Lublin, 04 - 09 July 2005

The IV Polish Clergy Chess Championship took place in the Metropolitan Higher Theological Seminary from 4 to 9 July 2005. The tournament was opened by rector Fr. Tadeusz Kądziołka, who was ordained the same year I was. In warm words he addressed the championship participants and drew attention to the many useful traits developed at the chessboard and relevant to day-to-day pastoral duties, traits such as patience, self-control, thoughtful analysis and perseverance to the end. In addition, he presented a most interesting history of the seminary and expressed the hope the participants would have long-lasting pleasant memories of their time at the seminary.

Fr. Kądziołka’s wishes were seconded by suffragan bishop of Lublin Mieczysław Cisło. He further expressed the hope a daily mass in the seminary church would be spiritually strengthening and that the seminary atmosphere would promote peaceful participation in the championship.

The Championships were enriched by accompanying events. Among other things, the championship participants played an indoor football match with representatives of the seminary, with the championship participants winning by a score of 12 to 8.

On 7 July 2005 main referee Mr. Zygmunt Wielecki, ranking 2281, played a simultaneous exhibition with the participants, the final results being: +7, = 1, –1. Father Grzegorz Wiejak won his game and brother Marek Bartoś drew his game.

The final results of IV Polish Clergy Chess Championship:

1. Fr. Zbigniew Wądrzyk - Gdańsk, archdiocese of Gdańsk 2. 2. Fr. Jacek Kupiec - Nawojowa, diocese of Tarnów 3. Fr. Andrzej Kuzio - archdiocese of Przemyśl 4. Fr. Grzegorz Wiejak - Niepokalanów, the Franciscan Order 5. Fr. Stanisław Dębowski - Kałków - Godów, diocese of Radom 6. Br. Marek Bartoś - Cracow, the Albertine Order 7. Fr. Franciszek Grela - Łagów, diocese of Sandomierz 8. Fr. Rafał Figiel - Jasienica, diocese of Łomża 9. Fr. Piotr Kubicz - Dzwola, diocese of Sandomierz.

A fast tournament P’5 was also played. Here are the results:

1. Fr. Zbigniew Wądrzyk - Gdańsk, archdiocese of Gdańsk 2. Fr. Piotr Kubicz - Dzwola, diocese of Sandomierz 3. Fr. Stanisław Bąk - Ryszkowa Wola, archdiocese of Przemyśl 4. Fr. Andrzej Kuzio - archdiocese of Przemyśl 5. Br. Marek Bartoś - Cracow, the Albertine Order 6. Fr. Franciszek Grela - Łagów, diocese of Sandomierz 7. Fr. Stanisław Dębowski - Kałków - Godów, diocese of Radom 8. Fr. Jacek Kupiec - Nawojowa, diocese of Tarnów 9. Fr. Grzegorz Wiejak - Niepokalanów, the Franciscan Order 10. Fr. Rafał Figiel - Jasienica, diocese of Łomża.

The Championship was held in an atmosphere of friendship and kindness. The organizers and participants expressed their gratitude to the Lublin seminary Board and its chairman rector Fr. Tadeusz Kądziołka , to archbishop Józef Życiński who allowed the championship to be held in the Lublin seminary, and to bishop Mieczysław Cisło for his deep interest in the competition and his presence at the championship’s opening and closing ceremonies.

Fr. Franciszek Grela, diocese of Sandomierz