England selections for the European and World Youth Championships

European Youth Championships - 28th September - 9th October
Peniscola Spain

Under 10 Girls - Sheila Dines; Boys - Callum Kilpatrick, Louis Graham
Under 12 Girls - Amy Officer, Chantal Sirisena; Boys - David Howell, Thomas Pym, Dana Hawrami
Under 14 Girls - Naomi Miller; Boys - Peter Poobalasingam, Simon Fowler
Under 16 Girls - Jessie Gilbert, Aly Wilson; Boys - Lawrence Trent, Rafe Martin
Under 18 Girls - Sophie Tidman; Boys - Lorin D'Costa
Coaches - GM Glenn Flear, GM Keith Arkell, GM Neil McDonald, IM Adam Hunt

World Youth Championships - 14th - 25th November
Crete

Under 10 Girls - Amisha Parmar; Boys - George O'Toole
Under 12 Girls - Selina Khoo, Molly Moruzzi; Boys - David Howell, James Hanley
Under 14 Girls - Poppy Aarons, Katie Martyn; Boys - Murugan Thiruchelvam, Li Wu
Under 16 Girls - Jessie Gilbert; Boys - Gawain Jones
Under 18 Girls - Teresa Khoo; Boys - Craig Hanley, Simon Buckley
Coaches - GM Glenn Flear, GM Mark Hebden, GM Chris Ward, IM Andrew Martin

World Youth Under-16 Chess Olympiad - Malaysia -
Tuesday 20th - Wednesday 28th August 2002

- Reports by team manager Martin Howell

Tuesday 27th August

Update as of close of play 27.8.02

Tenth (final) round results: England v China-A

1.  W Thomas Rendle 2241 lost to B FM Wang Yue 2455
2.  B Gawain Jones 2237 lost to W Zhao Jun 2363
3.  W David Howell 2211 lost to B Zhou Weiqi 2318
4.  B Jonathan Lappage 2189 defeated W Li Chao 2310

Final positions:          1st    China-A                 31 points
                          2nd    Ukraine                 27 points
                          3rd    Indonesia               26.5 points     
                          4th    India                   26 points
                          5th    Uzbekistan              24 points                
                          6th    Romania                 23 points
                          7th    Iran                    22.5 points, 
                          8th    Kazakhstan              22 points
                          13th=  England, Turkmenistan   20.5 points
                          
                          
Jonathan Lappage calmly despatched his Chinese opponent on the top team table this morning. He is
therefore probably in contention for an individual bronze medal. His team-mates were less fortunate,
but put up a good fight against the remaining Chinese players despite the latter's inassailable
position as tournament victors. Following the closing ceremony and dinner this evening, the 130
players and their companions will start to embark on their return journeys to four continents. We
have all been impressed by the flawless management of the event and the facilities provided by the
Cititel and the adjacent Mid Valley Megamall. The tournament has confirmed Malaysia's ability to
stage fine world-class chess competitions.

Monday 26th August

Update as of close of play 26.8.02

Eighth round results: England v USA

1.  W Thomas Rendle 2241 defeated B Morgan Griffiths 2000
2.  B Gawain Jones lost to W Stephen Ju 2000
3.  W Timothy Woodward 2211 defeated B Sam Galler 2000
4.  B Jonathan Lappage 2189 defeated W Michael Cambereri 2000

Ninth round results: England v Singapore A

1.  B Thomas Rendle 2241 drew with W Jason Goh 2000
2.  W Gawain Jones 2237 defeated B Wee Zhen Yang 2088
3.  B David Howell 2211 defeated W Chan, Weng Chee 2000
4.  W Timothy Woodward 2211 lost to B Howard Chiu 2000

With one round to go, England now share 8th position with Australia-A, on 19.5 points. China-A have
maintained their lead with 28 points, while India remains the runner-up with 23.5 points. Due to
their previous pairings, England have the dubious privilege of facing the leaders, China-A, on board
one in tomorrow mornings final round.

Sunday 25th August

Update as of close of play 25.8.02

Sixth round results: England v Romania

1.  W Thomas Rendle 2241 lost to B IM Andrei Murariu 2401
2.  B Gawain Jones 2237 defeated W Vlad Barnaure 2234
3.  W David Howell 2211 FM lost to B Tiberiu Manescu 2330
4.  B Jonathan Lappage 2189 defeated W Gabriel Grecescu 2233

Seventh round results: England v Uzbekistan

1.  B Thomas Rendle 2241 lost to W Anton Filipow 2253
2.  W David Howell 2211 lost to B Timur Gareev 2191
3.  B Timothy Woodward 2211 lost to W Abdushad Kuchkarow 2007
4.  W Jonathan Lappage 2189 lost to B Furkat Imamov 2000

Saturday was a rest-day. Having travelled in three taxis to the city centre,
the team were very impressed by the ultra-modern stainless-steel and glass
88-storey Petronas Twin Towers (the world's tallest building)and the
adjoining park with its lake and fountains. Surrounded by a variety of
uniquely-designed office blocks, hotels and condominiums, the area is a quiet
and restful oasis and refuge from the bustle of KLs busy streets.

