Project 30: 9th Mike Closs Memorial Tournament - Photographic Memories

We are now just two days away from the 9th Mike Closs Memorial tournament.

It has been quite a week of reflection, thinking back over our times, tournaments and triumphs together, all the way from our first meetings (on board one for our respective school teams, Warsett and Westfields) up to to our final mutual team successes for Elwmood (finishing with another league and cup double, over a decade ago).

Here are  a few images from over the years.

.

A simultaneous display at Billingham Synthonia chess club, back in 2006. We played four boards each.

Photo © Steve Henderson

Mike taking a keen interest in my game against David Spence. This was the crunch league game for Elmwood against Middlesbrough Rooks. We won a very tough match to take the title.

Photo © Steve Henderson

Side by side at the 2003 Tom Wise KO Cup final against Athenaeum. We both won to secure another double for Elmwood.

Photo © Steve Henderson

 Lots of trophies for Elmwood during the golden years.

Photo © Steve Henderson

Another cup final. Such intensity as we defended our title against Peterlee.

Well, we cannot bring back those days but we certainly made the most of our time together. I think he would have approved of the tournament we have lined up for him this weekend.