Bookmark and Share

 

University of Kent

voted best

University Accommodation

for groups 2010

 

 

 

 

BritishChess2010.com is

not responsible for

the content of

external internet sites.

 

 

 

 

The 97th Championships of the British Isles
Organised by the English Chess Federation
Sunday 25 July to Saturday 7 August, Sports Centre,

University of Kent Canterbury, CT2 7NL

An English Chess Federation Grand Prix Event

 

 

Congratulations to GM Mickey Adams British Champion 2010

and IM Jovanka Houska British Womens Champion 2010

 

 

GM Mickey Adams

British Champion 2010

Mickey also wins the English Championship

and holds the Tony Miles Trophy for one year.

 

IM Jovanka Houska

British Womens Champion 2010

Jovanka is also

English Womens Champion 2010.

 

Photos © Stephen Connor

King and Queen of British Chess

Congratulations to Mickey Adams who won the 2010 British Championship (and is therefore also English champion) with a score of 9½/11 and a 2757 performance. Nick Pert finished second on 8 with a 2612 performance whilst Stuart Conquest, Andrew Greet, Jonathan Hawkins, Adam Hunt, Richard Pert & Alexei Slavin all finished equal third on 7½. Congratulations to Adam Hunt who secured his 2nd GM norm with a 2624 performance over eleven rounds.

 

Jovanka Houska finished on 6½ and is the British (and English) women’s champion, ahead of Lateefah Messam-Sparks who scored 4½ and becomes British Girls Under 18 champion and had a 2082 performance and Sheila Dines who finished with 3½ ... more

Alexander Best Game Prize

The prize of £100 was awarded to Richard Pert for an almost flawless performance in round 10 against Thomas Rendle.

Prizegiving 2010

This took place on Saturday 7th Aug in the Sports Centre at 9.30am. Prizes were presented by ECF President CJ de Mooi.

Click to see winners photos and a short video. Click to see a detailed list of prizewinners 2010.

British Championships 2011

The 98th British Chess Championships will take place at Ponds Forge, Sheaf Street, Sheffield, S1 2BP, 24th July to 6th August 2011.

 

Ponds Forge International Sports Centre

 

Ponds Forge is conveniently placed for access in Sheffield City Centre. Within 5-10 minutes walking distance of the bus & train interchange, the complex is also served by the nearby tramstop of Fitzalan Square/Ponds Forge. The Sheffield Parkway is a conveniently placed dual-carriageway that runs directly from Park Square to junction 33 of the M1 motorway.

 

We would be delighted to see you all in Sheffield for what promises to be a fabulous British Championships 2011.

 

Further information will be available soon at www.britishchess2011.com.

Returned forms

The winner of the draw and a prize of £20 for the returned survey forms was Clive Le Baigue (U120).

Murder Mystery Evening by Kevin Staveley

Contrary to popular opinion the murderer at the "play" last night turned out to be the Vicar - the event attracted an audience of about 50 ... more

British Championship - Norms achieved

Adam Hunt achieved a 9 Round GM norm when he drew with Mickey Adams, he needed only to play to get the norm.

Rafal Tymrakiewicz achieved a 9 Round IM norm by beating Keith Arkell.

LIVE games start at 2.15pm daily. The intention is to broadcast up to 20; spectators are very welcome. The games take place in the Sports Centre, CT2 7NL. [Google Map]

Photos by Ray Morris-Hill.

Click to see round 7 pictures from this London based top photographer, specialising in portraits, fashion, wildlife and sports. Contact: for further information.

Campus Victorianus by Alec Toll

To bat or not to bat, that was the question that confronted ECF Cricket XI captain Andrew Martin on the occasion of the 29th Annual match at Kent University. Traditionally, the middle Sunday of the British Championships allows most of the weary players a day’s respite from the 64 squares; some however chose to do battle on the cricket square. This by now well-established tradition has seen the team challenge local sides situated close to the playing venue in such diverse places as Douglas, Isle of Man, Millfield School in Somerset and in the city centre of Edinburgh.

