Saturday 8 February 2020

Frodsham Chess Congress

Last weekend I took the trains to Frodsham, near Chester, to take part in the Minor section of the Chess Congress held there. I stayed at the Old Hall Hotel in the town, a twenty minute walk to the venue, which was the Community Centre in Fluin Lane. I won my first game on the Friday evening, lost the next two on the Saturday, then drew one and won one on the Sunday, scoring 2.5/5.

There were quite a few other players from the Crewe Chess Club there as well, though I think some of them were traveling there by car each day. The Arbiter Francis Bowers was staying at the same hotel and we travelled together as far as Crewe on the return journey on Sunday evening. I think that was the first time I'd met him since the World Circular Chess in Lincoln some years ago.

Here are the results of the congress:
https://chess-results.com/tnr511730.aspx?lan=7&art=0&flag=30
Clicking on a player's name shows the games they played and the results.

I treated the weekend as a sort of holiday and spent some time walking around to see the local sights. Such as the Castle Park (though without a Castle) which was full of dog-walkers. Then on Sunday morning along to the river where there is an impressive Victorian railway viaduct, dated MDCCCL in prominent Roman numerals, high up. Unfortunately I forgot to take a camera.