13/05/2026
Neil Giffen Cup Final
A disappointment for us, congrats to Stirling. Report thanks to Isaac Browning.
In a tense and thrilling final that came down to the last board to finish, Stirling edged out Grangemouth by 4-3 to win the cup.
1. Isaac Browning 1/2-1/2 John McLay
2. John Iwuozor 1-0 Alan Bell
3. Leo Gardner 0-1 Graham Hamilton
4. William Spiers 1-0 Dougie Will
5. Sean Flanagan 1/2-1/2 Pranav Hariharan
6. Richard Warcup 1-0 Duncan Glassey
7. Bill Cook 0-1 Alan Petrie
Stirling 4-3 Grangemouth
Stirling had white on the even boards.
In a not altogether uncommon occurrence this season, John was last to arrive but first to finish his game. Alan B had a pleasant grip on the dark squares but missed a sudden tactic that lost him a piece. Next, William won after gaining an extra pawn against Dougie. I then drew with John after squandering a clear middlegame advantage by some questionably timed exchanges and weakening moves.. Alan P pulled a point back for Grangemouth with a fine attacking win over Bill. Sean and Pranav drew after an interesting middlegame featuring an attempt by Sean to trap the opposing queen left his own rook in a vulnerable location. Later, the game simplified to a level endgame with rook and bishop each. Graham exchanged queens early on and gradually wore down Leo to level the match at that stage.
This meant it all came to board six. Fortunately for Stirling, Richard had netted an extra exchange and despite Duncan's best efforts to find counterplay in their mutual time trouble, Richard advanced a passed pawn up the board to force resignation and win the match.
Thank you to Grangemouth for making the trip, for a very well fought match, and, ultimately, for the trophy!
