The first Paignton Congress was held in 1951, primarily due to the hard work of a small committee that was headed by Ron Bruce, then the county match captain, and which then included a member, Ken Bloodworth, who is fortunately still active in the Devon chess fraternity and quickly approaching the opportunity of celebrating his 100th birthday. It is probable that prior to the first congress, the ex-world champion, Max Euwe from the Netherlands, was instrumental in promoting the possibility of this event as he participated in the first Premier having taken part in the diamond jubilee congress of the Plymouth chess club a few years before. It was at this Plymouth tournament that Euwe was prompted to write his classic book "Judgement and Planning in Chess". The first premier held at Oldway Mansions resulted in a victory for the doyen of English chess, Harry Golombek, who effectively made his mark on the international scene by winning the tournament ahead of the ex-world champion.
A view of the rear of Oldway Mansions Photo courtesy of Roger Neat. The venue chosen for the first congress was the picturesque setting of Oldway Mansions situated between Paignton and Torquay and formerly the home of the Singer family well-known for the invention and promotion of the sewing machine. This magnificent building also housed the massive painting of "The Crowning of Josephine by Napoleon" by Jacques -Louis David. It is reputed that each figure in this historical painting is a true portrait of the assemblage. The original was sold to the French government in 1946 and now hangs in the Palace of Versaille. Today there is a replica of the painting hanging in its place in Oldway Mansions. The reproduction is a colour print which was unveiled in 1995. Isadora Duncan, reputed to be the founder of modern dance, had an affair with Paris Singer and lived for some time at the Mansions bearing his son. No doubt the ballroom was the scene for many of her unique dancing performances. Surrounding the Mansion is 17 acres of gardens shaped on French and Italian styles. Since becoming the property of Torbay Council, tennis courts, a putting course and a bowling green have been added. 59 years on, the congress is still being held in the same building, in exactly the same room as was used in 1951. It is difficult for entrants to the congress to be unaware of the historic connotations of playing in such illustrious surroundings. During the years, the baton of organisation has been passed on and now rests in the very capable hands of Alan and Linda Crickmore. Alan and Linda have brought a high quality of playing conditions to the congress and are very respectful of the needs of the players. They are not willing to sacrifice the comfort of any player in the interests of increasing the revenue. This is a factor that plays a major part in all congresses organised within the boundaries of Devon. The comfort of each player is considered to be of paramount importance.
DETAILS OF THE JUBILEE CONGRESS Rates of Play: 7-Round Tournaments – All rounds: 40 moves in 2 hours, 20 moves in 1 hour and then, after Black’s 60th move, the clocks shall be set back 30 minutes and the game completed in the time remaining. (no adjournments). 5-round Tournament: 36 moves in 90 minutes then, after Black’s 36th move, the clock shall be set back 15 minutes and the games completed in the time remaining. Timetable: Civic Opening of Congress 13.30 Sun. 5th Sept. Premier, Challengers, Inter & Minor sections 14.00 – 21.00 Sun. – Fri. 09.30 - finish Sat. Morning American (subject to entry) 14.00 – 21.00 Sun. 09.30 – finish Mon - Sat. Morning 5-round 09.30 – 13.00 Mon. – Fri. ECF Grand Prix: Whatever scheme is running at the time will apply. PRIZES: Ron Bruce Premier: 1st £600 2nd £400 3rd £200 4th £100 & 2 Grading Prizes of £50 Two ECF nominated places in the 2011 British Championship will be awarded to the two highest placed competitors not otherwise qualified: the entry fee will be paid in full for the 1st qualifier, and a minimum of £100 towards second place. Rowena Bruce Challengers: (U-180) 1st £350 2nd £200 3rd £100 & 2 Grading prizes of £50 Ken Bloodworth Inter: (U-150) 1st £350 2nd £200 3rd £100 & 2 Grading prizes of £50 The Walker Minor: (U-125) 1st £350 2nd £200 3rd £100 & 2 Grading prizes of £50 Americans: A.M. only (U-180) 1st £90 2nd £60 3rd £30 Boniface 5-Rd Morning: (U-180) 1st £350 2nd £200 3rd £100 & 2 Grading prizes of £50 Bands for Grading Prizes will be determined by the nature of the entries and will be announced by the Chief Arbiter. A special Slow Starter Prize (0/2 pts) of £20 will be awarded in each Swiss section. The Douglas Bates Bursaries totalling £200 will be awarded to ladies and disabled players not otherwise in the prize list (£75 each), best game prize and U150 best game prize (£25 each). Five book prizes worth £20 each will be drawn by lot on Sunday 5th September Entry fees: Ron Bruce Premier £40 All other 7 round sections £30 5-Round Morning £25 All fees include ECF Game Fee & FIDE fees in the Premier. Discounts: ECF Direct Members - £3 all 7 round sections - £2 all 5 round sectionsRefunds: If notification of withdrawal is received by 18th August: Net entry fee less £5.00 by 26th August: Net entry fee less £7.00 Accommodation in the Paignton Area. The following list of hotels and guest houses in the Paignton area have supported the Diamond Jubilee Congress. They are listed in no particular order. However, if you have a need for somewhere to stay during the congress, why not support one of these establishments Seaways 30 Sands Road TQ4 6EJ 01803 551167 The Ashleigh Hotel 15 Queens Road TQ4 6AT 01803 558923 Carrington Guest House 10 Beach Road TQ4 6AY 01803 558785 Belle Dene Guest House 25 Garfield Road TQ4 6AX 01803 559645 The Haldon Guest House 6 Beach Road TQ4 6AY 01803 551120 Cherry Tree Hotel 10-11 Esplanade Road TQ4 6EB 01803 557056
Preston Sands Hotel 12 Marine Parade, TQ3 2NU 01803 558718 Barclay Guest House 28 Garfield Road TQ4 6AX 01803 551034 Strawberry Fair Hotel 24 Manor Road TQ3 2HR 01803 551015 Trentham Guest House 6 Norman Road TQ3 2BE 01803 557704 Waverley Guest House 9 Warefield Road TQ3 2BH 01803 551027 Norbreck Guest House 35 New Street TQ3 3HL 01803 558033 Dalehurst Guest House 4 Berry Square TQ4 6AZ 01803 557628 Rosemead Guest House 22 Garfield Road TQ4 6AX 01803 557944 Rockview Guest House 13 Queens Road TQ4 6AT 01803 55670 If all the accommodation on this list is fully booked, further details are available from: The English Riviera Tourist Board, Vaughan Parade, Torquay. TQ2 5JG. ( 01803-211211 The Congress Since its inception in 1951, the Congress has taken place every year at Oldway Mansion, Paignton. The internal décor and gardens are well worth a visit. This is a one-round-per-day congress, which can be as relaxed or intense as individual competitors wish. The 7-round tournaments have 30 minute quickplay finishes only after 6 hours play. For those who wish to ensure that their chess is limited to mornings only, there is the 5-round morning tournament where play ends at lunchtime. However, some stalwarts opt to play in both morning and afternoon tournaments! It's your choice! (You can also watch a Junior International in the Mayor’s Parlour each morning until 9th September). Donations: The generosity of all subscribers, but particularly the Friends of Paignton, has provided a bedrock of support, all donations are most gratefully acknowledged. Special thanks also to Douglas Bates for his generous support over many years. Restaurant: The restaurant is staying open late in the evenings when the special events are taking place, and the staff will be responsible for the catering at our reception on Wednesday. Please continue to support these services. Contacts: Entry Secretary: Mrs. Linda Crickmore, 550, Budshead Road, Whitleigh, Plymouth. PL5 4DG. Tel: 01752-768206 (Before 21.00 please.) e-mail: plymouthchess@btinternet.com Chief Arbiter: Ewart Smith (ECF Senior Arbiter). Arbiters: John Ariss (ECF Arbiter); Tony Tatam (ECF Arbiter); Victor Cross (EPSCA Arbiter). During the congress only, urgent messages may be telephoned to the Hall-keeper on (01803-207933.
