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Tony Kiddle Memorial Chess Congress Hartlepool 25th- 27th January 2008 Report by Ernie Lazenby
An individual’s popularity and respect is often measured by the number of people who turn up at a funeral, and the number of people who turned out for Tony’s clearly showed the type of person he was. Some people have such an effect on the lives of people that they are never forgotten as demonstrated by the number of players from Tony’s club who turned out to play in this congress; players who don’t normally play in weekend events. One of Tony’s ex juniors, who had travelled a long distance from where he now works and lives, could not have put it better when he said "it was the respectful thing to do" enough said. OPEN SECTION 32 players. On grading the two class players were; Consett’s Jonathan Hawkins who has now established himself as the top player in the North of England and Hartlepool’s Brett Addison. Jonathan and Brett each won their first three games and in the fourth round were paired against each other, they agreed a draw. Going into the last round they knew that a draw each would secure joint first place and that is what happened. 1st = Jonathan Hawkins and Brett Addison. 3rd = Clive Waters(Tynemouth) Michael Hubbard(Tynemouth) Brett’s achievement resulted in him being awarded the Tony Kiddle Memorial Silver Trophy to keep permanently. (More on that a little later)
Darlington’s Steve Dauber was awarded a cash prize; this was awarded for the highest placed CCA registered player other than a main prize winner. (£25)
MAJOR SECTION 38 players The first round produced some shocks. Top rated player Roger Ditchburn lost and Middlesbrough’s Mathew Cornford could only manage a draw against The Griffins Brian Whitaker; a grading point difference of 49! I think Brian was unlucky because at one point he looked to have a won game. Thereafter some notable players seemed to be playing well below par including your author who lost his first three games. As some of the pre tournament favourites were struggling to find form Middlesbrough’s John Boyer’s got on with the job of trying to win the tournament in memory of Tony, his life long friend from school days. I don’t know how long it is since John last played in a congress but it must be well over three decades ago and he only returned to chess 3 years ago following a 30 year plus break! John drew his last 2 games to finish on 4 points with three others to place him 1st equal. Middlesbrough’s Will Place, one of Tony’s ex juniors, finished with 3 ½ points just out of the prize money but won the £25 cash prize as the highest placed CCA player.
1st = John Boyers (Middlesbrough) Antonio Moneva-Jordan(Tynemouth) Brendon O’Gorman (DHSS) Graham Ashcroft (Preston)
MINOR SECTION 70 players By far the biggest entry with player’s grades ranging from 109 down to 33. It was quite interesting to see a number of players in this section who 15-20 years ago had grades in the 140-150 bracket but the onset of age has resulted in a decline. The run away winner scoring 5/5 was Hartlepool’s Bill Wilson who has posted some of his games on the Chess NE forum. Very well done and there’s little doubt his grade next season will be higher than 92. Hartlepool’s Graham Mathews momentarily free from the stress of having to organise the Hartlepool team in the various leagues played very well to score 4/5 1st Bill Wilson (Hartlepool) 2nd = Graham Mathews (Hartlepool) Geoff Shearing (Eldon Square) The prize for the highest placed CCA player was awarded to Gordon Middlemiss (Guisborough) who scored 3/5 with three others Bill Metcalfe, Alex Cinamon (Both Darlington) and Ken Boxhall (Peterlee). The arbiters, at my request, split the four using the sum of progressive scores.
Tony Kiddle Memorial Silver Trophy It was difficult to decide who should be awarded this and it came down to a straight choice between John Boyers and Brett Addison. I tried to think who Tony would like to have it and looked to the heavens for some guidance. In the end I decided that, if Tony was looking down on us, he would be happy that someone who started playing in the CCA as a junior and developed into one of our top players should have it and therefore Brett was awarded it.
GENERAL COMMENTS A big thank you to all those involved in the running of the event; an excellent congress in a very good venue. This was a fitting tribute to one of Cleveland’s best-known chess players and all round good egg. We are indeed fortunate that Graham Marshall continues to organise congresses in the northeast where we have lost so many in recent years. Long may they continue with your support. Photos supplied by Ernie Lazenby - Click on photo to see bigger picture
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