Chess Scotland
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Trinations Report 2005
Robbie Coleman
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ONE TRINATIONS would not have been enough for me. As a relative
latecomer to the international scene Irvine 2003
was set to be my first and last Trinations,
before the excellent decision to create an under 16 section was made. And how
happy I am that it was. By increasing my international sell-by
date by a further two years I have been furnished with
many fond memories which will long stay with me, and given extra
impetus to improve my play and understanding of chess.
I feel that now, after competing in Scotland,
Ireland and Wales (and
completing a hat-trick of victories along the way),
I am ready to take part in the already delayed changing of the
guard, and let some of the many talented young players
Scotland has, get the chance I did.
“Talented young players” brings me neatly to Scotland
u12s, who showed tremendous skill and nerve to snatch the trophy
from the Welsh at the last moment. There was a number of impressive
debutants on display: of particular note were
Angus Taylor of Edinburgh and
James Todd of Arran, who both scored 100%
and definitely merit watching closely in the
future.
The u14s, with the exception of new addition Jamie Hookham, are all old hands at this now. They were
recognised as a
group of players with potential long ago and are now developing
into a team of good players. This year it didn’t really go
their way and despite a late surge they could not retain the
trophy they won in Dublin.
They will have to come back
stronger and more determined next year to try and
get it back.
The u16s had no such problems, perhaps unfortunately. I didn’t
feel that the team as a whole were firing on all cylinders,
and this was demonstrated in a disappointing 3-3 draw in the
warm up match against Wiltshire on Saturday. However we
still ran away with the competition, notching up 10½ out of 12
points while Ireland
came second with 5. It is worth
pointing out that we out-graded our opponents on
every board in both games. I think perhaps that both Wales and Ireland
were missing some important players, and am sure that next year
will bring considerably stronger teams.
Maybe we had
such success because of our frankly impeccable dress sense. I feel sure that
we gained a psychological edge from our matching t-shirts and flag/cape
combo. Not to mention the kilts of course; a more entertaining and
comfortable garment to end this chapter of my international career in I could
not have wished for.
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