28th Nottingham Congress, 25- 27 April 2003
(Inc. Midlands Individual Championships 2003)
Geoff Gibson reports: The 28th Nottingham Congress was
held for the first time ever at the Rushcliffe Leisure Centre, West Bridgford,
Nottingham, the previous venue finally becoming unavailable after being
under threat for some time. Although the playing area proved satisfactory,
some of the facilities proved not to be to everyone's liking, making it
unlikely the event will take place at this venue next year.
As our usual dates clashed with the Easter holiday, the event took place
one week later than normal this year, and consequently entries suffered
a little with a final total of 146.
In the OPEN section (29 competitors), the event was dominated,
as has been the case for several years, by the only competing grandmaster.
This year it was Mark Hebden (Birstall) who dropped his only half-point
in round 4 to win by a clear point on 5½/6. Two players shared
second on 4½/6 - Alex Posazhennikov (Nottm Univ) and Adam Ashton
(3Cs) - Adam also wins the British Championship 2003 qualifying place.
The MAJOR section, for players graded below 160 (47 competitors)
was a very hard-fought affair, and eventually two players, Balvinder Grewal
(Stapleford) and Kevin Shutt (Newark) shared first with 5/6. Third place
was a four way tie at 4½/6 and there was a three-way split of the
section's main grading prize.
The MINOR section, for players graded below 120 (70 competitors)
was an incredibly close contest and resulted in a five-way tie for first
place, all scoring 5/6. Local players featured strongly amongst the section's
grading and junior prizes.
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
ladies on the refreshment stall and to the leisure centre staff for their
help both before and during the event in coping with the various problems
which arose.
The dates for next year's event are yet to be decided as a new venue
is being sought and the availability is not yet clear. Nottingham High
School and County Hall, the tournament's original venue, are both under
consideration.
OPEN
Mark Hebden Birstall 1st= £400.00
Alex Posazhennikov Nottm University 4½/6 2nd= £150.00
Adam Ashton 3C's 4½/6 2nd= £150.00 (*)
Raymond Ilett Peterborough 3½/6 U166 Grd (Free Entry Voucher)
(*) wins British Championship 2003 qualifying place
MAJOR
Balvinder Grewal 5/6 1st= £225.00
Kevin Shutt Newark 5/6 1st= £225.00
Vincent Naan Gambit 4½/6 3rd = £20.00
John Parrott Shrewsbury 4½/6 3rd= £20.00
Michael-John Turp Lincoln 4½/6 3rd= £20.00
David Saenz Bunkers Hill 4½/6 3rd= £20.00
Paul Carpenter St Mary Church, Torquay 3½/6 U145 Grd £5.00
Amarjit Mehton Stapleford 3½/6 U145 Grd £5.00
Shabir Okhai Syston 3½/6 U145 Grd £5.00
Colin Patterson Newcastle Upon Tyne 4/6 U134 Grd £15.00
MINOR
Rob Moruzzi Cheddleton & Leek 5/6 1st= £85.00
Paul Salisbury Rose Forgrove 5/6 1st= £85.00
Richard Desmedt Wombwell 5/6 1st= £85.00
James L Thomson Stapleford 5/6 1st= £85.00 (*)
John Asbury Shirley & Lucas 5/6 1st= £85.00
Amar Mann Nomads 4½/6 Best U100 Grd Free Entry Voucher
Gunars Bankavs Bell Green 3½/6 Best U80 Grd Free Entry Voucher
G Hourd Stathern 2½/6 Best U/G £5.00
Mehul Makwana Birstall 2½/6 Best U/G £5.00
Ted Pynegar Nottm High School 3/6 Best Junior Free Entry Voucher
Anne-Marie Moruzzi Cheddleton & Leek 1/6 Encouragement Prize £5.00
voucher
* wins Wilf Crossland Memorial Shield for best Minor performance by a
Nottinghamshire player.
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