“And the winning team is…Market Harborough…I can’t quite believe it. I’ve checked three times. It’s a statistical miracle” said host and arbiter Andy Morley. Four third team members travelled to Syston to collect the Division Four shield at LRCA’s annual awards ceremony…and found themselves fluke winners of the Boot Cup too.

The all-play-all rapid play tournament (10.01 time controls) was held before the gongs were handed out at an event which marked the end of the chess season. Harborough lost all four matches earning just three wins from a total of sixteen games. Despite Harborough’s lean points return, our low ratings calculated through a handicap system was enough to land us the trophy in favour of teams such as the Syston First Team – who included Grandmaster Mark Hebden in their line-up. Syston won the tournament outright and picked up a huge shield,  but we sensed they coveted the Boot Cup most of all. Well done chaps!