Hamilton Chess Club

Thanks go to Hilton for organizing a great night on Tuesday with a 25 person Simul against Grandmaster Degan Bojkov from Bulgaria. Degan is in New Zealand at present due to his role as the Coach of NZ Open Team to Olympiad travelling to Batumi, Georgia this September. In 2009 Degan was champion of Bulgaria and member of the Bulgarian team at the European championships. He earned his GM title in 2008 and won the 48th Canadian Open Chess Championship in 2011. He was the trainer for Antoaneta Stefanova who was Women’s World Champion from 2004 to 2006. Degan’s current FIDE rating is 2478. The final score for the night was 24.5 to 0.5 with credit going to Prashanth who took the draw. Honourable mention also to William Lynn and Joel Crombie. At the finish William had connected passed pawns on the 6th rank, but was just nudged out by Degan’s bishop pair. Joel played firmly and was one of the last players to fall, with things very even in rook and pawn ending till close to the end.