You are here: Home Archives Ulster Chronicles 2013-2014 season UCU Web 2014 Lavery Grabs Honours

Lavery Grabs Honours

Sunday's final NICS Rapidplay was competing with the World Cup and some of the best weather we have had in quite a while. Still, a dozen stalwarts turned out to make Nick Pilkiewicz and Robert Lavery work for their prizes.
Lavery Grabs Honours

Geoff Aghast at Robert's Audacity

Rapidplay

For some, the competition was a little too soon after an early summer holiday but for most it was game on. The field may have been short on numbers but it was a relatively high average rating.

Not surprisingly, round 1 played out more or less by rating as top half of players faced the bottom half. Shock of the day was a resounding loss by Mark Newman to a 1200 player; admittedly it was David McAlister who evidently has been working at his game.

Round 2 was more of the same except at the bottom of the pile with Drew Ferguson blundering to Geoff Hindley. Matches were a tight 15 minutes with no increments; it was do or die and plenty of flags were falling in the sluggish atmosphere.

Next round 3 saw a few more wobblies: Top boards of the competition played off very early with Nick Pilkiewicz besting Damien Lavery. Mark Newman got the better of Steve Eachus while David McAlister scored another win scalping Robert Lavery. And again at the bottom, Drew Ferguson crashed & burned to Adrian Donford.Smith. It looked like Nick was in for a clean sweep while Drew chased the wooden spoon.

Nothing changed in round 4 with all games playing out to ratings. Round 5 saw a few balanced matches raise the odd eyebrow. David McAlister continued his return from the doldrums by winning against Steve Eachus. Adrain Donford-Smith took a good win against Geoff Hindley while Drew Ferguson spoiled his duck with an unexpected win against Peter Wilson.

The final round finished the competition with a spectacular win from Robert Lavery against leader Nick Pilkiewicz. Mark Newman held Damien Lavery to a draw on board 2. On board 3, Peter Wilson drew in a fluctuating encounter with David McAlister. Bottom board Drew Ferguson had Alan Burns under the cosh angling for a mate till a horrible blunder gifted the game to Alan.

All in all, a fine afternoon's chess.

Rapidplay Winner: Nick PilkiewiczRapidplay Runner-Up: Damien LaveryRapidplay Grading Prize: Robert Lavery

Winner:

Nick Pilkiewicz

Runner-up:

Damien Lavery

Grading prize:

Robert Lavery

  1. Nick Pilkiewicz (winner)
  2. Damien Lavery (runner-up)
  3. Robert Lavery (grading prize)

Grand Prix

Robert Lavery may have had little competition at the start of this final event, but the senior position could have been anyones. On the day, with Mike Redman unavailable and Cal Leitch a no show, it was down to Nick Pilkiewicz to show his worth which he did in fine style boosting his ranking by 10 full points. And not far behind him was NICS own veteran campaigner, Alan Burns who claimed the "best NICS player" prize.

Grand Prix Outright Winner: Rober LaveryGrand Prix Senior Winner: Nick PilkiewiczGrand Prix - Best Placed NICS Player: Alan Burns
Robert Lavery Nick Pilkiewicz Alan Burns
  1. Robert Lavery (junior & outright winner)
  2. Nick Pilkiewicz (senior winner)
  3. Alan Burns (best placed NICS player)

Links

Navigation
News
Washingbay FIDE Rapid This week's upcoming event's early entry list Jun 02, 2025
Annual General Meeting 2024/2025 2024/2025 season is rapidly coming to a close and with this comes the announcement of the UCU’s Annual General Meeting... Jun 01, 2025
City of Belfast Winners Well done to Steve Scannell our champion, and David Jeffers on winning the Intermediate trophy! May 26, 2025
The Belfast Megafinals took place at Methodist College on Sat May 10th 2025 The last of this years monthly tournaments at Methodist College. Ended with the Delancey Chess Challenge Belfast Megafin... May 25, 2025
GM Alex Baburin plays 24 games in Ulster Simultaneous 23rd May 2025 An evening of fantastic chess was enjoyed when 24 Ulster Chess players played Irelands GM Alex Baburin. Organised by Kar... May 24, 2025
More news…
« June 2025 »
June
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930
Upcoming Events
The Summer Tournament (Now FIDE rated) Weds 11th June at Civil Service Pavilion Weds 11th June and the 6th Week. The aim is to start each round at 7.45 pm. Please arrive at least by 7:30pm and if arri... Jun 11, 2025 07:30 PM - 10:30 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
Annual General Meeting 2024-2025 Agenda TBC when nominations and motions are received Please submit nominations/motions by 20th June Jun 30, 2025 08:00 PM - 10:00 PM — Falls Bowling Club, 63 Andersonstown Road
City of Lisburn Championship Jul 26, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025 — Lisburn Chess Club, 60-62 Longstone Street
Upcoming events…