Autumn 2010 Congresses In The South-West.45th Dorset Congress at Bournemouth. Friday 8th – Sunday 10th October 2010Contact N. Mackie on 01202-721870 (e-mail: norman.mackie @btinternet.com) 11th Royal Beacon Seniors at Exmouth. Mon. 8th - Fri. 12th November 2010 Contact: Bob Jones on 01395-223340 (e-mail: jones_r53@sky.com) Torbay Congress at Torquay. Friday 19th - Sunday 21st November 2010Contact R. Chubb on 01626-888255 (e-mail: ray.chubb@care4free.net) All calls before 21.00 please. The original Paignton Congress was intended to be a one-off commemoration of the Devon County Chess Association’s 50th anniversary. The star attraction was the former World Champion, Max Euwe and his up&coming compatriot, Donner. Golombek’s win over Euwe on the very first day of the event caused something of a minor sensation at the time, the more so as Golombek was able to maintain the gap between them and finish up overall winner. That, and the revelation to many of the grandeur of Oldway Mansion, then only recently made available to the general public, ensured the event became a regular feature on the chess calendar.
Since then it has continued in much the same vein for 60 years. The proliferation of other events in the chess revolution of 1970s meant that it became increasingly difficult to attract the top names and so its national profile shrank somewhat, but its charm has never wavered – its appeal is as strong today as it ever was.
A book is being produced that will cover the event’s history in much more detail and will be available at Oldway in September.
A souvenir congress programme is also in production – look out for them!
Bookstall. A bookstall will be provided by John & Christine Constable of CCF MindGames ( 020-8144-5354 e-mail: mindgames@ccfworld.com Play through the games, read the reports and a lot more besides on the award-winning website Chess Devon. http://www.chessdevon.co.uk Congress Regulations: The current FIDE Laws of Chess, ECF Swiss Pairing rules and other ECF guidelines will govern play. Grades used for eligibility and seeding will be those from the latest national list: if a player has more than one national standard play grade, the higher one will be used. If a player qualifies for more than one prize in any one tournament, he/she shall be paid the higher amount, and the Chief Arbiter will decide how most fairly any balance shall be re-distributed. In grade-limited tournaments, ungraded players shall not win more than the value of 3rd prize. The DCCA Congress Committee reserves the right to transfer an entry to a different tournament or to refuse an entry. Players accept as a condition of entry that (i) the Committee’s decision on any aspect of the Congress shall be final and (ii) that information provided on the entry form may be recorded and used for congress administration, the congress mailing list and grading purposes only. Unless the Arbiter decides otherwise, a player shall lose the game if he arrives at the chessboard more than 30 minutes after the scheduled start of play: the Arbiter may offer a new pairing to the opponent with any other player who, initially, was unpaired. A player may appeal against an arbiter’s decision. The appeal must be in writing and within one hour of the end of the relevant game, or of the disputed decision, whichever is the later. The appeal must be accompanied by a fee of £30.00, refundable if the appeal is upheld. The Appeals Committee will consist of two experienced players and two organisers, none of whom would be involved in the original dispute, and its decision will be final. Players wishing to submit an entry for the best game prizes must ensure that the copy of the game is accurately annotated, and can clearly be interpreted by the independent adjudicator. All prizes will be sent within four days of the end of the congress. If a player who thinks he/she has won a prize and does not receive it within the time limit stated above, he/she should contact the treasurer Alan Crickmore immediately ((01752-768206). If a player wishes to withdraw from a tournament, particularly on the last day, he/she should give prior notice to the Chief Arbiter, in order to avoid disruption to the pairings. Similarly, if a player wishes to claim a bye after the tournament has started, but before the last round, again the Chief Arbiter should be notified to avoid disruption to the following day’s pairings. Players are requested not to remove sets or clocks from the playing areas. In order to assist the arbiters players are required, as a gesture of good intent, to reset the board and clock at the completion of their game. Please ensure that you are familiar with the fire regulations displayed in the playing areas. