2004+News+Archive

= **2004 News Archive** =

**Dunedin Christmas Rapid Tournament - 18 December**
Vsiting International Master Ben Martin took out this impromptu event organised by the Dunedin Junior Chess Academy with a perfect 5 points out of 5 score, in a healthy field of 22. Being oriented towards junior players with little or no tournament experience, there were numerous prizewinners, but particular standout performances were by Ben Dowden, Jonathan Favel, Muhammad Saib, Josie Burrows, Patrick Dawson and Alexander Ming-Wong.

Cross Table
code No Name                Loc  Total  1    2    3    4    5

1 MARTIN, BENJAMIN M S 2334 5     10:W  6:W  2:W  3:W  5:W 2 WATTS, DUNCAN        1854 4     14:W  7:W  1:L  4:W  8:W 3 JOHNSON, QUENTIN J F 1922 4     19:W 15:W 12:W  1:L  6:W 4 GOLD, HAMISH R       1829 3.5   11:W  9:W  5:D  2:L 13:W 5 DOWDEN, R ANTHONY    2234 3.5   18:W  8:W  4:D  7:W  1:L 6 HAASE, GRAHAM G      1741 3     13:W  1:L 18:W 14:W  3:L 7 BOURNE, CRAIG        1401 3     21:W  2:L 11:W  5:L 14:W 8 DING, LEO            1433 3     16:W  5:L 19:W 12:W  2:L 9 FAVEL, JONATHAN           3     22:W  4:L 13:D 15:W 12:D 10 SAIB, MUHAMMAD      1308 3      1:L 12:L 21:W 20:W 16:W 11 DOWDEN, R BENJAMIN  1051 3      4:L 22:W  7:L 18:W 20:W 12 BURROWS, JOSIE      1340 2.5   17:W 10:W  3:L  8:L  9:D 13 DAWSON, PATRICK          2.5    6:L 17:W  9:D 19:W  4:L 14 MING-WONG, ALEXANDER     2      2:L 21:W 15:W  6:L  7:L 15 TREBILCO, STEPHEN   1423 2     20:W  3:L 14:L  9:L 19:W 16 BURROWS, LILY       946  2      8:L 18:L 22:W 21:W 10:L 17 CATHRO, SAMUEL           2     12:L 13:L 20:L 22:W 18:W 18 BURGESS, MATTHEW    1157 1      5:L 16:W  6:L 11:L 17:L 19 SAIB, NABEELAH      1140 1      3:L 20:W  8:L 13:L 15:L 20 SMITH, JOEL         910  1     15:L 19:L 17:W 10:L 11:L 21 WATTS, BENJAMIN     902  1      7:L 14:L 10:L 16:L 22:W 22 MCLAREN, CIARAN          0      9:L 11:L 16:L 17:L 21:L code

**Otago Chess Club 2004 Championship Winners - 7 December**
1st Richard Sutton 2nd= Duncan Watts Quentin Johnson || **Senior** 1st= Quentin Johnson Richard Sutton 3rd Hamish Gold || 1st Graham Haase 2nd Geoff Aimers 3rd Alistair Newbould || **Intermediate** 1st Alistair Newbould 2nd Craig Bourne 3rd= Brent Southgate David Reid || 1st Craig Bourne 2nd= Violet Baird Matthew Burgess || **Junior** 1st= Jonathan Favel Nabeelah Saib 3rd Stephen Trebilco || 1st Craig Bourne +91 2nd Violet Baird +83 3rd Li Ding +40 || **Perpetual Handicap** 1st Quentin Johnson +105 2nd Craig Bourne +101 3rd Li Ding +63 || 1st Tony Dowden ||
 * **Standard** || **Rapid** ||
 * **Senior**
 * **Intermediate**
 * **Junior**
 * **Perpetual Handicap**
 * **Blitz**

**2004 Otago Chess Club Championship** - 5 December
Richard Sutton defended his 2003 title in fine style, winning his final game gainst Bill Petch to finish with a combined score of 12/13 - 3.5 points ahead of Duncan Watts and Quentin Johnson who were tied for 2nd. Petch finished in clear 4th on 7.5. 2nd leg final scores: A Grade: Sutton 5.5/6; Johnson 4; Watts, Petch 3.5; Hamish Gold 2; Geoff Aimers 1.5; Graham Haase 1. B Grade: Alistair Newbould 5/6; Brent Southgate 4.5; Terry Duffield 3.5; Sandeep Chandra 3; Craig Bourne 2.5; David Reid 2; Terry Ebeling 0. C Grade: Violet Baird, Matthew Burgess 6; Jonathan Favel, Simon Mayer 4; Muhammad Saib, Meret Reifler 3; Tania Bracey-Brown, Josie Burrows 2; Stephen rebilco 1; Jake Pascoe 0. D Grade: Cameron Vercoe-Groenen 4; Ashleigh Brewer, Caleb Lesa, Praveen Sivapalam 2.5; Lily Burrows 1; Alannah Townshend 0.5; Nabeelah Saib 0.

**2004 Otago Chess Club Championship** - 25 November
Richard Sutton won this year's championship with 2 games in hand. Having already amassed a combined score from both legs of 10 points (dropping only 2 draws so far) he was already too far ahead to be caught, when he defeated Duncan Watts, one of his closest challengers last night. Sutton's winning margin was further enhanced by his other main challenger, Bill Petch losing to Quentin Johnson. Watts and Johnson have finished in a tie for 2nd on 8.5/13, while Petch can join them if wins the final game in the A Grade against Sutton next week....

