4NCL Harrogate Weekender, 21-23 January 2022

It can sometimes be surprisingly difficult to pin down just how many tournaments a successful and active player has won, but there's no doubting that Keith Arkell has been one of the most successful in this regard over the course of his 45-year career, and this month he notched up another one. According to him, the 27th 4NCL Congress in Harrogate was his 413rd tournament victory.

Nobody will be surprised to learn of the way he got there, either. His wins in the first three rounds were his customary endgame grinds, one of them against the current British Women's Champion. Then in round four, he got a free point in a way that will be all too familiar to audiences these days: there was a positive COVID test in his scheduled opponent's family, and so said opponent had to withdraw. Stay safe out there, everyone. His tournament concluded with a six-move draw against Derakhshani, guaranteeing him at least equal first, which became outright first when Willow could not beat Wells.

Joining Derakhshani and Willow in equal second place were Brandon Clarke, Alfie Onslow and Andrew Smith, the latter two of whom beat higher-rated opposition in the last round to get there.



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