Now that the dust has settled we can take a look back at the 99th edition of the Congress, which like every year brought together hundreds of chess players, as well as accompanying parents and partners, for a traditional reunion in a town whose historical ties to the game reach back to 1895. For many of our guests this was their first visit. Others remember the Congress from decades ago, and continue to take part every year if they can. We express our gratitude for everyone who made the effort to be here, particularly those who travelled far.
Horntye Park once more acted as our host, now for the 24th time, which in itself is remarkable. Chess and chess players take over the Sports Complex entirely during our stay. When the Congress moved here in 2000/01 there was still a Premier (all-play-all) tournament, played in the same hall. Congress Chairman Stuart Conquest was one of those who took part (in fact sharing first place with fellow GM Krishnan Sasikiran from India). The last Premier event was held three years later, in 2003/4, and was won jointly by grandmasters Jonathan Rowson (Scotland) and Vasilios Kotronias (Greece). (Stuart will not want to be reminded that he finished next-to-last on that occasion.) Time’s passing in Hastings plays tricks on the mind, and for some of us it still seems a comparatively recent arrangement to have most of the Congress, including the Challengers tournament, taking place in the Falaise Hall, and the Premier, with its array of stars, held a short downhill walk from there, beneath the White Rock Theatre.
Mr. Dominic Lawson, President of the English Chess Federation, was here to make the opening move on board one of the Masters, after which the Congress could begin in earnest. The large hall, of course, needs setting up for chess, a task largely performed by our arbiters (who travel to Hastings and begin their work the day before the Congress starts) but the staff of Horntye are also very much involved, with local chess club members also on hand to assist.
Every game in the Masters (and subsequently the leading games in the top three sections of the weekender) was played on a live board. This requires cables to be fitted and various checks to be made. Four screens show current game positions, a bonus for spectators, with finished games being replaced by others still in progress. One particularly close duel in the Masters (which we witnessed) lasted a mere 154 moves – Black won – with the final moves still shown on a screen for those who had stayed to watch.
The calendar for the 99th edition was problematic. We decided to squeeze the schedule as tightly as possible, allowing those who wished the possibility of maximising the number of games they could play: nine (Masters) or ten (Con Power plus New Year), and then five in the weekender. Some players gladly chose this option, such as our Korean visitors, their delegation here for the third time (with new players as well as some who have been before). Clearly the group members – we counted 17 who participated – were keen to enjoy as much competitive chess in Hastings as they could. The time-controls for all sections were identical to last year’s. Entry fees were unchanged, and the prize lists were maintained at the same level. A Congress programme is always produced in time to hand out on the first day, this year being no different, except that this time the front cover was black and white (breaking a recent habit of choosing various shades of blue), and there were plenty of photos inside – including one of the pier, an unlikely Congress venue for a few years.
We were delighted to receive a visit from GM Daniel King on the last day of the Masters. Daniel kindly donated a Best Junior Game prize, and came to see the action for himself, judging the award and staying for the prizegiving. Author and chess historian Steve Giddins was spotted at the Congress, keenly following the top games. Ilan Rubin (of publishing house Elk and Ruby) kindly donated twelve of his company’s books as special prizes. Ilan also played in the Con Power and New Year sections, the popular 5-round events running parallel to the Masters.
Notwithstanding the crammed timetable we decided to hold a Pairs Blitz event on New Year’s Eve, keeping up with tradition (we usually run a FIDE-rated individual blitz too, but the narrow schedule made this too complicated this year). The White Rock Hotel kindly hosted. Attendance was consistent with other years and the smooth running of the event was down to the able management of Matthew Carr, otherwise seen each day in charge of 53 live boards at Horntye. We were pleased to see two more of our arbiters, Hambel Willow and Chun Chiu, taking part.
Former Congress Director Stewart Reuben sadly passed away last February. During his years at the helm Stewart was in the habit of inviting a number of guests to dinner on New Year’s Eve, booking a restaurant for this purpose. Many years ago there would be even be rest days in the programme, but now players had games to play on New Year’s Day morning. Still, the countdown to midnight on December 31st found many competitors at the bar of White Rock, raising their glasses to see out the old and ring in the new.
Jim Wheeler is of inestimable importance to the Hastings Congress – he is Treasurer! Not a day of the Congress goes by without Jim being present, from morning to evening. He also volunteers as a ”filler”, stepping in to give players without an opponent a game (in any section). In this manner he secured two draws and a win in the Masters!
We would like to give special mention here to our Dutch friends, IM Tim Grutter, Carlos Preuter, Gerben Van Pel, and Joy Van Dorsten, all four of whom have now taken part in the last three Congresses. Thank you! We note too with pleasure the presence this year of the Skytte family from Denmark, with all four members participating: IM Rasmus Skytte, his wife Torill, and their children Robert and Amanda. French GM Pierre Laurent-Paoli also came for the third year running (merci!). This is also the place to thank two of our longstanding supporters from overseas: Reinhard Schmerwitz (Germany) and Jan Petter Opedal (Norway).
Finally, one feels obliged when reporting on any English event to remark on the weather. While Botvinnik here in 1934/5 had to put up with wind and rain (according to the Congress programme), the elements this year kept us dry, the sun’s rays predominant during the day, the chilly evenings bearable. Waking up to snow one morning (with a bright blue sky dutifully on its way) felt like a blessing, with foxes spotted on the white-powdered grounds close to the venue. Even the coldest days saw bursts of radiant sunshine. On the beach one afternoon we saw people setting up chairs and tables and sitting together, coated and scarved. Perhaps – we had to hurry to the venue – chess boards were about to be produced.
On our very last evening in Hastings, exploring the mazy lanes and alleys of the OId Town and musing on the fact of the Congress being over for another year, we stood in awe as a spectacular sunset cast its spell, the pink glow slipping slowly beneath the darkening line of horizon. A poetic end to the 99th edition, we start to look towards the 100th!
