6 players from Luton Chess Club were among the 240 who entered this years popular St Albans Chess Congress, during an April weekend in St Columba’s college with a lovely view of the famous cathedral. (The ratings of the players below are in brackets).
Spearheading the Luton players in the Open Section was club newcomer and ambitious Abiodun Nelson (1894). Current Club champion, Thomas P O'Brien (1899) , entered the Challengers (U2050) section alongside last months winner of the FIDE Northampton U1900 section, Jonadab Oki (1830). Luton B team board 1 Marek Gladysz (1752), and Samir Vora (1865), a past winner at St Albans Intermediate (old ECF grade U141) entered the Major (U1900) section. And yours truly, Humayun Mirza (1586), the club patron saint of mediocrity tried the Intermediate (U1750) section.
Saturday morning, round 1 results were a win for Jonadab against Amit Salvi (1925), a win for Tommy against Sai Ishaan Kuchibhatla (1825), a draw for Marek versus Paul E Williams (1890) and a win for Humayun against Conrad Hall (1475) in their respective sections.
Saturday afternoon round 2 results was a win for Samir versus Yechu Chen (1674) and a win for Marek against Stephen Millar (1802)
Onto the evening and round 3 and Abiodun was on the books with a draw against Bobur Khamkimov (1812). In the club derby match between Tommy and Jonadab, it was Mr O'Brien who emerged victorius. And Samir won a nice miniature against Jeffrey Bryant (1756) which is included in the game below.
Next morning in round 4, Tommy gained another impressive win against against Carmelo Tirado Simmaro (1813). Samir's game ended in a draw against Paul J Kelly (1790), as did Marek's game against Julian Clark (1768).
After a fine Sunday roast lunch at the college, the 5th and final rounds were played.
Abiodun had taken a bye in the 4th round and wasn't able to improve on his score in the final round in the Open section. With a FIDE rating of 2019 but having only recently returned to competitive play after 20 years, will be back.
I managed a draw against Ashwin Ravithas (1595) to finish on 2/5 in the Intermediate section. Meh.
Jonadab won in his last game against Stuart Nelson (1879) to also finish finish on 2/5, albeit in the much tougher Challengers Section.
Marek's round 5 game against Stephen R Mitchell (1832) was draw meaning he finished a pleasing 2.5/5 in the Major Section.
Samir won his third game of the tournament in round 5 against Stephen Millar (1802) to finish an impressive 3.5/5 and joint 3rd in the Major section.
And in a nail biting finish, Tommy played for and gained a win in his last game against Peter Jaszkiwskj (2012) to finish 4/5. But we had to wait for the outcome of board 1 match which ended in a draw to ensure that Tommy finished joint 1st in the Challengers Section, and win the rating prize for his section. Tommy's final round game is below. Well done Champ!
St Albans Congress 2026 Prize Winners