It was late summer at the NLC Clubhouse. The evenings were long and hot. The terrace full. That can only mean one thing – the NLC’s annual blitz championship for the majestic Kennedy Cup.
The ten keen blitzers came together on the evening of the 24th of August. Some old hands and some new – welcome to both Mister Stewart, who we’d welcomed to Third Monday social chess a few times, and Mister Barton, who had joined the Club only two weeks beforehand and this was his first Club event. That’s the way to do it.
It was an all play all affair, with random colours. Fast and furious. There was even, on occasion, some half-decent chess.
The final round had Mister Stewart and Mister Barton on an even score. With Mister Stewart having beaten Mister Barton, a tie would have meant Mister Stewart walking off with the trophy. But, in a somewhat unlikely turn of events, Mister Widdicombe managed to force Mister Stewart into a three-fold repetition and so secured himself the half point – and opening up a route to victory for Mister Barton. All Mister Barton had to do was win through his last match and he was home.
He duly delivered, and ended up a clear half point victor.
So with the last pawn pushed and the last blunder made, it was newbie Mister Barton who won out.
All that was left to do was present the trophy.
Congratulations to Mister Barton! A worthy winner of the 2023 Kennedy Cup. We look forward to you bagging us some points in the Cup team.