Grandmaster Hebden returns to defend Guernsey International Chess Festival title
THE Guernsey International Chess Festival makes a welcome return to the European calendar next week after an absence of two years.
Throughout the period of Covid restrictions, the chess world has seen a reduction in the number of traditional ‘over the board’ tournaments and a shift to ‘online’ events. However, as things get back to normal, proof – if proof was needed of the popularity of the Guernsey tournament – will be on view when nearly 120 players take part in the 46th edition.
The tournament moves to a new venue – St James Concert and Assembly Hall in St Peter Port – and this year will consist of one Open tournament rather than two tournaments split by chess rating.
Much remains the same in that the players will compete over seven rounds, with the first commencing at 2pm on Sunday.
The tournament continues throughout the week and reaches a climax with the final round starting at 9.30am on Saturday 23 October.
Competition for the top prizes is expected to be intense.
The winner of the last edition in 2019, English grandmaster Mark Hebden, is returning to defend his title.
Hebden is the current English over-50 champion and has had a long and successful association with the Guernsey tournament.
This will be his 12th visit and he has been outright winner or joint winner no fewer than seven times.
However, winning the tournament again this year will be a difficult task as Hebden is sure to be challenged by fellow grandmaster Boris Chatelbashev, who is making his first visit to Guernsey.
Chatelbashev won the Bulgarian championship four times between 1991 and 2010 and since 2018 represents Denmark.
He has won tournaments in La Rhoda, Spain 2021 and Kragero, Norway 2022.
The third seed based on rating is current British women’s champion Harriet Hunt.
She is making her second visit to Guernsey, having played here as a youngster in 1990. Hunt was awarded the woman grandmaster title in 1997 and international master in 1999. She has also represented English women’s teams at Olympiads and European Championships.
Also, returning to Guernsey after a long absence is woman grandmaster Sheila Jackson. A four-time winner of the British Ladies’ Championship, Jackson played in Guernsey 12 times between 1976 and 1997.
In addition to the main prizes, there are awards for several categories: women, juniors, veterans (over 65), and grading prizes. There is also a trophy for the most brilliant game and a Channel Islands prize.
It is very encouraging for local chess to see 15 local players, plus four from Jersey, taking part.
With players from no fewer than 10 European countries as well as the United Kingdom and Ireland, it is sure to be an interesting week of chess competition.
