Crowborough Junior Championship - 14th September 2002

Many thanks to Scott Fraser for these reports and the photographs.

The 2002-3 Sussex season kicked off at the Park Road Community Centre in Crowborough on Saturday afternoon. The “Congress Full” posters were stuck up outside mainly due to the huge turnout in the Under 11 minor in which over 40 children competed.  It  was heartening to see so many old and new faces, but with the clocks being set at 15 minutes each per game it meant a torrid and busy afternoon for the controller desk. The Congress attracted  competitors from Kent, Hampshire and Oxford.

Under 18 Major : As usual, the under-18 was an interesting, close-run affair. After round 5 there were 6 possible  winners, but East Grinstead’s Danny Eichner, continuing his improvement after winning the under-100 competition at the British Championships, finally took his first under 18 major win in a closely watched game against  Brighton’s Danny Glebocki, who finished in joint second place with last years winner, Adam Prescott, Andrew Tucker, and Elliott Callow.

Under-18 Minor : East Grinstead’s Abi Fryer won  her first mandatory under-18 with a great 6/6, including a win against her big brother Kieran. Elliot Kafetz took a commendable second place in his first under-18 with 4/6. 3rd equal place was shared by Kieran Fryer, Deborah Margolis, Michael Pearce, and Simon Lynwood, another newcomer.

Under 11 Major : In a competitive  contest, Crowborough’s Christopher Linnett overcame an early draw to finish clear of the field with 5.5/6. This score won him the Crowborough Cup, which is awarded to the highest scoring member of Crowborough Chess club in the congress. Farris Ziyada  and Andrew Winchcombe shared 2nd place with 4.5/6. The under 9 age prizes were awarded to Rhys Cumming and Ben Blundell with 2.5/6.

Under-11 Minor : George Salimbeni had an excellent start to the season with a maximum 6/6 in the heady rush of the well-attended Minor. David Lee, George Perez-Trunin, and Thomas Charles scored commendable 5/6’s to share 2nd place. Patrick Reeves-Dienes and Richard Thorburn shared the under9 age prize with an excellent 4/6.