Rudd Romps Home in the E. Devon Congress 2018

The East Devon Congress concluded on Sunday evening with a clear win for Bidefordian Master and new father, Jack Rudd. However, easy though it appeared to be on the surface, he needed a spot of luck right at the start, when his Rd. 1 opponent, Paul Hampton of south coast Seaton, in a long game had a difficult-to-spot forced win at one point. That would have made things very interesting. As it was, he won four on the trot, which left him able to offer a quick draw to Dominic Mackle, who was inclined to agree as it left him clear 2nd.

Compensation for Hampton came in the form of a share of the U-186 Grading Prize. If the other winners were regular faces on the local congress scene, it was a newcomer that won the U-160 Grading Prize, This was 12 year old Yuyang Wang, who is in the UK with his mother, Yongfang Huang, who has a 12 month secondment to do research into engineering practices, based in Plymouth, where Yuyang has joined the local chess club. At the end of the eduacational year they will return to their home port city of Xiamen.

The only competitor to score the maximum 5/5 was David Archer of the South Hams Club, who won the Major Section, and  a South Hams member also featured in the raft of players who tied 1st in the Minor. However, of the 6 who tied, it was the lowest-graded who was awarded the trophy by virtue of his sum-of-opponents score. This was Peter Strong, graded a modest 92, and now plays with the Clevedon Club, but previously was a student at Exeter University, and says it’s only since leaving the city that he’s started to take his chess more seriously.

Full prizelist (subject to official confirmation), after the photos.

Leaders in the Open start the final round.

Oscar Garcia starts his game against former Devon Champion, John Stephens

Two Westcountry veterans, Jim Fewkes (W) vs Ivor Annetts

Bd 1 in the Major: David Archer (W) vs Roy Shapland, who, in spite of his loss in this game, still won a Grading Prize,

Bd. 1 in the Minor. Game drawn resulting in a multiple tie, but Peter Strong (w) on the adjacent board was awarded the Cup.

A pleased-looking Rudd & Mackle had plenty of time to go over their game afterwards.

A surprised-looking Peter Strong, winner of the Minor Section.

New kid on the block - 12 year old Yuyang Wang over on a visit from Xiamen, China, and winner of the U-160 Grading Prize.