HCA’s oldest trophy. The Puller Cup is a team rapid-play event named after a club player from Ware.
Puller Cup – Results
2024
- Open
- 1st Watford (13.5)
- 2nd St Albans (10)
- 3rd Hertford (6.5)
- Under 1750
- 1st Hemel Hempstead (15.5)
- 2nd St Albans (10.5)
- 3rd Watford (10)
Puller Cup – Articles
Sat 19th Oct 2024
Report by Roger Lancaster (Watford Chess Club)
Clubs from across Hertfordshire met up to fight for Hertfordshire Chess Association’s oldest trophy, the Old Puller Cup. This year the competition (teams of four, playing five rapid-play games) took place at ASDA in north Watford, with the event divided into two sections: an open-to all section, which attracted some of the county’s top players; and a separate under-1750 competition.
Watford (13.5 points) emerged as winners of the top section, ahead of St Albans (10) and Hertford (6.5). While rival teams were all-adult, Watford owed much to the three juniors in its squad including 15-year old Avy Dasgupta who won all his five games.
The “stars barred” event attracted five teams – Enfield, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Watford and Watford Juniors. Hemel Hempstead (15.5 points) won convincingly with St Albans scoring 10.5, Watford (10), Enfield (8) and Watford Juniors (6). The last-mentioned, although facing much higher-rated opposition, were not overawed and caused several upsets – including a win by the youngest player present, 6-year old Harry Chan, against a 1700-rated opponent.
Puller Cup – a history
A further report on this year’s competition together with information about the history of the Puller Cup can be found on Andrew Smith’s Blog here:
https://www.chess.com/blog/ThePawnSlayer/the-return-of-the-puller-cup