Over 35 players from the UK, the Netherlands and the Republic
of Ireland gathered at the Midland Hotel, Derby for the Braille
Chess Association
(B.C.A.)
Annual General Meeting (AGM) tournament on March 19-21. Five
rounds of chess were played under the same tournaments except
for essential modifications to the board and pieces. The tournament
was divided into an Open section
for strong players and a Minor for those with a chess grading
of 80 or below.
Graham Lilley (St Helens), a former British Visually Handicapped
Champion, won the Open, conceding only one draw to finish on 4.5/5.
In second place was Chris Ross (Huntingdon) on 4/5. Close behind
on 3.5/5 were Steve Thacker (Nottingham), Paul Cumbers (Sheffield)
and Colin Chambers (Cheltenham).
Junior member Simon Ledwith (RNIB New College, Worcester) won
the Minor section with 4.5/5, followed by Shirley Watkins (Blackpool)
on 4/5 and Geoff Patching (Penzance) with 3.5/5.
The BCA would like to thank the Freemasons of Derbyshire for
their support of this event.
Richard Murphy
B.C.A. Publicity Officer
Chris Ross describes Graham Lilley’s
last round win to clinch the trophy.
Picture from the tournament