Canfells on Board 1, Hu's on board 2?

The City of Sydney Championships started yesterday (24 February) and continues today and next weekend in it's new weekender format of 2 rounds per day over the first weekend and second saturday and one round on the second Sunday with the City of Sydney Lightning to follow afterwards. The time control is 90 minutes + 30 seconds a move

This years turnout was once again disappointing with approximately 21 players in the open section and 22 in the under 17 section. The Open section is extremely strong with 11 players rated over 2000.

Round 1 almost had a false start when the pairings had to be changed for both the Open and u1700. Play got under way a little bit late. On board one of the Open division Greg Canfell, being top seed, defeated Max illingworth where Max's shattered queenside pawns could not all be defended. Meanwhile on board two, second seed Tomek Rej disposed of The Closet Grandmaster : Amiel Rosario. Upsets of the round were: Dariusz Swiercz (2231) drawing with Hamish Selnes (1770) and Michael Dunn (1878) Defeating Ilia Ilic(2150).

In the Under 1700 division the first round brought about a number of upsets. Phil Willis (1323) defeated Mark Baterowicz (1623), Supergranny Mary Wilkie (1281) defeated Dennis Wan (1525), Horst Bleicher (1489) lost to Kinto Wan (847), Michael Tracey (1486) drew with C Zhang (777).

In round 2 Zirdum could not hold Canfells King from infiltrating the position in a 5 pawns + Bishop each with the bishops being of the same colour. Meanwhile on board two Jason Hu did not get enough compensation, getting only a Rook and Bishop for the loss of his Queen. When asked how he lost it he said: "i just lost it" Did we leave a queen en prise Jason? lol Just kidding mate.Upsets included Hamish selnes draw against Ilia Ilic.
Leaders on 2/2:Canfell, Rej, Bolens Yu.

In the u1700 Division, top seed Herman Rachmadi defeated Terence Wall. On board two Kinto Wan had an upset draw with David Evans and on board three another upset: Parramatta chess club member Thai Pham defeated Norm Greenwood. No other upsets occured except for the possibility that Michael Tracey defeated Mark Baterowicz which that game was the only game going when i left (at that time it was already a marathon....)
Leaders on 2/2: Herman Rachmadi, Trent Parker, Mary Wilkie and Thai Pham.

I'm going to take my camera tomorrow. Expect photos either tomorrow night or Monday.