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Largs Viking Congress 2018

Battle of Largs

Largs, Sunset, Scotland

The Battle of Largs, on the 2nd October 1263, between King Haakon IV of Norway and Alexander III of Scotland has been described as a stalemate. However, it did mark the beginning of the withdrawal of the Vikings from Scotland. (You can read more at battlefieldsofbritain.co.uk  )

Now another battle took place on the 22nd to 24th June 2018. Fortunately, no blood was shed in this skirmish. The damage limited to perhaps bruised egos and exhaustion caused by three to four hour long battles. This was the Largs Viking Chess Congress.

The Congress was held at the newly refurbished Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre in Largs.

I believe that this was the best venue that I had attended for a chess tournament this season. I had also booked accommodation at the venue and found this excellent, and reasonably priced.

View from accommodation at Sports Centre      View from bedroom

The tournament consisted of only one section, which meant that players were graded from 2485 (IM Andrew N. Greet) down to ungraded players. 

Chess at Studio 2 of the Sports Centre      Chess at Studio 2

Our Glasgow chess club had four players entered into the tournament, Robert Gibb, Gilbert Alomenu, Craig Faye, and myself.

Generally, we were all up against higher ( or much higher) graded players. We all enjoyed the experience, had long games, lasting three hours plus, appreciated the opportunity to play much higher-rated players - and had fun. 

     Round 5          Andy vs Gilbert

The only downside of the tournament was that weather was brilliant, in the high twenties, and we only managed to enjoy it at lunchtime, and in the evening.

On Saturday evening most of the Poly group visited Nardini's to replenish the body and mind. Of course, we could not leave Nardini's without treating ourselves to a well-deserved ice-cream. 

Prize Winners

     Champion: IM Andrew Greet

Champion: IM Andrew Greet (4.5/5)
Championship Trophy & £500

U2000 Grading Prize: Stephen Robinson (4/5)
Trophy & £110, Alan Jelfs (4/5) £90

U1700 Grading Prize: Frankie Murray (3/5) Trophy & £60
Gary McPheator (3/5) £50
Siegrun Macgilchrist (3/5) £45
David Potts (3/5) £45

U1400 Grading Prize: Benjamin Ridge (3.5/5) Trophy & £200

Best Junior: Benjamin Ridge (3.5/5) Replica Lewis Chessmen Set

Best Junior U1000: Cooper Patterson Chess in a Tin Chess Set

Early Entry Prize Draw: Stuart White
Half Price Entry for a Calendar Year


Thanks to all that made the event possible:-

Chess Scotland, Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre, Largs Chess Club, Bob Simpson, Fiona Petrie, John McNicoll, Gary McPheator and all those who kindly donated.



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Largs Viking Congress 2018

Battle of Largs

Largs, Sunset, Scotland

The Battle of Largs, on the 2nd October 1263, between King Haakon IV of Norway and Alexander III of Scotland has been described as a stalemate. However, it did mark the beginning of the withdrawal of the Vikings from Scotland. (You can read more at battlefieldsofbritain.co.uk  )

Now another battle took place on the 22nd to 24th June 2018. Fortunately, no blood was shed in this skirmish. The damage limited to perhaps bruised egos and exhaustion caused by three to four hour long battles. This was the Largs Viking Chess Congress.

The Congress was held at the newly refurbished Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre in Largs.

I believe that this was the best venue that I had attended for a chess tournament this season. I had also booked accommodation at the venue and found this excellent, and reasonably priced.

View from accommodation at Sports Centre      View from bedroom

The tournament consisted of only one section, which meant that players were graded from 2485 (IM Andrew N. Greet) down to ungraded players. 

Chess at Studio 2 of the Sports Centre      Chess at Studio 2

Our Glasgow chess club had four players entered into the tournament, Robert Gibb, Gilbert Alomenu, Craig Faye, and myself.

Generally, we were all up against higher ( or much higher) graded players. We all enjoyed the experience, had long games, lasting three hours plus, appreciated the opportunity to play much higher-rated players - and had fun. 

