25-08-2012, 03:57 PM
We finished the tournament today with our best day yet. At one stage the players in the clubhouse had scored 5/5 between them, and the squad managed a total of 9 points (all wins) this round. Andrew finished off his excellent tournament with a good win, as he navigated through complications better than another higher-rated opponent, making him our top scorer on 5/9. Ali won her second game in a row to finish next highest on 4.5. Anna triumphed again to complete a barnstorming finish (wins in rounds 7, 8 and 9) for a score of 4/9, alongside Ian, who also won well today. Alexander got his first win - an extremely comprehensive one - in his last game to finish on a high, while Liam and Vagif also carded victories. Nihad recovered well from yesterday's disappointment to win, as did Hamish, who was finished in 20 moves after his opponent blundered in an already difficult position.
Thanks very much to everyone who's expressed support throughout this tournament. I'm now hoping that we all make it home tomorrow evening in one piece (well, except for those travelling on to Istanbul for the Olympiad and the attendant Under-16 event: spare a thought for Mahir and Murad, whose bus from the hotel to the airport is picking them up at 3.30am...)!
Thanks very much to everyone who's expressed support throughout this tournament. I'm now hoping that we all make it home tomorrow evening in one piece (well, except for those travelling on to Istanbul for the Olympiad and the attendant Under-16 event: spare a thought for Mahir and Murad, whose bus from the hotel to the airport is picking them up at 3.30am...)!