Unfortunately all 1000 tickets for the 42nd-floor skybridge had been
allocated early in the morning, and we were unable to go higher than the
fourth floor. The group then took the underground to Chinatown, where they
were able to buy football shirts and video CDs at bargain prices.

Friday 23rd August

Update as of close of play 23.8.02

Fourth round results: England v Australia-A

1.  B Thomas Rendle 2241 defeated W Denis Bourmistrov  2209
2.  W Gawain Jones 2237 defeated B Tomek Rej 2000
3.  B Timothy Woodward 2211 drew with W Catherine Lip 2057
4.  W Jonathan Lappage 2189 defeated B Michelle Lee 2000

Fifth round results: England v Indonesia

1.  B Thomas Rendle 2241 drew with W Susanto Megaranto 2364
2.  W Gawain Jones 2237 lost to B Tirta Chandra Purnama 2192 
3.  B David Howell 2211 defeated W Taufik Hallay 2232
4.  W Timothy Woodward 2211 lost to B Surya Wahyudi 2000

With 12 points, the English team now lie in 8th position, in a field of 28
countries. The Ukraine and China-A share the lead with 15 points each.
Tomorrow is a rest day, and the team plan to visit KL city centre to see the
Petronas Twin Towers, the Central Market and Chinatown.

The World Youth Under-16 Chess Olympiad 2002 is sponsored by the Ambank
Group, Coca Cola, TV3, Mid Valley Mall, Cititel and the World Chess Network.
While competitors are not allowed drinks or food at the playing table, an
unlimited supply of Coca Cola and Aquarius is available in the foyer if
refreshment is needed.

Thursday 22th August

Update as of close of play 22.8.02

Today the fifth seed, England, played strongly against the top seed, Ukraine, managing three draws.
The unflappable Gawain Jones coolly maintained his position against 12-year-old, IM Sergey Karjakin,
soon to be confirmed as the Worlds youngest-ever Grandmaster. Earlier, Thomas Rendle had held
Kazakhstans top board to a draw. After three rounds, England are in 11th place with 7 points.
Romania and India are leading with 10 points.

The weather in KL is warm and humid, and was marked today by heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Fortunately we are immune from the elements in the air-conditioned MidValley Megamall. The hotel
provides buffet meals with a mixture of  spicy Malay and Western-style cuisine. The mall's numerous
food outlets stock a bewildering array of produce, and we were able to buy a large Black Forest
Gateau with which the team celebrated Mrs Howell's birthday. Timothy was able to access the internet
at the huge MPH bookshop, and was relieved to learn that he had achieved top grades in his eleven
GCSEs.

Second round results: England v Kazakhstan

1.  W Thomas Rendle 2241 drew with B Olzhas Khamzin 2270
2.  B Gawain Jones 2237 lost to W Anuar Ismagambetov 2185
3.  W David Howell 2211 defeated B Dmitry Stativkin 2173
4.  B Timothy Woodward 2211 lost to W Maxat Alaguzov 2075

Third round results: England v Ukraine

1.  B Thomas Rendle 2241 drew with W IM Alexander Areschenko 2533
2.  W Gawain Jones 2237 drew with B IM Sergey Karjakin 2523 
3.  B David Howell 2211 lost to W WIM Kateryna Lahno 2328 
4.  W Jonathan Lappage 2189 drew with W Natalia Zdebskaja 2261

Wednesday 21th August

The English Under-16 squad completed a very successful first round today, with wins on all four
boards against the Australia-B team. The boards and pairings were as follows:

1. B Gawain Jones 2237 defeated W Vincent Suttor 2000
2. W David Howell 2211 defeated B Matthew Perkovic 2000
3. B Timothy Woodward 2211 defeated W Adam Muzel 2000
4. W Jonathan Lappage 2189 defeated B Blair Mandla 2000

Today's reserve was Thomas Rendle (2241) who stood at the sidelines with an increasing air of glee
as each game ended. The team are hoping to maintain their success in the second round against
Kazakhstan tomorrow morning, and have spent the evening in preparation with their coach, GM Chris
Ward.

Following their arrival from England early yesterday morning, Chris and the older boys took the
opportunity to spend the rest of the day catching up on lost sleep. David was at an advantage over
his older team-mates, arriving fresh from Singapore largely recovered from the seven hours' jet lag
incurred when arriving to visit his mother's family the previous week.

The World Youth Under-16 Chess Olympiad is a team event for players born in 1986 or later. Twenty
countries are taking part, with some contributing two teams (China, Singapore, Hong Kong) and some
three (Australia, Malaysia).  Following the last-minute withdrawal of Zambia, Malaysia has added a
fourth team in order to even out the numbers.  In all there are now 130 players, including 28
reserves who may be strategically deployed during each of the ten rounds.

