ECF conversion?

[David G Congalton]

I played South Lakes a couple or three years back and managed to finish in the prizes which always helps.

I did thoroughly enjoy the event though and would play again. It is only down to other commitments that I haven't done so far.

I stayed at the Farmers Arms, which although a little bit of a drive away (not as far as Barrow) was very reasonably priced and I enjoyed a good breakfast and some lovely views of the Lakes (or Lake).

They did have a farmers birthday party in full swing when I arrived but they had kindly phoned some weeks before to let me know that it might be lively on the Friday. I assured them that after travelling down straight after work they could have the party in my room and I would still manage to sleep soundly.

[robin moore]

Think that was the year....

Do you remember that Porridge episode from years ago where Fletcher took off over the moors only to arrive back in the morning in the cottage Mr Barraclough was staying?

Errm, Robin in the chessmobile accompanied by Dearys senior and junior and Gary/David P Gillespie was convinced he could find a short cut to Barrow in Furness from the venue after the first round. So he set off in pitch black , touring round minor B-roads in the district for an hour or so to triumphantly announce we were coming to our destination which turned out to be...Grange over Sands.

Plan B- back to the bypass.

[robin moore]

Laughed my head off when I saw this one.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.englishchess.org.uk/blackpool-congress-report/#more-28916">http://www.englishchess.org.uk/blackpoo ... more-28916</a><!-- m -->

Well done Alex Gillies, Blackpool champion!

[robin moore]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.blackpoolchess.org.uk/images/stories/pdf-files/2014-blackpool-congress-prize-list-v1.pdf">http://www.blackpoolchess.org.uk/images ... ist-v1.pdf</a><!-- m -->

Enjoying a delicious meal of humble pie. Wonder if Alex, Craig, Andy, Randhir and Richard got a lift home with Securicor?

[Jonathan Livingstone]

Congratulations to Alex.

£6260 was the TOTAL PRIZE FUND

With 353 players entering the congress, is it just me, or is that a really high and generous prize fund compared to a Scottish tournament? Perhaps it is down to sponsorship?

[robin moore]

They do have some sponsors, don't know amounts involved. Total entry fees were probably in the region of £11.5k.