Silver chess celebrationsOT a matter for Congress
The 25th Oban Chess Congress was played in the Royal Hotel over three days last weekend.
Organised by Oban Chess Club, this annual event attracted 122 players of all ages and abilities, the youngest being eight and the oldest 81.
Enthusiasts and their families travelled from all over Scotland and England, with many staying in the town.
Split into four tournaments, depending on ability, the congress began on Friday November 15 with a fiveTwelve round Swiss format. With a prize fund of £1,925, as well as a stunning glass trophy for the top player in each tournament, there was much to play for.
This year there were 15 junior players aged eight to 15 playing all four tournaments, with Oban’s young chess master Sam Coates, 17, playing in the top open event.
The Oban Congress is a popular event on the Scottish chess calendar and brings 100 players to the town each year as well as their friends and families. Over the years the event has received generous support from many local businesses. Duncan
Campbell from the organising committee said: ‘We would like to thank the many local businesses who have supported us once again this year. Without their help and financial support, this congress would not be possible.
‘We must also thank Chess Scotland for providing the equipment and Andy Howie for setting up the live boards so that games could be viewed online.’
Oban players among the main prize winners were Lukasz Nowak, who was joint second in the Challengers Tournament, and Christopher Sharp, second equal in the Minor Tournament. Stephen Harvey shared a grading prize in the Challengers and Liam Richmond won a grading prize in the Major.
On Saturday night, many of the players and their families took part in the Congress’s popular prize quiz, also held in the Royal.
Results: Open: 1= FIDE Master Neil Berry, Edinburgh; Andrew Newton, Inverness, and Richard Birkett, Inverness. Richard Birkett won the trophy.
Challengers: 1 Ralph Stirrat, Cumbernauld; 2= Lukasz Nowak, Oban; Jonathan McKay, Musselburgh, and John Cawston, Ye Olde Starre
Inn. Major: 1= Martin Brejter, Edinburgh; Thomas Tait, Dalmuir, and Ross Blackford, Dunbar. Martin Brejter won the trophy.
Minor: 1 Alex Keenan, Hamilton; 2= David Watson, Corstorphine; Andrew McCulloch, Giffnock; Thor Saemundsson, Hamilton, and Christopher Sharp, Oban.