On the 25th April 2001 History was made. Troon A have unofficially won the Ayrshire league Division 1 for the first time.

Their match with Ardrossan stood at 4-0 to Troon with 2 games outstanding. Kilmarnock beat Prestwick 4.2 but that means that  no matter what the decision on the 2 boards Troon have definitely pipped Kilmarnock to the post.

Troon B lost 4-2 to Stewarton with 4 draws and 2 losses but we have yet to find out the result of the Irvine game from Monday to see if we stay in Division 2 or get relegated.

Congratulations to everyone who played throughout the year.

Party plans are in preparation. A open topped bus tour of Troon has been ruled out.

Only Clive Baird stood between GaryWeir and a clean sweep of the Troon Chess Club Championship. It was not to be and after a short tense game Gary emerged victorious and successfully defended his championship with an amazing 100% score. Ruefully, Clive commented that the pressure to win had been his downfall and while he acknowledged the precise play of the champion he defiantly said he was looking forward to a re-match in the final of the Coronelli should he defeat John Calder in the semi-final. For just now Clive has the consolation of sharing runner-up with Len Weir who also scored 7/9.

It was decision day in the reserve championship, the Gardiner Cup, and a joyous Jack Dryburgh accepted the plaudits with an outstanding score of 6/7 ahead of George Allan who takes runner-up. This was a particularly creditable performance as it was the first time Jack had challenged for the trophy. He intends to go for the championship next season. 

Now all eyes turn to Wednesday evening when Troon ‘A’ will attempt to win the Ayrshire League for the first time in their twenty-five year history. Their match against Ardrossan will be shadowed by events at Kilmarnock where the locals take on Prestwick. To win might not be enough as each board counts as a game point so with six points at stake Troon’s one point advantage is a slender lead. Duncan Malcolm has a full squad to pick from and the heartache will be his decision on who to leave on the sidelines for this historic game.

Tension was high before Troon’s important division one tie with Prestwick and stand –in captain Len Weir’s final words to the troops before the battle had a ‘do or die’ ring when he said ‘Do not be first finished if you lose.’ Determination proved to be the keyword as Troon recorded another victory in their attempt to secure the championship. Indeed the only game left with a question mark on it was Weir’s but it looked like the result would be a draw against Bob Carter. On boards one and two featuring Gary Weir and Clive Baird draws were agreed while a similar outcome at board six meant Mike Chapman went home quite contented. Stars for the night were Ian Sloan at four and John Calder at five with solid wins to make the likely score Prestwick 2 Troon A 4. This now leaves two clubs effectively contesting the title as Kilmarnock saw off the challenge of Ardrossan 4-2 so Troon still head the division by one point.

Prestwick captain Iain Fraser whose team take on Kilmarnock next in the final game wished Troon luck in their battle to win the league, ‘It’s good for chess to have an outsider win the division and as we can’t be those outsiders I hope Troon do it,’ he said.

Troon ‘B’ had a mountain to climb to salvage anything from their match with Irvine ‘B’ as half their team was unavailable but the work that Joe Bradley did to ensure that they did not default boards meant that the scratch team acquitted themselves admirably winning two boards by default and getting a third point through Vincent Bennis for a 3-3 draw. It could have been even better if Tom Mitchell had been able to convert a   won position instead of losing in a time scramble

It was almost a parody of Biblical dimensions when ‘A’ team captain Duncan Malcolm decided to go to the mountains of Fort William to ponder his team selection for the crunch match with Kilmarnock ‘A’. For once he has a full strength squad to choose from and is faced with the problem of who to leave out against a team which is likely to field International Master John Shaw at board one and is studded with stars. In their earlier meeting this season the match was halved but now with three games to go and Troon leading their opponents in the race for the title each board point is precious.

It is a double header with the two clubs meeting in the Second division but this time the length of the league separates Troon ‘B’ from Kilmarnock Dragons. An up-beat Joe Bradley, The ‘B’ captain warned of a major upset to the form book as he is able to play his strongest set of players and is not worried by the reputation of his lofty opposition. ‘ We will fight their fiery breath with halitosis!’ he quipped.

Troon’s Chess Popstars

Troon’s domination of the Ayrshire Chess League’s first division is threatened by an outbreak of paternity. Hardly had the champagne bubbles died down in Ian Sloan’s house following the birth of baby Michael than top player Gary Weir celebrates the arrival of his son Curtis.

This has set captain Duncan Malcolm a headache as Gary will be unavailable for the clash with Ardrossan this week. Second Board Clive Baird is also missing – delivering babies on Arran so drafted in from the B side will be Len Weir and impressive newcomer Mark Gibson will be given his chance.

Here are the latest league placings;

Troon 24 points; Kilmarnock A 22; Irvine 20; Ardrossan A 19; Prestwick 19; Ayr 16 ; Greenwood Gambits 12; Largs 9:

Troon ‘A’ and Prestwick were battling for leadership of the first division of the Ayrshire League when they met for the first time this season.  

Past battles had been close run affairs but on this occasion Troon were to have a runaway victory. With one game still to be decided Troon lead 5-0. The all important points came from Gary Weir, Duncan Malcolm, Ian Sloan, John Calder and Mike Chapman. Clive Baird is hoping for a draw adjudication on his game with Steve Hilton to add a half point to Troon’s haul. Captain Duncan Malcolm was in rapturous mood after the match and almost bought everyone a drink.

The ‘B’ team fared less well on their visit to Stewarton. Despite a board one win from Len Weir only Vincent Bennis could add to their tally and some slack play saw them slide to a 2-4 defeat.

Another champion determined not to relinquish his hold on the Gardiner cup in the adult section is Vincent Bennis whose win over early leader George Allan narrows the gap George had established and inflicts the first defeat on the trail blazer.

In the Club Championship Len Weir still dogs champion Gary Weir’s heels only one point behind the perfect 8/8 score. Both players have to play Clive Baird who can still win the title but has six games still to play. His score at present is 2/3.

Clive ended the dreams of Duncan Malcolm to successfully defend the Coronelli Trophy but he has to meet Ian Sloan in that competition’s third round. Already through to the semi final is John Calder with an impressive win over Joe Bradley

In club chess Gary Weir still is hot favourite, with only two games to go he has 100% from the seven games he has played. His nearest challenger is Len Weir on 5 points from six games.

In the Gardiner Cup George Allan continues to lead on 4.5/5 but watch out for newcomer Mark Gibson, his two wins from two games looks ominous.

The Junior championship is at the crical stage with Andrew Coll in poll position. Alan Welsh can’t catch him but with games in hand it is possible for Manreek Basi or Rebecca Edge to overtake.

Troon Chess Club

The Gardiner Cup is contested by the emerging talents in the club and it is refreshing to note that this year the early leader is of more mature stature in the shape of George Allan. He has scored an impressive 4.5/5 and has only two more games to secure what is effectively the reserve Championship. George joined the club last season and has shown tenacity allied to a learning process which is bringing rewards. Vincent Bennis can still successfully defend the Cup but has to overcome George and other hopefuls.

The first round of the Coronelli Knockout Trophy is nearly completed with the star tie being the Re-match of last year’s marathon four game battle between Mike Chapman and John Calder. John managed to win through at the first attempt courtesy of an uncharacteristic blunder by Mike. The appealing tie the second round draw has presented is the holder’s (Duncan Malcolm) tussle with Clive Baird, twice winner of the Trophy.