Marking a profitable return to the Belfast chess scene was the second place prize winner Semyon Mkrtchyan (1977). With the exception of a half-point dropped to Freeman in the second round, Mkrtchyan could do no wrong and finished with 4.5/5. Semyon played strongly and enjoyed the breaks at just the right time too, winning in the last round despite a hopelessly lost position - only awarded the final crucial win virtue of his sole remaining pawn and opponent's fallen flag.
On the day, it just wasn't to be for the strongest Belfast players competing. Ulster and Belfast Champion Steve Scannell lost momentum with a defeat against Steve Morgan and, after an unforgivingly tough draw, wasn't to recover. Morgan himself was left frustrated in round 3, following up his win over Scannell by losing a king and pawn endgame to William Storey (1315). Nevertheless, Morgan was to finish level with Fisherwick's John Bradley on 4/5 as the top finishing Ulster players.
The best under 1600 player in the tournament was another southern-based competitor, Steve Stokes of Bray Chess Club. The Greystones man - through his work driving forward the Irish University Chess Association in recent years - is certainly no stranger to chess in Queen's. Stokes' prize was extremely well-earned, with the 1537-rated player facing higher-seeded players in 4 of his 5 matches yet going through the entire tournament unbeaten. The highlight of Steve's tournament perhaps came in the 4th round, where he drew against the 2006 joint Ulster Champion, Michael Waters.
At least one prize was gained by a locally-based player, with Ismail Haji Jaya winning the award for the best ungraded player. Ismail's lack of competitive experience certainly didn't show, winning against more battle-hardened opponent's such as Chris Armstrong of the Lagan Chess Club on his way to an impressive 3.5/5 points tally.
Also deserving of note was the performance of the young Gupta siblings, who are currently the most precocious prodigies in Ulster Chess. Radhika and Raghav, both primary school pupils, each recorded wins and amazed all of the participants with their remarkable talent and all-too-evident potential to develop into extremely strong players. Hopefully such experience as this will be another step in nurturing their natural flair for the game.
There was also a very encouraging turnout of Queen's students enjoying their first taste of competitive chess. A superb total of 17 QUB players in all participated, reflecting the growing size of the club and all-round increase in chess interest at the University.
In conclusion, the 2008 edition of the QUB Rapid sees the expansion of the tournament begin to accelerate. Even bigger and better things are already being planned for next year. As the QUB Chess Club continues to move from strength-to-strength, the club's annual tournament will do so along with it.
The full final standings, more pics and video content are available here:
]]>Fisherwick's board 1, Michael Waters, was typically in no mood to relieve pre-match tensions during Fisherwick's Monday night tournament, boldly claiming to your author that "there are only two chess teams worth talking about in Belfast: Fisherwick and Fisherwick reserves". With the gauntlet laid down, Millar's Mob set about their task of disproving this Shanklyesque declaration.
For this fixture, the 3 QUB regulars of Steve Scannell, David Grzymek and captain Chris Millar were joined by two Trinitarians. Of little surprise was the reappearance of 2006 Dublin and Leinster Champion, Karl McPhillips, but he was also accompanied on this occasion by the 1850-rated Rory Delaney. Fisherwick, on the other hand, were to be without Ray Devenney and Graeme McCormick, but saw the return of captain Ian Woodfield and Sam Flanagan.
For a full report on the night's events, visit:
]]>All the competitors put Steve through his paces, but special credit goes to Caroline Downey - the sole player to take even a draw off Steve on the night. Caroline held off Scannell's onslaught, while each of the other competitors were, one-by-one, put to the sword by the American.
Congratulations to Steve, who put on an excellent show for those who played and enjoyed a great evening of chess. Having already recorded two wins out of two in the league for 2008 and recaptured the Williamson Shield, the Ulster Champion has started the year in as blistering form as ever.
No doubt, therefore, Scannell will be among the leading contenders for the £200 prize up for grabs in the QUB Rapid on February 16th. This next event is targeted at players of all playing strengths though, so make every effort to get involved! Full details here:
http://quis.qub.ac.uk/chess/qubrapid2008.htm
More pics and video content of the simul event can be found here:
http://quis.qub.ac.uk/chess/tourneys.htm#stevescannellsimul08
]]>Unfortunately, North Belfast were again to play the fixture a man short, but this time with the knowledge that they had defeated Queen's despite such a handicap before and that their board 1 David Houston was back to bolster their line-up. The pressure on Wood's team was only increased by North Belfast's post-Christmas slump, which has seen them lose to both bottom side Lagan and last year's champions Clifton House.