**2004 South Island Championship** - 20 October by Quentin Johnson
The Otago Chess Club played host to the 2004 South Island Championship and this year the tournament was held in four days over a weekend for Saturday 25 September to Tuesday 28 September, in a departure from the usual practice of five weekdays. Under the new FIDE time limit of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, playing two games a day does not exert undue strain, and the scheduling of the event probably contributed to the higher than usual turnout of 25 players. In the absence of other sponsorship this meant the tournament was a class 2 event in the Global Chess Enterprises Grand Prix, with a total prize fund of $950. Standing out as favourites before the start were former NZ champion NM Richard Sutton, closely followed by the winner of the previous day’s SI Rapid Championship, NM Tony Dowden, and NZ Championship regular Graeme Spain – on the hunt from Te Awamutu for more national master points. Beyond these three was a thicket of nine players in the 1800-2000 bracket who were all capable of a strong performance: Hilton Bennett from Hamilton, Ross Jackson and Alan Aldridge from Wellington, Bruce Donaldson, Craig Hall and Brendan Reedy from Canterbury, and locals Geoff Aimers, Duncan Watts and myself. The D.O.P. duties were shared between Phil Hall and Graham Haase, and as one of the organizing committee with Duncan and Hamish Gold, I was very glad to hand over to their capable management and sit down to my first round game: The repeat of the top board pairing Benson – Sutton from last year’s Malcolm Foord Memorial (which resulted in an upset for Benson) provided some interest, especially as Chris looked as if he could even be ahead again. However a fine endgame N sac by Richard soon revealed the true nature of the position: “The Master had his revenge,” was Benson’s comment after the game. The top half beat the bottom half in all the other games except Mulinder – Watts, where Canterbury junior Guy Mulinder played well and offered an early draw, catching Watts in a peaceful mood. Sutton, Spain and Bennett each had white against Hall, Aimers and Aldridge respectively and won to reach 2 points. Dowden gave the first sign that the imminent completion of his doctoral thesis might be having deleterious effect on his play in this tournament, by dropping a pawn against Jackson, but managing to draw. Reedy and Donaldson also dropped half a point – to each other. I faced the only other junior in the field (a disappointing turnout compared to the Rapid – and no female entries either) Tim Riley of Invercargill, who had the bye in the first round. Against a totally unknown quantity I was careless in the opening and was very nearly punished – since it turns out that Tim has a 1900 ICC rating despite taking up chess less than a year ago! Lack of experience at this level and time limit told against Tim in this tournament, but moving to Dunedin as a student at Otago next year, he will have ample opportunity to correct that. In a more pronounced battle of youth versus experience, Mulinder again played well against the wily Arie Nijman. But an error losing a vital tempo in the pawn ending turned what should have been a winning a-pawn vs h-pawn queening race into a losing one. Bennett’s 1 b4 did not prove successful against Sutton on top board, while I soon lost a pawn against Spain and Graeme finished me off with a N sac followed by a King hunt. Dowden’s suspected poor form received a confirmation With a quick loss to Reedy, while Donaldson overcame Watts in a long hard game. Leading scores: Sutton, Spain 3; Donaldson, Reedy 2½.  Spain took the sole lead with a precious win with black over Sutton. Donaldson’s KID kingside attack broke through to defeat Jackson and stay close to Spain, while Reedy – Bennett was a hard fought draw. Aimers beat Gold with black to join the chasing pack on 3, as did Aldridge after Watts walked into a freak endgame checkmate in the middle of the board. I also joined them after Nijman sacked a pawn in the opening to obtain two dominating central Ns in a Queenless middlegame – only to blunder the exchange. Leading scores: Spain 4; Donaldson 3½; Sutton, Reedy, Johnson, Aimers, Aldridge 3.  Spain’s trusty Morra Gambit delivered a very quick win over Donaldson to extend his lead to a point over the rest of the field. Sutton employed a similarly faithful weapon – the Gruenfeld – to chalk up just as quick a victory over Aldridge. My game with Reedy was soon over after Brendan allowed his King to be trapped in the centre, though a dawdling Rook move needlessly allowed counter chances against my own King, which made the game more exciting. Dowden came back into the picture with a grinding endgame win over Aimers, as did Bennett after trapping Hall’s wayward Bishop. Leading scores: Spain 5; Sutton, Johnson 4; Donaldson, Dowden, Bennett 3½.  Spain’s Scandinavian Defence sufficed for an early draw against Bennett to maintain at least a half point lead with just two rounds left. The game between the nearest chasers, Sutton – Johnson, was a long and tense struggle of fluctuating fortunes. Finding myself a passed-pawn ahead in a Rook & Knight ending, time pressure and my relative inexperience told and first I let the win slip then lost my Knight and the game. Alekine’s famous quote about having to beat him three times: “ In the Opening, the Middlegame and the Endgame,” immediately sprang to mind. Dowden and Donaldson stayed in contention with wins over Aldridge and Aimers respectively, while Gold had a fine result against Jackson to lead the U1900 grade with Reedy, who beat veteran campaigner Bruce Gloistein. Hall played an attacking Nimzo-Indian to defeat Watts at the start of a strong closing run… Leading scores: Spain 5½; Sutton 5; Dowden, Donaldson 4½; Bennett, Johnson, Reedy, Gold 4; Hall 3½.  Spain offered an early draw to Dowden in a French Tarrasch, knowing that his closest rival would have to face Tony in the last round. Dowden refused, but offered one of his own a few moves later. Meanwhile, Sutton was an exchange down and in trouble against Donaldson’s English Attack. But an imprecise Queen move by Bruce allowed strong counterplay, and then an unsound Queen sac was gratefully accepted by Richard to regain a share of the lead with one round to go. Bennett essayed his usual Budapest against me, this time choosing the Fajarowicz 3 … Ne4 variation. For the pawn he obtained the two B’s, a lead in development and reasonable attacking chances. But a premature push of his g-pawn allowed me to exchange some pieces and blunt the attack – the residual weaknesses in Hilton’s kingside leading to further material loss. Reedy dragged Gold’s King into a mating net to join Dowden and Johnson a point behind the leaders, while Hall’s King’s Gambit lead to a mating finish against Nijman’s Queenside castled King. Bruce Gloistein’s mating attack crashed home against Aimers to guarantee at least 1st equal in the U1600 grade. Leading scores: Sutton, Spain 6; Dowden, Johnson, Reedy 5; Donaldson, Hall 4½; Bennett, Jackson, Gold, Aldridge, Gloistein 4.  Going into the final round five players had a theoretical chance of at least equal 1st place. However, in reality 1st would go to the one of either Sutton or Spain, both playing black, who achieved the better last-round result. On paper Sutton appeared to have the harder task against Dowden, but on form in this tournament Reedy could prove more difficult for Spain. As it turned out, the latter prediction proved the more accurate with Richard making short work of Tony’s Closed Sicilian, thus gaining the title of South Island Champion for the second time and at least a share of 1st place. Meanwhile Brendan appeared to have the chances on board 2… Donaldson returned a favour from our last encounter by losing a pawn soon after finding himself in an unfamiliar opening variation. An exchange followed and eventually the game. Gold refused a draw to pursue an unsound attack against Hall, giving Craig his 3rd win in a row and a likely share of some prize money. Bennett’s Grand Prix Attack was unable to make headway against Jackson and ebentually a draw was agreed. The second-to-last game to finishwas Watts’ determined win over Gloistein. This allowed Stephen Taylor, who traveled from Palmerston North, but was last a member of the Ashburton club, to tie Gloistein for 1st in the U1600 grade with his win over a fading Nijman. By now Reedy’s advantage over Spain had dwindled to R + 2Ps vs B + N + P with none of the pawns passed: i.e. nothing. However, the determination and optimism that characterises Brendan’s play was evident in playing on in a position that realistically only the side with the R could lose. Eventually hostilities were called off and I could start writing out the cheques! 1st place and 2004 South Island Champion was Richard Sutton on 7 points. Richard admitted he had taken some risks in the second half of the tournament, nearly coming unstuck in rounds 6 & 7, and added that having five blacks had probably been helpful to him, “the player with white is more likely to try to do something.” You can’t score 7 wins out of 8 without taking risks and such a refreshing approach to winning titles is to be applauded. 2nd place with 6½ was Graeme Spain, whose bag of 6 national master points will take him within striking distance of the title at the Wanganui Congress. It is hard to criticise Graeme for taking a safety-first approach in the last three rounds – remaining unbeaten after 5/5 you would expect to be enough to win! 3rd on 6 was a very pleasing result for me, as I haven’t finished on the podium in a tournament of this kind for a very long time. 4th was shared by Brendan Reedy and Craig Hall on 5½, who also shared the 1st and 2nd U1900 prizes. Both Players can be happy with this result – Craig, because from 2½/5 it was the best he could hope for, and Brendan because of the strong field he met, scoring 50% against five of the top six seeds. Not allowing two prizes to be awarded to the same player required the creation of a 3rd U1900 prize, which was much appreciated by Duncan Watts on 4½. Sharing the U1600 1st and 2nd prizes was a just reward for the efforts of Bruce Gloistein and Stephen Taylor. Hard luck stories were those of Tony Dowden, whose brave decision to play despite being heavily preoccupied was only rewarded in the sense that the tournament was better for it. Bruce Donaldson’s two losses on the final day marred what until then had been a good tournament for him, and he looks likely to break into the NZ Championship field soon. While Alan Aldridge realised on the last day that he had to leave to catch a plane two hours into the final round, and so was allocated the bye for that round, but unfortunately without the free point. The event was covered in the Otago Daily Times, including a tribute on the final day in Tony Dowden’s regular column to Arie Nijman, participating in his 48th South Island Championship. I would like to thank all the players, especially those who traveled from outside Dunedin considering the meagre local turnout of only eight players. the tournament was the enjoyable event that it was because of you. 
 * Round 1**
 * Round 2**
 * Round 3**
 * Round 4**
 * Round 5**
 * Round 6**
 * Round 7**
 * Round 8**

