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City of Belfast Championships 2009

Belfast Boat Club was the venue for the City of Belfast Championships, which comprised both an open tournament for the Nemtzov Cup and also the Henderson Cup for under-1600 players. Play took place over the 16-17 May weekend.

In the Nemtzov Cup, John Cairns secured victory with one round to spare after winning all his first five games. These included a spectacular defeat of defending champion, Stephen Scannell in Round 5. Eamonn Walls defeated Cairns in the final round to claim a share of second place alongside Scannell and Gareth Annesley. The Grading Prize was shared by a newcomer to Ulster chess, Tomasz Sobolewski, together with Mark Newman and John McKenna. In the Henderson Cup William Storey came first with Karina Kruk and Martin Kelly sharing second prize. The grading Prize in this section went to Phillip Morrison.

Nemtzov Cup Final Standings

Place Name              Rtg  Club        Score
 
  1   John Cairns       2020 Fisherwick  5    
 2-4  Stephen Scannell  2119 QUB         4    
      Gareth Annesley   1939 RVH         4    
      Eamonn Walls      1834 QUB         4    
  5   James McDonnell   1989 UCU         3.5  
 6-8  Tomasz Sobolewski                  3    
      John McKenna      1645 QUB         3    
      Mark Newman       1758 Bombardier  3    
9-10  Ian Woodfield     1648 Fisherwick  1.5  
      Paul McLoughlin   1602 Bangor      1.5  
 11   David Baras       1587 Randalstown 1    

Henderson Cup Final Standings

Place Name              Rtg  Club         Score
 
  1   William Storey    1364 Lagan        5    
 2-3  Karina Kruk       1415 QUB          4.5  
      Martin Kelly      1440 Fisherwick   4.5  
  4   Alan Burns        1404 CIYMS        4    
 5-6  Alexander Beckett 1365 Fisherwick   3.5  
      Phillip Morrison  1048 RVH          3.5  
 7-8  Raymond Smith          RVH          3    
      Geoff Hindley     976  Lagan        3    
9-10  John Monaghan     1094 RVH          2.5  
      Cathal Murphy     1030 RVH          2.5  
 11   Peter Storey      730               1.5  
 12   David Seaby       1104 Fisherwick   1    
 13   James Fairley     969  Fisherwick   0.5 
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