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in Oldway Mansion. No mobile phones are allowed in playing areas. SPECIAL EVENTS The committee has arranged some additional events to celebrate the 60th congress. All the evening events will take place in the restaurant, which will remain open longer to accommodate those attending. Monday 7.30pm. Talk by Peter Purland, FIDE Arbiter and ECF Senior Arbiter. “Ramblings of a Chess Arbiter” Also, a Chess Quiz - £60.00 in prizes. Tuesday 7.00pm. Simultaneous Display - Michael Adams - 30 Boards max. No charge, but please indicate in the tick box on the entry form if you would like to play. If there are more than 30 players entered, it will be drawn by lot, as fairly as possible from all the sections. Wednesday 8.00pm. Civic Reception hosted by the President of the Devon County Chess Association to celebrate our links with Torbay Council. Thursday 7.30pm. Blitz Tournament - £60 in prize money. (Arbiter Richard Nash). ADDITIONAL EVENT: A Junior International in the Mayor’s Parlour will take place from 4th – 9th September, starting at 9.00am, with two rounds on Saturday. 30th January 2010
12th September 2009
ALL THE GAMES OF THE RON BRUCE PREMIER - HERE in Zipped PGN format Selected games from :-
8th September 2009 The Ron Bruce Premier kicked off on 23 boards and provided a rather quiet opening, 12 games being drawn. A slight surprise was a drawn game by the favourite, Keith Arkell against Martin Cutmore. For a major part of the game Arkell had difficulties in maintaining equality. Of the other games White won 6, so it can be said that Black had the better result in the round. The Rowena Bruce Challengers is a slightly smaller event than in recent years with 30 contenders. This slight drop in numbers is countered by 41 players in the Bloodworth Intermediate and 32 in the Walker Minor. There is one American Section of 8 players. 6th September 2009 The 59th Congress was opened today by the Vice-Chairman of the Torbay Council with 196 entries having been received. At the opening ceremony the vice-chairman appeared without a female partner and it was left to Alan Crickmore to present him with a bouquet of roses that would otherwise have been offered to a female counterpart. Somewhat disconcerted, the vice-chairman proceeded to play the opening move on the first board of the Ron Bruce Premier, clutching a fetching array of flowers. Ah well!! However, at the opening ceremony, the Vice-Chairman did confirm that, without a doubt, Oldway Mansions would be available for the 60th Congress in 2010, despite rumours to the contrary. So book up now for a very special event! This year the team of arbiters are essentially home-grown. Headed by chief honcho Ewart Smith, John Arris and Tony Tatam are performing in their ever improving polished and efficient manner, a fact that should be applauded by all Devonshire supporters. Once again "Chess Devon" will be publishing all the games played in the Ron Bruce Premier together with a selection of games from other tournaments. Hopefully, we shall by able to get these online either Monday night or Tuesday morning. 24th August 2009 As expected the number of players entering the Ron Bruce Premier to date exceeds the last year's entry. See the home page for a list of entries to date. 19th August 2009 The organisers have advised that as at today's date the American sections are full and no further entries can be accepted. 18th August 2009 The 59th Paignton Congress is fast approaching and should you not have sent your entry form, you are advised to do so very quickly as the maximum entries could very soon be reached. Entries to the Ron Bruce Premier are currently standing at 42 as compared with a final total of 44 at the 2008 Congress. That number will undoubtedly be exceeded. For those who like to prepare their game for congresses following is a table of games available for download: FRIENDS OF PAIGNTON CHESS
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