The Merchants and Rose Burgess and family travelled up to Blackpool last week for the annual congress. This year the event had been classed as a qualifier for juniors to achieve a half norm towards the England junior squad qualifiers. It’s a standard play tournament, 110+10, 5 rounds.
Steve Merchant played in the minor section. (U1700) He was unbeaten throughout, with 2 wins and 3 draws, finishing on 3.5 from 5 and in joint 6th (15th on tie break.)
Sharon, Rose, Sebastian and Sam all played in the standard section. (U1550).
Rose, playing in her first standard play tournament made a great start at her adjustment to the classical time control.
She finished on 1.5 from 5 in a tough section with over 85 players.
Sharon achieved her goal of not coming home with zero points and surprised herself with 2 wins, 2 draws and only one loss. Finishing with 3/5.
Sebastian and Samuel both needed 3 from 5 to achieve a half norm. They were both on 2.5 going into the final round. They were both ready for an epic battle for the last half point to achieve that goal when the draw was published. The universe decided to smile upon them when out of 26 people on 2.5, they were drawn against each other!!
15 moves were made before they decided to shake hands on a draw… giving them both 3/5!
Congratulations everyone and thank you to the Imperial hotel and everyone involved in organizing this event.
