1986/87
An incomplete set of bulletins for this season: just the two in fact, both edited by Chris Cantrill.
The December 1986 issue (No. 2) contains the 1986/87 grading list, with top grade in the county going to University student John Emms 214 (2305 in today’s currency). In the report on Nottinghamshire 16 Lincolnshire 4, the sole defeat was incurred by a ‘J Swain’ on unlucky board 13. In the International tournament held at the Stakis (formerly Victoria Hotel) and won by Keith Arkell, I was pleased to see my old Durham University team mate Colin Crouch finished joint third.
Highlight of the June 1987 issue is Neil Graham graciously offering a draw to GM Jon Speelman in a Chess Force-sponsored simultaneous display after the latter had made an endgame-losing blunder. Speelman won the other 30 games. There is also a report by Norman Lazonby on the 12th Nottinghamshire Congress held in April at County Hall. This attracted almost 400 entrants and my eye was caught by the winner of the Juniors Under 14 prize in the Intermediate section, namely Radcliffe and Bingham prodigy – and future GM – Jonathan Parker.
The bulletins contain the usual comprehensive sets of match results and league tables. It was a good year for West Bridgford – their first, second and fourth teams won Divisions 1, 2 and 4 respectively. In securing the league title West Bridgford 1 – Messrs Clunie, Hare, Richmond (P) et al – recorded 16 wins from 16 games.
Stuart Humphreys