Middlesbrough Congress 2013

[Brian Whitaker]

Well, after much negotiating with a new Middlesbrough venue, the Middlesbrough Congress is back for 2013.
Some of you may have already spotted it on the ECF calendar but I've only recently added a link to a pdf of the entry form. The event will be held on the weekend of the 17th-19th May and is at the Thistle Hotel, Fry Street in Central Middlesbrough. The hotel is easy to spot as you come out of the train station (just look to your left) and is the tallest hotel in the town. It is only around 10mins walk from the train station and is close to all amenities in central Middlesbrough.
Hope to see you all there

[Brian Whitaker]

Only two months to go now people. Get those entry forms in!
Here's a link to a copy of the form:- http://www.clevelandchessassociation.or ... ntry13.pdf

[Brian Whitaker]

Just under three weeks to go now. Remember that, from Friday week (10th) the late entry surcharge of £2 kicks in so get your entries in sooner rather than later

[Brian Whitaker]

Only two days to go, but still time to get your entries in of course.
Entries will be accepted up until 6PM on the Friday evening.
Just one important change to mention. The playing room has changed and it will now be held in the Main Suite on the first floor of the hotel. This is actually a better location than the original one on the 9th floor! There will, of course, be plenty of signage to re-direct the players.

Some people have been asking about parking. Well, the hotel actually has free parking for its customers, but it is barrier controlled so that Joe Public can't just amble in. You pick up an exit code from reception on the way out to operate the barrier.
The hotel management inform me that the hotel is quiet this weekend and their car park can accommodate up to 70 vehicles, so there shouldn't be any problem. If, on the off chance the car park is full, then there is a large public car park on the opposite side of Fry Street for a mere £1 all day Sat and Sun.

Here is a map of the hotel location:-

[Brian Whitaker]

This year's congress was very poorly attended with only 67 participants As disappointing as this was, those who attended seemed to enjoy the weekend and the near ideal playing conditions offered by the Thistle Hotel.

Here are the results and a couple of pics...

OPEN
1st David Walker (No club, Sunderland resident) (4½/5)
2nd= Peter Hempson (Sheffield), Michael Hubbard (Tynemouth) (3½)

MAJOR
1st Raymond Gamble (Spondon) (4½/5)
2nd Roger Jennings (Rose Forgrove) (4)
3rd Philip Mitcheson (Middlesbrough) (3½)

U160 grade prize - Robert Dean (Leeds) (3)

INTERMEDIATE
1st Nick Webb (Elmwood) (4½/5)
2nd= Eric Brodie (Shepherds), Paul May (No club, Leeds resident), David Teague (Harrogate) (3½)

MINOR
1st Stan Johnson (South Shields) (4½/5)
2nd Gary Clarke (Consett) (4)
3rd= Fred Stobbart (Hetton Lyons), Alan Fraser (Beckenham & Bromley) (3½/5).

Many thanks to all those who supported the congress and I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend.

[Brian Whitaker]

The playing arena.