The Winter Quick-Play was played on Monday 17th December with 14 competitors in the newly decorated Queen's Hotel, smelling of carpets I was informed by those who know more about the inside of carpet shops than I do.
Despite the enhanced handicap of 2 minutes for every 10 points difference in grades Robert still managed to breeze through with 4.5 out of 5 to take first place alone, only Geoff was able to steal a half point from him.
In joint second place were the two Phils with four points. In the match between this redoubtable duo in the first round Phil Colville was winner and therefore had the more difficult opponents, meeting the two highest graded players. He felled Colin, but succumbed to Robert.
Meanwhile Phil Cattermole worked assiduously to demolish all that stood in his path.
Denzil took fourth place alone, drawing with Colin and losing to Robert.
Lower down there were many exciting and protracted games. The arbiter was not in his element adding two minutes to the clocks of those who faced illegal moves and he has to thank Geoff for helping out with this.
For inter-round entertainment I provided a number of studies for solution, working up from a 2 move mate through 3, 4 and 5 moves mates and one forced draw. Robert was usually the first to work these out but held back with the answer. On one occasion it was Denzil who was the first to come up with the solution, perhaps because it involved a queen sacrifice.
Phil Colville stands at the head of the best of two table at the moment, a point clear of Francis, Denzil and Phil Cattermole.
I look forward with anticipation to the Summer tournament to see if Robert can snatch it away or whether Kieran, James, John-Paul or Anthony might trouble the waters.