Open Air Event 5: Groomsport Outdoor Blitz Championship - Saturday 26 September 2020

Tournament Report: Brendan Jamison

Photos : Eimear Savage

It was the forth dry Saturday in a row so that could mean only one thing, yes, more open air chess! The 26th September saw players descend on the beautiful coastal town of Groomsport for the 5th in the outdoor chess grand prix. With a time control of 7+7, the 6 round blitz was limited to just 10 players across 5 picnic tables at the coast. The waves were crashing in, the wind was blowing but the sun was out and everyone was armed with their masks and gloves and itching to dive into 3 hours of chess excitement!

It was great to welcome back 14 year old schoolboy Ben Toogood (1330) who finished 5th and arbiter-in-training Rebecca McClurg (783), both enjoying over-the-board chess again after a six month break. Bangor Chess Club Treasurer James O’Fee popped along to watch the first few rounds and enjoyed a fun game before the tournament began. Our friendliest newcomer, Maikel Podean (1372), from The Netherlands, competed in his second UCU rated event, finishing 6th with 3/6. He enjoyed the competition and hopes to play in many more.

Congratulations to 7 year old Ethan Cole (929) who won the Under 1000 Rating Award with an excellent Tournament Performance Rating (TPR) of 1102. Richard McClean (1052) scooped the Under 1200 trophy with a brilliant day of chess, ending with an impressive TPR of 1249.

We then had a tie with two players ending on 5/6, both enjoying an excellent run of wins, with tie-breaks determining Chris Dorrian (1390) as the 3rd place trophy winner and a TPR of 1452.  Very well done to 15 year old Calum Glendinnung (1059) who played far beyond his rating, delivering a wonderful TPR of 1524 and securing the Silver trophy for 2nd place. The day’s champion, Brendan Jamison (1748) ended on 6/6 and a TPR of 1844.