Chairman Steve O'Neill Reports from the CSCC at Cranwell:

The annual Combined Services Chess tournament was staged at RAF Cranwell over the recent Bank Holiday Weekend.  The event was opened by the Station Commander, Group Capt Nigel Wharmby OBE, and attracted 30 entrants from all three services and the MoD.  Over 5 days and 7 rounds, lasting up to 4 hours per game, an eventual winner emerged.  As the Chairman and as a RAF Sqn Ldr, I am delighted to announce that the title of RAF Champion and Combined Services overall champion went to Flt Lt Glen Parker of RAF Boulmer in Northumberland.

The event not only decides that title but is also used to select the UK Services team who will go on to represent us in the annual NATO chess championships, which this year are due to take place in Brussels, Belgium between 2-8 August.  Unfortunately two of our top three players, Flt Lt Glen Parker and Sgt Alec Toll also from the RAF are unable to make the event.  Therefore, the team selected to represent the UK in Brussels in August is as follows:

Capt Duncan Bailey (ARMY) (Team Captain)

Lt Duncan Harwood (ARMY) (Army champion)

Petty Officer Scott Crockart (RN) (Navy champion)

Sgt Nathan Ruff (ARMY)

Flt Lt Phil Denner (RAF)

Cpl Munroe Morrison (RAF)

WO1 David Ross (RN)

Sig Aaron McCully is also to be congratulated for being awarded the title of best newcomer and it is hoped he will enter the tournament many times in the future.  Thanks must also go to Grandmaster Raymond Keene OBE, an honorary member of the Combined Services Chess Association, for giving up his time to present a lecture on the life of the great Bobby Fischer, who died earlier this year.  Ray’s efforts and the generosity of the participants helped raise £310 for RAF charities and a further £150 for the Brains Trust.

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