This report
includes comments on the Gilbert (U18 girls), Robinson (U14) and
Stokes (U12) Cups. The event was held at Daventry Court Hotel
which is one of Puma Hotels and the venue for some of the 4NCL
events. The venue was definitely hailed as the best in 20 years
and if we have to go back to student accommodation it will be
Playing conditions were spacious and quiet, rooms were very
comfortable and the food was good and at sensible prices.
Unfortunately England is the only country with more than three
of this chain and where they are only in the main cities they
tend to be considerably more expensive. However, we can but hope
for the future!
Now to the
chess: This year the competition proved much closer with England
certainly not having everything there own way although at the
end of day two they were leading in three of the four
tournaments. In the Glorney the first round saw 3-2 wins for
England and Scotland but in round two England defeated Scotland
4-1 whilst Ireland accounted for Wales 3½-1½. On the second
day Wales defeated Scotland 3½-1½ whilst England got a
whitewash against Ireland. The second day saw the first of the
reverse games with Scotland and Wales doing better but going
down 3-2 to England and Ireland respectively. This left England
on 15 points, Wales on 9, Ireland 8½ and Scotland 7½. In the
Gilbert we have had a lot of draws with 13\24 games ending even.
Again things are fairly tight with England leading on 8,
Scotland on 6½, Ireland on 5 and Wales on 4½.
The Robinson Cup
is even closer. On day one Wales defeated England 4½-1½ and
Ireland 4-2 but did not keep this pace up drawing with Scotland
and losing 2-4 to Ireland. Scotland meanwhile lost 2½-3½ to
England in their first meeting but gained revenge by the same
margin in the return. They also won 5-1 against Ireland whilst
England beat Ireland 3½-2½. This left Scotland leading
narrowly with 14 points from Wales 13½, England on 11 and
Ireland on 9½. The Stokes Cup is looking like an English victory
although their total of 16½ is only 5 ahead of Ireland with
Scotland a further point behind and Wales on
9½. Again almost
all the games have been close with England´s 5-1 win in round 4
pushing them well ahead.
To date the
tournament has been played in a friendly, sporting manner and we
look forward to some exciting chess in the final two rounds.
We started the last day at 0900 to
facilitate departures and the morning proved decisive in two
tournaments but left the other two open. In the Glorney a 3½ -
1½ win for England over Wales gave England an unassailable lead
although only one point separates the other three countries so
there is still a lot to play for. The Gilbert saw 4\6 games and
both matches drawn leaving England still 1½ points ahead. In the
Robinson Scotland and Ireland drew whilst Wales lost 2½ - 3½ to
England and entered the final round 1 point behind Scotland but
with the better tie break. Finally England built up an
unassailable lead in the Stokes beating Wales 4½ - 1½ whilst
Scotland beat Ireland 3½ - 2½ leaving both countries tied on 14
points.
The first section to be completed
was the Stokes where England saw off Ireland leaving Scotland,
who had beaten Wales 4-2 in second place. The final tally was
England 27, Scotland 18, Ireland 14 and Wales 13. The Robinson
which all through had been the most exciting, went down to the
last game with Scotland needing a win to clinch the title.
England came third after drawing with Ireland. The final game
finished 20 minutes from time with Rhys Bennett holding his
nerve to clinch a 4-2 victory for Wales and with it the Robinson
Cup: The final scores being Wales 20 points, Scotland 19,
England 17½ and Ireland 15½. This is the first time Wales have
ever won any section in this competition! The Gilbert also went
down to the wire but a draw against Ireland ensured a win for
England with 11 points followed by Scotland 10 pts, Ireland on
8pts and Wales 7pts. England had secured the Glorney with a
round to go but the battle for second place went down to the
last minute. England defeated Ireland 3½ - 1½ whilst James
Thomas won a mad time scramble to gain a 3-2 win for Wales and
second place. The final scores being England 22, Wales 13½,
Scotland 13 and Ireland 11½ thus ending an excellent tournament
with good chess and good sportsmanship throughout. After the
prize giving we all departed for our various homes with many
meeting in the North East the following week.
Peter Purland |