[Daanz-dip] [DAANZ-Dip] The 13th DON Tourney (Part 1)

[William J Brown]

THE 13th DON TOURNAMENT (2006)

The DON has an interesting history. Begun the year after the 1992 World Dip Con was held in Canberra, the DON was inspired by the visit for that Tourney of Don Del Grande from the USA.

Ken Sproat organised the first DON in 1993 in his then hometown of Torquay. Partially an “Invitational”, four boards of people were attracted by Ken’s enthusiasm. 

After two or three years of orgainising, Ken handed the DON over for others to continue. After a brief time at the Victorian Chess Club in Fitzroy (thanks to Frank Meerbach’s influence), the DON was thought to be important enough to continue, so Rohan Keane found a suitable venue and it was moved to Cramers Hotel in Preston (where in 1999 the notorious “Brandon Clarke Incident” took place. As the Tournament Director described it: “The 1999 Don Diplomacy Tourament was undoubtedly one of the most controversial tournaments in many years. There were three 18sc wins, with allegations that at least two of these wins, possibly all three, were "thrown" by certain players with the aim of affecting placings in the Bismark Cup.”)

After a hiatus in 2002, Rob Hadley took up the DON banner and it was held at the Geebung Polo Club (a pub in Hawthorn) in 2003 and 2004. Sean Colman has help organise the last two DONs, which have been held at the Box Hill RSL.

PAST WINNERS

1993 Rob Wessels
1994 Rohan Keane
1995 Craig Sedgwick
1996 Rohan Keane
1997 Craig Sedgwick
1998 Rob Stephenson
1999 William Black
2000 Rob Stephenson
2001 Tristan Lee
2003 Jason Whitby
2004 Rob Hadley
2005 Frank Meerbach

2006 – The Event

Due to a combination of circumstances ie I was on holiday, I had no family commitments on that weekend, I enjoyed the venue last year etc, I decided that I would play the whole tournament this year. This would be my first full tournament since before 2000.

I turned up on time (around 9.00am) to find stalwarts Frank, Sean and Kimberley already present. Soon we had one board of layers available, and by 9.30 the decision was made to start the first game. A half an hour or so later a second board was up and running with David Blom and I volunteering to play on the second board to make up the numbers.

(Parts 2 & 3 to follow)