The 5-round 2017 Chester-le-Street Congress was held at Park View Community Centre, Church Chare, Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham DH3 3PZ, from 18th to 20th August. (“Chare” is NE dialect word meaning a narrow street, lane or passage between buildings.)

There were 53 entrants: 14 in the FIDE-rated Open, 21 in the Major (U-160), and 18 in the Challengers (U-120).

The only Yorkshire player in the Open section was Leeds University PhD student Daniel Abrahams, who hails from Canada. He was outgraded only by the two FIDE Masters participating, David J Walker of Leam Lane CC (Gateshead), and Charlie H Storey of Jesmond CC (Newcastle-upon-Tyne).

In the Major, 6 of the 21 competitors were from Yorkshire clubs. At the top of the list, ranked by grade, were Robert A Dean of Pudsey, David A Patrick of Calderdale, and Robert Clegg of Huddersfield, so there was a good chance of prizes being won. Further down the list were Paul R H Clarke of Rose Forgrove, Richard E Desmedt of Wombwell, and Paul Salisbury of Yorkshire Copper Works (Leeds).

In the Challengers, Yorkshire was represented by Vivien Webster of Calderdale, the highest graded player in the section, and Hasim Khan of Alwoodley, so there were also good chances of a prize here too.

The 9 Yorkshire players won 4 place prizes between them, their results being as follows.

Section, Name	Club or Location	Points/5	Place	Prize*
Open
Daniel Abrahams	Leeds University	3	5-6=
Major
Robert Clegg	Huddersfield	4	1-2=	£150
Robert A Dean	Pudsey	4	1-2=	£150
David A Patrick	Calderdale	3½	3-5=	£16.67
Paul R H Clarke	Rose Forgrove	2½	7‑15=
Richard E Desmedt	Wombwell	2½	7-15=
Paul Salisbury	Yorkshire Copper Works	2½	7-15=
Challengers
Vivien Webster	Calderdale	5	1	£150
Hasim Khan	Alwoodley	2½	6-11=

* as per entry form

Fuller details mat be found at:

http://chess-results.com/tnr297059.aspx?lan=1 (Open)

http://chess-results.com/tnr297058.aspx?lan=1 (Major)

http://chess-results.com/tnr297099.aspx?lan=1 (Challengers)