Worcester & District Chess League
Ball Cup Results for 2010-11 Season
Final
The final of the Ball Cup, restricted to players graded below 150, was another tight contest. Andrew Farthing (Worcester City) and Glen Cox (Headless Cross) played two draws before the issue was decided in an "Armageddon" game play-off
In the first game, Glen, playing white, allowed Andrew to equalise quickly in a Queen's Gambit Semi-Slav, after which a draw always looked the most likely result. When peace was agreed, Black's nominal advantage of bishop against knight in an ending with pawns on both sides looked minimal at best. Drawn in 23 not very exciting moves.
The replay saw Andrew's favourite 1.Nc3 transpose to a Sicilian after 1...c5. Some tricky move orders led by transposition to a variation of the Scheveningen which was definitely unfamiliar to White and possibly also to Black. Glenn was building nicely on the queenside when Andrew spotted a small tactic to win a pawn and sharpen the game. Black was able to force the recovery of the pawn within a few moves, however, and appeared to have gained an edge. White's position remained very solid, if a little passive, and Black could not reasonably avoid the exchange of the major pieces to reach an ending with two bishops against bishop and knight. Fortunately for Andrew, his knight was firmly lodged on a beautiful central square and could only ever be removed if Black acquiesced to a dead-drawn opposite coloured bishops ending. Drawn in 35 moves.
Under the competition rules, this led to an immediate play-off in an "Armageddon" game. White had 6 minutes to Black's 5, but if the game was drawn, Black would be deemed the winner. Glenn won the toss and chose Black. This time, 1.Nc3 was met with 1...d5 2.e4 d4, a main-line Van Geet's Opening with which Andrew was very familiar and Glenn not at all. This was clearly an important factor as the game developed, with White quickly establishing mating threats on the kingside while many of Black's pieces were out of play. Black avoided mate but only at the cost of a piece. With extra material and a lead on the clock, Andrew was heading for victory when Glenn's flag fell.
Thus, for the second time in three years, Andrew Farthing won the Ball Cup. He went through the event unbeaten, drawing 6 games and winning 5 (two in "Armageddon" play-offs).
Semi-final
- Glenn Cox 1 - 0 Steve Crockett
- Andrew Farthing ½-½, 1-0 Andrew Moore
Quarter-final
- Andrew Wiggins 0 - 1 Steve Crockett
- Rob Bricknell 0 -1 Andrew Moore
- Andrew Farthing ½ - ½, ½ - ½, 1 - 0 Jason Cole
- Giles Stanton 0 - 1 Glenn Cox
Results of Qualfying Games
This year's entry was 17, well up from last year's 13 so the preliminary rounds have been made as 4 all-play-all sections with two qualifying from each. Results so far (25 May) are shown below.
Pool A:
The critical final game between Andrew Moore and John Gittus could not be played on the scheduled date because John was unwell. In the face of uncertainties over a possible future playing date, John has agreed to default the game in the interests of not delaying the progress of the competition. The second place tie is decided in favour of Jason Cole, who has the superior Sonneborn-Berger score.
| Ball Cup Pool A | Grade | AM | JC | JG | PS | Total | S-B | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Moore (Hagley | 148 | x | ½ | 1 | 1 | 2½ | 1st | |
| Jason Cole (Redditch) | 137 | ½ | x | ½ | ½ | 1½ | 2¼ | 2nd |
| John Gittus (Kidderminster) | 127 | 0 | ½ | x | 0 | ½ | ||
| Phil Smith (Worcester) | 96 | 0 | ½ | 1 | x | 1½ | 1¼ | 3rd |
Pool B
Glenn Cox is guaranteed to get to the next stage. The one remaining fixture will be crucial: if Glenn wins, Ian Clack will qualify by virtue of having a lower grade than Steve Crockett. If Steve can draw or win, he will go through himself.
| Ball Cup Pool B | Grade | GC | SC | IC | BS | Total | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Cox (Redditch) | 148 | x | ½ | 1 | 1 | 2½ | 1st |
| Steve Crockett (Redditch) | 139 | ½ | x | ½ | 1 | 2 | 2nd |
| Ian Clack (Redditch) | 119 | 0 | ½ | x | 1 | 1½ | 3rd |
| Barry Stone (Malvern) | 97 | 0 | 0 | 0 | x | 0 |
Pool C
As might have been expected with a 5-player group, this turned into a tough battle. 28 Feb: Andrew Wiggins is first and Rob Bricknell second. Both qualify.
| Ball Cup Pool C | Grade | AW | RB | RC | MC | RS | Total | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Wiggins (Greenlands) | 140 | x | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1st |
| Rob Bricknell (Redditch) | 133 | 1 | x | ½ | 0 | 1 | 2½ | 2nd |
| Richard Collett (Greenlands) | 109 | 0 | ½ | x | 0 | 0 | ½ | |
| Michele Clack (Redditch) | 106 | 0 | 1 | 1 | x | 0 | 2 | 3rd= |
| Rob Sutton (Worcester) | u/g | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | x | 2 | 3rd= |
Pool D
| Ball Cup Pool D | Grade | AF | DR | GS | MH | Total | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Farthing (Worcester) | 144 | X | ½ | 1 | 1 | 2½ | 1st |
| David Richardson (Redditch) | 128 | ½ | X | 0 | 1 | 1½ | 2nd |
| Giles Stanton (Redditch) | 114 | 0 | 1 | X | 1 | 2 | 3rd |
| Mark Hore (Redditch) | 96 | b | w | 0 | X | 0 |
Structure of the Competition
The competition will run on the following basis to give players a minimum of 4 games.
- Three all-play-all groups of 5 players each [see results below];
- The winner of each group qualifies automatically for the first knockout phase (semi-final);
- The runner-up from each group will take part in a triangular all-play-all phase, the winner of which will also qualify for the semi-finals;
- The winners of the semi-finals will compete in the final to determine who wins the Cup.
In the knockout stages, a drawn game should be replayed with reversed colours. This will need to be arranged on a separate date. If the replay is also drawn, the tie will be broken by a sudden-death rapid play game, in which the players toss for colours. White will have 6 minutes on the clock for the whole game; Black 5 minutes. In the event of a draw, Black is deemed the winner.