Spens Cup 2024/25
After an administrative hiccup last year, the Dragons are back in the Spens Cup for 2024/25 and doing well: we are into the final!
Semi Final: Edinburgh 2 (away, Apr 5)
Mark had a quiet draw. Tom performed some impressive calculations to bamboozle his opponent who did miss one opportunity to draw (puzzle, game). Isaac tried but couldn't make any headway against an annoyingly solid player. Walter seemed to be playing for fun before remembering this was actually quite an important match whereupon he produced a massive swindle (game). Richard just had to keep hoovering up the pieces his illustrious (as an author) opponent kept giving away and remember not to lose on time, which he did with style.
| Edinburgh 2 | 1‑4 | Wandering Dragons |
|---|---|---|
| Alistair White (2004) | ½‑½ | Mark Orr (2101) |
| Mike Ridge (1886) | 0-1 | Tom Leah (2054) |
| Neil Irving (1846) | ½‑½ | Isaac Browning (2023) |
| Calum McGillivray (1783) | 0-1 | Walter Burnett (1987) |
| Snorri Kristjansson (1713) | 0‑1 | Richard Kynoch (1940) |
Quarter Final: Hamilton (home, Mar 15)
With an overall grading advantage, the Dragons played to their strengths and brought home an excellent win. All grades are FIDE grades.
| Wandering Dragons | 4½‑½ | Hamilton |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Orr (2095) | 1‑0 | Andrew McCusker (1927) |
| Tom Leah (2033) | 1‑0 | Tom Donahue (1926) |
| Elliot Sloan (1991) | ½‑½ | Alex Keenan (1792) |
| Walter Burnett (1983) | 1‑0 | William McIntosh (1791) |
| Neil Fleming (1863) | 1‑0 | Kirsty McCusker (1497) |