This last weekend has seen the annual Blackpool Chess Conference (or congress) take place. Normally we have an army of members who make the small trek but this year we could only send a batallion of six.
Although none of our members featured in the prize lists (as far as I know) all six punched above their rating levels.
In the Open section Simon Layhe notched up two wins against players rated more than 200 pts higher, and despite losing three (including a 2298 rated opponent) saw his rating move from 1897 to 1912.
Andy Raeburn also chanced his arm in a higher section (Major U2050) than he could have played. Like Simon he scored a very good 2/5 to see his rating edge north by 3 pts to 1812 (it must sound like an overture to Andy).
Chairman Dave pushed himself up a section (Inter U1850) as well and despite only winning one and drawing one of the five games, saw his rating remain static at 1614 – a sign of how well he played with all opponents rated 100-200 pts higher.
Young Jamie Roberts played in the Minor U1700 section and notched up 3pts, with a best win vs an 1851; to see his rating climb 31 pts to 1662.
However Jamie’s dad, Dave refused to be outdone by his son and scored a superb 3/5 in the Standard U1550 section to see his rating climb by 33pts to 1224. This is even more impressive when you consider Jamie’s rating moves double the amount of Dave’s for every win.
And Mal Green had a strong congress too scoring 50% from his 5 games, to see his rating climb 26 pts to 1273.
Well done to all, and what is clear … is that Dave P must have led the drinking as his rating did not move as much as the others.