Navigation Rapidplay 2009
Will Place
The 2009 rapidplay event saw several of Nottinghamshire's finest quickplay players do battle at the Navigation's drinking hole. The event attracted enough players to justify splitting off into two sections. Based on last years grades, the U110's flexed their grey matter downstairs with none other than the ‘ratpack’ eagerly watching on.
Doubtless spurred on in this knowledge, it was West Bridgford's Mike Hunter who was the eventual victor with a splendid 4½/5.
| 1st | Mike Hunter, West Bridgford | (4½/5) |
| Joint 2nd | Lukasz Kacprzak, Navigation | (4/5) |
| Joint 2nd | Frank Hill, West Bridgford | (4/5) |
Upstairs the battle raged at a ferocious rate, and the beer supped at an even greater tempo! Mike Barnes ‘el presidente’ took over the running of the event and allowed your faithful author to even up the numbers. (Everyone in the room sighed with relief knowing it was this way round and that Mike wouldn't be playing!!)
A lengthy break was needed for snacks and yards more beer before the final showdown happened. In the final round four players were in a position to win the prestigious rapidplay. Robert Richmond out foxed Jon Tait and Drag Sudar played an ingenious interposing check to outwit yours truly. In the end Drag made sure the trophy remained with Gambit (for another year!) on account of the fact he had previously beaten Robert (who ended on the same score) in Rd 2.
| 1st | Drag Sudar, Gambit | (4/5) |
| 2nd | Robert Richmond, West Bridgford | (4/5) |
My thanks to: Mike Barnes for graciously stepping in to help run the 'open' event; Anniek and Kev for running the U110 section and the Navigation for the yummy food and hosting the atmospheric battleground.
Some photos taken from the event:
