The Cordon Trophy is a competition between teams from the Bedfordshire Chess League. Each team consists of four players and the teams play four rounds of chess in an evening. The time control is a rapid All moves in 10 minutes plus 5 seconds increments each move. The games are ECF rated, but the spirit is a fun and light hearted opener to the more serious league matches of the forthcoming season.
Named after W.A. (Sandy) Cordon 1926 - 2016, from Bedford Chess Club. Luton's retired top player Andrew Perkins played him twice and describes him as a "feisty fighter".
The Cordon Trophy 2024 was held at the friendly venue of Bedford Chess Club, and run by the always able Adrian Elwin. Eleven teams entered this evening, including two from Luton Chess Club.
Playing for Luton's first team, Luton Divas was: 1. Julian Hudson; 2. Tommy O'Brien; 3. Daman Singh; 4. Aleks Juhasz. With the three of the team absent from the club over the summer, only board 3. Daman Singh was known to be on form and in practice.
The second team, Luton Vivas was : 1. Michael Joseph; 2. Humayun Mirza; 3. Daven Patel; 4. Milen Stanchev. Last year, the second team finished last on 0 points, and the target this time was to break our duck.
In a packed room, with the boards all set, the players seated, League Controller, Adrian Elwin commanded, "Ladies and gentlemen, start your clocks" Here's how events transpired for the Luton teams.
Round 1.
Luton Divas Tommy O'Brien and Daman Singh won their games to give the first team two points; an excellent result in a competition in which the best players in the county had turned up. Luton Vivas followed behind with Michael Joseph taking a draw on top board and I managed to follow with another draw in my game. The first team were ahead and second team had broken their duck - but would they be able to ride their luck?
Luton Divas 2; Luton Vivas 1
Round 2.
The higher scoring Luton Divas meant tougher opposition in the next round, and here, only Daman Singh was able to score with a draw in his game. Over at Luton Vivas, I managed another draw but bottom board match was a home derby between Luton Diva, Aleks Juhasz against a completely unknown quantity Luton Viva, Milen Stanchev. Despite telling me he has very little over the board experience, Milen scored the win to put the second team, Luton Vivas equal with the first, Luton Divas.
Luton Divas 2.5; Luton Vivas 2.5
Round 3.
Another local derby for the Luton teams, this time on top board with Julian Hudson against Michael Joseph. Michael prevailed and once again, the second time player beat the first. An on form Daman Singh preserved the honour for the first team, but the second team scored even more wins with Daven Patel winning his game on board 3 and dark horse Milen Stanchev victorious on board 4. Remarkably, after round 3, Luton Vivas had overtaken Luton Divas.
Luton Divas 3.5; Luton Vivas 5.5
Round 4.
The atmosphere was electric at the final round. Whilst other teams were scrambling for the trophy at the top, the two Luton teams were engaged in battle of who would score most points in the evening. Luton Divas Julian Hudson's opponent was the formidable former English Under 13 champion Ramsey Dairi playing for Bedford Young Guns. The board 1 battle was won by the Luton player. Daman Singh was on fire this evening and scored another win, taking his tally to 3.5/4. Meanwhile Luton Divas kept pace with Daven Patel's win on board 3 and then a stunning win on board 4 with Milen Stanchev beating the highly rated Robert Whiteside from Milton Keynes.
Luton Divas 5.5; Luton Vivas 7.5
The full results are below.
Well done to all the teams who braved treacherous weather to show up and play and congratulations to Leighton Buzzard A who won the Trophy. Thank you to league controller Adrian Elwin for running the event and to Bedford Chess Club for hosting.
Congratulations to Daman Singh who scored joint highest with 3.5 / 4. And well done for the dark horse Milen Stanchev who won 3/4. One to watch out for.