Winter Butterfly  -  21b    17/6/03

Dear Friends 

Summer is the closed season for chess, so just a short issue to keep you up to date. 

RCT Rapidplay Championship 

The first RCT Rapidplay Championship was hosted by Rhondda Chess Club on Saturday 14th June. 

The championship was won by Derek Jones (Pontypridd) with a perfect score of 5 out of 5.  Bill Davies (Rhondda) and David Lewis (Rhondda), both with 3.5 points, were the leading under 1400 and ungraded players. 

The small, but hugely enjoyable event took place in the RAFA Club, Treorchy.  Thanks to generous sponsorship from Emyr Webster of Decomate, there is a trophy which can be played for each year.  Although originally envisaged as a closed tournament, such was the success that consideration is being given to making it an open in future years.

 Gwent Summer Programme. 

Many thanks to Mark Adams for the following information: 

The GCA is pleased to announce a programme of chess events throughout the summer. All events will be held at Pontypool Chess Club, Panteg House. 

Date    Event

18/6    5 minutes

25/6    Time Handicap

9/7      Partnership Chess

30/7    Gambit

13/8    10 minutes

27/8    Gwent Lightening 

There will be a 50p charge to cover room rental. 

For further information ring Mark Adams 01495 758299 or Jon Gilbert 01633 874723

Kevin Staveley 

We hear that Kevin has a dose of Chickenpox.  Best wishes Kevin, hope you get better soon. 

Next Years Welsh Championship

 The plot thickens.  See the latest instalment below. 

 WELSH PROBLEMS

The offer by North Korea  to host the Welsh Championship has brought other options …….

Now we have an offer from China. The Championship will be played in Beijing subject to the following conditions

1.         All competitors must wear a MASK

2.         The Sicilian Opening is banned – apparently the Italians are worried about him carrying back SARS.

I see problems…….

Firstly if all competitors wear masks, impostors could take the part of registered players. Can you see the out cry if Kasparov plays instead of the favourite for next year’s event Dewi Jones and no one notices.

Also many players have voiced their opposition on the grounds that if everyone wears a mask they will not be able to hears the coughs which signify their good moves.

 Hereford Rapidplay 

Many thanks to Nigel Beveridge for the following information. 

The Hereford Rapidplay  Congress will take place on theSunday 24th
August,the BH
as last year.Entry forms should be on their way to last year's entrants and
 found
scattered about at various congresses.

Also downloadable from the net at :
www.herefordshirebridge.fsnet.co.uk/county/rapidplay.html

Forthcoming Events. 

Swansea Rapidplay:    29th June 

South Wales Summer Tournament, Monmouth: 11th to 13th July. 

Entry forms for both the above can be found at:

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Winterbutterfly/files/Entry%20Forms/

Pontypridd Web Site 

This is currently being constructed and developed by Phil Griffiths.  It will include facilities to play on-line, which suggests the possibility of hosting events such as evening on-line swiss tournaments.  I'll keep you informed of progress. 

Best wishes

Dai James.