The picture shows David Montgomery and Mike Ridge wearing their matching Edinburgh Chess Club fashions at last night’s Johnny Marr Allegro tournament in the club. Feeling jealous and underdressed? Check out our website and get your own!
Who is the most famous “Johnny Marr” that you know? If you say the guitarist from The Smiths then not only are you old enough to remember The Smiths but you can’t be a long-standing member of the Edinburgh chess scene!
Edinburgh Chess Club had its very own Johnny Marr – a much loved and very regular attendee. I recall when I (Keith Ruxton) was caretaker of the club from 1988-1992 that Johnny would be there almost every night it was open, often playing with his great friend, Gordon. I’ll always remember Johnny for his kindness, his positivity and his jokes – he was a great man to spend time with.
Here’s a picture of Johnny about to embark on a new chess game in the club:
Johnny was such an important part of our club that there is a plaque in the playing rooms in his honour and each year we hold an allegro tournament in his memory where the trophy is a beautiful glass ornament made by Johnny himself!
Such history lends a particular importance to this event and it is always closely fought with this year being no exception. Iain Cowe was in charge of the pairings and sent me a blow by blow account of the event, asking me to re-write it – but I think his summary conveys the drama better than I possibly could, so here it is verbatim…
” Multiple leaders after 2 rounds.
William & Darima draw a close ending in round 3, leaving Simon in sole lead.
However, Darima beats Simon in round 4, leaving her in sole lead.
From left field steps Finlay, who beats Darima, leaving himself in a certain tie-break.
Ivar beats Simon to secure a place in the tie-break.
William beats Brian in an endgame in the last game to finish to join (& win) the tie-break. “
Whew! What an event! William is the club’s new events manager, though we better explain that doesn’t mean he needs to win them all…
Thanks to everyone who took part in a fun evening – you can see the club is buzzing with activity. Special thanks to Iain Cowe for doing the pairings, David Archibald for arbiter duties and Neil Irving for organising. Additional thanks to Iain, Neil and Mike Ridge for supplying the photos, results and event report.
