TARIK CUP MATCH REPORT

[Calpe Chess]

CALPE CHESS CLUB GIBRALTAR versus RAC CHESS CIRCLE PLAYED 20th JUNE 2009 CALETA HOTEL

Nine members of the chess circle, some with their wives, visited Gibraltar for the fourth in the series of these matches to accept the challenge from the Calpe Chess Club. Though the RAC Chess Circle had won the first two matches in 2006 & 2007, the Calpe Chess Club had wrestled the trophy from
us in 2008.

The weekend started officially with the team ‘welcome dinner’ at La Mamela Restaurant nearby to the Caleta Hotel by the Beach. We were joined by Richard and Tessa Feeney representing their parents. The food and wine were excellent in this most convivial of surroundings, which went a long
way to helping us recover smartly from our journeys by air to Gibraltar. There was much fun and the usual banter by which all were entertained!

After a most delicious breakfast, the Chess Match started promptly at 10am. This was the main match that decided the destiny of the Tarik Trophy donated generously by Jim Feeney. Sixty minutes each playing time, cerebral horns locked in mental combat ended with a win for the RAC Chess Circle by the score of 6 – 3. All the games were close with two
being halved. Thus, the result could
have gone either way.

After a light luncheon washed down by a beer or two, the two 30mins each games were played against different opponents each time. Both these matches resulted in wins to the RAC Chess Circle by 6 ½ - 2 ½ and 8 -1 respectively. We must thank Bob Feather for skippering our side with much aplomb and leonine style.

Whilst the chaps were playing chess, the ladies enjoyed their day shopping, sight-seeing and lunching together in the main parts of Gibraltar. Then when evening arrived, we all set off for the gala reception hosted most generously by the Feeneys at the new Savannah Lounge in Ocean Village. It was a glorious evening surrounded by a
multitude of yachts, speed boats et cetera as far as the eye could see
apparently!

We were joined by members of the Calpe Team, which added a bit of spice to the occasion.

Roger Montgomery, our folksy American singer, was awarded the man of the match for his outstanding performance in the chess match. Though some thought it could have been influenced by his decision not to sing this time round! Bob Feather made a very good speech which was followed by the formal presentation of the Tarik Trophy by Jim Feeney to Henry
Mutkin. Henry reiterated our great
appreciation to the Feeneys for their part in ensuring that this weekend was as
successful as the previous ones.

Then Sunday and Monday came and went and our team of buccaneers headed home with their bounty crammed into their suitcases! When will we see their like again!

Afore ye go!

Colin Ferguson