There were 12 competitors this season with the usual format of 5 rounds of two games at 25’ + 10” increments. This time we experimented with each pair in each round being given a date to play on which helped the event run smoother than last season.

The only minor surprise in round 1 was Nikolai taking a point off Drag but the higher seeds won the other 5 pairings.

In round 2, drawn mainly to fit in the games among the league fixtures, Mike B beat Florian 1.5 – 0.5. Mike N-E slipped up by dropping a point to Felipe. Drag had a comfortable 2 – 0 win over John H. Charlie produced a mini upset by beating Paul 1.5 – 0.5.

The two Mike’s shared the points in round 3, while Nikolai beat his 3rd team captain Felipe 2 – 0 and Florian dispatched Drag 2 – 0 with very little fuss.

Nikolai’s charge ended in round 4 with a 2 – 0 defeat by Mike B and Mike N-E drew 1 – 1 with Florian.

Entering round 5, Mike B lead on 6.5 points, Felipe had 5.5, and 4 members, Mike N-E, John H, Nikolai and Drag, were on 5.

Florian had a shocking time in the final round, losing 1.5 – 0.5 to Nikolai. This left Mike B needing just a point to win the title, which he did easily, beating Drag in the 1st game and then generously offering a draw when better in game 2.

Congratulations to Mike B on his 5th Rapidplay title since the event began in 2016-17.