30th October

 
OPEN      1st   Tim Kett  (Cardiff) 6/6
               2nd   P.Ehsander (Cardiff)  4.5/6
 
MAJOR    1st   Luke Kostanczek (Newport) - Winner of Frank Hatto Memorial Trophy  5.5/6
               2nd   S.Blackmore (Newport)  5/6

 
LADIES JOINT CHAMPIONS

              June Evans (Upper Killay) and Beryl Hughes (Penarth)

 
MINOR    1st   R.Muza (Newport)
               2nd  S.Butler (Newport)

The Welsh Rapidplay took place at the Kings Hotel, Newport where sadly the reigning champion of the last seven years was not there to defend his title.  Numbers for the Open were well down on previous years with only 9 entrants; with the majority made up from Cardiff chess club:  Tim Kett, Tom Brown, Joe Fatallah, Micheal Arribas-Ayllon, Peter Ehsander,  with Russell Dodington – Penarth/Gwent, Robert Taylor – Newport (good to see Robert up and about after his illness) and Robert Dineen – North Cardiff.
 
The winner of the Open and new Welsh champion was Tim Kett who finished with 6/6.  The major was won by a junior Luke Kostanjsek of Newport with 5.5/6.
 
There was a Welsh Ladies championship contested by Beryl Hughes, June and Janet Evans.
 
Thanks to Kevin Staveley and his young helper who ran the tournament very well and Newport chess club for organising the venue. The competition was contested in a good spirit, the only slight drawback was the room towards the end was getting humid and stuffy; opening the window allowed the noises of Newport to intrude. People favoured the new time controls but myself I liked the old time control with 30 minutes for all moves as to the “Fischer” 10 seconds increment.
 
Congratulations to Tim and Luke, well deserved winners.
 
 
Robert Dineen – North Cardi