Declan’s outstanding performance
22 Sept: 36 took part in 3 groups of 12 in an acclaimed day of speed chess. This included an excellent number of 7 juniors. Feedback to organisers Steve Peirson and Martin Simons was that it was really enjoyed and good fun. Also an excellent lunch, with Martin providing his now famous hot food.
Junior Declan swept to victory with 10 wins from 11 games played. It says much for the dominance and exceptional potential of this young man that a major talking point was his solitary loss to Jamie MacDonald. Jamie became busy helping others understand how he achieved this win against the odds. Declan won the Southbourne 10 Second Buzzer with 6/6 just a week ago.
Main picture above Declan, foreground and on the left
Apart from Declan, 6 juniors won prizes. Vaughan de Grave (Ringwood) won 1st Junior prize and is pictured alongside extreme left, foreground. Florence Spirling (Purbeck), age 10, achieved 2nd Junior prize and she is the extreme right, also foreground
Group A:
1st – Declan Lovelock (Southbourne) £50 and Dorset Blitz Champion
2nd – Jamie MacDonald (Unattached) £25
U-170 – Mark Littleton (Wimborne) £20
Group B:
1st – Richard Smith (Poole) £50
2nd – Steve Dean (Seaton) £25
U-140 – Phil Pinto (Emsworth) £20
Group C:
1st – Jamie Doyle (Poole) £50
2nd – Ted Paul (Dorchester) £25
U-80 – Andre Hopkins (Salisbury) £20
Veteran:
Kevin Huntley (Salisbury) £20
Junior:
1st – Vaughan de Grave (Ringwood) £20
2nd – Florence Spirling (Purbeck) £15
3rd – Jessica Baskett (Ringwood) £10
4th – Jack Baskett (Ringwood) £5