Cross Table
code No Name                Rtg  Loc  Club Total  1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8

1 SUTTON, RICHARD J    2279 2227 OT   7     17:W  5:W  7:W  2:L 13:W  3:W  8:W  6:W 2 SPAIN, GRAEME A      2147 2133 GA   6.5   16:W 12:W  3:W  1:W  8:W  7:D  6:D  4:D 3 JOHNSON, QUENTIN J F      1920 OT   6     24:W 23:W  2:L 20:W  4:W  1:L  7:W  8:W 4 REEDY, BRENDAN       2022 1845 CA   5.5   22:W  8:D  6:W  7:D  3:L 14:W 11:W  2:D 5 HALL, CRAIG               1848 CA   5.5   15:W  1:L  9:D 24:W  7:L 10:W 20:W 11:W 6 DOWDEN, R ANTHONY    2215 2169 OT   5     20:W  9:D  4:L 21:W 12:W 13:W  2:D  1:L 7 BENNETT, HILTON P    2112 1961 HA   4.5   19:W 13:W  1:L  4:D  5:W  2:D  3:L  9:D 8 DONALDSON, BRUCE     1999 1968 CA   4.5   11:W  4:D 10:W  9:W  2:L 12:W  1:L  3:L 9 JACKSON, L ROSS           1902 WE   4.5   14:W  6:D  5:D  8:L 15:W 11:L 22:W  7:D 10 WATTS, DUNCAN       1982 1834 OT   4.5   18:D 17:W  8:L 13:L 21:W  5:L 23:W 14:W 11 GOLD, HAMISH R           1676 OT   4      8:L 14:W 25:W 12:L 22:W  9:W  4:L  5:L 12 AIMERS, GEOFFREY         1845 OT   4     21:W  2:L 15:W 11:W  6:L  8:L 14:L 22:W 13 ALDRIDGE, ALAN L         1825 WE   4     25:W  7:L 23:W 10:W  1:L  6:L 15:W  0:L 14 GLOISTEIN, BRUCE N       1540 CA   4      9:L 11:L  0:W 25:W 20:W  4:L 12:W 10:L 15 TAYLOR, STEPHEN          1432 AS   4      5:L 16:W 12:L 23:W  9:L 18:W 13:L 20:W 16 DOLEJS, DAN E            1693 GA   4      2:L 15:L 19:W 22:L 25:W 21:L 24:W 17:W 17 BENSON, CHRISTOPHER 2069 1767 CA   3.5    1:L 10:L 24:L  0:W 18:W 23:D 21:W 16:L 18 MULINDER, GUY            1290 CA   3.5   10:D 20:L 21:L 19:W 17:L 15:L  0:W 24:W 19 BOURNE, CRAIG            1675 OT   3.5    7:L 21:D 16:L 18:L  0:W 20:L 25:W 23:W 20 NIJMAN, ARIE J           1707 CA   3      6:L 18:W 22:W  3:L 14:L 19:W  5:L 15:L 21 WRIGHT, CHRIS            1384 CA   3     12:L 19:D 18:W  6:L 10:L 16:W 17:L 25:D 22 WARD, SIMON              1387 CA   3      4:L 24:W 20:L 16:W 11:L 25:W  9:L 12:L 23 RILEY, TIM W                  IN   2.5    0:W  3:L 13:L 15:L 24:W 17:D 10:L 19:L 24 DUFFIELD, TERRY          1566 OT   2      3:L 22:L 17:W  5:L 23:L  0:W 16:L 18:L 25 KEELING, ROY L           1280 AS   1.5   13:L  0:W 11:L 14:L 16:L 22:L 19:L 21:D

