Chess Scotland Noticeboard

Trevor Davies · Queen Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 131

The Glasgow Congress is again taking place Nov 6-8 in Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum + Kelvin International Arena.

Like last year, we can only accommodate 160 players so if you want to ensure your place, please make sure you get your entry form in as soon as possible. Last time I checked we were already one-third full.

(In many congresses, one-third capacity is reached only in the last week (or later) before entries close so we could well be heading for over-subscription again).

It is possible that this will be the last time the Glasgow will be held at these prestigious venues, although that is decision for the new Congress Committee to make.

Trevor Davies · Queen Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 131

Numbers have increased to 97 already. If you're posting your entry, it may be sensible to call/email Sam as well, just in case there are postal delays.

For accuracy, the arbiters for the event will be Alex McFarlane, Andy Howie, Gavin Saxton & David Reid. (and not as advertised).

Trevor Davies · Queen Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 131

A few hours ago, at the deadline, there were no more than 4 places remaining: complicated by the need to ensure even numbers in each section, if possible. If you're playing, good luck ! (and remember Round 1 (only) takes place at the Kelvin International Arena.) If you're not, then there can be fewer better places to watch play in progress than the Art Gallery and Museum on Saturday and Sunday. Looking forward to a great weekend!

Mike Scott · King Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 676 Location: Edinburgh

Is there an event web site this year?

Trevor Davies · Queen Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 131

Sorry - no.

SteveHilton · King Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 443 Location: Greenock

There is a link here it is

http://www.glasgowchess.co.uk/Congress2009/Congress2009/Home.html

Mike Scott · King Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 676 Location: Edinburgh

Thanks!

Trevor Davies · Queen Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 131

Correction:

There was a rumour that there was a website but I couldn't find it by googling Glasgow Chess Congress 2009. (Which proves that some rumours are true and Google is not infallible.)

How did you find it Steve?

SteveHilton · King Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 443 Location: Greenock

Trevor,
Sam sent me the link Very Happy

Steve

Trevor Davies · Queen Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 131

We've had quite a few late withdrawals for one reason or another. So we can still fit another 4 people in (I think). If you'd like to play, please give Sam a call on his mobile.

Trevor Davies · Queen Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 131

The following report on the Congress should appear in the News section in a few days time:

Glasgow Chess Congress 2009

The Glasgow Chess Congress was, for the second year, staged at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum (at Kelvin International Sports Arena on the Friday night) over the weekend of November 6-8th, 2009. There were 155 participants.

The Open (36 players)
International Master, Andrew Greet, led from the outset and was the sole player on maximum points after Round 3. However, he conceded a half-point to Clement Sreeves in Round 4 which allowed Ed Spencer and Daniel McGowan to catch up on 3½ points. Sreeves, half a point behind them, beat Spencer in the last round to end on four points. Meanwhile, McGowan’s hopes were dashed by Greet in their game – the latter thus taking sole first place. The next two boards were drawn but several decisive games amongst the chasing pack meant that a total of nine players shared third place on 3½ points.

1st . Andrew Greet (IM) 4½ £300
2nd . Clement Sreeves 4 £150
3rd (Shared by nine players) 3½ £ 14
(Neil Berry (FM), Alan Tate, Eddie Davis, Ed Spencer, Iain Swan,
Calum MacQueen, Daniel Rocks, Daniel McGowan & Anthony Allor )
Grading Prize (shared) 2½ £ 17
(Alan Jelfs, Campbell Dougan & Shivan Murdochy)

Challengers (34 players)
Going into the last round, Richard Cochrane and Matthew O’Donnell shared the lead on 3½ points, with just two others (Adam Bremner & John McBride) half a point adrift. A draw on the top board assured Cochrane and O’Donnell of a share of first place. Bremner and McBride had already played each other in Round 3 (drawn) so both were down-floated against strong opponents. Their fortunes diverged: Bremner won and McBride lost.

1st . (Shared by three players) 4 £117
(Richard Cochrane, Matthew O’Donnell & Adam Bremner)

Major (41 players)
Dave Hewitt led throughout and was half a point clear of John Blake and Sam Gregory (on 3½) by the end of the fourth round. The game Hewitt-Blake was drawn as was Gregory’s game. Further down the field, two decisive games brought John Shankland and Frank Park into the prize list.

1st. Dave Hewitt 4½ £200
2nd (Shared by four players) 4 £ 37.50
(John Blake, Sam Gregory, John Shankland & Frank Park)

Minor (44 players)
The sole leader going into Round 5 was Stuart Lampard. David King was half a point adrift on 3½ points, ahead of a chasing pack of eight others. On top board, the lead was reversed when King won. The next four boards also returned decisive results.
1st . David King 4½ £200
2nd (Shared by 5 players) 4 £ 30
(Tamas Kalman, James Cunningham, Stuart Lampard & Matthew Thomas)

Acknowledgements
It would be impractical to mention all the people who have materially contributed to the staging of the Glasgow Chess Congress 2009, even if I knew everyone’s name. However, I would like to record my thanks here to:
Arbiters: Alex McFarlane, Andy Howie, Gavin Saxton & David Reid
Stewards: Lara Barnes, Simon Kerridge, John McCartan, Chris Perkins, Phil Thomas, Jacqui Thomas, Paul Denham, Roy Smeeton & Gerard Blake.
Glasgow City Council: Colin Hartley, Claire McCauley & Michael Wright
Kelvingrove: Neil Ballantyne, Andy Cudden, Jim Hunter, John Stewart & Shona Cooper
Kelvin Arena: Isobel Miller & Andy Whiteford
Website: Peter Woods
Grading: Andy Howie
Bookstall: Peter & Anne Woods (Chess Suppliers)
Sponsors: Glasgow City Council, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Kelvin International Arena, Chess Suppliers, Robin Templeton, Glasgow Chess League, Milngavie Junior Chess Club & numerous players.
Concept: John Dempsey

Sam Collins, Tournament Director and Entries Secretary, carried that major burden with characteristic good humour: a much-needed quality when various difficulties threatened to derail our plans. Staging the Glasgow Congress at this venue presents significant organisational challenges and it may be that this factor will, in the future, over-ride the venue’s various advantages. This will be a matter for others to decide because I am now stepping down from any major role in Congress organisation. It is absolutely essential that several people now come forward to volunteer their services to the Glasgow Chess League to help stage the Glasgow Congress in 2010.
Trevor Davies

Trevor Davies · Queen Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 131

Correction - the text for the Minor tournament should read (I listed only 4 players in 2nd place)

Minor (44 players)
The sole leader going into Round 5 was Stuart Lampard. David King was half a point adrift on 3½ points, ahead of a chasing pack of eight others. On top board, the lead was reversed when King won. The next four boards also returned decisive results.
1st . David King 4½ £200
2nd (Shared by 5 players) 4 £ 30
(Tamas Kalman, James Cunningham, Stuart Lampard,
Matthew Thomas & Dominic O’Rourke))

Trevor Davies · Queen Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 131

Drat and double-drat! There was a mistake in the scoreboard - the fifth person sharing 2nd place in the Minor was in fact Iain Hope (and not Dominic O'Rourke). Fortunately, prizes were assigned correctly - based on the pairing cards. This mistake was pointed out by Dominic himself.