The tournament is taking place in the large third floor Exhibition Centre at the Mid Valley
Megamall, Malaysia's large shopping centre, twenty minutes' drive south of the city centre.  Travel
from KL airport could not have been easier, with a brand new  20-minute rail link from the main
concourse to the KL Central terminal, followed by a short taxi ride to the airy, spacious and modern
28-floor Cititel hotel in the Megamall complex. With over 600 retail and food outlets on five vast
floors, the mall provides for every need, and exploring every interesting corner is a major
undertaking.

At 9.30m this morning, the tournament was declared open by FIDE President Kirsan  Ilyumzhinov.
Following a speech to the assembled players and officials, the President made a symbolic first move
(e4) on an extremely large chess set assembled in the centre of the hall. Also present were Ignatius
Leong and the Vice-President of the Malaysian Chess Federation, Ibrahim Bakar.

It is expected that pairings and results will be available on the tournament web-site
(www.thechessnetwork.net).

Wednesday 5th June
	The majority of the group met at Heathrow where, after problems in the past, we had a stress free flight 
to Prague. Here the smaller Manchester group were met.
	The whole group consisted of Nicholas Baranga, Matthew Cornford, Kenrick de Nazareth, Ben Derrett, Joseph 
Fraser, Alex Gilmore, Daniel Hall, Graham Hantman, Tom Harbour, Joseph Jervis, Nicholas Kidson, Henry 
Kingston, Vedantha Kumar, James Peet, Peter Poobalasingam, Arthur Truslove with Ian Cowen, Peter Purland 
and David Welch as leaders. The transfer to Prague station went smoothly and, although we had no trouble 
buying our tickets, the queue moved so slowly that we needed 30 minutes to get our tickets. (NB future 
groups.) Once on the train we settled down for a long journey but, disasters, there was no restaurant car! 
Fortunately a trolley did arrive but certain members found the tea rather overpriced! The Polish border 
was crossed with a minimum of fuss - although one border guard was unimpressed when in answer to "Where 
are you going?" he got the answer "Poland!"
	Our arrival in Katowice was 30 minutes late but Andrzej Danysz was waiting - along with interpreter and 
coach - and we were soon on our way to Piekary Slaskie. Our hotel, the Piekary, was a well converted 
hostel style hotel and we were soon installed and tucking into a substantial meal.

Thursday 6th June
	We assembled in the dining room for an 0815 breakfast and were then taken to a Kulturhall for our 9.00 
breakfast! The players were encouraged to "think of England and eat up again!" We then went into the 
playing hall for a simultaneous against their club trainer, National Master Jan Widera. Each player was 
treated to a different opening and many long games resulted. The club had also provided a group of 
"English" students who did any translating and socialised with our players. Is it true that Nicholas 
Kidson finished quickly as the majority of the students were female?
	By the end there had been wins for Graham Hantman, Arthur Truslove, Joseph Jervis and Tom Harbour with 
Peter Poobalasingam gaining a draw. We then went for lunch to a local restaurant before going to the town 
centre Kulturhall for the afternoon match. This took the form of four 30 minute games. As is inevitable 
with a town team against a national team, we were stronger on the bottom boards and (playing white) won 
round one 12-4. Against the same opponents but playing black the score was 10.5-5.5. Round three was much 
closer, 9-7, but we did win the bottom seven boards. In fact, going into the final round, the score on the 
top 8 boards was 12-12. The final round ended up 12.5-3.5 in our favour, but on boards 1-10 the score was 
20-20. After the usual prizegiving we ended an excellent day back at our hotel.

Friday 7th June
	We had a fairly efficient departure from the hotel although our captain's question "Do we have to leave 
the key?" caused much amusement. We then got ourselves, and our luggage, into a minibus -  the driver of 
which might go under the name Suraj ad Dowlah - and headed off for Jaworzno. On arrival, they even had a 
banner to greet us! Soon it was down to the chess. The look on Peter's face when he was confronted by the 
same board one was quite amusing. Apparently he had guested for Piekary. Some of the players were relieved 
not to be greeted as Liverpool (no accounting for taste) but they knuckled down well and won the first 
30-minute game 12-4. Meanwhile, negotiations were taking place for a four way match next year between 
Silesia, Moravia, Slovakia and England. The players had started their second game which was 15 minutes. 
This was won 12.5-3.5 with all their points coming on boards 1-5. We then had lunch of meat and egg soup 
followed by dumplings - Polish style. I believe Nick Baranga was dumpling champion. We then had a short 
game of football and listened to THE match on Polish radio before departing for Chrzanow where we booked 
into our new hotel. We then went to I Lyceum Ogolnokstalcoce, one of the local schools, where we were to 
play the match. We won this 13.5-2.5 and were then invited to their European Day celebrations. Each group 
did a short presentation on their chosen country, some accompanied by music. My favourite was Italy who 
did a take off of the three tenors. Each country then had a display table, some with food on. Here I felt 
that the Dutch were the best. We all then had to vote on our choice of best group. Holland won with Italy 
second. It was the best display evening I have seen in my career. Furthermore our players behaved 
impeccably leading to an excellent evening. We finished off with a type of dry pork stew, which is their 
regional delicacy.

