The last two rounds of the Beds. County Chess Championship were played at the Open University on 14th May. James Gardner beat Steve Ledger in Round 5 and drew with Adrian Elwin in the 6th and final round to share the title on 4.5/6 with Adrian, Graham Borrowdale and Rob Whiteside, all of Milton Keynes. Last year’s joint winners from Bedford, Steve Ledger, Toby Cox and Paul Habershon, were close behind with 4/6. Paul lost the mantle of oldest ever winner (76 years and 1 month in May 2022) to Rob Whiteside (76 years and 7 months in May 2023). Robert Walker (3.5/6) shared the slow starters prize and Lucian Cox (2.5/6) won the rating prize. James Gardner is on course to achieve the double of County Champion and Bedford Club Champion, guaranteed if he beats Richard Bodily in his final game.
Bedfordshire County Champions 2020, 2022 AND 2023!!