The club has once again begun meetings this month, kicking off with the AGM where club members discussed various important matters, such as club finances and organizational roles.
Whilst we wait to see where the season will lead us in terms of league fixtures and club competitions, the club has seen a flurry of activity featuring a lot of casual chess, as well as the final few games of the Secretary's Quickplay.
Marcus has found a late extra point against Tom, and Dan fought valiently to tie his matches against two strong opponents in Joachim and Anthony. A strong day for the white pieces!
The club has tentatively scheduled in the first handicapped Quickplay tournament of the season for the 2nd of October. This competition runs two to three times a year, with the overall winner taking the Pollard Cup. More information about this will come next week.
The season’s Spring rapid-play took place on the 5 th June 2023, the last evening of the season.
There were 10 players for this year’s Spring Quickplay. The tournament went well and there was no mayhem. All players played in a competitive but friendly manner with plenty of ups and downs.
The event started well for Joachim Trier who beat Denzil, Roy Gray beat John Ewens on time.
Tony Brough and Geoff Laurence started strongly with wins in the first two rounds and met in the third round. Tony Brough beat Geoff in the third round. John E and Denzil progressed steadily, John Paul was on zero and Joachim faded.
There were lots of ups and downs with Simon reaching 2 points and Geoff, John, Tony Brough, and I (Denzil) also progressed nicely.
In the final round Denzil (3 points) played Tony Brough (3 points) and John (3 points) played Geoff (3 points).
Fortunately for me, I beat Tony and John beat Geoff to secure joint first place.
See Quickplay section for full details.
John-Paul became club champion for the first time when 2 games were decided suddenly by Secretary-style blunders. John E was certainly holding his own when he moved his queen to allow mate in 1. Joachim looked well up with John A behind on material and also playing on the time increments. Sadly a couple of blunders led to the loss of, first a rook, and then a queen. None the less John-Paul's play has certainly merited his success.
Meanwhile Ant defeated Tom to take the Pomeroy Cup. Tom put up a good fight but Ant used all his experience to find a number of challenging moves - to cap a good campaign.
Denzil's guile meanwhile threw the Quickplay competition wide open when he saw off the secretary 2-0,
overcoming an early loss of the exchange in game 2.