A more recent innovation has been our Christmas Blitz tournament. A five round Swiss handicap played on the club night before Christmas enjoyed by all club members. The event has taken place nine times between 2008 and 2019 and is the brainchild of our former Secretary David Hulme.
A Time & Point handicap is employed, with both extra time provided for lower grade players and extra points added to their total score. A maximum of 15 minutes is allowed per player (with a minimum of 4 minutes) for the completion of each blitz game. The handicap is awarded based on grading bands, with the stronger players starting off scratch and the weaker getting 2.5 pts to add to their scores.
Christmas Blitz Winners
| Year | Winner | Number of Participants |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Ross Walker | 20 |
| 2009 | Paul Watson | 18 |
| 2011 | Graham Bromley | 20 |
| 2012 | Steve Connor | 30 |
| 2013 | Daniel Savidge | 34 |
| 2014 | Chris Doran | 22 |
| 2017 | Daniel Savidge | 26 |
| 2018 | Daniel Dowling | 24 |
| 2019 | Rohan Yesudian | 32 |