Gregg’s on a roll! New boy wins Hampstead Congress rating prize

Battersea member Gregg Hutchence played out of his skin to scoop the under 135 rating prize at last weekend’s Hampstead Congress.

Gregg belied his grade of 77 to beat players graded 123, 116, and 109 on the first day before finishing 3/5 overall.

His prize was one-year PRO membership on the chess training site Chessable, plus an interactive version of their Improve Your Chess Tactics book.

He was among a trio of Battersea players taking part in the monthly event organised by Fide arbiter Adam Raouf.

In the same section, Josef Milne-Lewer also performed well, scoring 3/5, but was unlucky not to be considered for a prize because he is ungraded.

In the under 2200 Fide section, Midhun Unnikrishnan pulled out after the second round having won one and lost one.

Gregg almost won his fourth game against the eventual winner, but made an unfortunate blunder that led to defeat.

It was a shame, but he was still playing way, way above his rating! So well done Gregg!