THE third annual Bury Rapidplay Chess Congress at the weekend was a huge success, thanks to sponsorship by local firms Downham Train Epstein, accountants, and Woodcock and Sons, solicitors.

A total of 115 players took part in the congress held at the Mosses Community Centre in Bury.

Players came from as far afield as Holland, Poland and Somerset, but mainly from the north of England, including a number of local players.

It was the first time the Bury Chess Club had included an open section within the congress.

The section attracted some strong players, including Dutch International Master Michael Martens, currently based at Lancaster University, and Women's International Master Ruth Sheldon, who is a member of the English Ladies' Team and former girls' under 14 world champion.

But Paul Macklin of Chorlton provided the shock of the day by winning the event.

The Rapidplay was a one day Congress over six rounds of individual games. Each player had 30 minutes on the clock to complete their game, leading to a number of exciting finishes with one or both players in extreme time trouble.

Results from the event counted towards the Midlands County Chess Union Centenary Championship and also to the Leigh Grand Prix, a national competition run each calendar year with a first prize of £3,000.

Total prizes of £625 were shared between 14 players. They were presented by Michael Norris, financial services manager of Woodcock and Sons.

RESULTS

Open (20 entrants): lst, Paul Macklin (Chorlton) 5/6; 2nd, Michael Martens (IM (Lancaster/Holland) 5/6 ; 3rd, L Kay, (Rochdale) 4/6; Grading Prize (U176), A Reeve (Lymm) 3/6.

Major U161 (34 Entrants): 1st equal, Ilya Baros (Rochdale); Luke Boumphrey (Atticus); Armand Catz (Rochdale); C A Hanley (Lancaster) 5/6; Grading Prize (UI40), John Robinson (Swinton) 4/6.

Minor U121 (61 Entrants): 1st, Antony Holden (Oldham) 6/6; 2nd equal M S Malik (Blackburn); M J Wilson (Llandudno) 5/6; Grading Prize (U95), joint Winners: I O'Brien (Lancaster); E Gradwell (Wigan) 4/6.

Lodwig Gruchlik MemoriaL: Keith Evans (Bury), Roy Wild (Bury) 4/6.

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