Metropolitan Congress 2003 Report

Despite the attractions of live televised European Championship football, particularly Turkey v England and Scotland v Lithuania and World Cup rugby, and several county matches taking place, the congress attracted an entry of 181 but this reduced to 177 after some withdrawals before the first round.

We would also like to thank John Kitchen and Ray Hamilton for their untiring efforts in organising and running the tournament and to Bob Wade for being the arbiter. The book stall and equipment were supplied by Francis Bowyer and refreshments by Tony Wall. Thanks also to all those Metropolitan players who helped set up and clear the hall.


Selection of Games from the Tournament

Tournament Results and prizes

OPEN

In the Open section five International masters competed. Last year’s joint winners Alexei Chernieav (Russia) and Colin Crouch, Robert Gwaze (Zimbabwe), James Sherwin (formerly USA now resident in the UK) and Richard Bates. Other strong players included FIDE master Bob Eames, Lorin D’Costa, fresh from winning his third consecutive Tera-Final, and Tim Hinks Edwards.


1st Cherniaev and Gwaze reached the last round with 100% scores and agreed a draw without playing to be joint winners.

3rd Crouch and Sherwin shared third place with 4/5.

The under 201 grading prize was won by M G Walker (Royston/Inland Revenue), after defeating Crouch in Round 3 with 3.5/5


The under 181 grading prize was shared by P Bonafont (Hemel Hempstead) and C Costello (King’s Lynn) with 3.5/5 each.

Best performances by Metropoltan players were 2.5/5 by Nick Noden beating J Radovanovic (191) in the process. Norbert Fogarasi drew with Thomas Rendle (208); Chris Bennett and George Dickson beat Valerio Alexander (ELO 2000 est.) and Richard Worrall (105) drew with M Brown (175).

Major (Under 161)

1st - D Harami (Ilford), D V Gibbs (Flying Teapots) and T Seymour (Richmond Juniors) were joint winners with 4.5/5 each.

Under 141 grading prize - P McIntyre (South Norwood) with 4/5.
Under 126 grading prize was shared by Subin Sen (Ilford) and H C N Jones (Charlton) with 3/5 each.

Best scores by a Metropolitan members were Soumen Roy and Noel Stewart both with 3/5.

Minor (Under 126)

1st - Tom Peet with 5/5
2nd - Paul Kendall with 4.5/5

3rd= V Kumar (Finchley), D Sandham (Beckenham) and S Johal (Upminster) all with 3.5/5


Under 111 grading prize - P Hannigan (Willesden) 4/5
Under 96 grading prize W E Upton (Morley College) 3.5/5

Best scores by Metropolitan members were Kevin Lenaghan with 3.5/5 and Kester Ford with 2.5/5.