code

**South Island Rapid Championship 2004 - 2 October** by Quentin Johnson
This year the Rapid Championship was held at the Otago Chess Club as a 6-round event on the Friday of 24 September, just before the Standard championship giving players the option of playing in either or both with the minimum of disruption to their work schedule. While the pre-tournament registration system appeared to indicate a field as large as 31, in the event a number of these entries were not realised. However the final field of 23 was still good, including a pleasing number of junior players (11) and girls (4), and ranked as a class 3 Global Chess Enterprises Grand Prix event. The outstanding favourite was local NM Tony Dowden, who at 2252 was rated over 300 points ahead of the 2nd seed Hilton Bennett of Hamilton. Other competition, if any, could be expected from Quentin Johnson, Alan Aldridge, Duncan Watts, and never to be dismissed lightly at this time limit, Hamish Gold. Dowden duly dispatched his first four opponents including Watts and Bennett in round 3 and 4 to look set to coast home. Aldridge had dropped quickly from contention with a round 1 loss to dangerous Canterbury junior Guy Mulinder, while Johnson had let a win turn to a loss under time pressure at the hands of Gold in round 3. This was the second lucky escape for Gold, who had won from a Rook down against Mulinder in round 2, but his fluent and aggressive style lends itself to this kind of turnaround on many occasions. In round 5 Gold held Dowden to a draw, leaving both in the lead on 4½. Half a point behind was Bennett, who had stopped Ashburton's Allan Mulligan strong run (he had just caused Aldridge's second loss), and Watts whose kingside attack against Johnson culminated in a thematic N sacrifice on g7. Next in the prize-hunt was Rex Scarf of Ashburton on 3½ ahead of a pack on 3 including Mulinder and South Island Junior champion, Leo Ding of Otago. The final round saw Gold on top board with white against Bennett, while Dowden had white against Scarf. Dowden quickly won to secure at least 1st equal, but the top board game went right to the wire, with Bennett eventually getting home on the board just before his clock fell. Watts joined Bennett in 2nd place on 5 points with a win over Aldridge. Gold was left alone in 4th on 4½, while last round winners Johnson, Ding and Mulinder finished 5th= on 4, a result which netted the two juniors the 1-2 under 1600 grade prizes. In the unrated section, 1st prize went to 11 year old Nabeelah Saib, whose 3 points represent great potential. Second equal was a very pleasing result for another local girl, 12 year old Ashleigh Brewer, along with the other Dowden in this tournament, 8 year old Ben, both acquitting themselves very well on 2½. The tournament was (perhaps unwisely, since he also played, after a fashion) directed by Quentin Johnson with assistance from an elected disputes committee, and generally went very smoothly.

Cross Table
code No Name                Loc  Club Total  1    2    3    4    5    6

1 DOWDEN, R ANTHONY    2252 OT   5.5    6:W 13:W  3:W  2:W  4:D  8:W 2 BENNETT, HILTON P    1929 HA   5     14:W 16:W 10:W  1:L  9:W  4:W 3 WATTS, DUNCAN        1829 OT   5     21:W  9:W  1:L 11:W  5:W 12:W 4 GOLD, HAMISH R       1740 OT   4.5   20:W  7:W  5:W 10:W  1:D  2:L 5 JOHNSON, QUENTIN J F 1912 OT   4     11:W  8:W  4:L  6:W  3:L  9:W 6 DING, LEO            1330 OT   4      1:L 15:W 22:W  5:L 11:W 10:W 7 MULINDER, GUY        1178 CA   4     12:W  4:L  8:L 23:W 13:W 16:W 8 SCARF, REX           1577 AS   3.5   23:W  5:L  7:W 16:D 14:W  1:L 9 MULLIGAN, ALLAN W    1559 AS   3     22:W  3:L 18:W 12:W  2:L  5:L 10 DOLEJS, DAN E       1646 GA   3     15:W 18:W  2:L  4:L 21:W  6:L 11 STEVENSON, MICHAEL  1240 CA   3      5:L 19:W 13:W  3:L  6:L 20:W 12 ALDRIDGE, ALAN L    1836 WE   3      7:L 20:W 14:W  9:L 16:W  3:L 13 BOURNE, CRAIG       1151 OT   3     19:W  1:L 11:L 20:W  7:L 21:W 14 SAIB, MUHAMMAD      1259 OT   3      2:L 17:W 12:L 15:W  8:L 19:W 15 SAIB, NABEELAH           OT   3     10:L  6:L 17:W 14:L 22:W  0:W 16 TAYLOR, STEPHEN     1592 AS   2.5   17:W  2:L 21:W  8:D 12:L  7:L 17 DOWDEN, R BENJAMIN            2.5   16:L 14:L 15:L  0:W 18:D 23:W 18 BREWER, ASLEIGH          OT   2.5    0:W 10:L  9:L 19:L 17:D 22:W 19 BURROWS, LILY            OT   2     13:L 11:L 20:L 18:W  0:W 14:L 20 BURGESS, MATTHEW         OT   2      4:L 12:L 19:W 13:L 23:W 11:L 21 BURROWS, JOSIE           OT   2      3:L 23:W 16:L 22:W 10:L 13:L 22 WATTS, BENJAMIN               1      9:L  0:W  6:L 21:L 15:L 18:L 23 SMITH, JOEL                   1      8:L 21:L  0:W  7:L 20:L 17:L code 

**2004 Otago Chess Club Rapid Championship - 22 Sep 2004**
Richard Sutton and Quentin Johnson shared the 2004 OCC Rapid Championship title after winning one game apiece in their final match, having been on level scores up to that point. More soon....

