The 2026 Scottish Championships have just concluded in Hamilton. Competition ranged across three events – the Open, the U1800 and the Scottish Rapidplay tournament.
Edinburgh Chess Club were well represented across all three events and took home a number of the prizes too!
Usually the blog reports on proud parents enjoying their child’s success but this time it is the other way around! The picture shows the joint winners of the Scottish Rapidplay tournament; Derek McCormack, Daniel Maxwell and Lokesh Kumar Pulkanti, the latter happily hugging his son, and promising Edinburgh Chess Club junior, Ved. All three players finished on 6 points out of 8 – a great achievement.
Lokesh continued his barnstorming performance by winning the U1800 tournament with a superb 7.5/9 and was followed in second place, just half a point behind, by Edinburgh Chess Club vice-president Keith Aitchison. Vipin Zamvar, who runs our beginners classes, also had a great result finishing fourth.
Congratulations to all!
As we are in the summer break, the blog hopes that the following position (a possible variation from Lokesh’s fourth round game in the Rapidplay) will not be too taxing. White has just played 11.Bh6, what is black’s best move here? Solution next time!