 

On this occasion, the latest opponents were the staff of the University - which exempted the players from a long drive to an away venue - when normally half the team get lost en route!. Old stagers Martin and Toll assembled a motley crew ... more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clare Furness

Cyclists create quite a stir in aid of MND! by Clare Furness

 

 

One of this weekend’s side shows, the cycling competition, proved a huge success; fun and pain enjoyed (probably in equal measures) by all.

 

Players, arbiters and general ‘championship goers’ all pulled together to raise over £300 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of my father, and former principal arbiter, Richard Furness.

 

Riders spanning 6 to 78 years challenged themselves over the 1km distance; many tackling both the sprint and climbing specialities.

 

The Tour de France inspired competition reached a climax on Sunday afternoon, with the lead changing hands on numerous occasions in both the adult and youngster categories. Meanwhile it was the early pace setters from Saturday morning who won through in the individual climbing and sprint events. I would like to thank all participants not just for their donations but also for the huge efforts put in.

Download Clare's full competition review (258kb)
Download the competition results (319kb)

To make an online donation ahead of my ‘London to Paris Cycle’ next month visit www.justgiving.com/clares-tourdefrance  Alternatively to keep abreast of my training exploits or maybe ‘wish me luck’ visit www.clares-tourdefrance.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

     

 

Representatives from Gibraltar and the UK launching the brochures for two major events in Gibraltar.

 

 

 

 

Amanda Cottrell opened the Championships on Monday 26th just before the start of round 1 at 2.15pm.

 

Amanda as been a magistrate for 23 years, Chairman of her local Parish Council, school governor, County President of the Girl Guide movement and President of the NSPCC, Amanda was High Sheriff of Kent (2006-07) and is now Chairman of Visit Kent.

 

She is also a Kent Ambassador, a Trustee and Friend of Canterbury Cathedral, Trustee of the Kent Community Housing Trust and the Kent Wildlife Trust, a Vice President of the Canterbury Festival and Patron of Produced in Kent. A very distinguished guest indeed.

 

 

Monday 27th - pairings

These are now online for all morning events including the under 11's, 13's and 16's, the Championship, the Major Open and Week 1 afternoon event (the latter revised 09:54 today) http://www.britishchess2010.com/results_pairings.htm

Rapidplay 25th July

   
Round 5, Bd1: James Adair (left) v Rhys Cummins   IM Andrew Greet  

The 1st rapidplay again proved to be a popular curtain raiser to the British Championships with 60 entries.

 

Going into the final round (6) top seed IM Andrew Greet on 3½ faces Nathan Talbot and Chris Briscoe and James Adair battle it out for a share of first place. Both have 5/6.

 

Final scores: BRISCOE, Chris M 189A 6/6, ADAIR, James, 211C, COMBIE, Alexander, 183B, SALIMBENI, George PW, 194* 5/6 ... 60 players.

 

Detailed results to follow.

 

 

Two more GM entries

GM's Nick Pert 2551 and Danny Gormally 2480 have entered this year's Championship at the last minute. Confirmation from both players has been received by the Congress Secretary.

 

Chess Masters in bid for UK crown - (Kent on Saturday, Mid North Kent Edition)

'The country's top chess players are arriving in Kent for the British Chess Championships.

 

It's the 97th time the British Chess Championships have been held and this year the University of Kent in Canterbury is playing host to the hundreds of competitors and spectators.' [Read more]

 

 

Kings and Queens come to Canterbury

The Championships start next Monday and will run until 7th August. This is the first time they have been held in Kent since Ramsgate in 1929.

 

 

GM Mickey Adams

 

Grandmaster Michael Adams, Britain’s No 1, heads the field and will be doing battle with some of the country’s other elite Grand Masters, including former champion Stuart Conquest.
 

