Bolton Easter Congress, 21-23 March 2008

Last Edited: Saturday March 29, 2008 12:22 PM

Report sent by Rod Middleton: 87 competitors took part in the 2008 Bolton Easter Congress, held at the Bolton Excel Centre, 21-23 March.

The Open section was the strongest for several years, with two GMs and one IM. After three rounds only two players were on maximum points, GMs Nigel Davies and Stewart Haslinger. Davies defeated Haslinger in a rook and knight + three pawns vs rook + five pawns ending, in their fourth round encounter. A draw between Nigel Davies and James Hanley in round five ensured that Nigel won the event.

View/Download three games from the Open, annotated by Harry Lamb

Some photos of the action at Bolton can be viewed here.

In the Major section the eventual winners Mark Whitehead and Paul Evans drew their fourth round encounter and both won their last round games to tie for first place on 4½/5.

The Knights section was won for the second year running by Daniel Broughton on 4½/5.

IM Jeff Horner had a poor congress but had the consolation of winning the Busy Persons Blitz with a score of 8/8.

Open (24 competitors, £410 in prizes): 1 Nigel Davies (ADS/Widnes) 4½/5, 2-3 Stewart Haslinger (Formby), James Hanley (Lancaster) 4. Under 180 grading: John Jarmany (Crusaders) 3.

Major U160 (27 competitors, £330 in prizes): 1-2 Mark Whitehead (Rochdale), Paul Evans (Blackpool) 4½/5, 3 Craig Whitfield (Cheddleton & Leek) 4. Under 140 grading: Martin Peim (Chorlton) 3½.

Knights U120 (36 competitors, £380 in prizes): 1 Daniel Broughton (West Bridgeford) 4½/5, 2-4 Mitchell Burke (3Cs), Roger Walker (Belper), Stuart Ridgway (Manchester area) 4.

Busy Persons Blitz (57 competitors, £240 prize fund): 1 Jeff Horner (Bolton) 8/8, 2 Alex Richardson (Newcastle-u-Lyne) 6½.
166-190 grading: Joss Woolley (York) 6, 146-165 grading: John Jarmany (Crusaders) & Marcial Flores (Eccles) 6, 126-145 grading: Nick Burrows (Great Lever), Graham Hughes (Kukri), Graham Ball (E Cheshire), Andrew Coe (Stockport) Jill Barber (Stockport) & Andrew Stoker 5, 106-125 grading: Martin Peim (Chorlton) & Mitchell Burke (3Cs) 4½, 86-105 grading: Steve Edwards (Boldmere) 4, 61-85 grading: Nathan Taylor (Bolton) 4, Under 60 grading: Chris Horner (Bolton), Gilbert Alomenu (Glasgow) & Steven Downie (Beverley) 3.

Home Page: www.bcmchess.co.uk