Bedford Chess Club - Bedfordshire County Champions 2018

October 19, 2018October 19, 2018

Bedford C ½-4½ Bedford D

Fine wins by Lucian, Callum and Gerry (game added – welcome back Gerry! – Ed), a boring draw from me, and a win on time by Toby when he dropped a pawn and Joe needed more than the 15 seconds he had left to process this fact.

More details later if I anyone can think of anything interesting to say…

John

[Event "Bed C v Bed D"]  [Date "2018.10.18"]  [Round "?"]  [White "Walker, Robert"]  [Black "Nolan, Gerry"]  [Result "0-1"]  [ECO "B01"]  [WhiteElo "138"]  [BlackElo "134"]  [Annotator "Nolan,Gerry"]  [PlyCount "84"]  [SourceDate "2018.10.19"]  [SourceVersionDate "2018.10.19"]   1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. c4 {An interesting variation, where White hangs onto  the pawn, but has to absorb a lot of pressure} Bf5 4. d3 c6 5. dxc6 Nxc6 {  Black is rated as equal at this point, despite being a Pawn down, because of  the piece activity. But that's only useful if Black can make something of it.}  6. Nf3 e5 7. Nc3 Bd6 {Not sure about this. Komodo recommends Bb4 as a better  option.} 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O Nb4 10. Bg5 h6 ({I looked at this as an option, but  the end product just swaps off pieces to no real benefit} 10... Nxd3 11. Bxd3  Bxd3 12. Qxd3 e4 13. Qe3 exf3 14. Qxf3) 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. a3 Nc6 {Just shows  that Nb4 was a waste of time.} 13. Nd5 Qe6 14. Re1 Ne7 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Nd2  Rfd8 17. Qc2 Bc5 18. b4 Bd4 {This gives Black equality again, but the pawn  shortfall still nags.} 19. Rac1 a5 20. c5 axb4 21. axb4 Qd7 {Komodo prefers  Qh4, to cause KIngside trouble, but I couldn't see any future in that and was  looking to play on White's b-pawn with Rh4. Sadly White's next move puts paid  to that idea, nasty forking threats.} 22. Nc4 Qb5 23. Nd6 Qd7 24. Bf3 Be6 {  The b-Pawn is not looking healthy and defending it would tie me down forever,  so I looked for some play with the Rook to a2.} 25. Nxb7 Ra2 26. Qd1 ({A much  better option seems to be} 26. c6 Rxc2 27. cxd7 Rxc1 28. Rxc1 Rxd7 29. b5 Bf5  30. Nc5 Rc7 31. Bc6) 26... Bxf2+ 27. Kh1 Bxe1 28. Nxd8 (28. Qxe1 Rb8 29. Nd6  Ra6 30. Qxe5 Rxb4 31. d4 {is a much better option. The move played loses a  piece, or the exchange.}) 28... Bd2 29. Rc2 Bb3 30. c6 Qxd8 (30... Qxd3 31.  Rxd2 Rxd2 32. Qe1 Bd5 33. c7 Bxf3 34. Nc6 Rxg2 35. c8=Q+ Kh7 {would have won  immediately.}) 31. c7 Qxc7 (31... Qc8 32. Rxa2 Bxd1 33. Ra8 Qxa8 34. Bxa8 Bg4  35. Bb7 Bxb4) 32. Rxc7 Bxd1 33. Bd5 Bb3 34. Rc8+ Kh7 35. Be4+ g6 36. h3 Ra4 {  I wanted to play Bxb4, but Rb8 would cost a Bishop} 37. b5 Rb4 38. Rb8 Ba4 39.  b6 f5 40. Bf3 e4 41. dxe4 fxe4 42. Be2 ({Essential was} 42. Rb7+ Kg8 43. Be2  Bf4 44. g4 Bc6 {but this will be won eventually.}) 42... Rb1+ 0-1

October 16, 2018October 17, 2018

More fun in Greece

Steve reports:

Hope you all saw my magnificent swindle today (below-Ed) !? One very peed off Estonian who made me mate him with k+q V k. Not gone entirely to plan lately in a couple of bizarre matches. We drew with Grantham yesterday, 3 quiet draws on the top 3 then Dave won a right mess of a game, I recovered from an awful opening to even entertain winning thoughts then messed up a Q ending and got mated with 4Qs on the board (sorry Steve, thought we’d better see that as well ! ). Chris Duncan then proved the mantra of never give up / nobody ever won or drew a game by resigning by somehow drawing from -52 on Stockfish. Today was a nasty draw but our IMs halved out on the top 2 before Chris Duncan lost on time with 2.5 mins for move 40 in a decent position. This ultimately rendered my swindle academic and we went down 2.5-3.5. Norwegian team tomorrow who are losing even more rating points than we are !