Saturday 8th June
	A later start today. 0830 breakfast then pack and move on to Trzebinia. Here we met in school 8 where we 
did battle with the local team. This resulted in a 14-2 win for us after which we toured the school before 
a game of football and a school lunch. We then invaded the local shop (record takings for her!) before 
having a short walking tour of Trzebinia. We then went by coach to Cesky Trebin where we walked across the 
border, had a snack and got a train to Ostrava. Here we booked into the Polska Dom, a short tram ride away 
from Central Station. A very good meal and plenty of drinks were consumed before a deserved sleep.

Sunday 9th June
	Our earliest breakfast yet, 0730, then tram 1,2 or 8 to the station. The train was running late (as usual)
and we said our goodbyes to Andrzej (who had been a brilliant host), before boarding the train and settling 
down into our reserved seats. Our timing was not improved by an engine fire short of Hranice na Morave so 
by Olomouc we were 65 minutes late. There was no improvement so our tour of Prague was cut short - bus 
only although we did see a lot of the old town - then back to Prague airport for a stress free return to 
England.

Sussex Junior Chess team plays Irish Juniors at Hove

Saturday and Sunday 13th and 14th April 2002 - Report by Simon Deere

Over Saturday and Sunday 13th and 14th April Sussex Junior Chess hosted a match against a representative team of Irish Juniors. The visitors consisted of 37 players who were drawn from both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

The match took place at the Princes Marine Hotel in Hove and involved 5 different sections, under 16, under 14, under 12, under 10 and Girls, the results of which decided the outcome.

The Mayor of Brighton and Hove Harry Steer opened proceedings on Saturday morning by welcoming both teams to the City, and presenting both Captains with the City Crest. He then made the opening move of the game between the Captains Simon Jeffares (Ireland) and Thomas Rendle (Sussex).

The early stages of the match gave a good indication of how evenly matched the two teams were, with several of the sections being tied at the end of day one.

There was some light relief for the players on Saturday evening when a number crossed to play Laser Quest at the King Alfred Leisure Centre.

On Sunday there was an early start for group photo-sessions and then back down to the chess. The older age groups remained very close throughout the day, but in the younger sections the Irish asserted themselves in the Under 10's whilst Sussex held sway in the Under 12's.

Honorary Vice President of Sussex Junior Chess, Sir Patrick Moore arrived as the match was concluding to present individual medals to every competitor. He then awarded the top scoring players in each section with an autographed certificate - these being Thomas Rendle (Hastings - U16); Robbie Lunn (Ireland), Joe Fraser (East Grinstead) and Sebastian Pozzo (Morden) U14; Hannah O'Reilly and Lesley Fennelly (both Ireland) Girls; Andrew Tucker (Ditchling) U12; Catherine Danaher (Ireland) U10.

The final match result was then announced and although Sussex claimed the Cup having won 3 of the 5 sections and tied one, when the individual scores were added together - after 241 games the scores were 120 - 120 . It could have not been closer had someone scripted it!

This was a fitting conclusion to a match which brought a lot of young chess players together - many meeting up for the first time - to foster new friendships, which hopefully may continue in future years through return matches.

Simon Deere

Web Site www.SussexJuniorChess.fsnet.co.uk


MATCH RESULT
U16's Sussex Juniors 19½ - 15½ Irish Juniors
U14's Sussex Juniors 17 - 15 Irish Juniors
Girls Sussex Juniors 11 - 11 Irish Juniors
U12's Sussex Juniors 40 - 31 Irish Juniors
U10's Sussex Juniors 33 - 48 Irish Juniors
Match Points Sussex Juniors 3½ - 1½ Irish Juniors

Game Points Sussex Juniors 120½ - 120½ Irish Juniors


Best U16 Sussex Juniors Thomas Rendle 5 / 5
Best U14 Irish Juniors Robbie Lunn 3½/5
Sussex Juniors Joe Fraser
Sussex Juniors Sebastian Pozzo
Best Girl Irish Juniors Hannah O'Reilly 3½/5
Irish Juniors Lesley Fennelly
Best U12 Sussex Juniors Andrew Tucker 9 /9
Best U10 Irish Juniors Catherine Danaher 9 /9.

