David Maycock scores 11.5/12 to take first prize in the inaugural Kingston Christmas Blitz, beating perennial rivals Peter Lalić and Vladimir Li to top spot

What to do to mark Christmas? Sing, be jolly, drink copiously. Well there was some of that, but chess players also like to play chess, so we celebrated the start of the festive season with a well-attended blitz, played at the Willoughby Arms on Thursday 21 December. Twenty-four players took part, including several of our friends from other local clubs, and these were the final standings:

The spirit in which the games were played was great, many mince pies were consumed, and we hope the Kingston Christmas Blitz is now an instant tradition. Thank you to everyone who supported the event: Gregor Smith and Ljubica Lazarevic for organising; Ljubica for arbiting; Greg Heath (and others) for setting up; David Bickerstaff for baking a cake; the members who brought biscuits and mince pies; Rick Robinson, the landlord of the Willoughby Arms, who generously provided a case of beer for the winner; all the players for taking part with such enthusiasm and good cheer; and the spectators who came along to enjoy the chess and camaraderie.

Congratulations to David on winning with a near-perfect score (though he admitted he was very fortunate to beat me twice, with one game lasting almost 20 moves). David, being a non-drinker, preferred to take home chocolate rather than beer as his prize, leaving second-placed Peter Lalić with the booze. Vladimir Li (sporting a magnificent Christmas-themed tie) was third; Stephen Lovell, showing that he has very much still got it despite playing very little over the past few years, was fourth; Richmond first-team captain Maks Gajowniczek came fifth; and Kingston’s Surrey League first-team captain Peter Andrews and club newcomer Ergo Nobel shared sixth place. Apologies to Ergo, whose “prize” for coming joint sixth (and in the process beating me 2-0) was a signed copy of my Rookie book.

Stephen Moss, secretary, Kingston Chess Club