21 Dec: Southbourne Christmas Handicap has record entry for "fun & enjoyment" - Len Laker wins with 5.5/6 & is also ahead on mince pies

Summary:

There was a very pleasing record entry of 33 players at the Southbourne CC Christmas Handicap Tournament since the club has moved to its new premises.  As always, fun & enjoyment was the main theme with Christmas music being played throughout together with Bucks fizz & mince pies being offered during the tea break and, as is tradition, all players won at least one wrapped up Christmas present at the end of the evening.  There was also a £1 book sale.  Well played to Len Laker (144) who played brilliant attacking chess to win the tournament with 5½ points out of 6, also for eating most mince pies!  There were other notable great performances from James Forster (176) who came 2nd with 5 points, Mark Squires (70) who came 6th equal with 4 points, Chas Best (95) who came 11th equal with 3½ points and Savanna Forster (40), Janet Lucas (75) & Mark Spalding (90) who came 14th equal with a 50% score.

We hope to see you all again next year.

Southbourne Chess Club

(Special thanks to Controller Martin Simons & John Harris who. as always, both worked hard to make this event such a success)