Relaunched Oxford Tournament a Success

After a six year gap the Oxford Tournament was relaunched and successfully attracted 57 players. The previous Oxford event had 92 players, but that included a team playing a varsity match and attendances were generally higher in 2013. This time a new venue was used, Oxford Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre. This former meeting hall, converted into a community centre including a chapel and various side rooms, is conveniently near the centre of the city, tucked in behind Pembroke College and the new shopping centre.

Best of the players was Chao Zhang (6d London) who won all three games, including beating Romania's Alexandru-Petre Pitrop (4d), America's Hugh Zhang (6d) and Cheng Gong (3d London City). Hugh was rewarded with the runners-up prize. Those winning all three games lower down were Malcom Walker (5k No Club), John Bamford (7k Oxford Uni) and Paul Heeney (18k No Club). There was a large number of junior players (15 between 3k and 38k) and the organisers acknowledged them with certificates and prizes in various age groups. Results

The best team was judged to be the Brummies, but they generously gave their prize to the junior team with a very long name that was second and wrongly announced as first. The free entry draw was won by Lawrence Baker (20k Oxford). The winner of the 9x9 side event was Auden Oliviere with 7/7, second was John Pusey with 5/9 and third was Alex Eve with 4/7.

After thanking the various sponsors, including Hoyles who provided the bookshop, Smart Go Inc, and individuals such as Nick Wedd and professional Kobayashi Chizu, the event ended with the organizers and some players heading to a Thai restaurant for the Simon Eve Memorial Supper.