Hillarp-Persson and Goman take top prizes

Monday 27th October 2008, 2:29PM GMT.

Guernsey’s Russell Finch playing black in the Holiday Tournament. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0659469)

GUERNSEY’S Colin Goman shared some of the limelight with open champion Tiger Hillarp-Persson as the Fortis 34th Guernsey International Chess Festval ended at the Peninsula.

In the final round of the week-long event, Goman beat leader David Newell to earn a share of first prize in the Holiday Tournament.

It is thought that it is the first time a local player has won either of the annual Guernsey festival tournaments. Goman had given himself a chance of glory with a superb draw in the penultimate round against long-time Holiday Tournament leader Henk Haisma.

Meanwhile, in the main competition, grandmaster Hillarp-Persson pulled out all the stops to defeat fellow grandmaster Kevin Spraggett in round six.