Countdown in Reading

Countdown in Reading is a Countdown tournament held in the town of Reading in Berkshire. It debuted on the co-event circuit in 2012, and was held annually between 2012 and 2019. In its original run, it was organised by Tony Atkins and held at Christ Church in the town of Woodley. The 2020 edition, scheduled for Easter of that year, was unable to go ahead due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned in 2024, this time hosted by Fiona Titcombe and as a FOCAL-affiliated event.

Each of the Reading co-events have been carried out in the "Bristol" format, with games additionally being played in the 15-round format.

Events

2012

Main article: CO:REA 2012

The inaugural Reading tournament took place on 7 April 2012 and consisted of 26 attendees. It was won by James Robinson.

2013

Main article: CO:REA 2013

The second tournament took place on 30 March 2013 and consisted of 34 attendees. It was won by Mark Deeks.

2014

Main article: CO:REA 2014

The third tournament took place on 19 April 2014 and consisted of 22 attendees. It was won by Giles Hutchings.

2015

Main article: CO:REA 2015

The fourth tournament took place on 11 April 2015 and consisted of 24 attendees. It was won by Jack Worsley.

2016

Main article: CO:REA 2016

The fifth tournament took place on 26 March 2016 and consisted of 16 attendees It was won by Tom Cappleman.

2017

Main article: CO:REA 2017

The sixth tournament took place on 15 April 2017 and consisted of 18 attendees. It was won by Rob Foster.

2018

Main article: CO:REA 2018

The seventh tournament took place on 31 March 2018 and consisted of 14 attendees. It was won by Graeme Cole.

2019

Main article: Co:REA 2019

The eighth tournament — the last in the original run — took place on 20 April 2019 and consisted of 10 attendees. It was won by Rob Foster.

2024

Main article: Co:Reading 2024

After a five-year absence, the ninth Reading tournament took place on 20 April 2024. The first to be FOCAL-affiliated, it was the seventh round of the 2024 FOCAL season, and was the first to be presented by Series 80 octochamp and quarter-finalist Fiona Titcombe. It introduced a purpose-built software named "RoboRiley", which was developed by Titcombe in 2023 and tested at the 2023 FOCAL finals six months prior. The event was held at Hemdean House School, and was won by Tom Carey.

2025

Main article: Co:Reading 2025

The tenth Reading tournament took place on 30 August 2025, as the sixteenth round of the 2025 FOCAL season, and consisted of 34 attendees. It was held at Christ Church Woodley, and was won by Tom Cappleman.

2026

Main article: Co:Reading 2026

The eleventh Reading tournament will take place on 15 August 2026 as the fourteenth round of the 2026 FOCAL season.

Organisers

• Fiona Titcombe: 2024–present
• Tony Atkins: 2012–2019, 2025-present