THE annual Worcestershire Chess Congress was held in Redditch for the first time and attracted over eighty entries.

In the open tournament first place was shared between the veteran international master James Sherwin, who is an American and the up-and-coming Simon Buckley, each scoring 4 out of 5 points.

It had been expected that Keith Arkell would take first place but he had an off day, losing to both winners.

Arkell started playing for Worcs at the age of 15 but is now an international grandmaster living in Derby.

At Redditch he only managed 2 out of five, a far cry from his second place in the British Championship only a month ago.

Winners of the other sections were: Major Peter Mercs (Dark Horses Club); Steve Tarr (Shifnal) took the Minor and Colin Eckloff (Chelmsley Town) won the Challengers.

The results in this Congress are used to decide winners of county individual trophies and the result were: Martin Burrows (St Johns) championship; Barry McLoughlin (Halesowen) Minor trophy: Gary Jackson (Redditch) Challengers trophy.

Meanwhile, Philip Millard (Malvern) has resigned as secretary of the Worcester and District Chess League owing to pressure of work.

The composition for the season will be Division One: St Johns, Droitwich, St James, Kidder Knights, Kidder Pawns.

Division Two: Malvern, Redditch, Worcester, Kidder Rooks, Headless Cross; Headless Cross will also field a junior team against which all other sides will operate with a minus handicap.