Results of the Paignton Diamond Jubilee Chess Congress

Ron Bruce Open

1. Keith Arkell 6.5
2. Richard Almond 5
3. Neville Gill; Edward Hurwitz; Bruce Jenks; Dirk Jordan; Jason McKenna; Tyson Mordue; Martin Simons 4.5

Rowena Bruce Challengers

1. Ivor Annetts; Andrew Footner; Brian Hewson; Martin Page; Andrew Price 5

Ken Bloodworth Inter

1. Paul Smith 5.5
2. Peter Hannon; Dinah Norman; David Walshaw 5

Walker Minor

1. Colin Long 5.5
   
2. Christine Constable; Geoffrey Naldrett 5

Boniface 5 Round Morning

1. Richard Bryant 4.5
2. Andrew Footner; Eric Key; Brendon O'Gorman; David Patrick; Barry Sandicott 4
   

Looking across the magnificent marble staircase towards the results charts.

Round 5 Results from Paignton

Photo of the Ballroom at the start of the morning tournament. This room is also used for all but the minor tournament in the afternoon. A visitor's comment yesterday was that they weren't used to seeing chess played in such a grand setting.

In most tournaments round 5 would be the final round, but this is 7 rounds and so leaders can still be overtaken in most sections! The minor sees the battle of the ladies, and GM Keith Arkell is now 1.5 points clear in the open.

Ron Bruce Premier

1. Keith Arkell 5
2. John Blore; Neville Gill; Tyson Mordue; Martin Simons 3.5

Rowena Bruce Challengers

1. Chris Archer-Lock; Brian Hewson; Mel Young 4

Ken Bloodworth Inter

1. Paul Smith 4.5
2. Gordon Farrar; Kenneth Francis; Peter Hannan; Geoffrey Rasser; David Walshaw 3.5

Walker Minor

1. Chris Constable; Hazel Welch 4

Boniface 5 Round Morning

1. Richard Bryant 4/4
2. Eric Key; David Siddall 3.5

In the American All-Play-All Nigel Dennis has won all 5 of his games so far.

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.