Sunday was a very enjoyable day of chess at Ecclesall’s venue – Dore and Totley Golf Club. The small Nomads contingent was made up of father and son duo, Steve and Henry Withington, both eager to win something.
The Championship was a six round rapid-play tournament, with each player having 30 minutes on the clock for all the moves.
The first round was less than an ideal start for Henry, who was drawn against his father. Despite Henry’s patricidal onslaught, Steve was able to mount a strong counter-attack and a draw was agreed. But this was to be the only game Henry didn’t win. He scored 5½ points from six rounds, putting him one point ahead of nearest rival, and club champion, Peter Hempson. With three points Steve also picked up a grading prize.
A big thank you to Ecclesall Chess Club for hosting this excellent event.
And here is Alan McIntosh’s report from the Ecclesall website:
The annual Ecclesall Club Championship took place at our home venue, the Dore and Totley Golf Club, on Sunday 20th November. It was a 6 round swiss tournament, with 30 minutes per player per game. The entry fee was £3.50, plus an optional £6.50 for the food that was available, and the event was open to all Ecclesall Club members and invited guests. The tournament was well represented by our guests. Regulars such as Mark Allison and Bill Ward from Woodseats, Paul Fletcher from Stannington, and ‘newcomers’ such as Steve and Henry Withington from Nomads, all turned up to support the event. 18 players took part in total and all the entry fee money was returned in prizes: £20 1st prize, £15 2nd prize, £10 3rd prize and 2 x £10 grading prizes (one for the middle third and one for the bottom third of ranked players).
Henry Withington was drawn against his lower graded father in the first round and only managed to draw. Thereafter he ‘saw off’ Francis Kay, Paul Fletcher, Stephen Lee, John Neely and Ken McIntosh, to win the tournament outright with 5½.
Our own Peter Hempson, despite a loss in the first round to Stephen Lee and a draw against Ken McIntosh in round 5, finished 2nd with a score of 4½and not for the first time became the Club Champion.
There was a three way tie on 4/6, between Mark Allison, Stephen Lee and John Neely, for 3rd place. The latter two also picking up a half share of the first grading prize.
Paul Fletcher and Ken McIntosh followed with 3½. Then came a clutch of Ecclesall players (Peter Hoare, Alan McIntosh, Elliott Spencer and Norman Wragg) plus two guests (Paul Cheshire and Steve Withington), all on 3/6. These two guests and Elliott, sharing the third grading prize.
Those that scored less than half marks, and indeed some with more than half marks, may have been disappointed with their performance but, all seemed to have a good day. The venue was comfortable, the atmosphere friendly, the food tasty and the chess – brought us together.The above report is by Alan McIntosh, Ecclesall Chess Club Secretary who also ran the Club Championship.
Many thanks Alan from everyone who attended.
Thanks, there were some interesting games and a great atmosphere for both players and specstors and a jolly good time was had by all. Chess in Sheffield isn’t on this showing dying but merely taking an afternoon nap. It was great to catch up with Old friends, but also to see Henry an Elliott amongst the prize winners.