In the West Wales Congress held last weekend (13th October) Nidum player IM Richard Jones convincingly won the Open Section with 4½ points from 5, the same winning score which gave him victory last year. Mateusz Sieduszewski from the Morriston Coopers club came equal first in the Minor section with 4 from 5. Although 22 players from the West Wales League took part the overall entry at 58 was slightly disappointing considering the excellent convenient venue. Full results are available on the WCU website at http://www.welshchessunion.org.uk/national/773-2013-west-wales

The West Wales Individual Championship (aka the E.J. Clarke) got off the ground this week with the first round being held at the Upper Killay Chess Club. With White Knights away in Rhodes a lot of our top players were either unavailable or uninterested and the Open and Major sections have had to be amalgamated. The Minor section, however, continues to look healthy and attracted a significant number of entries.

In the only Division 1 match played this week Nidum A defeated Port Talbot and regained top spot from White Knights A. We may have a better idea which way the battle for top spot is likely to go when White Knights return from Rhodes and meet Nidum A in early November. At the other end of the table Port Talbot play host to UK Falcons this coming week and even this early in the season the result is likely to play a crucial part in deciding who gets relegated. Some interesting showdowns ahead!

With four matches in Division 2 all eight teams were in action with no surprises. CN Emperors easily overcame Woodman A and maintain their position at the top of the table. BF Brunel, White Knights D and Morriston B defeated UK Merlins, BF Giants and Woodman B respectively and stay close on the Emperors heels. Woodman B continue to have problems fielding a full side and now face point deductions with regard to the number of defaults.

The two matches in Division 3 saw BF Ferrymen win against Morriston D and CN Tribunes beat UK Harriers. With half a game point advantage Ferrymen overtake Morriston C to sit at the top of the table.