The 2004 Metropolitan Congress has been the largest London congress of any kind for the last few years, and this year was no exception. Despite the undoubted attraction of live televised World Cup football of the England v Wales game on BBC1, and other live games of the other British and Irish national teams on satellite television, the total congress entry of 173 was only marginally less than in 2003. Half a dozen or so withdrawals reduced the actual number playing over the weekend.
We would also like to thank John Kitchen and Ray Hamilton for their untiring efforts in organising and running the tournament - so smoothly that they received compliments not only from competitors but also in Leonard Barden's 'Evening Standard' chess column
In the Open section new Grandmaster Alexander Chernieav, joint-winner for the previous two years, was the pre-tournament favourite. Strong competition was expected from a clutch of International Masters, namely Robert Gwaze, Colin Crouch (previous joint-winner), James Sherwin (formerly of the USA but now a Bath resident) and Gavin Wall. Thomas Rendle, headed the junior ranks pushing for his IM status, and Jessie Gilbert represented the fairer sex, pushing towards a 200 BCF rating.
In Round 3 Cherniaev was controversially held to a draw by J Friedland of Wood Green, after the Tournament controller, John Kitchen was summoned to uphold a claim for a thrice repeated position. After examination of both game sheets it was observed that the claim appeared valid, and both players apparently concurred and the game ceased. However, after some analysis between Chernieav and Sherwin, the former dashed to the stage to remonstrate with John Kitchen as it had been established that there was no repeated position. Clearly the games could not be re-started or the decision reversed. A simmering row developed between Chernaiev and the stoic Kitchen over the next twenty minutes. However, tempers cooled and the matter was settled amicably by a handshake with the decision standing.
The interesting thing which did arise from this was that one of the key moves in the sequence of disputed moves on Chernieav's game sheet was "Qb7" which formed part of the repetition. However it transpired that the first move in the sequence was actually Q x b7 (which was a minor piece). One might ask if this a call for the return of descriptive notation? - (your reporter Ray Hamilton having been ribbed by the Webmaster {or should that be mistress Kathy Djabri} for his continued use of this method in his own games.
Another interesting point arose in Round 4 when Gwaze arrived late for his game against Robin Haldane of Streatham/Brixton. Sportingly Haldane declined to claim a default). {QPR supporters are noted for their sportsmanship}.
Hence having dropped an unexpected half a point Chernaiev entered the last round on 3.5/4 needing to beat Thomas Rendle on 3 out of 4. On Board 2 Gwaze needed to beat Crouch to ensure a share of first place. In the event Chernaiev a pawn down could only draw and Gwaze took sole first place by beating Crouch. Jessie Gilbert had an outstanding result remaining undefeated with 3.5/5.