**Junior events in Dunedin 2004 //by Tony Dowden//**
As recently reported in the Otago Daily Times, interest in junior chess in the region area has surged dramatically. This year the Dunedin Junior Chess Academy and the Otago Chess Club organized three events. The full results of these events are presented separate in attached files (places of individuals and school teams can be determined by analysing the results tables). A noteworthy feature was the sudden emergence of female players (denoted ‘f’ in the tables). In NZ, female chess players traditionally lag far behind the male counterparts, so watch this space for special opportunities for girls. As it currently stands, we have an opportunity to help local females reach international calibre.

**//Dunedin Under 10//**
This new event attracted 24 youngsters. By comparison only one player was under 10 in the 2003 Dunedin Primary event. The favourites were three comparatively young but well-seasoned Academy players: Alexander Ming-Wong (7), Joel Smith (7) and Benjamin Dowden (8). In the event Joel and Ben drew early on and then in an exciting final round decider, Alexander bested Ben to win the event outright with five wins from as many games. Maori Hill School easily won the teams’ prize.


 * || Name || (Age) ||  || School || Points [n/5] ||
 * 1 || Alexander Ming-Wong || (7) ||  || Maori Hill 1 || 5 ||
 * 2 || Mark Perry || (7) ||  || Maori Hill 1 || 4 ||
 * 3 || Edwin Phease || (8) ||  || Maori Hill 2 || 4 ||
 * 4 || Benjamin Dowden || (8) ||  || Sacred Heart || 3.5 ||
 * 5 || Joel Smith || (7) ||  || Sacred Heart || 3.5 ||
 * 6 || Ben Pinfold || (8) ||  || Maori Hill 2 || 3 ||
 * 7 || Ashlee Hammond || (9) || (f) || High St || 3 ||
 * 8 || Kyrin Gourley || (9) ||  || George St || 3 ||
 * 9 || Jiahang Wang || (9) ||  || George St || 3 ||
 * 10 || Joseph Baird || (9) ||  || George St || 2.5 ||
 * 11 || Jayden Mee || (9) ||  || St Brigids || 2.5 ||
 * 12 || Jack Turner || (9) ||  || Arthur St || 2.5 ||
 * 13 || Youri Wijland || (9) ||  || High St || 2.5 ||
 * 14 || Jean Balchin || (9) || (f) || Opoho || 2.5 ||
 * 15 || Ben Baker || (8) ||  || Maori Hill 2 || 2.5 ||
 * 16 || Oliver Creighton || (8) ||  || Columba College || 2.5 ||
 * 17 || Joshua Wassell || (9) ||  || High St || 2 ||
 * 18 || Alex Black || (8) ||  || Columba College || 2 ||
 * 19 || Isaac Smith || (8) ||  || Sacred Heart || 1.5 ||
 * 20 || Charlie McKee || (8) ||  || Maori Hill 1 || 1.5 ||
 * 21 || Nicholas Kohey || (9) ||  || High St || 1 ||
 * 22 || Liam Rawstorn || (9) ||  || High St || 1 ||
 * 23 || Nabila Khokhar || (9) || (f) || Opoho || 1 ||
 * 24 || Angus McDowell || (9) ||  || Kaikorai || 0.5 ||

**//Dunedin Primary Open//**
This event attracted a staggering 52 youngsters. Interestingly, the strongest interest came from primary schools rather than intermediate schools. The 2003 title-holder, Benjamin Bielski from Riverton was expected to be difficult to beat but a large crop of Academy and ex-Academy players were expected to challenge him. On the day the 2003 Otago Girl champion, Josie Burrows (13) swept all before her to win the event with a ‘picket fence’ of six wins. Opoho Primary School won the Teams’ prize.


