Old Puller Cup 2009

The 2009 Old Puller Cup team competition was held at St.Albans Chess Club on Sunday 17^th May. There was a reduction in teams taking part, although player numbers remained the same with 6 clubs and 41 players, including a Barnet 'guest' team. Watford had a very strong team and were out to take glory this season, and following the non participation of Royston they were strong favourites. The format remained the same as last year in that the top four scoring players from a club contributed to the final result in 3 sections. The sections being open, under 150 and under 125.

The pairings were drawn using an accelerated swiss system that runs for all 4 rounds. This is unusual as the acceration is normally only for the first 1 or 2 rounds. To give all players a reasonably matched opponent in the Puller Cup the system used avoids 'miss' pairings when the acceleration is removed.
The acceleration groups match the grading sections, so those under 125, 125-149 and 150 and over.

The top section was indeed won by Watford although they had a set back in the first round scoring only 2 wins from their 9 players. Normal service was resumed for the rest of the afternoon. St.Albans finished a close second. and Lecthworth 3rd

The under 150 section was won by St.Albans, followed by Letchworth.

The under 125 section was also won by St.Albans, with Watford second.

Round by round results
Individual scores
Cross table