Announcement from BCF junior director Peter Turner concerning English Titles

Sunday 10th March 2002

At the BCF Management Board meeting held Saturday 9th March it was agreed to to incorporate 'English Titles' to the highest placed eligible player in addition to the normal 'British Title'. This will apply to the highest eligible boy and girl in the Under 8, 9 and 10 Championships.
The automatic qualification rules for children for the British Championships have been extended to: U14 - BCF 200, FIDE 2200 & U12 - BCF 190, FIDE 2120
The venues can be confirmed as 2002 - Torquay; 2003 - Edinburgh; 2004 - Scarborough

Junior Squad trip to Estonia

Sunday 17th - Friday 22nd February 2002 - Report by Peter Purland

This trip was a slightly different experience with the group being FIDE Under 14. Other than that it was the usual U12 format of chess and sightseeing. An evening departure from Gatwick on Sunday 17th February meant that, even our most far flung players, could comfortably make it in a day. So, with only minor tube-based embarrassments for one of the northern group, we arrived safely at Gatwick. The group consisted of Poppy Aarons, Alexei and Anton Chernikov, Daniel Diamond (Captain), Matthew Dignam, Simon Fowler, Balvinder Grewal, Joshua Hall, David Hart, Robert Heaton, Jamie Hillman, Paul Lam, Finn Mason, Amarjit Mehton, Matthew Moore, Anthony O'Toole, Peter Roberson, Robyn Smith, Nicola Thomas and Richard Willis with Ian Cowen, Victor Cross, Nancy Mortimer and Peter Purland in charge. The outward flight was via Copenhagen as Estonia Air were painting their London plane (although Simon Fowler still does not believe it.) All went smoothly although it was 1am before we left the airport.

A rather tired group got to bed about 1.45 am in the Express Hotel near the ferryport. We had nothing planned until 3pm on Monday so a lie in and organisational matters were the order for the morning. We then visited the Energy Museum in a disused power station. Here the players were given a guided tour and many were used in electrical or sonic experiments. We then had lunch before leaving for Paul Keres House, the home of Tallinn Chess Club. The programme was to play four long play games with a rapidplay tournament on Thursday. We proved too strong in the first round, especially on the lower boards, although 3 of the top 5 went into the 4th hour. Nevertheless we won 18-2. Then it was off to McDonalds and back to the hotel.

Tuesday saw a leisurely breakfast followed by a tour of the city arranged by our hosts. We took a coach tour around the outside of the Old Town and into the newer areas. We stopped at the "song park" and Paul Keres' grave before returning to the Old Town where we had a walking tour visiting Toompea, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and the Town Hall square. We had an Estonian buffet at Kloostri Alt (the old cloister) before returning to our hotel to prepare for round two. This was closer with a score of 15-5 in our favour before the usual McDonalds and return to the hotel.

Wednesday was a chess day. After breakfast we went straight to the chess club for the final two rounds. Round three again ended 15-5 whilst round four was 15.5-4.5. In between we had our Estonian buffet and the evening visit was to McDonalds! Although the final score was 63.5-16.5 under no circumstances should it be considered an easy victory as many of the games were very hard fought.

Thursday saw another leisurely start and a split morning. One half was serious souvenir shopping, the other was an historical visit to the defensive tower Kiek in de Kok (which actually means look in the kitchen). Group photos were then taken and our buffet eaten before the rapidplay tournamentat the club. This was preceded by formal speeches and presentations from the long play. Daniel, Simon, Amarjit, Anton, David, Poppy, Joshua and Finn all received board prizes. The last round of the tournament saw Simon and Robert both on four with Simon winning and Robert, Balvinder, Paul and Matthew Dignam tying for runners up spot. Our last evening saw free ice cream and drinks at McDonalds before our return to the hotel.

After the necessary packing and room checks we visited the Maritime Museum and then walked to the harbour for a guided tour of the icebreaker Suur Toll. Last kroons were spent in the supermarket before a coach took us to the airport. The plane was 30 minutes late but there were no other problems and we dispersed at Gatwick.

Wiltshire/ West of England Junior Championships

Saturday 23rd - Sunday 24th February 2002 - Report by Beverley Schofield

Below are the results for the W & WoE tournament held at Greendown School Swindon. 
Over 270 children took part in the event which was kindly supported by Swindon Borough Council. 
Our website is http://www.wiltshirejuniorchess.co.uk

1st :       Ezra Lutton
Jt 2nd :   Krunal Kahar and Peter Roberson
Jt Best U16:  David Bareham, Ben Purton, Charlie Linford, Sam Williams
Jt West of England U18 Champs: Krunal Kahar and Peter Roberson
Jt West of England U16 Champs: Krunal Kahar and Peter Roberson
West of England U14 Champ: Peter Roberson
Wiltshire U18 Champ: David Bareham
 
Girls:
1st:        Heather Burgess
WoE U18 Champ:    Heather Burgess
WoE U16 Champ:    Heather Burgess
Jt WoE U14 Champs:    Kirsty Lafferty and Edith Glennie
Wilts U18 Champ:    Heather Burgess
 
