Four days - eight games. That was the unlikely scenario for Martin Kelly, chess captain of Belfast South. Last Thursday, his team stormed to a 5.5-1.5
victory over Muldoons, with Rev. Ray Devenney "collaring" Gareth Annesley and Flying Dutchman Siebren Westra "nicking" a point from Nicholas Pilkiewicz. Martin lost in a friendly on board 6 against Rodney Orr - "orr" did he?
Last weekend, Martin won the Ulster Masters Junior title with 3.5/6, including draws with Damien Cunningham, Mark Newman and Robert Lavery. He also beat Stephen "Scarborough fair" and square! Some people wonder why Martin's rating is still only 1335 and they are quite right to wonder!
On Monday, Belfast South played champions Fisherwick with a second Dutchman, Maxim Le Clercq, "thrown into the deep end" against Michael Waters. With the Fisherwick big two top boards both winning and the other boards drawing, they won 5.5-1.5. Where was Martin? Across the road in the Belfast South Monday
Tournament, drawing with Chris Armstrong. No rest for the wicked, as he heads off this weekend with Cathal Murphy and Philip Morrison - The Three Musketeers -
to Kilkenny. A report will follow.
