Lightning chess at the NLC has now become a spring-time Clubland chess tradition. Once the daffodils are out the buzzer begins to sound. This year was no different, and on 21 March twenty six players from assorted Clubs met at Whitehall Place for their annual fix.
There were some first timers and some stalwarts, but twenty six is the most there has ever been (necessitating the scouring of the Club for further chess sets…). It’s good to see the competition growing year on year.
As in previous years, the evening comprised five rounds. Whilst the first round is a random draw that means there are some mis-matches in strength, by round two the strong are playing the strong and the field sorts itself out so that everyone gets competitive games.
The top of the field was tight. Mister Ko was defending his crown having won in splendid fashion last year. But would he be able to hold on? Mister Farleigh has form in the Lightning, being a previous winner, but there were also a couple of dark horses – the strong new Lib Mister Barton (NLC Blitz Champ, no less and a favourite to lift this year’s Gladstone Trophy) and Senor Lopez-Diaz providing some stiff resistance.
Round three saw the first of the big beasts come together, with Mister Farleigh playing white against the Libs hope Mister Barton. Sadly for the Liberally-minded, Mister Barton fell to Mister Farleigh’s tricks and so his challenge faltered. Mister Farleigh had to push through again in Round 4 when he met Senor Lopez-Diaz, this time having black. But once again, he was able to overcome. Round five saw Mister Farleigh matched against The NLC’s Mister Jacobs who despite losing to Richard Saldanha in the first round was powering through the field and was on 3/4 at that point. But he didn’t quite have enough to overpower the imperious Mister Farleigh, and with a clean sweep of victories the RAC man was the clear winner.
Honourable mentions go to the other Liberal troops who bravely charged toward the guns in search of glory. Mister Dias shot off quickly, winning his first two games, but then fell back to a creditable mid-table finish with 3/5. Doctor Saldanha and Mister Jacobs scored similiarly. Mister Barnett gained 2/5 along with new NLC joiner Mister Landless (welcome!), Miss Birrane 1/5 and Mister Sharland had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
The action in full flow. Adrenalin-fuelled and not for the nervous viewer.
So a hearty congratulations to Mister Farleigh. His second time winning the Lightning. Thoroughly deserved after a perfect 5/5 .
But will he manage to hold on to the Vase in 2025?