FYLDE  CHAMPIONSHIP 2005/6

FINAL REPORT

Fifth round results 

David Andrews (3½)    ½     Michael Parker (3)     ½

Oleg Cukovs    (2½)     1     John Cooper (3)          0

Steve Lamb      (2)       ½     Doug Williams(2½)    ½

George Ellison (2)       ½      Phil Raynor (2)          ½

Pat Coleman    (1)        0      Dennis Davies(1½)   1

Leo Ainsworth   (1½)    1      Les Hughes (0)          0

Congratulations to David Andrews on winning the Fylde Championship at his first attempt!. Leading by a half point at the start of the final round, David faced dogged resistance from Michael Parker and was held to a draw but this proved sufficient. John Cooper could have caught up with David by beating Oleg Cukovs, last year’s champion who is on a roll at the moment, but carelessly lost a pawn after the opening and was given no chance to recover.

David has therefore secured the title by a half point from Michael and Oleg, but his victories over both Oleg and Doug Williams make him a very worthy champion. Unfortunately, owing to family commitments, he will soon be leaving the Fylde and returning to Yorkshire. We wish you the best of luck, David. Congratulations also to Michael Parker on coming so close on your first attempt.

Steve Lamb and Phil Raynor both did well to draw their games against higher-graded opponents, namely Doug Williams and George Ellison. Dennis Davies had a fine attacking win against Pat Coleman and this can be seen on the League’s website. Another player who finished strongly was the in-form Leo Ainsworth who has had an excellent season for Lytham-Ex.

FINAL POSITIONS

I would like to thank everybody for getting games finished on time and for the fact that only one game was decided by default.           

                                    John Cooper   13 May 2006

Rapidplay Plate Final

Poulton 2 v Blackpool 2  2½ - 5½

Blackpool had to win by a margin of at least 5-3 which they did.  The star performer was thirteen year old Abigail Pritchard of Poulton who who won one game and drew the other against Jon Wright who is graded 40 points higher.  This is undoubtedly the best result of her chess career so far.

Another Poulton junior, James McConnachie, also did well to score half a point against Dave McCormick. 

Division C

Bispham v Poulton 2  ½ - 3½

Abigail Pritchard and James McConnachie both chalked up wins.  It was a bit of a family do as James' father, Chris McConnachie also won his game.  Poulton's top board, Dave Hartley, added another draw to his impressive record this season in order to clinch second place in the division for Poulton 2 from Blackpool 2.

Preston 3 v Poulton 3  3½ - ½

Ken Gorman saved the whitewash in this one-sided match against the champions, Preston 3.

Lytham Ex 4 v Bispham  1½ - 2½

Blaine McGrady finished the season in style, adding another win to his unbeaten record of seven wins and two draws.

Blackpool 2 v Lytham Ex 5  3-1

Blackpool's Dennis Davies finished the season impressively with a tally of six wins and four draws.  Jon Wright also played a major part with six wins, one draw and two losses.