President Mark C Stokes reflects on Cairns 2026.
Yes Congratulations to Doug, Daniel, Richard and all from Cairns Chess Club for putting on such a wonderful weekender. The last round Board 1 clash between Michael D’Arcy and Damian Norris was great entertainment for all the onlookers, a Queens and pawns endgame with outright first up for grabs for the winner. Damian’s outside passed rook pawn marched up the board but Michael’s King arrived in the nick of time to halt its queening! Then Michael’s K side pawns looked threatening and now perhaps a draw was the likely result. Alas, Michael then blundered one of his pawns under time pressure and Damian slowly but surely worked his way to victory, even with an illegal move along the way to add to the drama! 61 players for a Regional Week Ender was an amazing turn out and if Paul Summers is correct, a record number. I am already looking forward to playing to the 2027 Great Barrier Reef Open.
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