Seconds away – round 8! All eyes on the board at the Masters tournament (photo: Lara Barnes).

Hastings chess spoils shared

It was heads down and much deep thinking as chess players from around the world competed at the Hastings International Chess Congress – now in its 120th year – at Horntye Park sports complex over the New Year. The top prize was shared between grandmasters – chess’s highest ranking – from Uzbekistan and Poland. Nick Terdre reports.

Winner’s cheques were presented to Jahongir Vakhidov (left) and Alexander Mista (right) by congress director Alan Hustwayte, who holds the Golombek trophy (photo: Pam Thomas).

The joint winners of Hastings’ Masters tournament were GMs Jahongir Vakhidov from Uzbekistan and Alexander Mista of Poland, who with seven points out of nine shared the Golombek trophy. With ratings of 2538 and 2580 respectively, neither was the highest rated competitor – that honour went to the Hungarian, GM Ferenc Berkes, who at 2648 was more than 50 points ahead of the rest of the field.

In the event Ferenc finished in a five-way tie for second, on 6.5/9, along with GMs Igor Khenkin (Ukraine), Sarunas Sulskis (Lithuania), and Tamas Fodor (Hungary), and international master (IM) Julian Sarkar (USA). Mssrs Vakhidov and Sarkar were also among the seven winners in 2013/14.

The top-ranked Brits – in fact, all English – were GM Glenn Flear, IM David Eggleston and Fide Master (FM) Peter Bachelor, with 6/9 (Fide is the World Chess Federation). Peter’s performance earned him the first of three norms needed for the IM title.

The Hastings International Chess Congress, first held in 1895, is now 120 years old, but these are difficult days for the event, congress director Alan Hustwayte told HOT – with central government funding slashed, the main sponsor, Hastings Borough Council, halved its grant. Fortunately, a new sponsor, insurance company Tradewise, stepped in to make up the shortfall. In a few weeks the council’s allocation for the 2016/17 congress will be decided – a further cut cannot be ruled out.

Over the years Hastings has a built a strong reputation and gathered a large band of faithful followers, including many from abroad. This year numbers were down somewhat, with 88, including 33 from abroad, contesting the Masters, compared with just over 100 last year. In addition to the Masters, the congress includes another six competitions, catering for players of different standards – altogether there was a total of 337 entrants this year.

Among other prizes the Maureen Charlesworth trophy for the best performance by a local player went to Paul Kelly, who won one of the Christmas Day tournaments. The Alan Hustwayte award for best performance against rating went to 13-year-old Freddie Hand, who scored 4.5 in the Masters. The prize for the best performance by

From the pairs tournament at White Rock Hotel (photo: Lara Barnes).

a female player was won by Rasa Norinkeviciute from Lithuania, a Women’s Fide Master (WFM), with 4 in the Masters.

In addition to the congress competitions, there was also a blitz event for those who like playing at lightning speed, and a pairs event, both held at the White Rock Hotel.

For Alan, in his first year as congress director, all went well. “The arbiters reported that the congress ran very smoothly, and that was a sentiment echoed by everyone I spoke to,” he said. “One player in particular thanked me for such an exceptional tournament.” Having taken a Fide organiser’s qualification last year, Alan has now gained his first norm towards qualifying as an organiser of international events for the federation.

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