Worcester Open Chess Congress

Sixth Congress July 2014

The 6th annual Worcestershire Open Chess Congress was held on Saturday 12th July and Sunday 13th July. Prime movers Andrew Farthing and Andrew Moore repeated 2013's successful formula combining an enjoyable chess tournament with fundraising for a worthy charitable cause.

In 2014, the chosen charity was Chess in Schools and Communities, which seeks to improve children's educational outcomes and their social development by introducing chess into primary schools, particularly in inner city communities. After preliminary examination of the accounts, organisers estimate that at least £800 surplus will have been made. Andrew Farthing and Andrew Moore would like to thank the many players who made generous donations.

Entries

There were 108 players: Open 23; Major (u160) 25;.Intermediate (u135) 29; Minor (u115) 33.

 

King's School, Worcester: left Library Square: right: the playing hall Pictures Ray Collett

New venue

The organisers were grateful to The King's School, Worcester for providing a city centre venue for the 2014 congress free of charge. Close to Worcester's magnificent cathedral and its riverside promenade, the new venue is just a few minutes' walk from the shops, cafes and restaurants of central Worcester. There were initially fears that some players would need to use expensive central carparks, but in the event all except a few late arrivals were able to park free in the school grounds.

Increased prize fund

The total prize fund was £1,225, an increase of £275 on 2013, entry fees were slightly reduced and an additional tournament, the intermediate was promoted.

Left: Brian Turner (left) and Andrew Farthing make out cheques for winners
Right: Alan Ruffle, controller (left) carefully watches a game at the end of session
Pictures Ray Collett

Schedule

The rate of play was 42 moves in 90 minutes, followed by an additional 15 minutes per player to complete the game. Tournaments had five rounds, three on Saturday and two on Sunday. Prize-giving a little ahead of schedule at 6:20pm.

Bookstall

The congress equipment and bookstall was provided by The Bude Chess Centre (formerly CCF Mindgames).  The organisers are grateful to John and Christine Constable for their continuing support of the Worcester Open congress.

Controlling team and helpers

Kevin Markey, Alan & Ann Ruffle, Katie Smith, Andrew Moore and Victoria Reyes-Dinoo. Helpers: Brian Turner, Jim Friar, Phil & Anne Smith, Ray Collett, and Rob Sutton. At the end, many people pitched in to help clear up. Organisers are grateful to the King's School as a whole for the venue, but especially deputy head Jonathan Ricketts, Fred the caretaker and the kitchen staff.

Left: Controllers take a snack early in the session. Centre: Kevin Markey. Right Chris & John Constable at the bookshop. Pictures Ray Collett.

Donations

Fifty players made donations to Chess in Scools & Communities: Tim Allen, Ian Blencowe, Paul Broderick, Henry Brockbank, Rod Burroughs, Steve Crockett, Grant Daly, Tom Darling, Tom Evans, Eddie Fierek, Alan Frase, James Friar, Colin Gardiner, Ben Graff, Roger Greatorex, Susan Griffith-Jones, John Harris, Dean Hartley, Philip Hayward, Paul Heeney, Neil Homer, Matthew Jordan, Arnold Kirkland, John Knee, Richard Leaper, Martyn Maber, Alistair Macnaughton, Jason Madden, Alastair Marston, Richard McNally, Joseph McPhillips, Keith Osborne, John Pakenham, John Pitcher, Mark Potter, Chris Purry, Nigel Purry, David Roberts, Alex Rossiter, Antony Sage, David Smith, Chris Snook-Lumb, Colin Solloway, Giles Stanton, Brian Turner, Shaun Walsh, John Waterfield, Andrew Waters, Hazel Welch, Andrew Wiggins.