25 April 2021 - Keddie Cup

Dave Hewitt writes: Monday evening saw the first OTB Keddie Cup since December 2019 (the December 2020 one was an online Chess960 tournament as people will recall), and there was a joint-record turnout: 29 people played in the 2017 Keddie and 29 played in this latest one. There were five preliminary groups - four of six and one of five - with all group winners going through to the quarter-finals plus the three best runners-up (the two unlucky people in that regard with Robbie and Harley, who both did well nonetheless). Isaac went right through the tournament with a 100% record, scoring 5/5 in his group then continuing his good form into the KOs - congratulations to him on taking home the silverware, a fine result at his first attempt. Gordon gave Isaac a proper scare in the final however, before going wrong in some late-game complications. He thus finished as tournament runner-up for the third time in eleven years, although happily he has won the Keddie during that same period too. Sam Cook and Richard both put in excellent efforts in two very hard-fought semis, and with all four semi-finalists being quite close in grade the latter stages of the tournament felt suspiciously like normal chess. Special mention should be made of Nadzieja and Callum qualifying for the KO phase - an excellent effort by both. Congratulations too to Kalina, whose tenth birthday coincided with the Keddie - she kindly brought along some snacks and Happy Birthday was duly sung. Thanks to Dave for organising the ties, and to Jim for the raffle prizes.

Some early action.

Isaac (left) and Sam in the semi-final.

Gordon and Richard in the other semi-final.

Gordon (left) and Isaac in the final.

Gordon, as club president, presents the trophy to Isaac. Congratulations Isaac!