For the first time all season, QUB were set to name an unchanged line-up in a bid to continue their 100% winning record in 2008. With pairings such as Houston v Scannell, Masterson v Walls, Wood v Grzymek and Lavery v McCaughey, the stage was all set for what may be well-billed as the "Battle of the PFC".
A full report, including video, head-to-head results and the league table after this week's fixtures, can be found here:
]]>Groomsport arrived with a bang – no literally as William McGrattan perhaps in his trepidation drove his car into a pipe. At this stage, the only Bangor player present in the match room was board 5 Stefan Andreasson who was eagerly preparing for a simultaneous. When the Bangor team entered, Andreasson - instead of feeling relieved was disappointed instead.
There were changes in the Groomsport line-up from last year’s team with the absence of Martin Moorcroft and the return of Ron Henderson. On paper, Groomsport look a very handy team capable of promotion.
QUB welcomed back Claudio Fierro and Fred MacDonald to replace the feared Vladimir Pucovsky and Tommy Nolan. John Masterson pulled out also with QUB drafting in league debutant Robert Lavery at short notice to replace.
It was the debutant Robert Lavery, who was first to finish this week against supposed simultaneous expert Stefan Andreasson. The game itself was a tense one in which Stefan gained a one pawn advantage; to contest this Robert played a well worked out tactical combination which unfortunately led him to a losing King and Pawn endgame. Hard lines for Robert, but an assured Stefan claims the first point of the night to Groomsport and once again QUB are going to have to come from behind if they are to win.
At the other end of the room on Board 1, saw Alan McConnell of Bangor and Claudio Fierro of QUB involved in a dull Queen’s pawn game. In terms of excitement it failed to reach the heights accumulated by the fireworks throughout Belfast during the previous night. The only result which was ever likely throughout the game was a draw, which was agreed after a multiple of exchanges. The scores now stood at 1.5-0.5 in favour of Bangor Groomsport.
Fred MacDonald – the QUB board 2 was looking to continue the fine form he showed against Malone against William McGrattan. Earlier, McGrattan had caused chaos in the Fisherwick neighbourhood by damaging his car. McGrattan sat down to face his opponent, believing that Fred was the 2300 Russian in whom he had been anticipating playing. To save another few minutes, McGrattan went in search for a rope to try and salvage his cars exhaust (at least that’s what we think he wanted the rope for). When he returned to find out that his opponent was not a Russian, but instead a resident of Holywood. A reassured McGrattan played a sparkling game and won comfortably after an oversight from Fred. Making the score 2.5-0.5 to Groomsport and guaranteeing them at least a draw.
On board 3 saw Calum Leitch take on Richard Proctor, a match–up which usually produces fireworks, rivalling those of October 31st. Last year, the pair met twice with Leitch being victorious on both occasions, rather fortuitously on the 2nd occasion. The opening started interestingly for Leitch, playing a line which not even Fritz knows – never a good sign. Leitch’s lack in development and greedy ambitions caused him to enter move 10 in a lost position. Proctor, who is well known throughout Ulster chess for his ability to find a checkmate in any position, will instead be grateful to Leitch for his assistance in this demolition and thus attaining his revenge from their last meeting. Yet, Leitch fought for nearly 3 hours with nothing to show for his efforts. A valiant yet forgetful display in which saw his King - dispatched, his development – deficient, his moral – deteriorated and his team – defeated.
The remaining match was on board 4 between the solid Chris Millar and the steady Ron Henderson. Pre-match notes from Leitch predicted a draw, especially with the score at 3.5-0.5 and Millar’s ever-growing reputation of being a draw specialist. But Chris Millar, like any good captain stood head and shoulders above the team on the night and fought fearlessly for a win. To reclaim some pride for QUB resulting in a 3.5-1.5 win for Groomsport.
Groomsport have reason to feel overjoyed at this win, a spectacular performance which will no doubt boost their promotion bid.
QUB will have to regroup for the in-form Portadown, already QUB showing signs of frailty and the team can’t afford any more performances like this if they are to achieve promotion. Captain Chris Millar also will face a selection crisis in future matches due to competition for places and key players being sidelined.
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