Shropshire Chess Congress 2017

[Steve Rooney]

The 2017 Shropshire Congress is now open for entries.

The event takes place on 6-8 January 2017, at our regular venue, the Wrekin Housing Trust, Telford TF3 4AW.

We are keeping the successful formula we introduced last year with a FIDE-rated Open, and ECF-graded Major and Minor. The Open will again have a £1,000 first prize and we are delighted to welcome back Keith Arkell GM, Mark Hebden GM, John Cox IM and Alan Merry IM with more titled players likely to follow as well as lots of ambitious challengers.

Look forward to seeing many of you in January!

http://www.shropshirechesscongress.org.uk

[Steve Rooney]

Entries coming in well for the Shropshire Congress on 6-8 Jan. Delighted to welcome Graeme Buckley IM to our list of six titled players in the Open which has £1,000 first prize.

Today is the cut-off date for entries at the standard rate; late entry fee applies for entries from tomorrow, although if you can't plan ahead we will accept entries up to 12pm on 6 Jan.

[Steve Rooney]

Final deadline for entries is tomorrow (Friday) at noon.

An interesting tussle awaits for the £1,000 top prize in the Open with two GMs, four IMs and two FMs so far - still room for further titled players if they contact me quickly.

Our county's top player Nigel Ferrington who has a strong track record at the congress, will of course also be trying to upset the applecart. And we have high hopes for strong Shropshire challengers in the Major and Minor.

Live games and results will be available during the congress at following link
http://www.shrewsburychessclub.org/live-chess/

[Jonathan Rogers]

I enjoyed watching this event last year and hope to do so again.

It seems that Mark Hebden is playing Nick Arkell in the first round. Whom could Nick possibly ask for advice?

[Roger de Coverly]

It seems that Mark Hebden is playing Nick Arkell in the first round.

With two players rated 1998, it appears FIDE's alphabet tie break for ranking order prevented an Arkell v Arkell pairing.

[Nick Grey]

Best wishes on this Congress too.

[Steve Rooney]

You may have noticed that first round draw had to be altered as Nick Arkell took bye last night although he has had to withdraw this morning.

Unfortunately we had a few withdrawals due to flu-type bugs including Ameet Ghasi, but still very competitive.

Results went with ratings in first round. Mark Hebden is up against current Shropshire no 1 Nigel Ferrington this morning. Board 3 Sygnowki v Merry could be interesting, Tomas loves playing with fire.