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MCA
Team
Lightning
Championships 2008
- 9th June
An Atticus Eye's View by club captain
John Carleton
Once again the Adelphi provided a magnificent backdrop to the traditional season-closer. For those able to lift their eyes from
the chessboard there was a rare opportunity [at a chess event] to take in an atmosphere of opulence and grandeur; possibly only the forthcoming British Championships at St. George's Hall may be considered to have a
comparable venue. On a selfish [i.e. club] level I was very proud to see Atticus fielding 5 teams including players from all our Merseyside league teams. All were prepared to take on the 'Big Boys' and to enjoy the
light-hearted side of our game. From this it should not be inferred that there was any shortfall of fighting chess and competitiveness; on the contrary these qualities were there in abundance. The players were
empowered by Dave Welch who not only produced his on-the-spot draws with his customary efficiency and aplomb but also managed this 11 team Swiss with no byes!
The nature of this form of chess is such that one long game gives everyone else a rest. This time was well used with rivals from the past season
mingling freely, quaffing the odd drink and exchanging views on a variety of topics. Chief among these apart from the superb venue was many a tale of despair and heartbreak brought on by trying to play to the buzzer.
The start of the last round saw a real melee at the top of the leader board with at least 6 teams in with a shout. A storming finish by second
division Waterloo saw them outstrip their first division rivals to figuratively lift the trophy [which is alas missing at present] Bravo! A great end to a most enjoyable evening.
We hope next year to be able to welcome even more teams, regardless of strength at the traditional form of the game, to enjoy our festival event.
Let Waterloo [or Atticus 3] be your inspiration.
Congratulations also to John Littlewood (Formby), Richard Noonan (Atticus 1), Andreas Vogt (Aigburth 1) and Nick Wall (Atticus 2) who all
scored an impressive 5½/6.
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Final table |
Pts |
Pos |
|
Waterloo 1 |
16 |
1st |
|
Atticus 1 |
15½ |
2nd |
|
Aigburth 1 |
15 |
3rd |
|
Atticus 2 |
14½ |
4th |
|
Prescot 1 |
14 |
5th= |
|
Formby 1 |
14 |
5th= |
|
Liverpool 1 |
12 |
7th |
|
Atticus 5 |
9½ |
8th |
|
Atticus 4 |
7½ |
9th= |
|
Atticus 3 |
7½ |
9th= |
|
Southport |
4½ |
11th |
|
 |
|
Adelphi Hotel |
Luke Boumphrey (Atticus 1) with team colleague Richie Noonan.
Foreground: Martyn Jacobs (Waterloo) v Martin Blasczyk (Atticus 3).
Formby's Peter Brocklebank (left) about to start play
against Phil Hopkins (Atticus).
Roger Williamson
(Aigburth 1) v Nick Wall (Atticus 2).
John Carleton (Atticus 1) v Jim McDonald (Prescot 1).
A crowd gather to watch the final (and very long) game in
round 2.
Veteran MCA
stalwart FM John Littlewood.
Louis Rothwell (Southport 1) aged just 11.
Jim Wiseman (Atticus) v Ralph Stuttard (Southport).
Frank Ryan (left) v Prof. Andreas Vogt.
Waterloo 1 v Atticus 1. Several spectators followed every move.
Andreas Vogt v Colin Horton alongside Roger Williamson v Martyn Jacobs.
Liquid refreshment essential for survival in the lightning 'hot house'.
Stephen Philps v Gareth Bessant.
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Waterloo 1: MCA lightning winners 2008
left to right: Chris Doran, Martyn Jacobs, Colin Horton, David Colbourne. |
Many thanks to
Atticus Chess Club for hosting this event and for providing the
equipment, to all the competitors some of whom made long
journeys, to David Welch for doing the pairings and to John
Davis for his support.
If anyone knows the
whereabouts of the Lightning Trophy please contact
John Davis.
Details and photos
from the 2007 event here.
Details and photos
from the 2006 event
here.
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