FIRST DAY

  British Rapidplay Chess 2013 - First Day Report-B.Kitson(Secretary BRC)-23rd November.

 

  The 2013 British Rapidplay Chess returned to Leeds again at the Leeds Metropolitan University in Headingley.The event saw nearly 300 entries from all over the UK to play in Britain’s main Rapidplay

Tournament. Many players had just seen  Magnus Carlsen win the world championship two days  before.

      Well the weather was sunny  and  fine ,with no rain fortunately! There was a smooth set up from Carlos Velosa and his team. The event also held a small raffle ( a generous prize from Chess Direct) which gained one hundred and ten pounds for the Philippines  Typhoon disaster fund. Leeds United were battling against Middlesborough  and won 2-1  whilst the Liverpool derby  ended 3-3.

        The chess got underway at  midday. Unfortunately a major glitch meant that live  games were not

Possible on the internet . However we are assured this was  finally rectified by 9.00 p.m by our internet people.

         Well in the Under 11 Junior trial James Moreby  from Jesmond club  was in sparkling form and

won the event with 5/5.In the Minor , Gordon Glover and Douglas Barnett had excellent starts with 4/5 going into round 6.In The Major  Guy Batchelor was on 5/5 going into the 6th Round.

    In the Intermediate  Nick Balmforth  of Leeds University was on a perfect 5/5 .

     Now in the Open   Jonathan Hawkins  , Marc Hebden  , and Keith Arkell  were amongst the leading entrants.

          Jonathan Hawkins  was drawn against Marc Hebden in round 4  ,which Hebden

won. Now after 5 rounds  Marc Hebden was leading with 4.5/5,with Keith Arkell,James Cobb,Charles Storey, Ameet Ghasi , and Richard Palliser   all on 4/5.

    So needless to say round 6  had  a lot of critical matches.Marc Hebden met Keith  Arkell and won in half an hour.Leaving Hebden on top after day one with 5.5/6.The Jonathan  Hawkins v Richard  Palliser  match  went    to Jonathan with a fine win  , so as to give  him a chance if Marc Hebden slips up on Sunday . Ameet Ghasi  had a   fine win against  James Cobb , giving him 5/6 like Jonathan.

       

        Sundays proceedings start at 9.30 a.m when live games  will be (Computers  permitting!) viewable online.

   We’ll  leave you with a picture of James Moreby the winner of the Junior Under  11.Thanks to all the players , arbiters ,  organizers , etc.

   Will Marc Hebden gain his 4th  BRChess title or not…time will tell!

    B Kitson.

  PS Norwegian classes and male modelling classes  are apparently all the rage!

 

      

- Brent Kitson