 

 

CJ de Mooi

 

 

CJ de Mooi of BBC Eggheads fame is President of the English Chess Federation. He says in his programme notes “A great number of players consider the Championships as central to their season and we are delighted to see so many returning year after year for all the tournaments that make up this fantastic event.”
 

More than 800 players will be competing for various other titles. Never mind X-boxes and Playstations, there’s a rising tide of young, clever, chess boys and girls who’ll be fighting over the chessboard for the honour of becoming champion for their age groups.
 

The increasing popularity of chess among the young is uncovering some emerging talents.

 

One of these is 7 year-old Zheming Zhang who warmed-up last week by beating a field of adults in Middlesbrough. Zheming has to stretch to reach the other side of the board but he’s favourite to take the Under 8 title, and he’s also attempting to take on the Under 9 and Under 10's too.
 

 
   

The public are welcome to come and watch. Games are in progress from 9.30am for morning events with the Championship itself starting daily at 2.15pm (round 1 is on Monday 26th July).

 

Each afternoon throughout the Championships International Master Andrew Martin will provide a commentary on the games of the Grandmasters and other leading players. He’ll explain the reasoning behind the moves and be offering prizes in “predict the next move” competitions.

 

Joint Quiz Winners

 

Update: John Foley (left) from Kingston Chess Club London and Allan Pleasants from Wessex have jointly won this year's quiz with an excellent score of 14/15. Congratulations to them and thank you to everyone who took part. Click to see all 15 answers.

 

One of the hardest questions (8) was about Jacques Mieses (1865 - 1954), a German-born Jewish player and writer who became the first British Grandmaster in 1950.

 

John Foley has published an article on Kingston CC's website about him, including some examples of his fine attacking style. See www.kingstonchess.org.uk/articles/jacques-mieses for more.

British Championships Programme 2010

 
Download or view the full 27 page programme (1.3 Mb)

 

Download the abridged 8 page programme (302Kb)

Old Stagers at the Gulbekian Theatre

For their 159th season THE OLD STAGERS present 'Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime' 2nd - 7th August at the Gulbenkian Theatre. The Old Stagers first performed in Canterbury in 1842 and have been presenting plays every year (except during the two World Wars) ever since. Click for further information and to download their production leaflet.

Best University Accommodation 2010
 
 
 

Overlooking the Cathedral

The University of Kent has just been voted best University Accommodation for groups 2010 at the annual celebration of the very best suppliers to the group travel industry.

 

With conference facilities, a wide range of accommodation, a choice of restaurants and bars, banqueting for up to 1000 and extensive leisure options, the University offers a very cost effective place to stay during your chess holiday.

 

If you are still looking for accommodation during the Championships, places are still available for booking online. Click for further information and booking details.

Kent Hospitality Guide

 

Information about the University's reception and housekeeping services, check-in details, local facilities in Canterbury, computer access and much more is contained in their latest visitor guide.

Click to download a copy (3-pages) or view it here.
John Littlewood U18 Brilliancy Prize
 

The family of the late John Littlewood have kindly decided to give an annual prize of £100 to the most brilliant game played by an U18 Junior in the British Championship. This is in memory of husband and father, John Littlewood, who was one of the leading British players of his generation. [Read more]

 

 

Internet access during the Championships

The University of Kent will have internet services available during the Championships. For £10 per month (or part thereof), visitors who are staying on campus can hire an account from IT Reception. This will provide wireless access and hard-wired internet from bedrooms. Click for further details.

Grandmaster Mickey Adams to play in this year's British Championships

 

Former world number 4 Mickey Adams will be playing in this year's British Championships in Canterbury. On the July 2009 FIDE rating list he was the number one British player and has a current FIDE rating of 2706 [FIDE profile]. His current live rating is 2706.1 (1st July).

 

Mickey has performed strongly in a number of World Chess Championship tournaments coming close to winning the 2004 FIDE Championship, when he reached the final losing closely (4½-3½) after a rapid play-off to Kasimdzhanov.

