Suffolk Chess

Following the request a few days ago for reports from team captains, I'm pleased to have received the following from Dave Robertson, captain of the Felixstowe team in Division 3:

"Division 3 appears to be wide-open with few points separating the top and bottom teams.   Felixstowe has had some disappointing results, compared to last year’s opening campaign.   We were top of the league (well Division 3 anyway!) until just before Christmas 2012.   But this season has seen results not going as well, despite the arrival of our new strongest player – see later.   The highlight of our season so far was our home clash with Clacton, who, on paper, brought the strongest team we have yet faced at Felixstowe.   We won 3½ - ½, by far our best result for a long while.

The arrival of Phil Hopkins has strengthened the team, taking over Board 1 responsibility; he has a 100% record from that pinnacle.

Unfortunately we have temporarily lost the services of Garry Hemsworth (pictured right in photo), as he has undergone minor heart surgery and is unavailable to play at the present time.   We all wish him well and hope he will soon be back – he has been a stalwart of Felixstowe Chess Club, and is our second highest ranked player, now that Phil has joined us.

We are currently the holders of the u125 Cup.   We are through to the final of that competition again, awaiting the victors of the Ipswich v Clacton tie.   We are also in the u145 Cup, although our grades are lowly (three of us are u100).   We are still ‘alive’ having drawn 2-2 against Manningtree, and wait to play Ipswich (as are Manningtree) in this ‘three-cornered’ all play all tournament."

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