TITANIC QUARTER OUTDOOR ELITE BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP 2020
For a video of the highlights of this unique tournament:
The Pump House at Titanic Quarter was host to an outdoor chess experiment. The challenge was to create an over-the-broad tournament in a safe environment. The solution was to play outdoors on pic-nic tables and the players were asked to wear face coverings and gloves at the chess boards. It proved successful and everyone enjoyed the 7 rounds of blitz chess. Hopefully it will inspire other tournament organisers to hold outdoor speed events.
Congratualtions to the prize-winners at the Titanic Quarter Elite Blitz. Speed powerhouse Danny Roberts could only play 6 rounds but won 6/6 to clinch the title, with Robbie Wright securing second place with 5 points. With three players finishing on 4 points, Adam Rushe won the tie-break for 3rd, with Matthew Dougherty clinching the 'Top Student' trophy and James Wong awarded 'Best Teenager'. Aaron Wafflart won the Under 1400 Rating trophy and 'Best Under 25 Player' was awarded to Edward Khanzharov.
The 8 elite players were invited based on their prize-winning performances over the past 12 months. Danny Roberts for winning the Ulster Rapidplay Championship in February 2020, Robbie Wright as Div 1 Champion and Board 2 winner (February 2020), Chris Dorrian as the Bangor Congress Intermediate Champion (October 2019), UU student Edward Khanzharov as Division 2 Champion (February 2020), 21 year old Aaron Wafflart as the Williamson Shield Intermediate Champion (January 2020), QUB Board 1 Matthew Dougherty for 3rd Place in the Intermediate section of the Ulster Masters (November 2019), 19 year old Adam Rushe as the Strand Chess Club October 2019 Blitz Champion and 18 year old James Wong as the February 2020 Youth Rapidplay Champion at Methodist College, Belfast.
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