Winter Butterfly  -  14b    25/9/02

Scandal Rocks European Club Championship. 

Cardiff Incensed by Controller's decision. 

Rhodri Morgan may be Asked to Intervene. 

Greek Police Battle with Angry Cardiff Supporters. 

From our special correspondent in Halkidiki.

Halkidiki: Wednesday 25th Sept.

 The future of the European Team Championship in Halkidiki was thrown into doubt, yesterday, as an angry mob of Cardiff's supporters did battle with the local police.  They were incensed by a scandalous controlling decision which unfairly robbed Cardiff of a hard earned half match point.

 The day started quietly enough with Cardiff turning up, as normal, to play their match against the unfancied Bye.  'I should have known something was amiss' said a Cardiff player who wishes to remain anonymous.  'None of the Bye players turned up for the start of the match'.  After an hour the Bye chairs were still empty and the controller awarded the match to Cardiff by default. The Cardiff players retired to a local bar to celebrate their hard earned match point and six game points.  They were still in the bar when the shocking news arrived that the controller had decided to award them only half a match point and no game points.

 News quickly spread through the local bars and soon an angry mob of Cardiff's travelling supporters were converging on the main venue to remonstrate with the controller.  Police quickly moved in to block access to the hotel and attempted to disperse the crowd using teargas and water cannon.  They were met with a hail of leeks and salvoes of half eaten Peters Pies.  'It was terrible.' said Captain Peritonitis of the Halkidiki Police.  'We are not equipped to deal with such weaponry.  Many of my men were overcome by fumes from the leeks, while our riot gear proved no protection against the crust on those stale pies.  Don't tell me that human beings actually eat those things!! If these are the chess supporters, thank God Cardiff City don't play in Europe!  I don't think we could cope!!'

 Eventually order was restored when P L Davies rushed to the scene and appealed for calm.

 The streets are quiet now, but its an angry silence.  The atmosphere is tense and made worst by the hideous smell of rotting leeks.  Emergency meeting are being held to see if today's round can go ahead.

  Reaction at Home

 An uneasy silence has settled over Welsh Chess.  There are rumours of a two hour meeting involving Kevin Staveley and Rhodri Morgan, but neither the WCU or National Assembly would confirm this.  An unnamed source has suggested that Rhodri was asked to intervene directly by contacting the Greek Prime Minister, but again there has been no confirmation of this.

 Only two organisations have been prepared to comment.  Peters pies have rejected any suggestion that the crust on their pies constitute a lethal weapon, while al Qeada Gymru have claimed that the team from Bye was merely a front for the CIA who are trying to destabilise the area. 

 If there are any further developments this magazine will keep you informed.

 On a Lighter Note

With the European Championship in chaos its pleasant to note that elsewhere chess life continues as normal.

I have received the following email from Chris Price of Rhyddings Chess Club.

 We badly need to recruit new strong players. Could you possibly
ask in WB for anyone interested in playing for Rhyddings (in the West Wales
League) to contact me? (My work tel is 01792 454302, home 01792 423952.)
Thanks very much
Chris Price

 Good luck Chris.

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