 * 2004 Dunedin Primary Open Chess Championship **
 * || Name (Age) ||  || School || Points (n/6) ||
 * 1 || Josie Burrows (13) || (f) || Tahuna1 || 6 ||
 * 2 || Benjamin Bielski (11) ||  || Riverton || 5 ||
 * 3 || Nabeelah Saib (10) || (f) || Arthur St. || 5 ||
 * 4 || Cam Vercoe-Groenen (11) ||  || DNI || 5 ||
 * 5 || Patrick Dawson (11) ||  || Opoho 1 || 4.5 ||
 * 6 || Caleb Lesa (12) ||  || DNI || 4.5 ||
 * 7 || Lily Burrows (10) || (f) || Tainui || 4.5 ||
 * 8 || Alex Greer (10) ||  || George St 2 || 4.5 ||
 * 9 || Eric Kim (12) ||  || John McGlashan || 4 ||
 * 10 || Jonathan Favel (12) ||  || Macandrew || 4 ||
 * 11 || Caitlin Fitchett (10) || (f) || Opoho || 4 ||
 * 12 || James Swan (10) ||  || Maori Hill 1 || 4 ||
 * 13 || Salvadore Martin-Bulfin (10) ||  || Maori Hill 1 || 4 ||
 * 14 || Andrew Prince (10) ||  || St Brigids 1 || 3.5 ||
 * 15 || David Timajo (10) ||  || St Brigids 2 || 3.5 ||
 * 16 || Nick Lee (11) ||  || George St 2 || 3.5 ||
 * 17 || Jackson Gaut (11) ||  || St Brigids 1 || 3.5 ||
 * 18 || Riley Gould (10) ||  || College St 2 || 3.5 ||
 * 19 || Eduan Coetzee (11) ||  || John McGlashan 1 || 3.5 ||
 * 20 || Campbell Calverley (11) ||  || Opoho 1 || 3.5 ||
 * 21 || Hassan Alraja (11) ||  || High St || 3 ||
 * 22 || Zeb Laquekoro (11) ||  || College St 2 || 3 ||
 * 23 || Jake Roberts (12) ||  || Macandrew || 3 ||
 * 24 || William Fulton (12) ||  || John McGlashan || 3 ||
 * 25 || Samuel Armstrong (11) ||  || George St 2 || 3 ||
 * 26 || Hamish Mee (11) ||  || St Brigids 2 || 3 ||
 * 27 || Jeremy Barnes (9) ||  || St Brigids 1 || 3 ||
 * 28 || Benjamin Dowden (8) ||  || Sacred Heart || 3 ||
 * 29 || Benjamin Watts (10) ||  || George St || 3 ||
 * 30 || Andrew Parata(10) ||  || College St 1 || 2.5 ||
 * 31 || Jessica Thomson (13) || (f) || Tahuna 1 || 2.5 ||
 * 32 || Obada Alraja (10) ||  || High St || 2.5 ||
 * 33 || Allyn Robins (10) ||  || Opoho 1 || 2.5 ||
 * 34 || Dale Baker (10) ||  || George St || 2.5 ||
 * 35 || Quinn Thorsnes (10) ||  || Opoho 2 || 2.5 ||
 * 36 || Nat Christensen (11) ||  || John McGlashan 1 || 2.5 ||
 * 37 || Thomas Jamieson (10) ||  || College St 2 || 2.5 ||
 * 38 || Jean Balchin (9) || (f) || Opoho 2 || 2.5 ||
 * 39 || David Shannon (11) ||  || John McGlashan 1 || 2.5 ||
 * 40 || Sam Doran (10) ||  || College St 1 || 2 ||
 * 41 || Praveen Sivapalan (11) ||  || Balmacewan 1 || 2 ||
 * 42 || Brandon Rutherford (10) ||  || College St 1 || 2 ||
 * 43 || Cameron Watts (9) ||  || George St 1 || 2 ||
 * 44 || Gresham Worth (10) ||  || Maori Hill 1 || 2 ||
 * 45 || Ashleigh Brewer (12) || (f) || Balmacewan 1 || 2 ||
 * 46 || Matthew Newdick (10) ||  || St Brigids 2 || 1.5 ||
 * 47 || Danny Carter (11) || (f) || Waikouaiti || 1.5 ||
 * 48 || Jessica Dooling (10) || (f) || St Brigids || 1.5 ||
 * 49 || Joshua Gould (10) ||  || George St || 1 ||
 * 50 || Eamon Frazer (9) ||  || George St 1 || 1 ||
 * 51 || Nabila Khokhar (9) || (f) || Opoho 2 || 1 ||
 * 52 || Thomas Kindley (9) ||  || George St 1 || 1 ||
 * 52 || Thomas Kindley (9) ||  || George St 1 || 1 ||

**//South Island Junior//**
This event, which also incorporated the Otago Junior Championship, attracted 50 players. A powerful contingent of Canterbury players were expected to provide stern opposition however, the top seed was nationally ranked junior, Andrew Stone (18) who is a health science student at Otago University. The 2003 Otago champion, Li Ding (16) from Bayfield High School and Sam McChesney (15) form Riccarton High School, Christchurch were expected to be the most dangerous challengers. The individual South Island Junior (and Otago Junior) title went to Li Ding who was somewhat fortunate to beat Andrew Stone in their key Round 5 encounter. The school teams’ event was won by a highly-talented and well-coached team from Cobham Intermediate, Christchurch. The ‘inter-city’ teams’ event (with at leats one female and two under 15 in each team) was won by Christchurch on 27 points (McChesney, Watson, Watson, Mulinder, Scarr & T. Lau) followed by Dunedin on 21 (Ding, Stone, Bracey, J. Burrows, M. Saib & Alexander) and a plucky Rest of the South Island on 19 (Agnew, B. Bielski, Cleave, Choi, McKinnel & Ophius)


 * **2004 South Island Junior [Under 20]** ||  ||
 * || Name (Age) ||  || School/Province || Points [n/6] ||
 * 1 || Li Ding (16) ||  || Bayfield HS 1 || 5.5 ||
 * 2 || Sam McChesney (16) ||  || Canterbury || 5 ||
 * 3 || Andrew Stone (18) ||  || Otago University || 5 ||
 * 4 || Jeremy Watson (11) ||  || Canterbury || 5 ||
 * 5 || Stephen Watson (9) ||  || Canterbury || 4.5 ||
 * 6 || Andrew Lau (11) ||  || Canterbury/Cobham 1 || 4.5 ||
 * 7 || Guy Mulinder (16) ||  || Canterbury || 4 ||
 * 8 || Sein Abel (12) ||  || Canterbury /Cobham 1 || 4 ||
 * 9 || Alex Bielski (12) ||  || Aparima Coll || 4 ||
 * 10 || Joey Scarr (14) ||  || Canterbury || 4 ||
 * 11 || Dean Alexander (18) ||  || Bayfield HS 1 || 4 ||
 * 12 || Joshua Rule (13) ||  || Waitaki Boys’ HS || 4 ||
 * 13 || Ben Bielski (11) ||  || Riverton Primary || 4 ||
 * 14 || Andrew Cleave (16) ||  || South Otago HS || 4 ||
 * 15 || Packie Abel (12) ||  || Canterbury /Cobham 1 || 4 ||
 * 16 || Chris McKinnel (18) ||  || Verdon College 1 || 4 ||
 * 17 || Tabitha Lau (13) || (f) || Canterbury || 3.5 ||
 * 18 || Stephen Trebilco (13) ||  || Otago Boys HS || 3.5 ||
 * 19 || Manu Somerville (12) || (f) || Canterbury || 3 ||
 * 20 || Muhammad Saib (14) ||  || Otago Boys HS || 3 ||
 * 21 || Benjamin Dowden (8) ||  || Sacred Heart Primary || 3 ||
 * 22 || Karl Hooper (16) ||  || Kings HS 1 || 3 ||
 * 23 || Violet Baird (16) || (f) || Logan Park HS 1 || 3 ||
 * 24 || Michael Forde (17) ||  || Verdon College 1 || 3 ||
 * 25 || Stefano de Filippi (14) ||  || Waitaki Boys’ HS 1 || 3 ||
 * 26 || Jarrod Laurensen (16) ||  || Kings HS 2 || 3 ||
 * 27 || Lily Burrows (10) || (f) || Tainui Primary || 3 ||
 * 28 || Laura Ophuis (18) || (f) || Verdon College || 3 ||
 * 29 || Mervyn Perrin (16) ||  || South Otago HS || 3 ||
 * 30 || Patrick Dawson (11) ||  || Opoho Primary 1 || 3 ||
 * 31 || Whitney Choi (15) ||  || Waitaki Boys’ HS 1 || 3 ||
 * 32 || Nathan Thwaites (17) ||  || Verdon College 2 || 3 ||
 * 33 || Matthew Burgess (13) ||  || Kings HS 1 || 2.5 ||
 * 34 || Cato Agnew (14) ||  || Verdon College 1 || 2.5 ||
 * 35 || Ashleigh Brewer (12) || (f) || Balmacewan Int || 2.5 ||
 * 36 || Ethan Rogers (13) ||  || Kings HS 2 || 2 ||
 * 37 || Andy Chou (14) ||  || Bayfield HS || 2 ||
 * 38 || Tania Bracey (13) || (f) || Logan Park HS 1 || 2 ||
 * 39 || Nabeelah Saib (10) || (f) || Arthur St Primary || 2 ||
 * 40 || Lennon Nguyen (17) ||  || Kings HS 1 || 2 ||
 * 41 || David Morton (17) ||  || Verdon College 2 || 2 ||
 * 42 || Ajay-Kumar Parmar (18) ||  || Bayfield HS 1 || 2 ||
 * 43 || Allyn Robins (10) ||  || Opoho Primary 1 || 2 ||
 * 44 || Campbell Calverly (11) ||  || Opoho Primary 1 || 2 ||
 * 45 || Josie Burrows (13) || (f) || Tahuna Int || 1.5 ||
 * 46 || John Massie (17) ||  || South Otago HS || 1.5 ||
 * 47 || Sam Chau (17) ||  || Waitaki Boys’ HS 1 || 1 ||
 * 48 || Kerry van der Laan (18) ||  || Kings HS 2 || 1 ||
 * 49 || Jonathan Kelville (17) ||  || Verdon College 2 || 1 ||
 * 50 || Brenden Shirley (15) ||  || Verdon College || 0 ||
 * 50 || Brenden Shirley (15) ||  || Verdon College || 0 ||

