There was a fair turnout for the June 26th club blitz tournament, made possible because the Thursday division games had been completed punctually. This format (5m + 3s increment is not to everyone’s taste but we started at 7.45 p.m. with 17 players and finished just after 10 p.m. with 16, so 7 rounds were completed in good time for a drink at the bar.
The leading positions:-
1st Steve Ledger 6 pts (£10 prize)
2nd Ramsey Dairi 5.5
=3rd Mike Botteley and Jack Hale 5
5th Richard Bodily 4.5
=6th Steve Pike and George Griffiths 4
George won the £10 prize for the leading U-1600 rating.
However, he could have been equalled by Summer Yeung on 3.5 going into the last round against Ramsey. Summer (White) had done well to reach this completely drawn position but then made a £5 blunder:
White to move
Paul Habershon, 27th June 2025
Ed – many thanks to Paul for organising – not easy drawing each round on demand in no seconds flat! If this has whetted your appetite for speed chess, why not consider entering the upcoming MK Rapid tournament:-
III Milton Keynes FIDE Rapid Tournament
Date: Saturday 12th July 10:00am to 05:00pm
- Sections: U1200 ECF, U1600, U1900, OPEN
- 6 rounds Swiss games with time control 20min & 5sec increment
- Entry fee – £30 (£25 for under 18) Prize fund – £640
- Online entry Form: https://form.jotform.com/250383319240350
- ECF Calendar: Click Here