 

In September 2007, he took part in the China-UK Summit Match, held in Liverpool and playing alongside Mickey was former World Championship challenger Nigel Short. That event was the first time in almost 15 years that the two GMs had played chess together on British soil.

 

There was a second successive victory in the Staunton Memorial in August 2008 when Mickey finished on 8/11, ahead of Loek Van Wely (7½/11) and Jan Smeets (7/11). He followed this with a share of second place at the 4th EU Individual Open Championship in Liverpool.

 

Last December at the London Classic Mickey went through the event unbeaten drawing six games, four of them against World number one Magnus Carlsen, former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik, USA Champion 2009 Hikaru Nakamura and former World Championship contender, Nigel Short MBE.

 

Mickey's official websiteClick to see his games from the London Classic

 

 

Entry Form and Conditions of Entry.

The 2010 entry form is here. Also see the conditions of entry which you should read as there are some changes since last year. Click to download the full document which includes the entry form and details of fees for each event.

Bus Travel around Canterbury

A day ticket, valid for unlimited travel between the City and the University, is available for £2.50 and a weekly ticket for £7. Both can be bought from bus drivers at the start of your first journey. There are also additional tickets for those that need to travel further within Canterbury or into Kent. All details, including route maps, can be found on the Stagecoach website or by emailing 

 

Bus tickets for £2.50 and weekly ones for £7 are available for unlimited travel between Canterbury and the University.

 

 

On-line accommodation available until 21 July.

The University’s accommodation is still available for booking online. Click for further information and for booking details. You are advised to book early as demand for places will he high and the historic City of Canterbury is an extremely popular destination during the summer months.

 

British Champions 1904-present.

Click to see a recently compiled list of past Champions. If anyone has details of names for those with just initials please  thank you.

 

 

Click to download the list of 2010 qualifiers and a list showing how they qualified in alphabetical order. Queries should be emailed to 

 

Click to download the 2010 Qualification rules and regulations - 'How to Qualify'. If any player believes they have qualified by rule 12, please email the details to Neville Belinfante as soon as possible.

 

The date of birth for British Junior Championship will relate to 1 January 2010. Eligibility criteria for the British Senior Championship will also relate to age on 1 January 2010. 

 

The British Graded Championships which are 5 day tournaments will have the following grading limits:

Under 180/FIDE 2000

Under 160/FIDE1800

Under 140/FIDE1600

Under 120/FIDE1400

 

The Weekender Tournaments will have the following grading limits:

Atkins open to all

Soanes open to player under 150/FIDE 1700

Yates open to players under 125/FIDE 1450

 

 

The University of Kent, the UK’s European University has 17,000 students from over 140 countries worldwide and more than 2,000 members of staff. Established in Canterbury in 1965, it has grown significantly whilst retaining the supportive academic and social structure that makes it a great place to work and study. Kent has campuses at Canterbury, Medway, and Brussels.

 

 

The University’s accommodation has just been awarded a 3 star campus rating, with Purchas Court in Park Wood achieving a 4 star rating from VisitBritain.

Read more in Kent Hospitality's spring newsletter. Also, click here to see examples of the high quality facilities available.

 

Click to see Kent Attractions website - With over 80 member attractions, the Association of Tourist Attractions In Kent (ATAK) represents the best places to visit in the Garden of England.

The charm of the narrow Canterbury streets and period architecture, the pedestrian high street with shops of every description, make the City a charming place.

 

 

There are large formal and informal gardens in which to escape the bustle of the high street. With all these features, Canterbury welcomes almost 3 million visitors each year and there's always something to see and do ... more

 

The Queen presented the University of Kent with the prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education at Buckingham Palace on Thursday 14 February 2008. The award was given for the work of the Kent Law Clinic, honoured for 'enriching the academic study of law through a casework service to the community'. Full news article

© SC

 

Copyright © 2010 British Chess Championships - All Rights Reserved

 back to top ^^