Minor
Jt 1st:    Edward Devonshire, Niroshun Nadesalingam, Similan Anandajeyerajah
Wilts Minor Jnr Champ:  Liam Wiltshire
 
Under 12 Championship (England Trial Qualifier)
Jt 1st:    Daniel Hall, James Peet, James Snowden, Jac Thomas, Joseff Thomas
Jt Best U12 Girls:    Poppy Aarons, Nicola Thomas
WoE U12 Champ:    Daniel Hall
WiltsU12 Champ:     Daniel Hall
Wilts U11 Champ:     Shivani Jopanputra
 
U12 Challengers
Jt 1st:        Sarah Thomas, Jaspar Warner, Nathaniel Garner, Andrew Wedderburn
 
U10
1st        Matthew Kinloch
Best U10 Girl:    Alexandra Kidson
Jt WoE Champ:    Toby Hall, Callum Picken
WoE U10 Girls Champ:  Charlotte Wood
Wilts U10 Champ:    Toby Hall
 
Under 9
1st:        Anuk Sirisena
Jt Best U9 Girl:    Zoe Geidelberg, Georgina Mason
Wilts U9 Champ:    Jack Cleeves
 
Under 8
1st:        George Tunstall
WoE Champ:    Hamish Clayton
WoE U8 Girls Champ:    Stephanie Hale
Best U7:            Hal Stevenson, Liam Price
Jt Wilts U8 Champ:    Geve Panahy, Harry Cleeves, Sam Williams
Jt Wilts U7 Champ:    Geve Panahy, Harry Cleeves, Sam Williams
 
 
Intermediate
1st:        Thomas Cooper
 
 
Beginners
1st:        Adam Wedderburn

Lester Millin reports on a Junior Squad trip to Bunratty

Friday 15th - Sunday 17th February 2002

Bunratty results.
Round 1.  Open
A. Baburin   2585       1 - 0      R. Payne       2172
D. Tjiam     2346       1 - 0      J. Winkworth   2137
C. Deva      2093       0 - 1      S. Collins     2295
D. Howell    2237       1 - 0      C. Brady       2046
L. D'Costa   2212       1 - 0      S. Jeffares    2039
E. OConnor   2004       0 - 1      L. Trent       2208

U 125.
N. Miller   1370        0 - 1       P. Divilly    1569

Round 2.  Open.
R. Payne                0 - 1      C. Wilman      2044
J. Winkworth            0 - 1      E. O'Connor    2004
E. Keogh    2142        0 - 1      C. Deva
B. Kelly I.M. 2445      1 - 0      D. Howell
M. Heidenfeld I.M. 2370 0 - 1      L. D'Costa
L. Trent                0 - 1      D. Tjiam       2346

U 125.
Anne Coughlin 1216      0 - 1      N. Miller

Round 3.  Open.
C. Brady   2046         1 - 0     R. Payne
T. Clarke   2169       0.5 - 0.5   J. Winkworth
C. Deva                 0 - 1     P. Short        2302
D. Howell               1 - 0     A. Van der Hurk 2000
L. D'Costa              1 - 0     Hans Klip       2317
C. Wilman 2044          0 - 1     L. Trent

U 125
N. Miller               0 - 1      R. O'Brien      1526

Round 4.  Open.
R. Payne                0 - 1      M. Holmes      2103
J. Winkworth            0 - 1      J O'Connor      2004
K. O'Shea  2002         0 - 1      C. Deva
A. Romero-Holmes G.M. 2502  1 - 0  D. Howell
J. Nunn G.M. 2595   0.5 - 0.5   L. D'Costa
L. Trent                1 - 0       M. Houska I.M. 2300

U 125.
A. Peile    1209        0 - 1       N. Miller

Round 5.  Open.
T. Clarke   2169        1 - 0       R. Payne
C. Brady   2046        0.5 - 0.5    J. Winkworth
M. Houska I.M. 2300     0 - 1       C. Deva
D. Howell               0 - 1       S. Jeffares     2039
L. D'Costa              0 - 1       B. Kelly I.M.  2445
P. Short    2302        1 - 0       L. Trent

U125.
N Miller                1 - 0       H. Lowry-O'Reilly  1207

Round 6.  Open.
J. Winkworth            0.5 - 0.5   R. Payne
C. Deva                 0.5 - 0.5   D. Tjiam         2346
I. Sutton   2100        0 - 1       D. Howell
L. D'Costa              1 - 0       A. Romero-Holmes G.M. 2502
L. Trent                0 - 1       M. Heidenfeld I.M.  2370

U125.
N. Miller               0 - 1       J. McCann      1418


1.    Brian Kelly I.M.                             5.5 / 6
2.    John Nunn G.M.                               5
3=  Jonathan Parker G.M., Lorin D'Costa  4.5

Squad.
Chetan Deva                                  3.5   grading prize
David Howell, Lawrence Trent                 3
Julian Winkworth                             1.5
Robert Payne                                 0.5

Under 125.
Naomi Miller                                   3

Things ran smoothly except for evening meals.  Most establishments had to
be booked in advance.  There were a record number of entries this year,
310, understandably so in view of the excellent playing conditions.  The
time limit in the Open and under 75 sections was all moves in 90 minutes. 
In the U175 and the U125, the time limit was all moves in 105 minutes.
Next year's dates are February 21, 22, 23 and we are considering going again.

