Wrekin Congress 2006

A ‘Ufo’ landed at the Wrekin Congress and carved a swathe of destruction through the leading ranks of Shropshire’s chess players. Bel Ufodike beat the likes of Nick Rutter, Nigel Ferrington, and David Everington on his way to victory in the Premier, the top section of the annual tournament, the biggest chess event in Shropshire’s calendar. A point clear, Ufodike’s win was already in the bag when he took on Simon Fowler, Shropshire’s strongest player, in the final round. Had 17-year-old Simon won, he would have had a share of the first prize. But Ufodike, who plays for Whoberley (in Coventry), was anything but wobbly.
“Away” players also won both the Major and the Minor sections, meaning a complete shutout from the top prizes for Shropshire players. There were 103 competitors in the event held at Madeley Court Centre on Saturday and Sunday.         Toby Neal

Results

  Premier

 1st                    Bel Ufodike                        Woberley                     4.5/5

 2nd =                 Simon Fowler             Coddon

                        Alex Richardson            Cheddleton                  3.5/5

                        Nigel Ferrington            Telepost

 U165               R K Taylor              Preston

                        John Parrott              Shrewsbury

                        Nick Fallowfield            Stourbridge                  3/5

                        Dave Gostelow            Shifnal & Telford        

 

Major

 

1st                    Graham Ashcroft            Preston             4.5/5

 2nd                    Nigel Holroyd                        Peterborough                4/5

 3rd =                 Francis Best                 Shrewsbury                

                        Keith Tabner             Telepost

                        George Davies              Wrexham                     3.5/5

                        Andrew Price             Leamington

                        Robert Clegg               Huddersfield

                        Toby Neal                 Wellington

 U125               Phil Bull                  Warley Quinborne

                        Craig Whitfield            Cheddleton & Leek            3.5/5=

                        Colin Eckloff             Whoberley

 

Minor

 1st =                 Denis Seale                                                    4.5/5

                        Aled Walker                                                

 3rd                    Gareth Hampson            Oswestry                     4/5

 U85                 Paul Broderick            Newport                      3.5/5

                        Andy Jones                Shifnal & Telford        

       

Best Junior            Aled Walker                                     4.5/5