Five-way tie for Ulster Rapidplay title
The Ulster Rapidplay Championship was held as usual over the Christmas-New Year Holiday period at the Belfast Boat Club.
The six-round Swiss open was played on the 28th December 2008 and outright champion for the last two years, Stephen Scannell, looked to be heading for a hat-trick after winning his first four games and enjoying a full-point lead over his nearest rivals.
However a Round 5 defeat by Michael Holmes and a draw with Gareth Annesley in the final round meant that Scannell had to share the title this year with four others- Holmes, Annesley, John Cairns and Calum Leitch.
Grading prizes went to Richard Gould, Ananda Srinivasan, Aaron McCully and Kevin Robbin.
Place Name Rtg Club Score
1-5 Michael Holmes 2009 RVH 4.5
Stephen Scannell 2108 QUB 4.5
John Cairns 1983 Fisherwick 4.5
Gareth Annesley 1874 RVH 4.5
Calum Leitch 1619 QUB 4.5
6-8 Aaron McCully 1260 RVH 4
Richard Gould 1504 QUB 4
Anandagopal Srinivasan 1504 Fisherwick 4
9-10 David Seaby 1175 Fisherwick 3.5
Kevin Robbin 3.5
11-15 Timothy Douglas 1838 3
Mark Newman 1696 Bombardier 3
Martin Kelly 1438 Fisherwick 3
William Storey 1315 Lagan 3
Christopher Kelly 1686 Lagan 3
16 Cathal Murphy 1000 RVH 2.5
17-21 Radhika Gupta Fisherwick 2
Kiran Robbin 2
Alan Burns 1422 CIYMS 2
Raghav Gupta Fisherwick 2
Conall Newman Bombardier 2
22-23 Geoff Hindley 1020 Lagan 1.5
Harshith Maruthireddy 1.5
24 Matthew Chapman 0
