Visit to Copenhagen 2011
Visit date: Thursday, 18th - Monday, 22nd February 2011
The were seven players in the team this year, as Terry Douse did not join the Group. Ray did the liaison work with the two Danish Chess Clubs. Jeremy provided a site-seeing itinerary for the first two days:
- Friday: Little Mermaid; St Albans Church; Amalienborg (Changing of the Guard at noon); Marmokirken; Rosenburg Castle and gardens; Rundetarn (Round Tower) with panoramic views of the city from the top.
- Saturday: Caritas Fountain; Grabronetorv (Franciscan monastery); Amber Museum; Nyhavn (17th century waterfront); Naval Museum; vor Freisors Kirke (Church).
The climate was dry but on the cool side, with a hefty wind-chill making it feel chilly.
- Flight
We flew by Easy-Jet from Stanstead. On the return trip, the team suffered a delay of around 40 minutes when passing through Passport Control.
- Hotel Scandic
The hotel Scandic was near the central Railway Station. It offered comfortable accommodation, at a reasonable price and breakfast was included.
- Borgen (Friday, 18th Feb)
Three hour playing session (90 minutes per player). The teams were closely matched and the result was a win for St. Albans by 4 - 3. The match was followed by a meal and a few beers with the Borgen players at their club premises to round off a most convivial evening.
- Taarnby (Saturday, 19th Feb)
Two games against the same opponent, with 30 mins per player, per game. (four hour session). Result: First Round was Drawn 3½ - 3½. Second Round was Won 5 - 2 by Taarnby. The match was followed by a few beers with the Taarnby players in a local Bar. One Taarnby player challenged the top St. Albans players to an informal blitz contest, while the remaining players socialised.
- Wash-up Meeting
- More favourable ECF-ELO grading conversions were used on this trip.
- We played both matches well off of the tourist beat, experienced real Denmark.
- Stanstead – less convenient than Luton and the late return was not welcome.