Unlucky for some at 13^th Bury Rapidplay

The Thirteenth annual Rapidplay Congress organised by Bury Chess Club took place yesterday (Sunday 9 December 2007) at Bury Town Hall.

Despite the cramped conditions in round one, and absence this year of sandwiches (though thankfully not tea, coffee and a licensed bar), it is fair to say that most players appreciate playing in such nice surroundings. Non playing parents, partners and friends also enjoy the luxury of the bar area overlooking the playing hall.

Entry was 92, good but not great due to clashes with premiership football at the Reebok and the Hatton fight in the early hours of Sunday morning. We did have one Grandmaster and a couple of foreign visitors, plus a good contingent from both Yorkshire and Merseyside.

MICHAEL WOOD HOMES were again main sponsors of the Bury Rapidplay Chess Congress. Returning sponsors were METCALFE & CO Accountants of Bury and insurance company WINTERTHUR LIFE.

This was a full day congress over six rounds, split into three sections – Open, Major and Minor - with total prize money of £750. Players each had 30 minutes to complete each game.

This was an ECF Grand Prix event.

The Bury & Rochdale League Team Competition

This event is open to clubs playing in the Bury & Rochdale League. Clubs had to submit a team list of 5 players, with the best 4 scores to count.

Heywood had enough players but failed to enter a team and both 3Cs and Bury left out their top scoring player.

Winners of an engraved clock were Bury with 14 points, followed closely by 3Cs A with 13.5 and 3Cs B with 9.

I think this is the first time a Bury team has won a clock, so an excellent performance by all the players, especially given the closeness of the winning margin of only half a point.

The M W Homes Open

This featured 14 players. Joint winners were Ali Jaunooby (3Cs Oldham) and Southport’s Grandmaster Nigel Davies each earning £80 with a score of 5/6.

Nigel finished strongly after a shock defeat by Roger Williamson (Aigburth) in the fourth round. Ali lost to Nigel in round 3, but beat Roger in round 5.

Having won his first 4 games, Roger finished third with 4.5/6.

Grading prizes were won by Jonathan Arnott (Sheffield University) and David Jameson (Colwyn Bay), both on 3.5/6. An eventful last round saw David hold Roger and Jonathan narrowly fail to hold Nigel

The Major

This featured 35 players, more than normal. Joint winners with a score of 5/6 were Philip Armstrong (Oldham), Richard Gavin (Oldham), Mark Birkin (Alwoodley Leeds) and Robert Clegg (Huddersfield).

Robert won his first five games, including wins against Phil and Richard, but fell to Mark in the last round. Mark dropped draws to Robert Dean (Pudsey) and Bury’s Roger Howley.

Grading prizes were won by Chris Booth (Huddersfield) and Mitchell Burke (3Cs Oldham).

The Minor had 43 players. It was won by Will Heyes (Skelmersdale) with the day’s best score of 5.5/6.

Top seeds James Wei (Bramhall) and Keith Johnson (Urmston) tied for second with 5 points, with Jade Stirrup (3Cs Oldham).

Will drew his final round game with Jade.

The U80 Grading prize was shared by Salfordians Philip Cohen and Anthony Carroll, Harry Brookes (Great Lever) and James Waddington (Bolton).

Bury’s Lee Baron won the U65 grading prize.

The Bury Players

Bury’s Lee Baron, Brian Forrest and Jeremy Peach shared the Lodwig Gruchlik Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually for the best score from a Bury Chess Club member, with a score of 4/6 in the Minor.

Bolton’s 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.

Next year’s event is on Sunday 14th December 2008, www.burychessclub.co.uk.