Chess players travel from across the country for annual tournament

The Great Yarmouth Chess Congress 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Great Yarmouth Chess Congress saw some of Britain’s top chess players crossing swords with local talent, with four sections to cater for all abilities.

Leading East Anglian hopes in the top open section was Bury St Edmunds international master Alan Merry who beat his closest rival, international master Richard Bates, in the third round on Saturday night.

The Great Yarmouth Chess Congress 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The event, sponsored by Kingsley Healthcare, was held at Yarmouth Town Hall and has now been running for more than 15 years.

Tournament controller John Wickham said: “The Town Hall is a magnificent venue. I want to thank the borough council and town centre partnership for their support as well as Kingsley Healthcare, our major sponsor for a second year.”

The Great Yarmouth Chess Congress 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Great Yarmouth Chess Congress 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Great Yarmouth Chess Congress 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Great Yarmouth Chess Congress 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Great Yarmouth Chess Congress 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Great Yarmouth Chess Congress 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Great Yarmouth Chess Congress 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)