Monday night saw the latest installment of the annual handicap tournament, the Keddie Cup. Sixteen players started in four groups of four. From Group A Ross and Kenny qualified, from Group B, Cameron and Dave qualified, from Group C Kai and Nicholas (Nicholas on the drawing of lots), and from Group D Nathanael and Sam qualified.
Ross 1-0 Dave
Cameron 1-0 Kenny
Kai 1-0 Nathanael
Sam 1-0 Nicholas
The highest graded player, Sam, along with the three lowest graded players,qualified for the semi-finals.
Ross 1-0 Kai
Cameron 1-0 Sam
Thus, the final was Ross v Cameron.
There was only 33 grading points difference between the two, so Cameron started with Black and 9 minutes. Ross won a knight earlier on, calculating a big swap-off well before setting a fine discovered check attack on an undefended Rook - which also led to checkmate.
Congratulations to Ross, seen here receiving the trophy from club president Gordon Allcock. Well done Ross! Other thanks go to Dave for the organisation, Steve for the raffle, and Jim who organised a similar tournament for the youngsters downstairs. The club is closed for the next two weeks, and reconvenes on 8 January for the New Year blitz. Merry Christmas!