Enquiries about junior chess should be directed to Tony Dowden at: __dnjrchess@yahoo.co.nz__

**Otago Spring Rapid - 28 August 2004**
NM Tony Dowden took out this event undefeated on 4.5/5 ahead of NM Richard Sutton on 4. Dowden's crucial win over Sutton in the penultimate round allowed him to win outright despite a draw in the last round against Quentin Johnson, who finished 3rd= with strong junior Andrew Stone on 3.5. The under 1500 prize was shared by tournament newcomers Geoff Dembo of Riverton and Kevin Peng of Otago University on 3 points, while the under 1500 junior prize was a three-way tie between Josie Burrows, Muhammad Saib and Cameron Vercoe-Groenen - all Otago Chess Club members - on 2.5.

Cross Table
code No Name                    Loc  Total  1    2    3    4    5

1. DOWDEN, R ANTHONY       2252 4.5    9:W  8:W  4:W  2:W  3:D 2. SUTTON, RICHARD J       2214 4     10:W  5:W  3:W  1:L  4:W 3. JOHNSON, QUENTIN J F    1912 3.5   11:W 17:W  2:L  8:W  1:D 4. HEPERI, DALLIN J N      1755 3     12:W  7:W  1:L 10:W  2:L 5. STONE, ANDREW           1712 3.5   13:W  2:L  6:W 11:W  7:D 6. ROWELL, TREVOR          1591 3     14:D  9:W  5:L  7:D 11:W 7. DEMBO, GEOFF P               3     15:W  4:L 16:W  6:D  5:D 8. PENG, KEVIN                  3     16:W  1:L 12:W  3:L 13:W 9. BURGESS, MATTHEW        1326 2      1:L  6:L 11:L   :W 16:W 10. BURROWS, JOSIE         1325 2.5    2:L 13:W 17:W  4:L 12:D 11. EBELING, TERRY              2      3:L 14:W  9:W  5:L  6:L 12. SAIB, MUHAMMAD         1259 2.5    4:L 15:W  8:L 16:W 10:D 13. BAIRD, VIOLET               2      5:L 10:L 14:W 15:W  8:L 14. VERCOE-GROENEN, CAMERON     2.5    6:D 11:L 13:L 17:W   :W 15. TOWNSHEND, ALANNAH          2      7:L 12:L   :W 13:L 17:W 16. SIVAPALAN, PRAVEEN          1      8:L   :W  7:L 12:L  9:L 17. WILSON, JEN                 1       :W  3:L 10:L 14:L 15:L code

**South Island Junior Championship**
Li Ding of Bayfield High School won the South Island Junior Chess Championship held at the Otago Chess Club on Saturday 21 August with 5.5/6 in a field of 50 players. In the crucial 5th round game top seed Andrew Stone of Otago University was winning against Ding but left a mate-in-one on as his time left dropped under 2 minutes. The under 16 prize was won by Sam McChesney, and the under 13 prize by Jeremy Watson, both from Christchurch, who finished 2nd= with Stone on 5 points. The South Island school team prize went to Cobham Intermediate of Christchurch, while Bayfield High School won the Otago school team prize.

