Round 5
“It’s a marathon not a sprint” so the saying goes and that certainly rings true for the entrants still contesting the Grand Prix. This week saw another tough test as our chess heptathletes took part in round 5 of 7 in another gruelling challenge. Favourites Paul Blackman, Mithun and brother Prasun were the top seeds as seven out of twenty one players were graded over 150. The key match came in round 4 as Mithun took advantage of the white pieces to defeat Paul in a telling result which enabled him to take first prize and those oh so important Grand Prix points with 4½/5 ahead of Paul on 4.
Meanwhile John Fryer, on holiday on a Monday night from SASCA showed everyone what they had been missing as he took the U-130 with 3½ ahead of Andy Maiden and, signicantly, Phil Griffiths on 3.
The standings are as close as ever:
After 5 rounds,
Open: Mithun 19.5. Paul 19
Major: Phil 12, Evie 11.5
Round 6 is four rounds of 15 minutes each on Monday 1st September.
Round 4
Open (It couldn’t be closer!) Paul
B, Mithun 15, Martin 12, Paul F 11.5
Major Evie 11.5, Phil
G. 9, Michael C. 7
Competition from ‘the other big event’ over in Liverpool did not lessen the attendance to The Abbey for Round 5 of the Grand Prix. 17 players turned up, including all the current leaders in the Open (Paul Blackman, Paul Fletcher, Martin Howard and Mithun) and the Major (Evie, Phil Griffiths). A strong Chesterfield including Andy Mort and also the usual contingents from Aughton and Worksop helped swell the ranks.
Play was as tough and uncompromising as ever and after two hard rounds the pairings for round 3 saw Andy face Paul B and Martin play Mithun. The two top seeds and grand prix favourites both scored the win they needed to keep up the pressure and then faced each other in the inevitable and ultimate showdown! Mithun had white but it was Paul B who won the game to score 3.5/4 and take the spoils on the night in what could prove to be a crucial development in the race for the grand prix title.
Meanwhile in the Major, Evie yet again played another excellent tournament to finish first and consolidate her position as leading player with a score of 3.
Round 3
The competition was tense and the play as fierce as ever in Round 3 of the Woodseats Grand Prix as the players vied for position heading towards half way in the overall tournament. Twenty one players competed including all the main protagonists as the leaders sought to consolidate their position, eventually leading to close, multiple ties in both the Open and Major.
Leaders Mithun (Open, 3½/5) and Evie (Major, 2½) faltered slightly allowing the chasing pack to close the gap as the Open went to Paul Fletcher, Paul Blackman and Jim Davis, all with 4 and the Major to Michael Clark, Michael Littlewood, Louis Brijmohun and Anup Marathe all with 3.
This leaves the overall standings after three events (out of seven) as close and competitive as ever!:
Open Mithun
12, Paul B 11½, Paul 9, Martin Howard 10
Major Evie 8½, Michael L 7½, Phil Griffiths 6½, Michael Clark 5½, Ashley
Littlewood 5
Next round will be a 4 round tournament with 15 minutes per game on Monday, August 4th.
Round 2
The Grand Prix continues to grow and develop thanks mainly to the wonderful support of the players who help make it what it is. Such is the strength and in particular the strength in depth of the players competing that each event is in effect a mini congress of its own.
Round 2 of this year’s event was no exception. Twenty players, including previous Grand Prix Champions Mithun Chakravorty and Paul Fletcher were joined by similar stalwarts Paul Blackman, and Jim Davis, together with the very powerful Chesterfield duo of Martin Howard and Dave Latham. Add a few talented juniors in the shape of the Littlewood brothers, Michael and Ashley, and previous winner Evie Hollingworth and we had a very interesting and challenging mix.
Format was 4 rounds this time with 15 minutes for each player. Not surprisingly all games were hard fought and a real test for the juniors as no quarter was expected or given. At the end Jim beat Dave as both players finished on 3 out of 4 and leave Mithun and Paul B, each on 3 already, to slug it out. A fittingly tough draw left them to share the title and the prizes. In the Major (U120) both Michael and Evie, making a name for herself (if she hasn’t already!) both shared the first place, each scoring 2 and a half.
Round 1
It was showdown at The Abbey last night. Round 1 in the Woodseats Grand Prix. Two young gunslingers with big reputations faced each other in the final shoot out. ‘The king…and’ the boy who would be king.’
The Man: Mithun.
He had dominated this tournament ever since he had rode into town three years ago. Many had tried but only his brother had been good enough to even challenge him and he was missing this time. Now he was in a familiar position, unbeaten on 4/4. Still unchallenged, imperious.
But now it was different, now he had to face the one they said could really beat him.
The Kid: Aref.
Many had to come to watch this momentous showdown. ..Mark, Mick, John T. Some had come from out of town… Paul Blackman, Pete Swanson, Martin Howard. Twenty two in all in this famous, legendary tournament. One had made her reputation this evening, Evie Hollingworth, whose 3½/5 included a draw against Mark, had won the U140, she would be remembered for her efforts. Blackman and Howard had finished on 4/5 to take second place. But still they waited…waited to see whose reputation would fall…
And as the smoke cleared, one player stood the winner.
The Man.
Mithun.
“You’re good kid…but not that good.”
To be continued (Round 2. June 9th)...
Woodseats Summer Grand Prix 2008
Throughout the summer Woodseats Chess Club will be holding a series of seven evening tournaments of varying formats. Each tournament will be a separate event in itself, but will also count towards a combined score. At the end of the summer each contestant's best five (or up to five) scores will be added together to give a final ‘Grand Prix’ total. Entry fee will be £1 for each event, with three quarters of the entry fees being awarded as prizes on the night and one quarter going to the Grand Prix prize fund. Prizes will be awarded in grading sections in each case and we will also provide a trophy for the overall Grand Prix winner. The events and dates will be as follows:
May 19th - 5 rounds - 10m
June 9th - 4 rounds - 15m
June 30th - 5 rounds - 10m
August 4th - 4 rounds - 15m
August 18th - 5 rounds - 10m
September 1st - 4 rounds - 15m
September 22nd - 7 rounds - 5m
All Swiss system.
All events will be on a Monday night starting at 7.45pm. Entries will be taken either in advance or on the night, subject to space. Previous entrants will have priority in subsequent rounds. Entry is open to all and players may play in anything from one to seven events, but the more you enter the better your chance of winning the Grand Prix!
For more information or to enter please contact:
Bill Ward
60 Todwick Road,
Sheffield S8 0NR.
Tel: 0114 2508656 (Home)
0114 2620370 (Work)
Email:
bill@petcompany.co.uk