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Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 128

UK National Chess Finals
04/04/2009
(National Competition, UK Finals)

Knocknamuckley travelled to Larne for the UK National Chess Finals. The chess final had a very similar look to last season with 1st Knocknamuckley, 32nd Nottingham and reigning champions 1st Newtonhill all competing again, with 7th Edinburgh joining them to complete the line up.

The draw paired Knocknamuckley against Newtonhill, in a rematch of last seasons UK final, and Nottingham faced Edinburgh in the other semi final.

v 1st Newtonhill
(UK Semi Final)

Knocknamuckley played reigning champions 1st Newtonhill in a repeat of last year’s final.

The Knocknamuckley boys knew that they would be up against it, as Newtonhill had won the last three National Chess competitions. In the opening round Newtonhill showed why they have won the last three UK titles, as their three very accomplished players won their games despite the best efforts of Stephen Russell, Neill Adamson and Colin Irwin.

1st Round 1st Knocknamuckley 0 v 3 1st Newtonhill

In the second round of matches Colin Irwin and Neill Adamson were unable to match their opponents. Stephen Russell outplayed his opponent in the other match, but a silly mistake cost him, just as he looked like sealing a win.

2nd Round 1st Knocknamuckley 0 v 6 1st Newtonhill

The third and final round followed a very similar pattern to the previous one, as a bad move cost Russell a victory after working himself into a win-able position, and Colly Irwin and Noker lost out, despite doing very little wrong.

Final Result 1st Knocknamuckley 0v 9 1st Newtonhill

This defeat meant that they could no longer win the competition, and would compete in the 3rd/4th place play off, as Newtonhill progressed to the final.

The other semi final finished 32nd Nottingham 6 v 2 7th Edinburgh.

v 7th Edinburgh
(UK 3rd/4th placed Play-Off)

Knocknamuckley faced 7th Edinburgh, who were National Champions in 2004, to decide who finished 3rd and who finished 4th in the UK.

Colin Irwin and Neill Adamson were unable to win their first games, as their Scottish opponents took the advantage in the match. Stephen Russell maintained his concentration throughout a tight game, which eventually ended in a stalemate, securing Knocknamuckley’s first half point.

1st Round 1st Knocknamuckley 0.5 v 2.5 7th Edinburgh

Things did not look good for Muckley, as they were trailing by two points going into the second round of games. Neill Adamson played his best match so far and secured a stalemate, while Stephen Russell improved further on his previous performance and won the game. Colin Irwin also produced an impressive win, after lifting his opponent’s queen with a pawn, which proved the decisive moment in the match, and drew Knocknamuckley level.

2nd Round 1st Knocknamuckley 3 v 3 7th Edinburgh

The sides were all square going into the final round of games. Neill Adamson despite his best effort was unable to get anything out of his match up. Stephen Russell won his game, to finish the play-off as unbeaten, and Colin Irwin put in an impressive display for a comfortable win.

Final Result 1st Knocknamuckley 5 v 4 7th Edinburgh

1st Newtonhill defeated 32nd Nottingham 6-2 in the final to be crowned United Kingdom champions for the fourth time in a row, and a fifth time in total.
Knocknamuckley finished third after a tight victory over 7th Edinburgh. The boys played well, and competed well against Newtonhill in the semi final despite the emphatic scoreline. Special mention must go to Colin Irwin who only recently learnt how to play chess, and competed very well throughout, and finished with two wins in the 3rd/4th place play-off.

Team: N. Adamson, C. Irwin, Russell.