Lester Millin. 20 Feb 2002

Peter Purland reports on the EPSCA Rapidplay Championships

Sunday 20th January 2002

15th English Primary Schools' Rapidplay.

The annual rapidplay championships were held at Broadgreen Community School Liverpool on Saturday 19th January. It was a very successful event with 289 players from all over the country taking part. Entries came from as far away as Cleveland, Durham, Sussex London and Somerset, along with a large contingent from the North West. The youngest player had just had his 6th birthday.
The full list of prize winners is given below.

    Prize List 2002
Open 1st Yari Voropayevi  (South London) 5.5
     2nd Andrew Tucker   (Sussex)        5
  
U11 B 1st Henry Liu    (Manchester)      6
     2nd= Jennifer Cross   (Tameside)    5
          Daniel Crossland  (Tameside)   5
          Steven Nield   (Oldham)        5
          Michael Stevenson  (Wirral)    5

U10 A  1st Louis Graham   (Shropshire)   6
      2nd= Ebrahim Arshad   (Manchester) 5
           Neil Hati-Kakoty  (Manchester)5
 
U10 B  1st Robert McIntyre  (Manchester) 6
       2nd Gary Nicholson   (Liverpool)  5.5
 
U9 A  1st  Michael Rabbitte  (Manchester)6
      2nd  George Cloake   (Cheshire)    4.5

U9 B  1st= Bobby Hayden   (Lancashire)   5
           Daniel McCarthy  (Manchester) 5
           James Mellett   (Liverpool)   5
           Christopher Rees  (Lancashire)5
           Dominic Sykes   (Oldham)      5
           Emma Tattershall  (Manchester)5

U8  1st= Zac Brooks    (Oldham)    6
         Adam Freeman   (Tameside) 6

    

Reports by Peter Turner on the European Youth Chess Championships

Sunday 9th September; 2:30pm

What a last round!! Jessie played a nicely controlled game to the first time control and shortly afterwards her opponent offered the draw that Jessie needed for the Bronze Medal.
David’s was a different story. I am a member of the appeals committee and have the privilege of free access to the playing area. I could see from fairly early in the game that David had a marvellous position and was likely to win. The win was duly achieved creating the situation that he was equal first on 7 points. Some time later the board 3 game had a positive outcome, thus now there were 3 players sharing the lead. We knew that the tiebreak (sum of progressive) was not kind to David and at this stage he would be the Bronze Medal winner. Now the focus of our attention was the board 2 game. A positive out come would create a 4th player sharing the lead. After more very careful checking of progressive scores we concluded that the player with Black needed to win for David to take the Bronze Medal.

Saturday 8th; 9:30pm

Some nerve-racking play by Jessie and David, sometimes you need that little bit of luck on your side. Both players had draw offers rejected and went on to win. We now wait to see how other results on the top 2 boards affected their medal winning calculations. The last round starts at 10 o’clock tomorrow, leaving minimal time for preparation. We plan to encourage the players to get as much rest as possible and get the pairings to the coaches who will do their analysis late tonight and early tomorrow morning.

Friday 7th; 9:30pm

<Round 8 pairings were announced here>

Friday 7th; 8:30pm

After fine wins, and two rounds to go, Jessie & David have put themselves in potential medal winning positions.
In the U12 boys David is now 4th =. One player is on 6½ , 2 players on 5½ and David in a group of 4 on 5 points.
In the U14 girls Jessie is also in 4th place with 5 points behind 2 players on 6 and one on 5½. Her win today was against the Russian under 14 champion.
Chris Dorrington also faced a Russian under14 champion and normally would be delighted with a draw against such an opponent rated at 2361 but was frustrated not to take full advantage in a very good position.

Friday 7th; 8:30am

In the U12s David is in 8th=, the two leaders on 5½ play each other today. They are currently a point clear of the field. In the U14s Jessie is in 7th=, 3 players share the lead on 5 out of 6.

