The 2019-20 season officially started on the 2nd September when the annual Lightning Tournament took place at the Morriston Chess Club. The event was organised by Janet Evans and controlled by Ian Eustis.

There were 20 competitors with just over half of them coming from the Morriston club. The players ratings ranged from just over 1000 to over 2000 and as might be expected the stronger players soon found themselves leading the pack.

The brisk pace of each round plus some frantic inter-round pairing by Ian meant that each participant played 7 games. The eventual winner was Bill Hewitt who went into the final round knowing that a win would give him the title with 6 from 7. Ian Jones was second with 5½ and Thomas Van Veelen third on 5. Last year’s winner Peter Bevan finished on 4½ having dented Ian Jones' chances of sharing the top spot by drawing with him in the penultimate round. Chris Price also finished on 4½ with the rest of the entrants on 4 or below.

Next week sees the start of the team competitions with 10 matches scheduled. A busy time ahead for our ratings officer Ben Rowlands who is now looking after the website at its new address https://www.welshchessunion.uk/ratings/westwales/

03/09/2019