Newcastle Mini Congress Open and U160 sections

Top seed Alex Richardson (white) takes on Pavel Nefyodov watched by Daniel Sullivan.

Simon Edwards

Rich Wiltshir

With a couple of entrants opting for byes in different rounds it was decided to play the Open as a five player all-play-all rather than integrating with the U160 section. Reaching the last round Pavel had finished on 2/4, with all the others on 1½/3. A five way tie was avoided when Rich Wiltshir beat Daniel Sullivan whilst the top seeds Alex and Simon were drawing.

		Alex	Simon	Rich	Daniel	Pavel
Alex Richardson	193	x	½	½	½	½	2
Simon Edwards	176	½	x	½	1	0	2
Rich Wiltshir	142	½	½	x	1	½	2½
Daniel Sullivan	175	½	0	0	x	1	1½
Pavel Nefyodov	160	½	1	½	0	x	2

Phil Cattermole has white against Sam Beardmore	Richard Szwajkun and Alex Cartlidge are enthralled by their last round game.

Karl Lockett

Jon Blackburn in spectator mode

The U160 section featured a nice round 10, with just two taking a bye on the Saturday evening, so the section this year was totally self-contained. Richard Szwajkun was the only player to reach 2/2, and never surrendered sole possession of the lead thereafter. Alex Cartlidge chased him home, and had the pleasure of playong the sort of sac on f7 that has everyone rubbernecking to watch further developments, whilst last year's winner recovered to third place after a modest ½/2 start.

Final Scores
4:    Richard Szwajkun
3½: Alex Cartlidge
3:    Karl Lockett
2½: Phil Cattermole, Glyn Valentine, Sam Beardmore, Neville Layhe
2:    Jon Blackburn
1½: James Rothwell
1:    Jacob Cartlidge

Richard Szwajkun	Alex cartlidge seems more interested in watching James Rothwell play Sam Beardmore.

U130

U100

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