IN the build-up to the new season a contingent of York players took part in the Bradford Chess Congress.

There were a total of 88 players competing in the three sections, with York players participating in each.

The star performer was Eric Winn, who, after taking a half-point by the opening night, proceeded to rack up four resounding victories to win the Major (U-160) section outright with 4 from a posible five.

Tim Turner had the difficult task of being the top player in the section and scored 50 per cent. York's other players in the Major were Owen Robson (2) and Neville Pearce (1).

Tony Slinger played in the Open section and scored a solid 50 per cent, while in the Minor (U-125) Sri Sriharan and Steve Webster scored 3 and three points respectively.

One of York's top players, David Adams competed in the top section at the annual Paignton Congress and had an excellent result scoring 5 from seven in a three-way tie for first place along with Grandmaster Keith Arkell.

In the first round Adams came close to beating Arkell in their individual encounter after Arkell had blundered a piece for a pawn, but stern resistance meant that Adams eventually had to acquiesce to a draw.

On the domestic front, the York summer tournament ended in an excellent victory for York's most talented junior Patrick Gower. After fighting his way through one of the four all-play-all groups, where players had to finish in the top two, Gower emerged victorious from the resulting eight-player knockout, eventually triumphing over Paul Anderson in the final.

Pairings for the first round of the York club championship on Tuesday, October 8, are: Jon Griffith v Aaron Barker, Barry Marshall v Norman Finburg, Tim Turner v John Blades, Richard Hardy v Chris Conlin, Steve Huxley v John Goodfellow, John Bennett v Paul Brooks, Jim Shemilt v Jonathon Burr, Patrick Gower v Rodney Mitchinson, Chris Smowton v Barry Taylor, Bill Fulton v Herbert Lockwood, Richard Allis v Owen Robson, Kevin Holliday v Don Baldwin, Craig Thompson v Paul Barber, Sid Kirby v Neville Pearce, Paul Masiak v Fahad Yousif, Shaun Hanson v Tom Anderson, Chris Vause v Katy Smowton.

Updated: 11:47 Thursday, October 03, 2002