City of Belfast 2014

The City of Belfast took place over the weekend 7/8 June. Saw some upsets, some new players and some absolutely brilliant chess....

The boards were out, pieces set, clocks silent..... ready for the coming onslaught.

Twenty brave souls readied themselves for battle.

The draw made, all byes set and people registered, entries collected. Opponents shook hands and the Controller said GO.

Round 1 saw games go to Rating.

Round 2 saw Robert Lavery take a brilliant draw against Mark Newman and Patrick Magee beat Cahill Murphy. On rating difference two giants slayed!

Round 3 John Cairns and new-comer Philip Moclair (its always exciting to see a new player but one of rating over 2000 is in itself a major event. Thanks for coming back to chess Philip). agreed a quick draw. Willam Storey beat Damien Lavery.

Round 4 and Gareth Annesley lead with 3 points followed closely by Philip Moclair, John Cairns, William Storey on 2 1/2. A tightly fought competition. John Cairns knocked Gareth off the lead by beating him. William Storey added to the mix by drawing against Philip Moclair. Patrick McKillen also got an excellent result drawing against Robert Lavery.

Round 5 Patrick McKillen drew against Philip Moclair, Mohamed Saad beat John McKenna and Paul Anderson took a point off Cahill Murphy.

Going into the last round the standings were: (for full results of the competition)

The bandings were set at : Nemtzov Cup: Players above 1400, Henderson Cup: Players below on or below 1400, Ratings prize: Players below 1200.

Belfast City - Round 5

Standings

Place Name                   Rtg  Score

  1   Cairns, John           1976 4.5  
  2   Annesley, Gareth       1954 4    
 3-4  Moclair, Philip        2031 3.5  
      Troughton, Niall       1574 3.5  
5-10  Newman, Mark           1784 3    
      Storey, William        1289 3    
      Lavery, Robert         1479 3    
      McKillen, Patrick      1234 3    
      Woodfield, Ian         1645 3    
      Saad, Mohamed          1391 3    
 11   McDonald, Robert       1100 2.5  
12-15 McKenna, John          1508 2    
      Seaby, David           1119 2    
      Magee, Patrick         1097 2    
      Anderson, Paul         663  2    
16-17 Scarborough, Stephen   1242 1.5  
      Murphy, CJ             1311 1.5  
 18   Dornford-Smith, Adrian 1001 1    
 19   Campbell, Bobby        600  0.5  
20-21 Jackson, George        1259 0    
      Rainey, Norman         796  0

by Swiss Perfect (TM) www.swissperfect.com

Round 6 saw John Cairns beat Niall Troughton in a closely fought battle and winning the Nemtzov Cup. The Henderson Cup could have been won by contenders William Storey who fell to Mark Newman and Mohamed Saad who had the last ending game with lots of excitement against Robert Lavery - the game ending with a Rook against 4 pawns and the players agreed a draw. Final contender Patrick McKillen had a mountain to climb, to beat Ian Woodfield a rating difference of over 400 points and Patrick won gaining a very well earned Henderson Cup.

Geoff Hindley UCU President presented the awards.

The final winners :

Nemtzov Cup:

Winner: John Cairns

Second: Philip Moclair

Henderson Cup:

Winner: Patrick McKillen

Second: Mohamed Saad

Ratings Prize:

Patrick Magee