Hereford Chess Congress
23-25 August 2008
Report by Ray Collett
The 36th edition of this popular congress took place on Bank Holiday
weekend, 23-25 August 2008 at Aylestone
School, Hereford. The venue was excellent with parking
next to the congress hall. The school is set in spacious grounds that allow
a leisurely lunch-time walk and the playing hall offers excellent playing
conditions. The tournament was controlled by Phil Mead: the bookstall was
provided by CCF
Mindgames. Nearly ninety players competed being split nearly equally between
the three sections.
There were three tournaments: Open,
Major (Under 150) and
Minor (Under 115) each with 6 rounds. Each of the three days had
a morning followed by an afternoon playing session with time control of
36 moves in 1½ hours followed by 15 minutes to complete the game. There
was generous time for lunch to sample the refreshment counter, which was
open before the morning play. The fruit cake most delicious!
The last game to finish was in the Open between Paul Wallace and
Tim Kett. With less than two minutes on the clock Paul wrapped up an ending
where he had a king and two rooks against a king and rook to gain a share
in the second prize. In the major section younger players were to the fore;
Rob Thompson winning and Sheila Dines among the runners-up.
Winners in 2008
Open:
1st Tyson A Mordue (Downend & Fishponds) 5; followed by 2nd-3rd placed
Paul Wallace (Lichfield) and R S Jones (Swansea) on 4½. The grading
prize was won by Roy Shapland (Barnstable) with 4.
Major: 1st, Rob Thompson (Newton Abbott) 5, followed by 2nd-7th placed
Paul Barker (Hereford), Sheila Dines (Croydon), Roger Greatorex (Llangollen),
Brendan O'Gorman (DHSS, London), Chris Purry (Frome), and Gary Rawlings
(Hereford), all on 4. Grading prizes: Ray Collett (Worcester) and RE Jones
(Swansea) with 3½.
Minor: 1st-2nd, G Darling (Newton Abbott) and Alex Freeland jnr (Cardiff),
5, followed by Ken Alexander (Tiverton), Alexander Harris (Perse School), and
John Loynes (Worcester, Stourbridge) all on 4½. Grading prize: Hazel
Welch (Seaton) with 4.
Winners in previous years at Hereford
Temporary webpage design for Herefordshire CA by Ray Collett. Last updated on 3 September 2008