After a summer break, our annual slow-play competition, the Battersea Chess Club Grand Prix began its autumn season yesterday. And what a start!
We have a new leader. Last night Paul Stokes managed a tight victory over Tim Wells, moving Paul to 3.5 points and top of the table on game difference.
Previous leader, Aldo Camilleri, has been relegated to second place.
However, it is a close-run thing: Tim Spanton and Alistair Hill are only a point behind. So there is all to play for.
In the Barrow, our second division, there has been some movement as well.
After scoring 3.5 in his last five games, Darius Zutautas has propelled himself into third place. Darius and Tom drew last night which means that Tom has scored 1.5 in his last two games and is now in 5th.
Joshua Holliday also won last night, moving him into the top 10, above club stalwarts like Gregg Hutchence, Leon Watson, David Blackwell and others. The revised league tables can be found here.
We will be announcing the dates of future rounds of the Grand Prix soon, so watch this space. There is still plenty of time for you to get some graded games and move up the league table.
Last night was a busy night at the club, with the final of the Blitz competition (ably won by Adam Bukojemski). No doubt tournament organiser Arnold Hunt will write a separate report.
We also had several new players, including people from China and the USA. I played a few casual games against various of them: one had a USCF rating of 2100 (ECF 180-190?), another is coming back to chess after a break – last known grade was ECF 190.
So look out: these new players may be playing for a team near you soon.