<Round 8 pairings were announced here>

Friday 7th; 7:30 am

Thursday 6th; am

<Round 6 pairings were announced here>

Now for some statistics about the Championships.
There are 43 countries competing, ranging from Denmark with just 2 competitors to Russia with 67!! There are only 7 countries with larger teams than England.
The age groups:-
B10- 61 players, 4 FIDE rated - ranked 1 is Maxim Matlakov 2264 RUS
G10 - 35 players, non FIDE rated
B12 - 60 players, 16 FIDE rated - ranked 1 is Dmitry Andreikin 2293 RUS. David Howell is 4th ranked at 2170
G12 - 57 players, 2 rated - top ranked players are Anna Muzychuk 2197 UKR and Gunina Valentina 2143 RUS B14 - 74 players, 40 FIDE rated - top 3 players are IM Sergiy Zavgoroniy 2453 UKR, IM Farhad Tahirov 2400 AZE & FM Ergeniy Kolesnikov RUS. Chris Dorrington is 18th ranked at 2161.
G14 - 52, 17 FIDE rated - ranked 1 is Laura Rogule 2246 LAT. Jessie is 12th ranked at 2066.
B16 - 77 players, 58 FIDE rated - ranked 1 is Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2493 AZE. Thomas is ranked 45th, Chetan 46th & Rafe 48th.
G16 - 58 players, 34 FIDE rated - top 3 are WFMs from Russia, and 6 of the top 8 ranked players are from Russia. This highlights a potential area for disquiet. Not too long ago countries could normally enter only one player per age group thus during the competition a player expected to compete against players from 9 different countries. Now I suspect that any non Russian going for a medal will have to face just about the whole Russian team along the way. I think the European Chess Union may have to consider a limit on the number of competitors in each age group from any one federation.
B18 - 58 players, 49 FIDE rated - top 2 are IM Dmitri Jakovenko 2551 RUS & Zviad Izoria 2486 GEO. Matthew is 27th and Lorin 39th ranked.
G18 - 44 players, 26 FIDE rated - ranked 1 is Inga Charkhalashvili 2278 GEO.

Tuesday 4th 9:50pm Greek Time

This is very tough!! Opinion is that these Championships must rank as one of the best, in terms of players competing. Look at the fantastic result for young Peter, having already faced a player rated at 2091 and on 1 out of 4, he well deserved the draw in round 5 against a player rated at 2034. Be assured, our youngsters are taking their preparation seriously and giving every possible effort.
Tomorrow is a rest day, so fingers crossed that I can keep my computer running, I will get some statistics out about players/federations/ratings etc.

Tuesday 4th 10:30 am

There are 52 players in Jessie’s section but after 3 rounds Jessie and her opponent are the only players on 3/3 and compete on board 1 to take sole lead in their section. A word of praise for the organisers, round 4 pairings were on display one hour after the completion of round 3.
You may be interested to know the routine we have to let players and coaches know the pairings. I have sheets pre-prepared listing all the England team then as soon as the pairings are posted (often as late as mid-night) enter details of colour/player/rating/federation. This list is copied several times and we use the very latest technology to get this information to the coaches as quickly as possible– I push it under their bedroom doors!! The next step is to write the pairing details for the individual players and push those under their doors. This ensures that everyone has access to the pairings well before the official coaching sessions begin after breakfast. On many occasions coaches and players have searched their chess databases before breakfast.

Sunday 2nd 9:30 pm

A disappointing game for David and Sophie who lose their 100% score, Jessie remains on 100% with 3/3. Great rejoicing in the team when Peter won in excellent style. Dana and Eugene get to 50% with fine wins.

Sunday 2nd 1:30 pm

<Round 3 pairings were announced here>

Did England really beat Germany 5 – 1? I asked one of the German coaches this morning, all he would say was “Germany scored first”.
Chetan’s seems to have a tough game against Nyback who finished 6th last year. Coach GM Motwani is impressed with Chetan’s preparation and expects a good tournament performance.
A big “THANK YOU” to the BCF website from Amy’s parents in South Africa, they were thrilled to get the news and see her picture. We can also pass news on to Amy that her King Chess Exam results have arrived and she now becomes the youngest person to pass at the level – well done.

Saturday 1st 8:55 pm

Jessie, David and Sophie are on 100% with 2/2. At the start of the tournament Sophie had just remained on the July FIDE list with a rating of 2001. A late correction list from FIDE confirmed that she had ‘fallen’ off the list and plays as unrated. Sophie is pleased with this situation as it is now possible for her to have a good event and return to the list with a very respectable ‘new’ FIDE rating. Sophie already has a potential part rating to be confirmed and could only need to play 5 rated players at these Championships to get her rating restored.

Saturday 1st 5:30 am

<<Round 2 pairings announced.>>

Chris Dorrington plays on board 1 against the top seed, IM Argoruny from the Ukraine. The Georgian team will be taking Naomi very seriously after her victory over their number 1 girl in the first round, Butskhrikidze was the Bronze Medal winner last year. Hopefully the greatest difficulty for Naomi will getting her opponent's name spelled correctly.

Friday 31st 8:30 pm

Friday 31st August
Hi A delayed start because of travel difficulties of the Russian and Bosnian teams. At this time, 9pm on Friday the first round has been in progress for 5 hours. The pairings and results to date are shown below.

European Youth Chess Championships – Greece
29th August to 10th September

(Results in blue were not available at time report first released.)