Glasgow Congress Report

November 1-3

DESPITE the news of late being dominated by the Olympiad as the Russians yet again took the top prize, there was still plenty of action on the domestic scene - which, ironically, was also dominated by a Russian!

With most of the Scottish stars on Olympiad duty, the Glasgow Congress (1-3 November) was that little bit more "open" this year. And, seeking revenge after being denied the top prize last year after leading from the start to the final hour of play, IM Alexander Cherniaev, a notoriously tough London-based Russian professional, easily took the top prize of £550 in the Open with an unbeaten score of 4.5/5.

Held at Glasgow Caledonian University, the Glasgow Congress, now in its 41st edition, was where many top players cut their teeth in what was the only international tournament in Scotland. It began in 1962 at Langside Halls , and its reputation was built by such teams of experts as Walter Munn, Gerald Bonner, Ted Fitzjames, Gerry Wilson, Ken Stewart and Steve Mannion.

Glasgow Open: 1 IM A Cherniaev (Russia) 4.5/5; 2 K Harman (Cavendish) 4; 3-8 A Grant (Cathcart), G Kafka (Largs), IM R McKay (Cathcart), J Montgomery (Glas. Montrose), J Redpath (Edinburgh West), A Stalker (Holy Cross) 3.5. Major: 1 B Harrold (Oban) 4.5/5. Minor: 1-2 A Murphy (Oban), A Roberts (Lasswade) 4.5/5. President’s Prize: 1 D Potts (Knight Moves) 4.5/5.

A Cherniaev - G Nolan Glasgow Open, (2)

Advanced French

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 c5 4 c3 Nc6 5 Nf3 Bd7 6 Be2 Nge7 7 Na3 cxd4 8 cxd4 Nf5 9 Nc2 Qb6 10 0-0 a5 11 Kh1 Rc8 12 g4 Nfe7 13 Nfe1 h5 14 gxh5 Nf5 15 Be3 a4 16 Nd3 Na5 17 b3 Bb5 18 Rb1 axb3 19 axb3 Qd8 20 Rg1 Rc3 21 Nce1 Rc8 22 Bg4 Nh6 23 Nf4 Nc6 24 Ned3 Qh4 25 Bh3 Ne7 26 Nc5 Bc6 27 b4 b6 28 b5 bxc5 29 bxc6 Nxc6 30 Qa4 Qd8 31 dxc5 Qd7 32 Nxd5 Qxd5+ 33 Bg2 Qd7 34 Rgd1 Qc7 35 Rb6 Rd8 36 Bxc6+ 1-0

Scotsman Chess - by JBH