Richmond Rapidplay 24

The open section witnessed a clash between five International Masters Surrey veteran Mike Basman, mastermind of the UK Chess Challenge, wielded his weird and wonderful openings (the Grob with White, the Sicilian with an early h5 with Black this time around) to good effect to lead most of the way. But a last round defeat at the hands of the experienced Peter Large allowed Andrew Ledger to come up on the outside and snatch first place. This was a double for the popular Bedford IM, who was repeating his success in the 23rd Richmond Rapidplay. Simon Williams, star of Richmond's 4NCL team, completed the triumvirate of IMs in second place, with wins over the unfortunate Graeme Buckley and his 4NCL Captain, Gavin Wall, in rounds 5 and 6. The lower sections of the Richmond Rapidplays are usually dominated by juniors, but this time the reverse was the case, with septuagenarians triumphing in both the Major and Intermediate sections. Dynamic Dan Mayers, a youthful 76-year-old American, scooped the pool in the Major (U160) with an unbeaten 5/6. Down in the Intermediate (U120), sprightly Derek Birt (graded only 85), a mere stripling of 70, stormed through a field of promising juniors, winning his first five games, and taking a last round draw to guarantee first place. In the Minor (U80), normal service was resumed, with local hero Tim Seymour, aged 12, recording his first ever tournament success alongside 15-year-old Jonah Specter, a newcomer to the circuit from the Pinner club.

Open cross table | Major cross table | Intermediate cross table | Minor cross table