The 15th annual Metropolitan Congress took place over the weekend of the 8th and 9th October once again in the Great Hall at the Bishopsgate Institute. The events of the previous few months in London caused concern that this might deter many of the possible entrants from outside the capital. In addition there was live televised World Cup football on terrestrial television featuring England during the middle of the congress, and various other matches were also being shown on other channels featuring the British and Irish sides throughout Saturday. However, despite these deterrents the congress attracted 192 entrants which matched the previous record 3 years ago. Unfortunately due to the astronomic rent increases required by the Bishopsgate Institute the future of the congress looks bleak. The event is run on an entirely amateur basis and receives no sponsorship or support fr0m government or other bodies.
In the Open Section with 47 entrants Grandmasters Mark Hebden and Alexander Cherniaev headed the field, with International Masters Simon Ansell and James Sherwin the other titled players, and a clutch of graded players graded around the 200 mark. There were also three entrants from Sweden in the Open section one of whom Curt Gruvaeus had a Swedish rating of 2378, and finished on 3.5/5. The other two Swedes, Jan-Olov Lind (2218 ELO) and Krister Jonsson (2073 SR) both finished on 2.5/5. Talking to the latter he said that the last time he had played in England was in the Lloyd?s Bank Masters tournament in 1982! He now acts as a Trainer in Sweden, and mentioned that his club ?Orebro despite being in a small Swedish town had over 100 members, with many juniors. George Dickson of Metropolitan, joint British Senior champion 2 years ago, earned a creditable draw with Jonsson in the last round.
One bizarre incident occurred when last year?s winner IM Robert Gwaze turned up at about 10 a.m. on Saturday morning and entered with no request for a bye. He then promptly disappeared, although there was a pairing available, and when re-appearing later withdrew from the tournament without playing!
After 4 rounds Hebden and Cherniaev were clear leaders on 4 points each., although Hebden?s progress had been markedly smoother. They contested the last round to decide the winner and Hebden emerged with a 100% record of 5/5 to win the event, and also acquire additional points in the BCF Grand Prix, where he was lying 3rd before the Congress started.
The Major Section with 62 entrants was hotly contested as always, with many entrants being graded at or near to the grading limit of 160. In the final round hot favourite Donny Muter met Brian Fitzpatrick, the latter securing outright victory to finish with 100% score of 5/5. Sheila Dines, leader in the BCF Grand Prix Junior and Female Prix scored a creditable 2.5/5.
In the large Minor Section Gavin Strachan won with another 100% score.
John Kitchen acted as Tournament Controller in his usual efficient manner. The venerable Bob Wade, now well into his eighties, and former British Champion and International Master acted as Arbiter, and ran the Minor Section of the Congress, which numbered 83 entrants. A distant cry from when he acted in a similar role in the Fischer v Spassky World Championship match in 1972. He is also the author of many classic chess tomes, as well as acting as a National Junior coach. Phew!
Francis Bowers supplied the sets, boards and clocks for the tournament, and provided a comprehensive bookstall.
Tony Wall, brother of IM Gavin Wall, provided the catering.
Report prepared by Ray Hamilton, Secretary, Metropolitan Chess Club