Cross Table
code No Name               Total  1    2    3    4    5    6

1 Ding, Li            5.5   37:W 20:W  8:W  5:W  3:W  4:D 2 McChesney, Sam      5     33:W 11:W  6:D  4:D 13:W 10:W 3 Stone, Andrew       5     34:W 15:W 17:W  7:W  1:L  8:W 4 Watson, Jeremy      5     38:W 45:W 36:W  2:D  7:W  1:D 5 Watson, Stephen     4.5   23:W 19:W 12:W  1:L 11:W  6:D 6 Lau, Andrew         4.5   48:W 21:W  2:D 17:D 20:W  5:D 7 Mulinder, Guy       4     18:W 13:W 10:W  3:L  4:L 19:W 8 Abel, Sein          4     29:W 35:W  1:L 18:W 12:W  3:L 9 Bielski, Alex       4     27:W 17:L 28:W 14:W 24:W 16:L 10 Scarr, Joey        4     47:W 22:W  7:L 21:W 19:W  2:L 11 Alexander, Dean    4     30:W  2:L 37:W 36:W  5:L 25:W 12 Rule, Joshua       4     39:W 31:W  5:L 45:W  8:L 20:W 13 Bielski, Ben       4     50:W  7:L 38:W 25:W  2:L 32:W 14 Cleave, Andrew     4     26:D 42:D 22:W  9:L 36:W 17:W 15 Abel, Packie       4     24:W  3:L 23:L 47:W 41:W 21:W 16 McKinnel, Chris    4     49:W 36:L 40:W 19:L 23:W  9:W 17 Lau, Tabitha       3.5   46:W  9:W  3:L  6:D 27:W 14:L 18 Trebilco, Stephen  3.5    7:L 30:W 31:W  8:L 28:W 26:D 19 Somerville, Manu   3     25:W  5:L 48:W 16:W 10:L  7:L 20 Saib, Muhammad     3     32:W  1:L 29:W 23:W  6:L 12:L 21 Dowden, Ben        3     43:W  6:L 35:W 10:L 29:W 15:L 22 Hooper, Karl       3     28:W 10:L 14:L 30:W 25:L 41:W 23 Baird, Violet      3      5:L 50:W 15:W 20:L 16:L 42:W 24 Forde, Michael     3     15:L 33:D 42:W 26:W  9:L 27:D 25 de Filippi, Stefano 3    19:L 46:W 39:W 13:L 22:W 11:L 26 Laurenson, Jarrod  3     14:D 39:L 33:W 24:L 35:W 18:D 27 Burrows, Lily      3      9:L 47:W 45:D 31:W 17:L 24:D 28 Ophius, Laura      3     22:L 49:W  9:L 33:W 18:L 37:W 29 Perrin, Mervyn     3      8:L 34:W 20:L 40:W 21:L 39:W 30 Dawson, Patrick    3     11:L 18:L 46:W 22:L 38:W 40:W 31 Choi, Whitney      3     41:W 12:L 18:L 27:L 48:W 36:W 32 Thwaites, Nathan   3     20:L 37:L 34:W 38:W 39:W 13:L 33 Burgess, Matthew   2.5    2:L 24:D 26:L 28:L 46:W 45:W 34 Agnew, Cato        2.5    3:L 29:L 32:L 43:W 49:W 35:D 35 Brewer, Ashleigh   2.5   40:W  8:L 21:L 48:W 26:L 34:D 36 Rogers, Ethan      2     42:W 16:W  4:L 11:L 14:L 31:L 37 Chou, Andy         2      1:L 32:W 11:L 41:L 44:W 28:L 38 Bracey, Tania      2      4:L 44:W 13:L 32:L 30:L 49:W 39 Saib, Nabeelah     2     12:L 26:W 25:L 49:W 32:L 29:L 40 Nguyen, Lennon     2     35:L 41:W 16:L 29:L 47:W 30:L 41 Morton, David      2     31:L 40:L 50:W 37:W 15:L 22:L 42 Parmar, Ajay-Kumar 2     36:L 14:D 24:L 46:D 45:W 23:L 43 Robins, Allyn      2     21:L 48:L 49:L 34:L 50:W 47:W 44 Calverly, Campbell 2     45:L 38:L 47:L 50:W 37:L 48:W 45 Burrows, Josie     1.5   44:W  4:L 27:D 12:L 42:L 33:L 46 Massie, John       1.5   17:L 25:L 30:L 42:D 33:L 50:W 47 Chau, Sam          1     10:L 27:L 44:W 15:L 40:L 43:L 48 Van Der Laan, Kerry 1     6:L 43:W 19:L 35:L 31:L 44:L 49 Kelville, Jonathan 1     16:L 28:L 43:W 39:L 34:L 38:L 50 Shirley, Brenden   0     13:L 23:L 41:L 44:L 43:L 46:L

code

**Otago Chess Club Championship**
With most of the 1st leg of the 2004 Otago Cub Championship played, Richard Sutton will be taking point and a half lead into the 2nd leg after drawing with Duncan Watts and beating everyone else in the A Grade. Scores (out of 7): Sutton 6.5, Watts 5, Q Johnson 4.5, B Petch 4, T Dowden 3.5, G Haase 2.5, G Aimers 1.5, A Newbould 0.5. Hamish Gold was eventually caught by Andrew Stone in the B Grade, and these two lead the field. Scores (out of 7 unless stated): Gold & Stone 5.5, T Duffield 4/6, C Bourne 4, A Ritchie 3/6, S Chandra 2.5, B Southgate 1.5, D Reid 1. Many unplayed games have affected the C Grade, though new member Violet Baird looks to be leading ahead of Matthew Burgess. Scores (out of 5 unless stated): Baird 3/4, Burgess 3, B Stevenson & M Saib 2/2, S Trebilco & T Bracey 2, J Wilson 0. Otago Primary/Intermediate school champion Josie Burrows leads the D Grade, though Nabeelah Saib could catch her with a final win. Scores (out of 6 unless stated): J Burrows 4.5, J Favel 4, N Saib 3.5/5, C Leza 3, J Matthews 2.5, L Burrows 2, A Brewer 0.5/5. With a win over Tony Dowden, Richard Sutton has taken the lead in the 1st leg of the Otago Club Championship A grade on 5/5. Only Duncan Watts on 4.5/6 has a chance to overtake if he beats Sutton with black. The 1st leg of the 2004 Otago Club championship has been notable for upsets, and 5th seed Duncan Watts is the surprise leader in the A grade on 4.5/6, ahead of Quentin Johnson (4.5/7), Richard Sutton (4/4) and Tony Dowden (3.5/6). Crucial results to come will be Sutton-Watts and Sutton-Dowden, with Sutton ominously still able to catch Watts. Hamish Gold is making no contest of the B Grade with 5.5/6