Last Saturday several members of the club played in 2nd University Of Reading Rapidplay. The last one was only in March, despite feeling like it was last year. Nevertheless we scored some great results and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the day.

In the Open, we had FM Jon Ady leading the charge, with Adrian, Martin, Peter and Daniel spread throughout the section.

In the U1500, Jan, Josh, Janaka and Neale representing Camberley.

Last year’s challengers section winner Jake, in true magnus style, declined to defend his title. I’m sure this was all part of an elaborate plan to declare this tournament’s winner false, that’s what chess champions do – right?

A win for Camberley!

Yes that’s right, we’re two for two on University of Reading tournaments!

Congratuations to Jon, who took home the win in the open section with a perfect 6/6.

In the last tournament, the highest rated player was rated 2073, and the open section only had 20 entrants. This time, the section grew to 26 players, with top seed being IM Peter Large, at 2334, with plenty more ~2000 rated players to up the competition quite a bit.

It goes without saying the star performance of the day was from Jon. One game worth highlighting was Jon’s round 4 clash against his 40-year rival and the top seed, IM Peter Large. This was the defining moment for Jon not only taking the lead, but most likely taking the rest of the tournament in a sweep.

Camberley also took home the rating prize, with Daniel Seaton scoring an impressive 3/6 in a tough section.

Another notable performance from the open, from a UoR player Adam Smith must also be mentioned, despite being rated only 1617, Adam took down an IM, beat a 2000-rated player, and drew with Adrian! Taking home 3rd place, with a performance rating of 2130, ending on 4.5/6. Hats off to you Adam, that’s a stonker of a tournament run.

In the Challengers, the lead was constantly split between a third of the field, with each round knocking only one player out of the running for first. By the last round, there were four different players that could have won the section, depdending on how things went.

Jan and Josh were both sitting in second and fourth respectively at the end of round 3. Looking like one, or both of them were going to take home a podium finish in the section. Unfortunately, in round 4, Jan suffered an unfornuate loss, but that still kept him in the running as now there were seven players all within a point and a half, and in the running for the top spot.

In round 5, there was a board two face-off between the two Camberley members. Sadly, a draw would see them both take a substantial hit to winning chances if the other top boards had decisive victories. And naturally, a decisive victory would only see one player in the running for first in the last round.

Josh took home the win there, with a fast opening that saw Jan’s pinned c6 Knight take an overload of pressure from a Qa4 pin followed by a textbook Catalan Ne5 opening the sniper on g2. With a few trades and checks, Josh was a pawn up and comfortably better. The game was decided moments later where Rd1 pinned Jan’s bishop to his Queen, ultimately winnning the peice and the game.

In the last round, Josh was on 4.5 alongside fellow unbeaten player Emile, whom he had drawn against in round 3. Somehow and by some miracle Josh held a dead lost endgame to a same-coloured bishop draw, finishing on 5/6, and remaining undefeated. It all came down to board one, where every possible result would crown a different victor. On that board, Emile took home the win. Therefore taking first place, on 5.5/6. Josh took home second place on 5/6.

Overall, a great result for Camberley, with a win and a second place finish.

A huge thank you to James Connors and the Univeristy of Reading Chess Club, for not only running a great tournament, but for also doing a fantasic job in increasing the entrants and growing the tournament since the last one. It was a really fun day, and we look forward to the next!

Full results here (click the images to go to the chessresults page):

Open:

Challengers: