Yesterday saw the start of the 2022/2023 chess season with a days rapidplay in Crowborough, combining the first Grand prix of the Sussex junior chess season with the 36th Crowborough congress.
10 members of Bexhill club travelled up for the event. 6 adults and 4 juniors.
The congress was played with only one section which saw a very high standard of entrants. No easy points were on offer and everyone had to battle hard for every precious point.
Congratulations to Steve Blewitt and Bill Luxton who both finished on a very respectable 3.5 from 6. Janis Petersons and Leo Woning were both just behind with 3 points. Bill Tracey scored a solid 2.5 with Steve Merchant finishing with 2.
3 of our juniors played in the very tough under 18 minor section. Luke Chapman and Sebastian Merchant both had good days finishing on 3.5 points putting them in 9th and 10th respectively. Alise Petersone finished in 21st place despite having only half a point less with 3 points, showing how intense the battle was at the top of the table.
Our final junior, Samuel Merchant, won his first 4 games, managed a draw in the 5th, and went into his last game knowing he had already done enough to take the trophy home and lost his last game. Finishing on 4.5 he was crowned the U11 major champion which comes with promotion, so he will find himself battling in the u18 majors for the next standard grand prix!
Well done to all our members, and thanks to all the team at Sussex Junior chess, David Fryer and Crowborough chess club for making a great day happen.
