The Abingdonian 2019

34 The Abingdonian at U12 was Stephen Lin (3/6), who got a medal for third place. The recipient of this year’s King Trophy is Thitipat Ditrungroj. Thitipat has been a faithful supporter of Chess Club and a diligent student of the game, making best use of the coaching provided by Grandmaster Peter Wells on Wednesday afternoons. While modest about his own abilities, he has been a key player in many important matches over the years. This season he focused increasingly on his academic work as time went by, but his early season contribution at Eton and in the ODCL has been vital to Abingdon’s success. We wish him well in his medical studies at Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, which has a partnership programme with the University of Nottingham. Finally, after twelve stimulating and enjoyable years as Master in charge of Chess, I am pleased to record that I am handing over the reins to the excellent Mr Barber, who has visited the Club already a number of times this season and even played a game for us in the ODCL. I am sure that with the skilled assistance of Mr Poon and Dr Burnand, and the superb coaching input of Mr Wells, the Club will continue to prosper and remain a force to be reckoned with in school chess. Many thanks to all the staff, parents and especially boys who have contributed to the success of Chess Club over the years. Andrew English Champion, finishing on 18 out of 21 points. Joint second were Seb Watkins and Zander Wallwork on 17 points. Fourth on 16 points was Frederick Beneat, and joint fifth on 15 points were Jonathan Lee, Ethan Chui, Charlie Leyland and Henry Riehl. Qualifying as best in their age categories were third year William Riddell and first year Stephen Lin, both on 13 points. Oliver Yau and Eric Huang were also selected as “wild cards.” On Sunday 5 May, ten of these boys travelled to Desborough College, Maidenhead, to play in the West Berkshire “Megafinal”, a county stage of the UK Chess Challenge. (Seb had an exam the next day and the other boy absent failed to find the minibus!) After six rounds of rapidplay, with 20 minutes on each clock plus a ten second increment, Abingdon had won three trophies as well as five medals for second and third place. Players on 3.5 points or more qualified for the Southern Gigafinal in July. Ross Tselos (5.5/6) won the U15 trophy and headed the combined U14 to U18 section. Eric Huang (3.5/6) was second at U15. Ethan Chui (4/6), who drew his game with Ross, won the U16 trophy and Jonathan Lee (3.5/6) got the second- place medal. Henry Riehl (2.5/6) was awarded the U17 trophy and William Riddell (1/6) was second at U14. In the combined U12 to U13 section, Frederick Beneat (3.5/6) was third at U13. Also playing at U13 were Charlie Leyland (2.5/6) and Zander Wallwork (1/6). Just missing out on qualification