The Bristol Steve Boniface Memorial Congress was held Aug 26-28th at Bristol Grammar School in Clifton, Bristol. There were 65 players in total in the 3 sections. We were hoping for more, but the Indian Summer proved too much of a temptation for some. As usual, personalized catering was from Rosie of Hereford.

There were 16 players in the Open; 6 with grades over 2100. As expected, it was a battle between our 2 titled players, GM Keith Arkell and local IM Chris Beaumont. They met in round 4 after each with 3 wins. Keith was hoping for revenge after his loss to Chris at the Cotswold Congress in May, but it was not to be. Chris had a dangerous passed pawn and that proved the decisive factor. Young Max French was there, just back 48 hours earlier from playing in the Vienna Open, as well as Keith Arkell. On a side note, Arkell is about to start a book, DVD and you tube video called ‘Arkell’s Endgames’, a speciality he is world famous for.

There were 22 players in the Major. It was won by joint top seed Craig Kennedy. Not surprising considering that in the last 5 years, his grade has been 10-30 points higher. Second place was won by local veteran Duncan Macarthur. The winner of our summer congress, V. Bovtramovics, finished tied for third.

Also tied for third, and winner of the junior prize, was 11 year old Chirag Hosdurga, already graded at 131.

There were 27 players in the Minor. It was won by Antony Sage from Bath, the second seed in the group. Joint second was 10 year old Toby Kan, sharing second with congress regular Martyn Maber from Taunton. Downend Chess Club had 3 promising juniors in the event, all finishing 50% or above: Kan, Stubbs and Tye. Ones to watch for the future.

Source: http://tim1949jones.wixsite.com/bristolchesscongress