Forest Hall giantkillers qualify for Cup semi-finals

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(Newcastle Chronicle, 12 July 2024)

The Northumbria Summer Handicap groups have produced a bevy of dramatic last-round matches, with both Forest Hall teams qualifying for the Cup semi-finals, while two Gosforth teams have made it through into the Plate semi-finals.

The handicap system gives lower-rated teams an advantage against higher-rated teams, evening up the chances for all 22 teams taking part in the competition.

In Group A, Forest Hall Magpies (an Intermediate team) qualified for the Cup semi-finals as winners due to a giantkiller win over Gosforth Empire (an Open team), thanks to a win by Forest Hall’s Steve Bowey and a 2.5-point handicap. Jesmond (an Open team) qualified for the Plate semi-finals as the second team in Group A, beating Gosforth Regents (a Major team) 3.5-2.

Group B winners Forest Hall Badgers (a Minor team who were already qualified for the Cup before the fifth round) were defeated 1.5-2.5 by Gosforth Hawthorns, a fellow Minor team. The result allowed the Hawthorns to leapfrog Gosforth Salters and Newcastle A into the Plate semi-finals, due to the Hawthorns being the lower rated team.

Group C results have been known since last month, with Morpeth A qualifying for the Cup, and Morpeth B going into a playoff match with Gosforth Regents to decide the last Plate semi-final place.

In Group D, Gateshead beat Newcastle B 4.5-2, while Leam Lane beat Gosforth Centurions 3.5-2. These results put Gateshead (Minor) ahead of the Centurions (Intermediate) as the lower rated team.

Scores in full:

Group A:
1 Forest Hall Magpies 8
2 Jesmond 8
3 Gosforth Regents 6
4 Gosforth Empire 6
5 Gosforth Jedis 2
6 Newcastle C 0

Group B:
1 Forest Hall Badgers 8
2 Newcastle Hawthorns 6
3 Newcastle Salters 6
4 Newcastle A 6
5 Newcastle University 4
6 Gosforth Ivy 0

Group C:
1 Morpeth A 6
2 Morpeth B 4
3 Alnwick 2
4 Tynemouth 0

Group D:
1 Gateshead 8
2 Gosforth Centurions 8
3 Tynedale 4
4 Leam Lane 4
5 South Shields 4
6 Newcastle B 2

The Cup and Plate semi-finals will take place at Gosforth Empire Club on September 2.
Cup semi-final pairings are Forest Hall Magpies v Morpeth A, and Gateshead v Forest Hall Badgers.
Plate semi-final pairings are Gosforth Centurions v Jesmond, and Morpeth B/Gosforth Regents v Gosforth Hawthorns.

The Durham & Northumberland Blitz Championships at South Shields on July 7 attracted a field of 36 players. Top scores were: 1 Charlie Storey 8.5; 2 Thomas Eggleston (Durham) 8; 3 David Walker (Leam Lane) 7.5.

This Sunday the Gosforth Junior Tournament takes place at St Mary’s Catholic School, Longbenton. Entries to: mickriding@hotmail.co.uk.

PUZZLES

Puzzle A: Black to play and win

Puzzle B: White to play and win

Puzzle C: White to play and win

Puzzle D: White to play and win

ANSWERS:

A: 1…Nd3+ 2 Kb1 Ndf4+! 3 Ka1 Nxh5.
B: 1 Qc8+ Kh7 2 Nf8+! Bxf8 3 Qxf5+.
C: 1 Rxc6! Qxc6 2 Be4 Qb6 3 Bxa8.
D: 1 Rc8+ Kg7 2 Bf8+ Kf6 3 Rc6+ Kf5 4 Nd4+ Ke4 5 Nxe2.