Report from Laurieton (NSW Mid North Coast)

Our Mid North Coast Open on 19-20 June was low in numbers, but the tournament was strongly contested by 4 1600+ players and the rest down to rating of 1000. David Castor (1934) from Sydney was highest rated, but his luck ran out in round 4 against David Lovejoy (1850) from Far North Coast. In round 2 Mike Weltner from Taree reduced Lovejoys lead by half a point with a draw. Low attendance may be partly due to Queens Birthday Weekender in Sydney. And our usual Sydney friends may have found it just too much chess. And the cost of petrol? Final scores:

1. Lovejoy, David 1850 - 6.5, 2. Castor David 1934 - 6, 3. Van Der Wal, Fritz from Orange 1853 - 5, 4. Keuning, Anthony (he never misses our weekenders)1610 - 4,

5= Weltner, Michael 1487 - 3.5, Lane, Endel 1399, Mearns, David 1427, 8= Lukic, Milorad 1549 - 3, Northover, Shane 1074 - 3, 10= Arthur, Joshua - 1.5, Northover, Matthew 1000 - 1.5, 12. Momot, Alex 1040 - 1.

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Laurieton ‘One Day Chess’ on Sunday 27 June was well attended by 26 players. Including 17 under 18 years old. Everyone enjoyed this friendly event - even the losers. After 7 rounds of 25 min per player Mick Lukic from Taree fixed them all with 7 wins.

Final Scores: 1. Lukic, Milorad 1615 - 7, 2. Weltner, Michael 1480 - 6, 3. Mearns, David 1294 - 5.5, 4. Northover, Shane 1159 - 5, 5. 5. Northover, Matthew 1200 - 4.5,

6= Lane, Endel 1530 - 4, Arthur, Joshua 878, Fajks, Thomas 338, Wells, Richard 277, Brown, Joshua 452, Vella, Luke, Parr, Bruce 1077, 13= Wilks, Eric 1019 - 3.5, Momot, Alex 1070, Busby, Mikey, 16= Wells, Leslie 980 - 3, Fajks, James, Palmer, Alix,

19. Palmer, Nadine - 2.5, 20= Faruqi, Osman 629 - 2, Bahri, Zenn, McArthur, Logan 858, Wilson-Smith, Jayden, Peters, Michael 651 - 2, 25= Dalton, Kirsty 1, Brown, Elischa 1.

Laurieton Services Club provided free venue, refreshments and $4 lunches.

This report by Endel Lane.

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