17Aug19: Report – The David Lockwood Memorial Blitz
David Lockwood had been a stalwart of the Bournemouth and Dorset Chess scene for more than fifty years. Many players from local clubs remember David and it was therefore no surprise when this inaugural event secured 37 entrants last Saturday morning. I am sure he would have been touched by the number of old friends who came along for a game of chess and a pint (in that order I hasten to add) to remember him.
An Open tournament, six rounds of ten minute blitz, no increment because that would be too tricky for us setting the clocks, a good selection of prizes including three grading prizes and a best junior award.
This event was proposed and coordinated by Chip Stanciu. He really did a great job arranging everything, supported by his wife Sarah, and Dee, organising the hot drinks and not insignificant amounts of sandwiches, pizza, etc. I also helped out with some of the easier bits, like the talking and writing (if you can call it that) and the further subcontracting of the IT Support to Ian Clark which allowed automated draws and reasonably speedy turnaround times between rounds (the beer wasnt going to drink itself of course).
The British Legion Club opened early, and by 10.45 the large side room was full. I had even been able to con Chip into playing falsely advising that we needed him to even the up numbers.
At 11.00, following an excellent welcoming speech, the software’s first round pairings were announced and play started. Competitors had been warned that dubious blitz practices would be frowned upon by the ‘arbitors’, but, of course, there were no causes for concern.
An early surprise on Board 1 saw Alan Pleasants, a favourite with some bookmakers, succumb to Puiu Nutu who seemed much better than the posted 126 grading. Puiu went on to win the 130 grading prize with 4/6.
After Round 3 had finished, and some crafty sorts had already started on the sandwiches, the pacesetters were Keith Gregory, John Weatherlake and Chip himself! Poole looking good.
It is fair to say that we Poole players do like our consumables, in this case only food at the lunch break, but it seemed that this mid-session intake came at the wrong time for our local heroes who were not able to continue their good form into Round 4 with Keith Gregory setting a furious pace on 4/4.
And that was about it. Keith cleaned up with victories against Richards Ursell and Aliss for an unbeaten 6/6. Congratulations to a deserving winner. Ian Clark took second place, after taking an enforced draw in round two to resolve an urgent issue with the software (we were worried!). John Weatherlake took third after I let him win the last game.
Mike Rutter took the 160 grading prize with 4/6. Jamie Doyle won the 100 grading prize with 3/3 AND the junior award and couldn’t stop smiling. Well done both on great results. See you next year Jamie, bring some friends!
The prize giving ceremony was completed, the new trophy awarded (photos are available) and we all moved on to the serious business of post mortems in the bar!!
A lovely event, great organisation, so many friends coming from a good distance, a deserved winner. Come next year! David would had been proud.
DF
David Fuller
August 19, 2019