Four teams reach KO Cup finals

(Newcastle Chronicle, 6 September 2024)

The Northumberland Summer Cup and Plate’s 22 teams have been whittled down to just four for the Finals, which take place on Monday September 16 at Gosforth Chess Club. Morpeth take on Forest Hall Badgers in the Cup Final, while Gosforth Regents play Gosforth Centurions in the Plate Final.

This year the competition has a new format, with World Cup-style qualifying groups before the knockout stage. Over 220 games have been played, helping chess clubs stay active over the summer months. Top teams from four groups qualified for the Cup semis, while second-placed teams from the group stages went through to the Plate semis. The handicap system awards extra points to lower rated teams.

In the Cup semi-finals at Gosforth on September 2, Morpeth fielded Division 1 stars Roger Coathup, Mike Smyth, James Turner and Alan Welsh to win 4-2.5 versus Forest Hall Magpies. The Magpies had their highly experienced lineup of Mike Smith, Jeff Baird, Steve Bowey and Jeff Bentham. Although the Magpies had a 2.5 handicap, Morpeth swept the board 4-0.

The other Cup semi-final saw two Minor teams, Gateshead and Forest Hall Badgers, duel it out. The Badgers, including three young players Morgan French, Hanif Zaman, and Reece Wright, triumphed 3-1 versus the more experienced Gateshead (Kevin Cox, Barry Edgar, Peter Wells and Alex Johnson). Since Gateshead had the lower average rating, the Badgers had needed 2.5 points to go through, while Gateshead only needed 2 points.

In the first Plate semi-final, underdogs Gosforth Centurions (Antonio Stipanovic, David Pritchard, Michael Owen and Brandon Russell) edged out Division 1’s Jesmond (Edward Dodds, Chris Izod, Andy Trevelyan and Alex Surtees) 3.5-3, after Stipanovic pulled off a fine giantkiller win against Dodds. With a 2.5-point handicap, this saw Centurions through to the final.

In the other Plate semi-final, Gosforth Regents (Mark McKay, Alex Blake, Ian Chester and Martin Beardsley) overcame Gosforth Hawthorns (Alex Piercy, Jacob Manley, Steve Armstrong and Andrew Brown) 4-2.5.

In the Cup Final, Open team Morpeth will be giving a 3.5-point head start to Minor team Forest Hall Badgers. Morpeth need a clean sweep, while just one draw will give the Badgers the title.

In the Plate Final, Major team Gosforth Regents give a 1.5-point handicap to Intermediate team Gosforth Centurions. The Regents need 3 points to win, while the Centurions just need 1.5.

Spectators for the Finals are welcome at the Gosforth Empire Club, 32-24 Salters Road, Gosforth. Matches kick off at 7:15pm.

The next big local chess gathering is the 60th Northumberland Weekend Congress, 27-29 September at The Parks Leisure Centre, North Shields. Entries are being taken at: https://northumberlandchess.wixsite.com/congress.

PUZZLES

Puzzle A: Andy Burnett (White) to play

Puzzle B: Jude Shearsby (Black) to play

Puzzle C: Billy Fellowes (White) to play

Puzzle D: David Wise (White) to play

ANSWERS:

A: 1 Rh3+ 1-0. If 1…Bxh3 2 Qxg5.
B: 1…Bxb2+! 2 Qxb2 Qe1+ 3 Kc2 Rd2+ 0-1
C: 1 Rxc6+! Bxc6 2 Rb1 1-0.
D: 1 Rxb7! Qc8 (1…Qxb7 2 Nxd6+! exd6 3 Ba6+) 2 Nxd6+! exd6 3 Bb5+ Be7 4 Bxd7+ Qxd7 5 Rxd7 and White won.