This is the time of year when we should be reporting on the usual 9 or 10 round traditional Hastings International Congress. It would have been something of a special event which marked the 100th anniversary of the Congress in its usual format. It was a hard to decide what to put in its place but it seems that the event at the weekend was exceptionally well received by participants and viewers alike. The games were hard fought and the commentary by GM Simon Williams and IM Jovanka Houska entertained throughout.
Results and prizes were as follows —
| Place | Player | Points (from 11) |
| 1st | GM David Howell | 9 |
| 2nd | GM Luke McShane | 7.5 |
| 3rd | GM Michael Adams | 7 |
| 4th | GM Gawain Jones | 6.5 |
| 5th | GM Daniel Gormally | 6 |
| 6th | GM Matthew Turner | 5.5 |
| 7th | IM Matthew Wadsworth | 5 |
| 8th | GM Keith Arkell | 5 |
| 9th | GM Nicholas Pert | 4.5 |
| 10th | GM Mark Hebden | 3.5 |
| 11th | IM Ameet Ghasi | 3.5 |
| 12th | GM Glenn Flear | 3 |
Prizes – 1st £1,200; 2nd £800; 3rd £650; 4th £550; 5th £450; 6th £350; 7th £300; 8th £250; 9th £200; 10th £200; 11th £100; 12th £100
The players have all been regulars at Hastings since they were young, and many have achieved titles or title norms here; several of their names appear on the Hastings trophy. Although the usual c300 players were not in town for 10 days, Hastings and its attractions, both chess and leisure, were certainly mentioned, which will hopefully encourage visitors to return when we are all allowed to roam free again.
Many thanks go to Caplin Systems for their sponsorship. It was good to see CEO John Ashworth online for announcement of the results.