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CORNWALL CHESS ASSOCIATION

Summary of 2001/02 Season

Annual General Meeting - 30th May
This year's AGM will be held on Thursday 30th May in the Upper Sixth Common Room of Truro School commencing at 7.30 p.m.
Minutes
Cornwall Quickplay Championship - 18th May 2002
This was held in the Upper Sixth Common Room of Truro School and was won by Jeremy Menadue with 4½/5. Equal 2nd on 4/5 were Robin Kneebone, David Saqui, Roger Grime and Douglas Cooke.
The Quickplay Championship was also the final event in the first Grand Prix and counted for triple points. As a result of his 4/5 David Saqui finished on 619 points, just ahead of Roger Grime who was second with 609. David therefore holds the Aelred Horn Cup for the next year.
Cornwall Open Quickplay (inc Under 14 Championship) - 16th March 2002
In a close competition David Saqui was the winner with 5½/6 with Ian George 2nd on 5. The decisive game was the meeting between these two in round 5 which was drawn after David had defended resourcefully against a dangerous sacrificial attack.
Jeremy Kneebone is the new under 14 champion with 4/6.
James Hooker takes over as leader of the Grand Prix.
Our first win in the last match of the season - particularly satifying since this is only the second time we've beaten Dorset in 15 years
Penwith Open Quickplay - 7th February 2002
This event was organised by the Penwith club at the Queen's Hotel, Penzance. Joint winners were Roger Grime and James Hooker on 5 with David Saqui on 4½/6. Mark Hutchings of the Penwith club won the under 140 grading prize. Roger Grime now takes over as the new leader in the Cornwall Grand Prix.
County Match v Gloucestershire (02/02/02)
Anton was unable to raise a full team and therefore this match did not take place.
Congratulations to the new Cornwall Champion, James Hooker, who won the Emigrant Cup with a score of 5/6. David Saqui was 2nd with 4½.
The Falmouth Cup was won by Ian Rescorla, while Dr K. Hocking finally won the Penwith Cup after coming second two years in a row.
Camborne Open Quickplay - 7th December 2001
This event, part of the new Cornwall Rapidplay Grand Prix, was held at Camborne British Legion. The outcome was a tie for first place between Colin Sellwood (Camborne), Percy Gill (Penwith) and Jeremy Menadue. Stefan Leaver won a grading prize. There were 19 entries from all parts of the county. Results and updated standings in the various sections of the Circuit will be posted here shortly.
Unfortunately another loss to report, this time by 6½ - 9½. Simon Bartlett's board 5 game is well worth a look, though - very effective gambit play much to the taste of the writer.
The county team went down to a narrow 7½ - 8½ defeat in this match.
The county team went down to a 4 - 10 defeat in this match, the only winner being James Hooker on board 6.
Despite wins from Ian George, Simon Bartlett, Anton Barkhuysen and James Hooker the county team went down to a disappointing 5 - 11 defeat against Somerset.
At the annual team jamboree at Taunton a date clash with the 4NCL League meant that only three teams competed in the senior section (Cornwall, Devon and Gloucestershire). Cornwall scored 4½ on the 11 boards played. Jeremy Menadue, Gary Trudeau and Grant Lakeland (in his last match before going to university) all won, while Ian George, Mark Hassall and Colin Sellwood drew.
League and Cup Competitions
Both divisions of the league are now complete and the final tables can be viewed from the links below.

Penwith are the new league champions and North Cornwall are relegated. St Austell, who finished 7th will only be relegated if Liskeard B, who finished 2nd in division 2, elect to be promoted.

Godolphin B are promoted as champions. Liskeard B finished second and are eligible for promotion if they so choose.

The final, played at Camborne on 17th May, resulted in a 3 - 2 win for Truro against Camborne. The only decisive game was on board 1 where Jeremy Menadue defeated Philip Williams.