[Event "European Club Cup"]  [Site "chess24.com"]  [Date "2018.10.16"]  [Round "5"]  [White "Ledger, Stephen C"]  [Black "Nahkur, Madis"]  [Result "1-0"]  [Board "6"]  [WhiteElo "2020"]  [WhiteCountry "ENG"]  [WhiteFideId "404470"]  [WhiteEloChange "10"]  [BlackElo "2013"]  [BlackCountry "EST"]  [BlackFideId "4501187"]  [BlackEloChange "-10"]   1. d4 {[%clk 1:30:53]} Nf6 {[%clk 1:30:50]} 2. Bg5 {[%clk 1:30:59]} e6 {[%clk  1:30:30]} 3. Nf3 {[%clk 1:30:40]} Be7 {[%clk 1:30:52]} 4. e3 {[%clk 1:29:30]} b6  {[%clk 1:30:49]} 5. Nbd2 {[%clk 1:27:10]} Bb7 {[%clk 1:31:02]} 6. Bd3 {[%clk  1:26:12]} O-O {[%clk 1:30:59]} 7. O-O {[%clk 1:25:43]} c5 {[%clk 1:31:02]} 8. c3  {[%clk 1:23:43]} d5 {[%clk 1:28:07]} 9. Ne5 {[%clk 1:17:55]} Ne4 {[%clk 1:23:20]}  10. Bxe7 {[%clk 1:14:55]} Qxe7 {[%clk 1:23:47]} 11. f3 {[%clk 1:09:34]} Nxd2  {[%clk 1:20:38]} 12. Qxd2 {[%clk 1:09:55]} f6 {[%clk 1:18:03]} 13. Ng4 {[%clk  1:09:47]} Nd7 {[%clk 1:15:16]} 14. Rae1 {[%clk 1:05:36]} e5 {[%clk 1:09:19]} 15.  dxe5 {[%clk 0:56:03]} fxe5 {[%clk 1:02:22]} 16. c4 {[%clk 0:50:33]} e4 {[%clk  0:38:33]} 17. Be2 {[%clk 0:45:59]} h5 {[%clk 0:35:20]} 18. Nf2 {[%clk 0:41:16]}  Ne5 {[%clk 0:29:49]} 19. fxe4 {[%clk 0:29:40]} dxe4 {[%clk 0:30:04]} 20. Nh3  {[%clk 0:21:26]} Nf3+ {[%clk 0:22:40]} 21. gxf3 {[%clk 0:18:58]} exf3 {[%clk  0:23:04]} 22. Bxf3 {[%clk 0:11:56]} Rxf3 {[%clk 0:23:11]} 23. Rxf3 {[%clk  0:11:41]} Bxf3 {[%clk 0:23:38]} 24. Rf1 {[%clk 0:10:29]} Bc6 {[%clk 0:20:32]} 25.  Qf2 {[%clk 0:08:58]} h4 {[%clk 0:15:22]} 26. Qf4 {[%clk 0:06:16]} Re8 {[%clk  0:10:47]} 27. e4 {[%clk 0:04:16]} Qxe4 {[%clk 0:05:01]} 28. Qf7+ {[%clk 0:04:11]}  Kh8 {[%clk 0:05:24]} 29. Qf8+ {[%clk 0:03:05]} Rxf8 {[%clk 0:01:24]} 30. Rxf8+  {[%clk 0:03:26]} Kh7 {[%clk 0:01:51]} 31. Ng5+ {[%clk 0:03:46]} Kg6 {[%clk  0:02:19]} 32. Nxe4 {[%clk 0:04:01]} Bxe4 {[%clk 0:02:45]} 33. Rf4 {[%clk  0:03:13]} Bb1 {[%clk 0:02:40]} 34. Rxh4 {[%clk 0:02:59]} Bxa2 {[%clk 0:02:59]}  35. Kf2 {[%clk 0:02:34]} Kf5 {[%clk 0:03:01]} 36. Ke3 {[%clk 0:01:12]} g5 {[%clk  0:02:32]} 37. Rh7 {[%clk 0:01:05]} Bxc4 {[%clk 0:02:34]} 38. Rxa7 {[%clk  0:01:25]} Bd5 {[%clk 0:01:39]} 39. Ra6 {[%clk 0:01:05]} b5 {[%clk 0:01:48]} 40.  Rb6 {[%clk 0:30:51]} Ke5 {[%clk 0:30:38]} 41. Rxb5 {[%clk 0:30:33]} Kd6 {[%clk  0:31:00]} 42. Rb8 {[%clk 0:24:11]} Ke5 {[%clk 0:29:49]} 43. Re8+ {[%clk 0:22:52]}  Kd6 {[%clk 0:25:13]} 44. Rh8 {[%clk 0:22:50]} Bf7 {[%clk 0:22:50]} 45. Rh6+  {[%clk 0:21:09]} Ke5 {[%clk 0:22:59]} 46. Rc6 {[%clk 0:20:33]} c4 {[%clk  0:13:42]} 47. Rc5+ {[%clk 0:19:35]} Kf6 {[%clk 0:10:52]} 48. Kd4 {[%clk 0:16:06]}  g4 {[%clk 0:11:16]} 49. Rxc4 {[%clk 0:14:56]} Bxc4 {[%clk 0:10:56]} 50. Kxc4  {[%clk 0:15:18]} Kg5 {[%clk 0:11:26]} 51. b4 {[%clk 0:15:34]} Kh4 {[%clk  0:11:55]} 52. b5 {[%clk 0:15:54]} Kh3 {[%clk 0:12:02]} 53. b6 {[%clk 0:16:16]}  Kxh2 {[%clk 0:12:25]} 54. b7 {[%clk 0:16:38]} g3 {[%clk 0:12:45]} 55. b8Q {[%clk  0:16:54]} Kh1 {[%clk 0:13:02]} 56. Kd3 {[%clk 0:15:04]} Kg2 {[%clk 0:10:44]} 57.  Ke2 {[%clk 0:13:48]} Kh1 {[%clk 0:11:10]} 58. Qh8+ {[%clk 0:13:49]} Kg2 {[%clk  0:11:28]} 59. Qh4 {[%clk 0:13:53]} Kg1 {[%clk 0:11:52]} 60. Qxg3+ {[%clk  0:14:07]} Kh1 {[%clk 0:12:13]} 61. Qg8 {[%clk 0:14:26]} Kh2 {[%clk 0:12:41]} 62.  Kf2 {[%clk 0:14:47]} Kh1 {[%clk 0:13:03]} 63. Qg2# {[%clk 0:15:09]} 1-0

