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British Chess Federation

Bury (Manchester) Rapidplay, 12 December 2004

The Tenth annual Rapidplay Congress organised by Bury Chess Club took place at the sumptuous surroundings of the Elizabethan Suite, Bury Town Hall. Nearly a hundred players contested three Sections with total prize money of £760.

Competitors, aged 7 to 96, travelled from the North West and Midlands of England and Wales, plus the usual large contingent from Yorkshire. The youngest prizewinner was 12, the oldest 72 and the only disabled player was in the prizes, showing how chess is truly a sport for all.

MICHAEL WOOD HOMES were main sponsors of the Bury Rapidplay Chess Congress.

After an opening speech by Bury Chess Club President Bernard Sharples, Michael Wood was present to make the first move on top board of the MW Homes Open.

Returning sponsors of the congress this year were SCOTTISH LIFE and METCALFE & CO Accountants of Bury and SKANDIA LIFE.

This was a full day congress over six rounds, split into three sections – Open, Major and Minor. Each player had 30 minutes to complete each game.

This was a BCF Grand Prix event. The Open counted as triple points, with the Major and Minor counting double.

The Bury Players

Bury’s Paul Mole won the Lodwig Gruchlik Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually for the best score from a Bury Chess Club full member, with a score of 5.5/6 in winning the Minor. Paul achieved the best score by any player on the day.

Also in the Minor, Lee Baron scored lost his first game, but won the rest to finish joint second. Martin Bryant only dropped points in a loss to Paul, and a stalemate in time trouble to finish with 4.5. Peter Logan and Stephen Press scored 3.5, Roger Nuttall and Sheraz Khalil 3, Brian Forrest 2.5 and Michael Law 1.5.

In the Major, the three masters of time-trouble, Roger Howley, Anthony Lee and Keith Evans all scored 3.5.

Pregnant Pause – Bury Chess Club, The Next Generation

Although there were no female players this year, we were visited on the day by no less than 3 expectant wives of club members. We hope that the next generation of Bury players will arrive safely over the next 6 months.

The M W Homes Open

As has become customary, this was another strong event with 5 titled players including two International Masters among the 17 players, 5 of which were graded over 200.

Andrew Ledger (Sheffield) and Craig Hanley (Lancaster) won £120 each with a score of 5/6.

2002 winner Craig lost the war of the roses to Andrew in the crucial game in round 4. Andrew then drew with the Bolton pair of Mike Surtees and Jeff Horner.

Mike finished third with 4.5 and won the under 190 grading prize. Jeff finished fourth with 4.

Roger Williamson (Aigburth) won the under 170 grading prize. Roger has incredibly won a grading prize three years in a row.

The Major

There were two undefeated joint winners also with a score of 5/6 – Ian Campbell (Widnes) and Adam Scoular (Swinton).

Adam drew in rounds 1 and 3, so never got the chance to play Ian who drew in rounds 4 and 6.

Dean Hartley (Clay Cross) won the under 135 grading prize with 4.5. Dean finished joint third with Martin Burns (Stockport). Martin was undefeated, drawing with Ian in the final round.

Michael Rabbitte (Swinton) won the under 120 grading prize, beating Dean but losing to both Ian and Adam.

The Minor

Paul Mole of Bury won the Minor with the day’s best score of 5.5/6, conceding a draw in the second round. Paul beat his club teammates, 2002 winner Brian Forrest and top seed Martin Bryant, along the way.

James Carrington (Tameside Juniors) finished joint second on 5, with Lee Baron of Bury. James lost his last round game to Paul, whereas Lee finished with five straight wins.

Richard Blackwell (Holmes Chapel) beat Lee in round one and drew with Paul in round 2, but a loss to Peter Logan of Bury in round three was the start of a bad afternoon that saw him fade from contention.

Conrad Jowett (Stockport) was surprised to win the under 85 grading prize despite his last round defeat by Lee.

Terry Sullivan (Calderdale) produced the day’s best rating performance, finishing joint second with James and Lee and winning the under 70 grading prize. Like Lee, Terry won his final five games after a first round loss to Peter Logan of Bury.

Bolton’s Rod Middleton and Julian Clissold smoothly controlled the Congress, as always and there were no significant disputes. Many Bury club members helped to organise and run the event. Andrew Butterworth of Chess Direct provided the Bookstall.

All have kindly agreed to return for next year’s event on Sunday 11th December 2005.

www.colossus.demon.co.uk/bcc/eventsresults/congresses/2004rapidplay/report.htm