Penwith completed their successful season by defeating Truro 3½ - 1½ in the final on 20th May.
Duchy Junior Congress and Open Quickplay
Truro College 13 and 14 October
Once again Robin Kneebone and his team put on a highly enjoyable event at this excellent venue. It was good to see several players from outside the county, particularly the Hall family from Wiltshire. 11 year old Jeremy Kneebone's display was especially noteworthy as he entered both open events, scoring more than 50% in each.

Under 10 Championship (Saturday - 19 entries)
This was won by Toby Hall of Wiltshire with 7/7. Second with 6/7 was Edward Sirl of St Uny and he is the new Cornwall under 10 champion.

Open Quickplay (Saturday - 25 entries)
This was the first event in the new Rapidplay circuit (Aelred Horn Cup) and incorporated the Under 16 Championship. The winner with 6/7 was Jeremy Menadue (Truro). Mark Hassall (Truro) took second place with 5½. Sharing third place with 5 were David Saqui (Penwith) and Simon Bartlett (North Cornwall). In the group on 4½ were Tim Manton (Penwith) and Douglas Cooke (Liskeard) and they are joint under 16 champions.

Under 12 Championship (Sunday - 26 entries)
Another success for Toby Hall with 6/7. Equal second with 5½ were Peter Sirl, Joseph Grassby (both Truro School) and Owen Evans (St Ives). Applying the tie-break rules, Peter Sirl is the new under 12 champion.

Open 15 minute Blitz (Sunday - 19 entries)
This was run as a 7 round double-pairing competition. Equal first were Jeremy Menadue (Truro) and David Saqui (Penwith) with 12/14. Four players finished in third place with 8½: Douglas Cooke (Liskeard), Jeremy Kneebone, Tim Manton (both Penwith) and Simon Bartlett (North Cornwall)

Goldolphin A won their final match against the Penzance Pirates and therefore win the competition with a 100% score.
Cornwall Junior Chess Bodmin Tournament - 26 and 27 January 2002
This event was held at Bodmin Community School and was organised with their customary enthusiasm and efficiency by Sheila and Graham Cooke. Here are the results of the various sections

Under 11 Championship (Saturday - 17 entries)
This was won by Beth Hardwick of Devoran with 6/6. Second with 5/6 was James Ward (Trewidland).

Open Quickplay (Saturday - 25 entries)
This was the third event in the Cornwall Grand Prix. The winner with 5/6 was Roger Grime (Godolphin). Jeremy Menadue (Truro), Robin Kneebone and James Hooker (both Penwith) shared 2nd place on 4½.
In the Cornwall Grand Prix Jeremy Menadue retains the lead with Mark Hassall (Truro) still in 2nd place. This moves Roger up to 3rd place.

Under 9 Championship (Sunday - 14 entries)
The new Under 9 champion is Edward Sirl (St Uny) with 5½/6.

Under 13 Championship (Sunday - 12 entries)
This was won by Jeremy Kneebone (Cape Cornwall) with 5½/6, a point ahead of Edward Ward (Devonport)

In Memoriam Robin Pearce (1953 - 2001)
I am sad to report that Robin Pearce died suddenly on 17th October at the age of 48 after a long period of ill health. Older readers will remember him as part of the very strong Truro School team of the late 1960's that also included Robin Kneebone. He won the Falmouth Cup in 1968/69 followed by the Under 18 Championship the following year. In 1970/71, his first year at Cambridge, he won the Emigrant Cup for the first time, the youngest person to do so until the arrival of Michael Adams. He repeated this achievement in 1972/73 when he was also president of the Cambridge University Chess Club which at that time was the strongest in the land. After leaving Cambridge he moved to the capital and became a respected and energetic organiser in London and Middlesex chess. In particular he was a founder member and long-time secretary of the King's Head club.

My own memories of him date back to primary school days. From first encountering him in the first year class at Barncoose C.P., then throughout our schooldays to regular meetings in university vacations, I enjoyed many hours in his company. His contribution to chess, particularly in London, was immense and he will be much missed.