British
Championships 2005
The 92nd BCF Congress took
place in Douglas, Isle of Man from 31st July - 13th August. The leading
contenders were reigning champion Jonathan Rowson (2599g, SCO), John
Emms (2509g, ENG), Stuart Conquest (2503g, ENG), Chris Ward (2485g,
ENG), Simon Williams (2461m, ENG), Gawain Jones (2442m, ENG), Andrew
Greet (2425m, ENG) and Richard Pert (2424m, ENG) in a field of 46.
Jonathan Rowson successfully defended the title he won last year in
Scarborough. This makes him the 7th player to win the title two years in
succession (after Atkins, Yates, Sultan Khan, Winter, Penrose and
Hodgson). Congratulations to him. Leading scores: 1 J Rowson (SCO)
8½/11; 2-3 S Conquest, S Haslinger 8; 4-5 J Emms, R Pert 7½, 6-7 S
Gordon, A Greet 7.
Download
all 253 games in pgn format (rds 1-11). Details of all results and
events
here.
The event was held at the
beautifully refurbished
Villa Marina, one of the best venues ever used for the British
Championships with splendid facilities and panoramic views across
Douglas Bay. I was lucky enough to spend two weeks there playing firstly
in the U175 championships and in the second week, the week 2 open.
This page will just give you an idea of what it was like. I hope the British returns to the Isle of Man some
time soon, it's a beautiful place with outstanding scenery and friendly
people.
GM Jonathan
Rowson, British Champion 2005
Villa Marina
front entrance with balcony cafe.
The lawn area
at the front of the Marina bathed in warm sunshine.
Villa Marina
front lawn with bandstand and views of the harbour.
The Minister for Tourism
Hon. David Cretney MHK (far left) opened the event.
Round 1. GM John
Emms starts the clocks v Charles Tippleston.
Round 1: GM
Stuart Conquest (dark blue shirt) pondering his first move.
Round 3. Don
Mason and Steven Gordon (centre) about to start play.
Round 3: GM
John Emms (black pieces) in play against Martin Mitchell.
Round 3: In
the background (dark blue top) IM Stewart Haslinger.
Round 4: IM
Simon Knott (foreground) starting play against Don Mason.
Round 5:
Conquest v Gordon. A win for White in 38
moves.
Round 5: IM
Paul Littlewood (foreground) preparing to play Tim Woodward.
Round 5: IM Richard Pert (left) v GM Chris Ward. White lost in 16 moves!
Round 7: Last minute swotting from the congress bulletin.
The famous horse drawn trams on Douglas promenade.
On the middle Sunday we travelled to Port Erin by steam train.
The engine that pulled us from there and back.
View from the train towards the south of the island near Stanton Station.
Port Erin harbour. Faint outline of N.Ireland can be seen in the distance.
Hotels along the front at Port Erin. Port Erin is the splendid venue of
the
annual Monarch Assurance Tournament.
One of the oldest houses in Port Erin circa. 1734.
View from the harbour wall.
Douglas to Laxey electric train.
The famous Laxey Wheel.
Panoramic views from Snaefell summit.
Looking North towards Ramsey.
Looking South.
Round 8: IM Andrew Greet v Stuart Conquest.
Round 8: IM Stewart Haslinger prepares his scoresheet.
Round 11: Last round starts dead on 2.15pm.
Round 11: GM Rowson v GM Emms. A quiet 14 move draw claims the
title.
Douglas Harbour clock
Picturesque Douglas town centre.
Sunset on board Super Seacat II on our return home.
