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Hampshire Chess Association

Founded 1890

Contents

Round One

The Hampshire Congress incorporating the Hampshire Individual was held at Eastleigh College the weekend of 7th November 2003. The tournament used the same format as the last few years, with an Open and under 125 graded sections. Eastleigh College proved a popular venue, with ample room and good lighting available in both sections. It was pleasing to see the total numbers increase, with 32 players in the Open and 20 in the U125. This is the first time for a number of years that the entry has exceeded 50.

 

The standard in the Open had slightly increased as well, with two players graded over 200 and current champion Michael Yeo also back to defend his title. The top seed was probably Tony Corkett, as well as being graded 207 he has also won the title four times previously. Three time winner Dominic Tunks was also playing. The other ex Hampshire champion in the field was John Wilkinson, who won the title back in 1964! A full list of Hampshire Champions is available.

 

The first round is always the top versus bottom, so is dominated by wins by the higher graded players. Nevertheless, there are normally some upsets and this year was no different. A.Chahine is an ungraded player, with an estimated grade of 138. This proved far too low, as can be seen from his final result. In the first round he was paired against Gavin Lock (171) and after emerging from the opening with an advantage, went on to score the full point. 

 

Draws were also obtained against much higher graded opponents by Tom Anderson, Peter Byre and Joe Coburn, with Joe still having a won position against Bill Purkiss when the draw was agreed.

 

To view the games, click on the name of the player playing White. I have added some commentary to some of the games, but the analysis is all down to Fritz. Any comments and analysis is open to interpretation and I welcome comments, especially from the actual players.

 

White

Grade

Res

Black

Grade

Res

A.Corkett

207

1

L.Allen

153

0

M.Buckley

153

0

M.Simons

207

1

M.Yeo

194

1

I.Cary

152

0

T.Anderson

151

½

D.Pye

185

½

W.Purkiss

181

½

J.Coburn

142

½

J.Wheeler

180

1

G.Stuart

138

0

D.Tunks

178

1

S.Dunleavy

u

0

A.Chahine

u

1

G.Lock

171

0

K.Esmat

165

1

S.Gonem

137

0

P.Byre

132

½

D.Cordner

164

½

M.Krawczuk

163

1

A.Mills

134

0

I.Matthew

135

0

F.McLeod

159

1

J.Wilkinson

159

1

G.Moore

123

0

D.O.'Mahoney

u

½

R.Perrin

159

½`

I.Stenhouse

145

1

Bye

 

 

D.Cutmore

167

½

Bye

 

 

M.Cutmore

166

½

Bye

 

 

S.Keskinen

u

½

Bye

 

 

I have not mentioned the other player graded over 200, Martin Simons. Martin plays in the Bournemouth league, although he has played for Hampshire in the past (but more normally Dorset).

In the first round his was paired against Martin Buckley, who was doing very well up to move 29. But then Martin Buckley fell for first one pin and then another. The first is given below when after 29.Kg1 .. Nxg3 was played. This was bad enough but a few moves later Martin Buckley fell for another pin and the game was completely lost.

M,Buckley - M,Simons Hants Congress 2003 Rd 1

Position before 29.Kg1 in Buckley - Simons

A.Corkett - L,Allen Hants Congress 2003 Rd 1

Position before 31..Nd3 in Corkett - Allen

I should also mention that Les Allen put up a valiant fight against Tony Corkett and the position shown left looked very drawish until Les played 31..Nd3, rather than 31..Kf8. This allowed 32.Qe8, where another error 32..Kh7 saw Les resign after 33.Be4+.

 

The first round of the Hampshire Congress is always a tough one, with pressure on the top players to win their games and the lower graded players knowing that they are normally playing someone graded 40+ points higher than them.

 

This is normally at the end of a long week at work, with another two days of chess ahead of you. It's no wonder that when I got home I enjoyed two cool bottles of beer which helped me forget about the way I had been outplayed by John Wheeler in this round! Surely the remaining games would be easier!

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