     Round 5          Andy vs Gilbert

The only downside of the tournament was that weather was brilliant, in the high twenties, and we only managed to enjoy it at lunchtime, and in the evening.

On Saturday evening most of the Poly group visited Nardini's to replenish the body and mind. Of course, we could not leave Nardini's without treating ourselves to a well-deserved ice-cream. 

Prize Winners

     Champion: IM Andrew Greet

Champion: IM Andrew Greet (4.5/5)
Championship Trophy & £500

U2000 Grading Prize: Stephen Robinson (4/5)
Trophy & £110, Alan Jelfs (4/5) £90

U1700 Grading Prize: Frankie Murray (3/5) Trophy & £60
Gary McPheator (3/5) £50
Siegrun Macgilchrist (3/5) £45
David Potts (3/5) £45

U1400 Grading Prize: Benjamin Ridge (3.5/5) Trophy & £200

Best Junior: Benjamin Ridge (3.5/5) Replica Lewis Chessmen Set

Best Junior U1000: Cooper Patterson Chess in a Tin Chess Set

Early Entry Prize Draw: Stuart White
Half Price Entry for a Calendar Year


Thanks to all that made the event possible:-

Chess Scotland, Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre, Largs Chess Club, Bob Simpson, Fiona Petrie, John McNicoll, Gary McPheator and all those who kindly donated.



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Glasgow Polytechnic Chess Club

Largs Viking Congress 2018

Largs, Sunset, Scotland

The Battle of Largs, on the 2nd October 1263, between King Haakon IV of Norway and Alexander III of Scotland has been described as a stalemate. However, it did mark the beginning of the withdrawal of the Vikings from Scotland. (You can read more at battlefieldsofbritain.co.uk  )

Now another battle took place on the 22nd to 24th June 2018. Fortunately, no blood was shed in this skirmish. The damage limited to perhaps bruised egos and exhaustion caused by three to four hour long battles. This was the Largs Viking Chess Congress.

The Congress was held at the newly refurbished Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre in Largs.

I believe that this was the best venue that I had attended for a chess tournament this season. I had also booked accommodation at the venue and found this excellent, and reasonably priced.

View from accommodation at Sports Centre      View from bedroom

The tournament consisted of only one section, which meant that players were graded from 2485 (IM Andrew N. Greet) down to ungraded players. 

Chess at Studio 2 of the Sports Centre      Chess at Studio 2

Our Glasgow chess club had four players entered into the tournament, Robert Gibb, Gilbert Alomenu, Craig Faye, and myself.

Generally, we were all up against higher ( or much higher) graded players. We all enjoyed the experience, had long games, lasting three hours plus, appreciated the opportunity to play much higher-rated players - and had fun. 

     Round 5          Andy vs Gilbert

The only downside of the tournament was that weather was brilliant, in the high twenties, and we only managed to enjoy it at lunchtime, and in the evening.

On Saturday evening most of the Poly group visited Nardini's to replenish the body and mind. Of course, we could not leave Nardini's without treating ourselves to a well-deserved ice-cream. 

Prize Winners

     Champion: IM Andrew Greet

Champion: IM Andrew Greet (4.5/5)
Championship Trophy & £500

U2000 Grading Prize: Stephen Robinson (4/5)
Trophy & £110, Alan Jelfs (4/5) £90

U1700 Grading Prize: Frankie Murray (3/5) Trophy & £60
Gary McPheator (3/5) £50
Siegrun Macgilchrist (3/5) £45
David Potts (3/5) £45

U1400 Grading Prize: Benjamin Ridge (3.5/5) Trophy & £200

Best Junior: Benjamin Ridge (3.5/5) Replica Lewis Chessmen Set

Best Junior U1000: Cooper Patterson Chess in a Tin Chess Set

Early Entry Prize Draw: Stuart White
Half Price Entry for a Calendar Year


Thanks to all that made the event possible:-

Chess Scotland, Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre, Largs Chess Club, Bob Simpson, Fiona Petrie, John McNicoll, Gary McPheator and all those who kindly donated.



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