Dyfed Closed Round 5

It's a miracle we get any competitive chess in Round 5 of the Dyfed Closed, as most of the players have by that time eaten a huge Sunday lunch with all the trimmings, which is one of the traditions of the event. It proved no problem for Gerry Heap, who won comfortably against the lower-graded Roland Spencer to ensure at least a share of first place. Tony Haigh, on the other hand, had Rudy to cope with, a much tougher proposition, and their fiendishly complicated struggle was certainly the game of the round. Rudy had the advantage for most of the game, emerged from the complications a piece down, but managed to draw the ending. That left Gerry the winner, with Tony second. Rudy tied for third with Jamie Sen, who drew with Colin Denham. Of the other games, a special mention should go to Georgina, who for the second time this tournament narrowly missed the chance of a good result against a much higher-graded player. This time she came within a single king move of a draw with Julie. Once again it was a thoroughly enjoyable tournament - always my favourite of the year. Thanks to Iolo Jones for organizing it, the
Emlyn Cafe for hosting it, and Rudy for analysing the games.

Gerry Heap - Roland Spencer 1-0

Rudy van Kemenade - Tony Haigh ½-½

Colin Denham - Jamie Sen ½-½

Matthew Francis - Jan Sendall 1-0

Julie van Kemenade - Georgina Gray 1-0

Tony Geraghty - Paul Orton 0-1

John Basterfield - Scott Hammett 0-1

Margaret Baron - James Cook 0-1