Too shattered, both physically and emotionally, to write a full report, so here's a summary of the results:
The
Open section was won, as expected, by top seed Grandmaster
Matthew Sadler (see photo). Three players shared second place, including
Adam Taylor and
David Spence.
Two players shared first place in the Major (u170) section: Richard Lamont, who plays for both Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, and Cambridge City's John Daugman.
The Intermediate section (u145) was won by Stephen Moss (who writes an occasional chess column for the Guardian newspaper), whilst the Minor (u120) winner was Marek Biernacki, from Sutton Coldfield.
Local players who won cash prizes were:
Ian Wallis (u190 grading prize)
Ed Kirkham and Kevin Greenacre (3rd= in the Major)
Colin Roberts (best win in the Major)
Les Jones (2nd= in the Intermediate)
William Sait (Inter Junior)
Vicky Allen (Minor 2nd=)
Alan John (u60 grading prize)
Adam John (best win in the Minor)
A total of 162 played (166 entered, but four withdrew before the congress started).
Many, many thanks to all the people who made the event a success. Next year (24/25 October 2015) I expect to be playing, not organising!