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British Chess Federation

Braille Chess Association British Chess Championships for the Blind, 13-20 August 2005

The 2005 BCA Championship was held at the atmospheric Auckland Hotel, Marine Parade, Morecambe from Saturday 13th-20th August. Warm weather prevailed for the whole week and it was the stimulus for an enjoyable and hard fought event, coupled with the holiday atmosphere at one of the most popular vacation spots.

The twenty players, officials and guides were given a warm welcome and a buffet meal by the hotel staff before kicking off the chess on Saturday evening under the watchful eyes of Senior Controllers Gerry Walsh and Peter Gibbs. Although numbers were down on previous events a competitive atmosphere prevailed. The youngest competitor Alastair Irving (Cumbria) had an impressive win against the BCA secretary Norman Wragg (Sheffield) in the very first round.

Hot favourite for the Championship section, a seven round Swiss, was the BCA's highest graded player and defending champion Chris Ross (Huntingdon). Chris found it hard work all the way through, and was lucky to claim a full point against Steve Thacker in Round 1. The number two seed, Steve Hilton (Greenock), was competing in his first BCA Championship and had an impressive win against Stan Lovell (Redcar) in Round 1.

Both the top seeds were held to draws by the evergreen John Gallagher of Leeds. By the time Chris and Steve met in Round 5 they both had 3 points from 4 games. Steve tried to counter Chris's Maroczy Bind set-up with a Kingside Pawn advance, but left too many holes and Chris simplified into a winning ending with a temporary Queen sacrifice.

Chris started the last round as sole leader with 4½/6. At this point the only other unbeaten player was John Gallagher, but he played poorly against Phil Gordon (Isle of Wight) and lost. This meant Chris could afford to offer Stan Lovell a draw from a superior position to win the event outright.

The last round was prolonged by the finish of the Steve Thacker-Bill Armstrong game. Steve, who had been doubtful whether he could play due to ill-health, ended with a neat combination to defeat Bill. Bill, from Leek, had just returned from representing the BCA in the IBCA World Cup in Greece. This win enabled Steve to tie with his namesake for second place with 4½ points. This was quite deserved as Steve had been the last player to finish in five of the seven rounds.

In the Minor event, an eight player all-play-all, there was a fierce battle between veterans Brian Perham (Colchester), Geoff Patching (Penzance) and the indefatigable Orlando Sobers (Birmingham). However, there was a surprise joint leader after Round 2 when the only players with 100% were Brian and 75-year-old Dorothy Hodges (Bristol). Despite unluckily losing the battle for the lead in Round 3 Dorothy deservedly went on to win the grading prize.

Brian beat Orlando in round 4 and drew with Geoff in Round 5, then dispatched the two back markers in the last two rounds to win by a point. Another battling veteran Chrissie Brown (Cheltenham) won the BCA ladies championship.

Prize-winners:
Championship: 1st Chris Ross 5
= 2nd Steve Hilton and Steve Thacker 4½
Grading Prize John Gallagher 4
Most improved Performance Alastair Irving 3½

Minor: 1st Brian Perham 6½
= 2nd Orlando Sobers and Geoff Patching 5½
Ladies Champion Chrissie Brown 4
Grading Prize Dorothy Hodges 2

The 'Most Interesting Game Prize', (sponsored by LPRG China) was awarded to Steve Thacker. Steve was not afraid to experiment with his openings and courted attention with his attacking efforts in Rounds 6 and 7. Co-Controller Peter Gibbs wisely remarked that as Steve had been the last player to finish five times, he had certainly captured the interest of the arbiters!

Thanks to Stan and Jan Lovell for their hard work in organising this always-welcome event in the chess calendar.

The decisive game Ross-Hilton from Round 5:

1. e4 c5; 2. Nf3 d6; 3. Bb5+ Bd7; 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7; 5. c4 Nc6; 6. Nc3 g6; 7. d4 cxd4; 8. Nxd4 Bg7; 9. Be3 Nf6; 10. f3 O-O; 11. Rc1 Rfc8; 12. b3 Qd8; 13. Qd2 Qa5; 14. Nde2 Ne5; 15. Nf4 g5!?; 16. Nfe2 g4; 17. f4 Ng6; 18. O-O h5; 19. Nd4 h4; 20. Qf2
Qh5; 21. Nf5 Bf8; 22. Bd4 g3; 23. hxg3 Ng4; 24. Qf3 e5; 25. Nd5! exd4; 26. Qxg4 Qxg4; 27. Nf6+ Kh8; 28. Nxg4 hxg3; 29. Rf3 Bg7; 30. Nxd6 Rc7; 31. Nf5 Re8; 32. Nxg3 Nh4; 33. Rd3 Ng6; 34. Rf1 1-0

* F = Female, J = Junior (14-21), S = Senior