27 September 2013

HARAMBEE QUICKPLAY   22nd October 2013

When I arrived at the venue, there were 15 entries. By the time everybody sat down to play, the number had doubled! Unfortunately, the decision had already been taken to have just one section, and by the time all the rest had arrived it was too late to start again. So 30 players in one section, with grades ranging from 212 to 27, got stuck into what was the first Harambee Rapidplay for several years. The organisation was very good, the catering was excellent (though underused), and the venue was spacious and well lit. Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was largely a Bristol league event, but we had visitors from Yeovil, Cirencester and Swindon, plus Milos Kascak from Slovakia, playing his very first tournament in this country. He has been encouraged to find a club in Bristol, where he is currently living. He started off extremely well, but couldn’t sustain it to the end and finished with 4/6. The final top positions were:

1^st=  Gareth Morris (Horfield)  and Chris Timmins (no club) (5/6) 

                                                                                                  £80 each

Grading Prizes: (awarded to lowest graded qualifying player)

180 – 151  -  Jody Johnson (Clifton)                       £30

150 – 126 -  Neil Derrick  (Cabot)                           £30

125 and below – Richard Porter  (University)         £20