English Chess Forum

The Congress took place on 8th-10th February at Frodsham Community Centre. There were
125 players this year, a substantial increase on the usual number of around 100 – could this
really have been because St. Valentine’s Day falls closer to the following weekend? The
Major was won by Mike Surtees, conceding just one draw, half a point ahead of Oliver
Jackson (an identical result for Oliver as in 2012). In the Intermediate, Michael McDonagh
took first place, half a point ahead of Jacob Boswell, George Glover and Paul Talbot.
Jonathan Mahony won the Minor, again half a point ahead of three others: Ahmed Abbas, Ed
Patten and David Price.

In view of the unusually large entry, an additional prize for ‘Slow Starters’ was awarded in
each section.

Major (U220, 33 players)

1st Mike Surtees (Bolton) 4.5/5.
2nd Oliver Jackson (No Club) 4.
3rd= Mitchell Burke (3Cs), Chris Doran (Chester), Peter Davies (Full Ponty),
Roger Williamson (Aigburth) 3.5.
Grading Prizes (U170): David Patrick (Courier), Ray Pearson (Penyffordd) 3.
Slow Starters: Paul Evans (Lytham Ex. Servicemen), Mark Talbot (Wigan Knights) 3.
Others on 3: Richard Bryant (Chester), Jeff Smith (Chester),
Nathan Talbot (Wigan Knights).

Intermediate (U160, 43 players)

1st Michael McDonagh (Capenhurst) 4.5.
2nd= Jacob Boswell (Cheddleton & Leek), George Glover (Austin Friars Carlisle), Paul Talbot
(Wigan Knights) 4.
Grading Prizes (U140): Jon Reese (Runcorn), Mike Wood (Pensby) 3.
Slow Starter: Steve Lloyd (Chester) 3.5.
Others on 3.5: Ian Chester (Holmes Chapel), Richard Clissold (Winwick),
John Lambert (Atticus), Ben Roberts (Rhyl & Prestatyn).
Others on 3: Malcolm Cawston (Lady Ann Middleton), Martin Coles (Runcorn),
Rob Tokelely (Burnley), Colin White (Chester).

Minor (U120, 49 players)

1st Jonathan Mahony 4.5.
2= Ahmed Abbas (3Cs), Ed Patten (Formby), David Price (Holmes Chapel) 4.
Grading Prize (U100): Mike Friel (Penyffordd), 3.
Slow Starters: Nugith Jayawarna (Tameside), John Simmons (Rhyl & Prestatyn) 3.
On 3.5: David Hull (Southport), Jeremy Hunt (Prescot & Knotty Ash),
Dewi Jones (Holywell), Michael Lee (Colwyn Bay), David Scorer (Clitheroe),
James Waddington (Bolton).
Others on 3: Derek Brent (Urmston), Jacob Cartlidge (Cheddleton & Leek),
Andrew De Santos (Preston), Paul Jackson (Morecambe),
Frank McGuigan (Frodsham), Francis Rooney (Church Stretton),
David Summerland (Leeds), Angus Weir (Frodsham).

The Team Prize (a digital clock) was won by Wigan Knights (10/15), ahead of Chester 1
(winners for the previous four years), and Holmes Chapel (9.5).

The full cross-tables are at http://www.tournamentdirector.co.uk/results

The Controllers were Roger Edwards, Robert Milner, Jim McPhillips and Matthew Carr.

The Congress in 2014 will take place 7th-9th February (note: definitely not Valentine’s
weekend).

Pat Ridley wrote:There were 125 players this year, a substantial increase on the usual number of around 100 – could this
really have been because St. Valentine’s Day falls closer to the following weekend?

It was undoubtedly the fault of the membership scheme. *Lights touch paper and runs away*

Alex Holowczak wrote:

Pat Ridley wrote:There were 125 players this year, a substantial increase on the usual number of around 100 – could this
really have been because St. Valentine’s Day falls closer to the following weekend?

It was undoubtedly the fault of the membership scheme. *Lights touch paper and runs away*

They'd have had 150 players if we hadn't introduced the membership scheme

I wonder if Welsh players being exempt from the membership scheme had anything to do with it?

Sean Hewitt wrote: They'd have had 150 players if we hadn't introduced the membership scheme

Last year the entry fee was £ 20 with a £ 3 discount for ECF members. This year the entry fee was £ 24 with a £ 6 discount for ECF Silver etc members. So local league players, being MO members previously, and Bronze members now would have faced an increase from £ 17 to £ 24 as the cost of entering the Congress. The implication is that Congress entries fees are not particularly price sensitive. This is the opposite of the claim made by organisers in support of its abolition that a 50p increase to Game Fee costs was the end of Congresses as we know them.

Not being a FIDE rated event, there was no requirement for anyone to join the ECF as a condition of playing. The entry fee was £ 4 higher than last year for non-members.

Is there a "pay-to-play" concession for members of the WCU taking part in events in Cheshire, as WCU members were also offered the £ 6 discount?

Roger de Coverly wrote:Is there a "pay-to-play" concession for members of the WCU taking part in events in Cheshire, as WCU members were also offered the £ 6 discount?

No there isn't.

Firstly, its very good to see this excellent North West event getting the support it deserves. The venue, format, catering and, not least, the running & control, under our President and the other experienced local officianadoes, ensure a well run and enjoyable event.
Other factors may have contributed...not least, that word is getting round that this event deserves good support..so the punters come back for more.
Last w/e also proved a good time, with no other chess destractions on the northern circuit, except perhaps some county matches. I know that GMan v Notts U160 match took place at Stoke..
Also, the weather proved favourable, which helps...and was good all that w/e.. I dont know how many late entries were logged..ie, those recieved within 7 days of the event.
Its also possible that the publicity has been cranked up, ensuring greater awareness.. I noticed that it did get a plug on local league web sites in the region. Good publicity is most important.
Also..for those who`d already joined the ECF`s (questionably deficient..some increased functionality required, with attractive offers/discounts, as mentioned in other threads, to help drive up numbers and encourage new take up) ...Membership scheme, a fair few will no doubt feel they want to get more bangs for there bucks, so might well play a few more Congresses (since, in effect, they have already paid the game fee whether they enter these events or not). Hopefully this scheme will be reviewed and some much needed features added to encourage more new take up.
But yes, regardless, its good to see our congresses get the support they deserve.....