkell 4
2. John Blore; Neville Gill; Dirk Jordan; Tyson Mordue 3
   

Rowena Bruce Challengers (U-180)

1. Brian Hewson 4
2. Chris Archer-Lock; Richard Bryant; Andrew Footner; John Nyman; Martin Page; Andrew Price; Mel Young 3.5

Ken Bloodworth Inter (U-150)

1. Paul Smith 3.5
2. Gordon Farrar; Kenneth Francis; Terry Greenaway; Peter Hannon; Freddie Sugden; David Walshaw 3

Walker Minor (U-125)

1. Paul Bland; Chris Constable; Joe Farrell; Philip Gordon; Kevin Hindom; Conrad Jowett; Hazel Welch 3

Boniface 5 Round Morning (U-180)

1. Richard Bryant; Roger Scowen 3
   

Michael Adams Simul in Paignton

Last night Michael Adams gave a simultaneous chess display at the Paignton Chess Congress at Oldway Mansions. This was part of the celebrations of the Paignton Congress Diamond Jubilee - 60 years of chess in the same venue! Quite a record.

31 players took part in the simul, which was free to enter and then drawn by lot. 3 Devon juniors were chosen and of those, Robert Thompson, was the only person to beat Michael. There were also 4 draws too, so congratulations to Brendan O'Gorman, Chris Archer-Lock, W Taylor and J Wells.

Oldway Mansions, the venue for the congress, is the former home of Isaac Singer and is modelled on the Palace of Verseilles. The main room is the magnificent ballroom, with the minor section taking place in two smaller rooms, one of which is the Mayor's Parlour. The photo below shows part of the painted ceiling.

Results From Spectrum Dudley

Major U165

1st Tom Robinson 4/5

2nd = John Blore, Robin Huq, Simon Smith 3.5/5

Minor U125


1st Shailesh Jobanputra 4/5

2nd = Andrew Wiggins, Barry Kocan 3.5/5

Challengers U100


1st John Gibbs 5/5



2nd= Paul Broderick, Richard Leaper, Hazel Welch, Paul Williams 3.5/5

Final Round of Spectrum Chess, Dudley

The final round of the Spectrum Chess Congress in Dudley started within the last half hour. On top board in the U165 Major are Tom Robinson (white) with 3.5/4 and John Blore (black) with 3/4.




In the U125 Minor Section Andrew Wiggins (3.5/4) is playing white against Shailesh Jobanputra (3/4).






In the U125 Challengers Section, top board sees John Fenby on 3/4 playing white against John Gibbs, who is sitting undefeated on 4/4. Snapping at their heels are Paul Williams (white) and Richard Leaper (black), both on 3/4, playing on board 2.

Results and prize winners will be posted to this blog tomorrow.

Spectrum Chess - Dudley

The first Spectrum Chess Congress of 2009 is taking place this weekend at the Quality Hotel, Dudley. For those who aren't aware, Spectrum specializes in organizing chess congresses in hotel venues. This offers good playing conditions in hotel function rooms combined with hotel accommodation, and the camaraderie that comes from players able to socialize over meals.

This event takes place over 5 rounds, with 3 rounds on the Saturday and 2 on the Sunday. There are 3 sections: U165, U125 and U100. A goodly number have turned up to play and competition is fierce. The rate of play is 36 moves in 90 minutes plus 15 minutes quick play finish.

John and I are providing CCF MindGames bookstall, and also the equipment for the congress. It is good to see an organization which was formed in 1994 still providing congresses. I played some of my first congresses at Spectrum events and even won prize money in the past. This weekend, however, I have chosen not to play as I seem to be in free fall where my chess is concerned.

A Scary Play

Yesterday I spent some time listing some of the recently released chess books on ebay. We've let the chess side of ebay slip a bit as we've been concentrating on the trophies and cds.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/CCF-MindGames_Chess_Chess-Books-General_W0QQfsubZ4QQssPageNameZSTOREQ3aPROMOBOXQ3aLINKSQQtZkm

In the evening John and I went to the theatre in Worthing. I had won a pair of tickets to 'The Woman in Black' and we were looking forward to an enjoyable night. It is a chilling ghost story, so I spent a lot of time holding John's hand for reassurance. Unfortunately, at a particularly scary moment. I jumped, grabbed his hand even tighter and bent his wrist back. He's OK now, but was not too happy last night!

Ebay Again

Yesterday was another typical ebay listing day. Our part-timer was ill, so John and I were frantically trying to make sure that sufficient new listings went live last night to finish a week on Sunday. Mainly that was jazz cds, but John also listed 2 just released train and flight simulations. I was also making sure that our full range of leather key fobs were on the site. No time for any chess study - we hardly stopped for lunch. At least today will be a little quieter.