English Chess Forum

Hello all, having recently tied 1= at the Frodsham Inter U-150 tournament, I began to reflect on my past victorys, and to my amazement I realised I had only ever won once before, that was on the 3rd November 1985 at The Liverpool Congress U-110 Novice tournament, I have had many 2nd and 3rd places and numerous top tens but no other wins. I make that 26 years 3 months and 10 days, 1 divorce and 1 battle with Cancer between wins, can any member beat that?

I certainly can't beat that because I wasn't born then I won my school tournament in 2003 then (jointly) the Coventry League individual lightning in 2010, so a gap of nearly seven years.

Michael Jones wrote:I certainly can't beat that because I wasn't born then

Sorry Michael, that does give me a slight edge! There should be two sections to consider -40 years and 40+, You currently hold the record in the U-40, well done!

Andrew Whitelley, British Champion (U21) at Hastings 1965 and then winning the Senior's Congress a few years ago must be some kind of record?

Chris Fewtrell wrote:Andrew Whitelley, British Champion (U21) at Hastings 1965 and then winning the Senior's Congress a few years ago must be some kind of record?

Chris, it is certainly a long time between those two events, 45 years, but I would guess that this was not Andrews "follow up win" as the thread mentions, though correct me if I am wrong.

It was not an outright win, but when I came joint 2nd in the Kidlington U-145 two weeks ago, it was the first time I'd won any prize in a standard play chess tournament since I was 13 years old, a gap of about 32 years.

Andrew Varney wrote:It was not an outright win, but when I came joint 2nd in the Kidlington U-145 two weeks ago, it was the first time I'd won any prize in a standard play chess tournament since I was 13 years old, a gap of about 32 years.

Andrew, once you attain that first place, the "follow up win" title will be yours! any plans for your next tourney?

It's probably a bit of cheat, though, because I pretty much gave up chess at 19 and only took it up again a few years ago to support my children who were just starting to take an interest.

Still not sure when the next tournament I will play in will be, since I usually have both Zoe and Daniel playing to look after. Kidlington is very local, though, so it was OK. I did like the idea of playing in one of the graded sections at the British last year since it was at just the same time as the U10 and U12 and I thought my wife would be able to look after them, but as a non-chess-player it would not have been fair on her.

The other thing I relearned was just how much hard work a tournament is compared to individual league games. Good to be reminded of what the children are going through!

I won the Ilford Major in 2005. Not that you can see it on their congress website but clearly in my grading. Nice to be able to offer a draw in last round a pawn up and have a few hours break.

Never won any other congress but close a few times.

I have never won Kingston or Battersea's club championship.

I did win the internal club championship at my secondary school once. Though could be 1975, 1976 or 1977. But the memorary fades.
But that is a big gap.

Anyway, it is a lot easier to have a big gap if you do not play much congress chess. Played a lot before my boys were born = then it was a treat to do an annual congress.

I'd be grateful if any Kingston or Battersea members remember me winning an internal tournament.