Dundee Congress 2019
There was a good club contingent at this year’s Congress which was nice to see. The first thing to say is a hearty thanks and congratulations to the organisers who ensured a fabulously smooth-running and enjoyable weekend in The Chaplaincy – an excellent venue comparable to any Congress in Scotland. So take a bow Congress Director Keith Rose and his staunch team, arbiters Fiona Petrie, Michael Roth and Ray Noble. Jean Chalmers collated all the entries and monies over the past weeks. Thanks to Jean and her daughter Louise for organising and serving up a scrumptious café over the weekend too, and to all the Congress committee who work all year to bring this about. And thanks also to the army of volunteers who stayed behind to assist with the clear-up afterwards. A special word to the organisers of the Lindores Abbey Chess Stars Tournament who had a stall selling merchandise from the star-laden tournament earlier this year, and donated several fine items as Congress prizes.
From a club point of view, it was a highly successful weekend, with top honours to our seasoned warriors David Findlay and Ed Spencer who shared a four-way tie for first place in the Premier along with IM Stephen Mannion and FM Murad Abdulla, ahead of IMs Andrew Greet and Mark Orr, and FMs Alan Tate and Neil Berry. David was his usual formidable self, Ed’s stupendous form resulted in a superb rating performance of 2443! Including wins over Mark Orr and Alan Tate. The two drew their individual encounter in round three. Well done and congratulations gentlemen!
Special mention also to a remarkable performance in the Major by Laurenziu Archip, sharing 2nd prize with 4/5, losing only to 5/5 winner Stephen Smith, with a rating performance of 1858!
Full results and report on the Congress Website http://dundee-congress.co.uk/results.htm?fbclid=IwAR2gEGKKx0r2V9nTcGi7p-sYkdunx5dvGwEpvAUP8XJ5V44iVXRzZ-rh5uQ
Hopefully all the participants enjoyed the weekend, especially those not accustomed to such intense chess. There is nothing finer than a congress to immerse yourself in a huge chess experience, and the more you play, the better you get, and the more you love it! And in Dundee we have one to rank alongside the best. Thanks again to all involved.
Club Performances
Premier
1= David Findlay 4/5 grade 2109 rating performance 2188
1= Ed Spencer 4/5 2025 2443
7= Stephen Hogg 3/5 2065 2011
29= Alastair Dawson 1/5 1806 1554
Major
2= Laurenziu Archip 4/5 1529 1858
38= Ray Flood 2/5 1509 1380 (Move on. Nothing to see here)
48= Trevor Harley 1.5/5 1439 1351
Minor
12= George Burton 3/5 1350 1062
12= Thibault Rosazza 3/5 – 1238
23= Max Whisson 2.5/5 948 1154
31= Christine Sim 2/5 – 878
39= Scot Mckenzie 1.5/5 530 737