01 March 2016

   

  There were a couple of unusual features about this congress.  We had a very equal distribution between our 3 sections, all between 22- 27.  And for the first time www.chess-results.com was used.  This allowed all pairings to be available in advance, as well as displaying results and grading performance.

Full Results available online  -    Bristol Spring 2016     76 players in total.

Next congress June 10-12^th followed by the Steve Boniface Memorial Aug 26-28^th.  And watch out for our new web site coming soon  www.bristolchesscongress.com

FIDE rated OPEN-  This section ended in a tie for first place between our regular GM Keith Arkell and FM Ezra Kirk, teammates in the 4NCL, both with 4 ½.  Sole third place was won by Steven Meek on 3 ½.

    GM Arkell played to the watching crowd in the last round why he is considered a world class endgame specialist.  With just a few minutes each left (plus increment) he won a dramatic game in the last round.  As Keith said afterwards, “I went from being lost, to worse, to equal, to better, to won.”

   Third place Steven Meek won a 16 move miniature against the third seed, trapping his queen in the middle of the board.

   And 14 year old Max French upset American Daniel Malkiel to overcome 300 points grading difference.

Max French

www.chess-results.com/tnr209483.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&wi=821

 

The Major was won by top seed Chris Purry with 4 points, despite taking a first round bye.  Chris has consistently played in the Open in recent years but his grade has now allowed him to play in the Major.  He is also an experienced arbiter at the Frome Congress in mid May.

   2^nd place was shared by 2 local players- James Hennefeld and Howard Millbank.  James is an occasional congress player and said this was his best result in 10 years.  Howard was one of the lowest seeds, but he has been at 160 in his prime.

www.chess-results.com/tnr209484.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&wi=821

The Minor was won by last minute entry Jason Blaxill, a local Bristol player.  2^nd place was shared by Geoff Ainsley and David Mc Geeney.  Interesting to note that the top 5 players were all within the top 6 seeds.