14th Nottinghamshire Rapidplay, 23 February 2003

Report by Geoff Gibson: The 14th Nottinghamshire Rapidplay was held for the first time in several years at the Rushcliffe Leisure Centre, West Bridgford, Nottingham, the previous venue finally becoming unavailable after being under threat for some time. Despite this change, entries again came in briskly and the end result was a virtually unchanged total entry of 183 competitors.

In the OPEN section (27 competitors) the absence of any competing GMs or IMs ensured a close contest throughout, and first place was eventually shared between 4 players who each scored 4.5/6 and won £55 each.

The MAJOR section, for players graded below 155 (28 competitors) was also a very hard-fought affair and, after the smoke had cleared, Alexander Combie of Newark held his nerve best to emerge victorious with 5.5/6. Thomas Pym of Newport recovered from an early loss to clinch second place with 5/6 whilst two players shared 3rd with 4.5/6.

The INTERMEDIATE section, for players graded below 120 (53 competitors) was a new innovation for this year and proved to be a triumph for Ben Griffiths of Loughborough who dominated throughout and won with a perfect 6/6. Two players shared second place, both with 5/6.

The MINOR section, for players graded below 90 (75 competitors) saw the leader after five rounds held to a draw, enabling him to be caught and ensuring that Dave Dunne (Bunkers Hill) and John Asbury (Shirley) shared first place with 5.5/6. Three players tied for third, each scoring 5/6.

The TEAM competition was won by Swinton (13.5/18) followed by Grantham(12/18) and Calderdale(11.5/18).

The tournament again ran smoothly and to time, for which huge thanks are due to the team of controllers and assistants. Thanks also to the leisure centre staff for their help both before and during the event.

It is hoped that the event will take place on the equivalent date next year at the same venue. Finally, I hope to see as many of these competitors as possible at the 27th Nottingham Congress from Friday 25th - Sunday 27th April this year, also at the Rushcliffe Leisure Centre.

OPEN
Paul Cumbers Sheffield 4.5/6 1st= £55.00
Alex Posazhennikov Nottm University 4.5/6 1st= £55.00
Nigel Birtwistle Grantham 4.5/6 1st= £55.00
Alan Edwards Wigston 4.5/6 1st= £55.00
Martin Burrows Wigston 3.5/6 U170 Grd £20.00

MAJOR
Alexander Combie Newark 5.5/6 1st £100.00
Thomas Pym Newport 5/6 2nd £70.00
Shabir Okhai Birstall 4.5/6 3rd= £25.00
Ed Goodwin Whoberley 4.5/6 3rd= £25.00
Oliver Graham Worksop U130 Grd £20.00

INTERMEDIATE
Ben Griffiths Loughborough 6/6 1st= £ 100.00
Callum Gordon Checkmate 5/6 2nd= £60.00
Charlotte Wilcox Rushall 5/6 2nd= £60.00
Ian Harris Stapleford U101 Grd £20.00

MINOR
John Asbury Shirley 5.5/6 1st= £85.00 (*)
Dave Dunne Bunkers Hill 5.5/6 1st= £85.00 (*)
Victoria Crompton Swinton 5/6 3rd= £16.67
Peter Moss Calderdale 5/6 3rd= £16.67
Adam Sykes Kenilworth 5/6 3rd= £16.67
A Somerfield Stourbridge 5/6 U73 Grd £20.00
Sean Foreman Mansfield 5/6 Best U/G £20.00
* each share trophy for best Minor performance

TEAM PRIZE
1st - Swinton(13.5/18) win £16.00
2nd - Grantham(12/18) win £10.00
3rd - Calderdale(11.5/18) win £6.00

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