Hanzharov wins FIDE-rated City of Bangor Winter Blitz

"Fast Eddie" blitzes the opposition at Groomsport Parish Hall

FIDE-rated City of Bangor Winter Blitz 2023

Tournament report by Brendan Jamison, FIDE National Arbiter

Thursday 16 February 2023

It was a jam-packed house, with 45 players competing for 10 trophies in the FIDE-rated Bangor Winter Blitz. We had a special visitor from Germany, 16 year old Hannes Badur, currently on an exchange, and staying with Calum Glendinning.

Another highlight was seeing 7 females competing, travelling from far and wide, with 12 year old Skyla Finnegan all the way from Armagh, Bernie McCarty (Belfast), Leah and Jennifer Worbey (Greenisland FC), Julia McNab (Ards) and Club Chair Rebecca McClean (Bangor) who brought several regulars from her Tuesday night Geek Retreat Chess sessions - Seamus Fitzpatrick and Oliver Mead.

On the night, two more players paid their annual fees to Club Treasurer Geoff Sterrett, 16 year old Ben Toogood and 17 year old newcomer Owen Brannigan, a school friend of club member Jonah McConnell. Club Chair Rebecca McClean was delighted to see this takes the membership level to 48 in the current season.

The night also saw Caleb McClean bring a new teenage player along, Max, who enjoyed friendlies in the corner with chess parent Eric Fuchs.

Congratulations to the 10 prize-winners:

Champion: Eddie Hanzharov (6/6) Strand Chess Club

2nd: Adam Rushe (5/6) Bangor Chess Club

3rd: Jonah McConnell (5/6) Bangor Chess Club

Female Champion: Leah Worbey (4/6) Greenisland FC Chess Club

Intermediate Champion: Louison Fuchs (4/6) Bangor Chess Club

Inter 2nd: Peter McNab (4/6) Bangor Chess Club

Inter 3rd: Saoirse Rippon (3/6) Lisburn Chess Club

Junior Champion: Peter Murphy (5/6) Greenisland FC Chess Club

Junior 2nd: Oliver Todd (4/6) Bangor Chess Club

Junior 3rd: Hannes Badur (3/6) from Germany

For those hungry for more blitz chess, Chris Dorrian is running a FIDE blitz at Greenisland FC on Friday 24th February. 8 rounds of 6+0. There are currently 27 entered and only a few places left so book and prepay now if you’re keen to play.

The next FIDE-rated event at Bangor Chess Club is the U1800 Groomsport Classic. It will be held on the evening of Thursday 30th March (2 rounds) and Saturday 1st April (3 rounds). It costs £15 to enter and is an excellent opportunity to get games to count towards a player achieving their FIDE debut classic rating.

Please note the Ulster Rapid Championship is filling up at lightning speed (Sat 15th April) and we are limited to 50 players at the venue so if you would like to take part, we recommend booking and prepaying by end of February to avoid disappointment.

The next FIDE rating list will be published on the afternoon of Tuesday 28th February and we have many events lined-up to be rated on that day so it will be exciting to see all the new FIDE debut ratings…