Tournament Overview
The Winter Blitz tournament, expertly organised and arbitrated by our Competitions Manager, Jordan McNaught, was the second event in Queens Park Chess Club’s 2024-2025 seasonal blitz series. This is only the fifth time we have run the seasonal blitz tournaments since their inception in September 2023, and they have already proven to be a resounding success. The tournament was exclusive to club members, reflecting the strong and growing participation within our community.
The event drew 28 members who gathered to compete in a fast-paced 7-round Swiss tournament. With a time control of 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment (3+2), participants showcased their quick thinking and tactical sharpness. Small breaks after rounds 3 and 5 allowed players to regroup and recharge before returning to the board.
Fierce Competition
The tournament was fiercely contested. After the completion of the 7 rounds, two players emerged tied at the top with an impressive 6 out of 7 points:
- Moray Lennox
- David Logue
Close behind the leaders, four players finished on 5 points, demonstrating the depth of talent within the club and the competitive spirit of the event.
To determine the winner, a thrilling 2-game tiebreak was held. Both players got a chance to play with the black and white pieces, and the games were played under serious time pressure. Moray Lennox narrowly clinched the victory 2-0, showcasing nerves of steel and impeccable blitz play.
The tiebreak attracted a large audience of approximately 20 members and visitors, who watched the intense showdown unfold. Congratulations to Moray Lennox on his victory, and commiserations to David Logue for a fantastic performance!
Note: The final standings listed below reflect results from the 7-round Swiss tournament and do not include the tie-break scores.
Moray’s Winning Streak
This is Moray Lennox’s second seasonal blitz title this year, following his earlier triumph in the Autumn Blitz. Moray has proven himself as a formidable blitz player, demonstrating exceptional composure under time pressure and sharp tactical awareness. His performance in the tiebreak was particularly impressive, securing victory against a strong opponent in front of an enthusiastic audience. With this latest win, Moray remains the only winner so far this season, cementing his dominance in Queens Park Chess Club’s seasonal blitz events.
Final Standings
| Rank | Name | Win | Draw | Loss | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Logue | 6 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 2 | Moray Lennox | 6 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 | Jonathan Livingston | 5 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 4 | Alistair Ahmed | 5 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 5 | Scott Kilgour | 5 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 6 | Craig Thomson | 5 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 7 | Iain Shields | 4 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 8 | Graeme McKinnon | 4 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 9 | Eric O’Neil | 4 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 10 | Jonathan Liney | 4 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 11 | Connor Thompson | 4 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 12 | Rhys McCrosson | 4 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 13 | Gregory Forrest | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 14 | Ally McLellan | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3.5 |
| 15 | Luke McDowell | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| 16 | Harry McGrory | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| 17 | Ryan McGill | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| 18 | Riccardo Olivier | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| 19 | Joao Carrapico | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| 20 | Ciaran Melvin | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| 21 | Andy Chisholm | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| 22 | Chris Dinwoodie | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2.5 |
| 23 | James Burns | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| 24 | Paul Cumming | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| 25 | Derek Rankine | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| 26 | Gerry Cowan | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| 27 | Kristen Neilson | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| 28 | Sarah Scott | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Upcoming Event: Spring Blitz
Queens Park Chess Club’s final blitz tournament of the season, the Spring Blitz, will be held on March 18, 2025. With two tournaments completed, anticipation is building for the final chapter of the seasonal blitz series. Will Moray Lennox make it a clean sweep, or will another member rise to the challenge?
For more information about future events and club activities, visit our Seasonal Blitz page or join us during club nights. See you at the board!