Hello Friends
I'm afraid I'm having some computer problems at the moment and I can neither surf the net nor receive email at my normal address (david.james20@ntlworld.com). However, as you can see I've managed to get my aol email going even if for some reason I can't surf. So for the time being please use this address if you want to contact me. I'll try to sort matters out as soon as I've got some time to spare, but it doesn't seem to be straightforward so there may be some delay.
I can't access anything you may have sent me since last Sat (5 Jan) so if there is anything important please send a copy to this address.
I'll have to delay the revue of the various leagues until I can get matters sorted, but in the meantime here's Kevin Staveley's report on the recent Newport Congress.
+SOUTH WALES CONGRESS
OPEN
1ST= J.Sherwin, P.Varley, S.Evans-Quek, M.Binks 4 points
MAJOR
1st M.K.Li (Gloucester) 4.5
2nd N.Granville (Newport) 4
3rd = C.Woolcock (Barry); V.Burnekov (Cardiff);
N.Suttie (Exmouth); P.Slater (North Cardiff) 3.5
MINOR
1st J.M.Walker (Leicester) 4.5
2nd S.Parry (Aberystwyth); G.Yeo (Nelson) 4
RESERVES
1st A.Spencer (Abergavenny) 4.5
2nd N.,Molloy (Crawley) 3.5
3rd T.Matilal (Oxford) 3
We have to express concern about the number of entries in the "Reserves" sections of congresses – this
event attracted SIX PLAYERS.
The sections were designed for "beginners". However, if they continue to prove unpopular then the
organizers of events will have no option but to axe these sections.
I.Rees v P.Varley (Round 4)
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. g3 Nc5 6. Bg2 Nc7 7. 0-0 e5 8. d3 Be7 9. Nd2 Bd7 10.
Nc4 0-0 11. Bxc6 Bxc6 12. Nxe5 Be3 13. f4 f6 14. Nf3 Bc6 15. Be3 Qd7 16. Ne4 b6 17. Qc2 Rfa8 18.
Bf2 Bf8 19. Rfc1 Rad8 20. Rac1 Nd5 21. a3 Ba8 22. Qb3 Kh8 23. Rcd1 Qg4 24. Kf1 Qv3+ 25. Kg1 h6
26. e3 g5 27. Re2 gxf4 28. Rxf4 f5 29. Ne5 Rxe5 30. fxe5 Re8 31. Be1 fxe4 32. dxe4 Qh5 33. Rf2 Ne7
34. Bc3 Bg7 35. Rf7 c4 0-1
M.Binks v J.Sherwin (Rd 4)
1.d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 c6 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. 0-0 0-0 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. e4 e5 10. Qe2
Bg4 11. Rd1 d4 12. Nb3 Qb6 13. cxd4 Nxd4 14. Nbxd4 Bxd4 15. h3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Rfd8 17. Rb1 Rd6
18. Rf1 Rc8 19. Qe2 a6 20. g3 Nd7 21. Kg2 Nc5 22. Bc4 Qc6 23. Bd5 Rxd5 24. exd5 Qxd5+ 25. Kh2
Qxa2 26. Be3 Ne6 27. Bxd4 Nxd4 28. Qe4 Qb3 29. Kg2 Rc5 30. Rbc1 f5 31. Qb1 Qd5+ 32. f3 b6 33.
Rxc5 bxc5 34. Qd3 c4 35. Qa3 e4 36, fxe4 Qxe4+ 37. Kg1 h6 38. Qxa6 Qe3+ 39. Kg2 Qe4+ 40. Kg1
Qe3+ 41. Kh2 Qe2+ 42.Kg1 ½ - ½
Editors notes.
The Major was won by Mr M K Li who was ungraded. He did have a grade of about 1800, or perhaps a few points more, ten years ago, but hasn't played for eight years. In view of this the organisers thought is was reasonable to let him play in the Major. It seemed a reasonable decision at the time, but it's embarrassing when an ungraded player wins a section other than the open.
The position regarding ungraded players is clearly unsatisfactory with officials having to act on the basis of common sense rather than having a specific set of rules to follow. It's time this was ended and the matter was covered by a set of rules. What do you feel about this? Please send your comments for inclusion in a later issue.
A REQUEST.
If anybody has got reasonably up to date league tables for West or Mid Wales could they please let me have a copy.