[Event "European Club Cup"]  [Site "chess24.com"]  [Date "2018.10.15"]  [Round "4"]  [White "Varnam, Liam D"]  [Black "Ledger, Stephen C"]  [Result "1-0"]  [Board "6"]  [WhiteElo "2089"]  [WhiteCountry "ENG"]  [WhiteFideId "410950"]  [WhiteEloChange "8"]  [BlackElo "2020"]  [BlackCountry "ENG"]  [BlackFideId "404470"]  [BlackEloChange "-8"]   1. e4 {[%clk 1:30:56]} d5 {[%clk 1:30:28]} 2. exd5 {[%clk 1:31:16]} Qxd5 {[%clk  1:30:37]} 3. Nc3 {[%clk 1:31:36]} Qd6 {[%clk 1:30:13]} 4. d4 {[%clk 1:31:23]} Nf6  {[%clk 1:29:44]} 5. Nf3 {[%clk 1:31:28]} c6 {[%clk 1:28:28]} 6. Bc4 {[%clk  1:29:13]} Bg4 {[%clk 1:20:09]} 7. Be3 {[%clk 1:28:51]} e6 {[%clk 1:18:16]} 8. h3  {[%clk 1:22:18]} Bh5 {[%clk 1:11:57]} 9. Qe2 {[%clk 1:20:57]} Nbd7 {[%clk  1:08:52]} 10. O-O-O {[%clk 1:17:42]} Be7 {[%clk 1:05:25]} 11. g4 {[%clk 1:13:08]}  Bg6 {[%clk 1:04:47]} 12. Rhg1 {[%clk 1:09:18]} Nb6 {[%clk 0:56:30]} 13. h4 {[%clk  0:51:59]} Nxc4 {[%clk 0:47:44]} 14. Qxc4 {[%clk 0:52:16]} Be4 {[%clk 0:43:06]}  15. Nxe4 {[%clk 0:47:57]} Nxe4 {[%clk 0:43:22]} 16. Qd3 {[%clk 0:45:28]} Nf6  {[%clk 0:40:42]} 17. c4 {[%clk 0:38:38]} Nd7 {[%clk 0:35:52]} 18. g5 {[%clk  0:19:10]} a6 {[%clk 0:31:34]} 19. Nd2 {[%clk 0:16:07]} O-O-O {[%clk 0:23:54]} 20.  Qc2 {[%clk 0:10:47]} Kb8 {[%clk 0:18:12]} 21. c5 {[%clk 0:08:32]} Qd5 {[%clk  0:14:38]} 22. Nc4 {[%clk 0:07:30]} Ka7 {[%clk 0:10:43]} 23. Bf4 {[%clk 0:06:26]}  b5 {[%clk 0:07:07]} 24. cxb6+ {[%clk 0:05:47]} Nxb6 {[%clk 0:07:05]} 25. Nxb6  {[%clk 0:02:53]} Kxb6 {[%clk 0:07:29]} 26. Rg3 {[%clk 0:03:05]} Bd6 {[%clk  0:02:54]} 27. Rb3+ {[%clk 0:03:13]} Ka7 {[%clk 0:02:39]} 28. Bxd6 {[%clk  0:02:11]} Rxd6 {[%clk 0:01:53]} 29. Re3 {[%clk 0:00:36]} Rhd8 {[%clk 0:01:22]}  30. b3 {[%clk 0:00:36]} Qb5 {[%clk 0:00:44]} 31. Rc3 {[%clk 0:00:36]} Rxd4 {[%clk  0:00:39]} 32. Rxd4 {[%clk 0:00:54]} Rxd4 {[%clk 0:01:08]} 33. Rxc6 {[%clk  0:01:00]} Rd7 {[%clk 0:00:36]} 34. Rc7+ {[%clk 0:00:36]} Rxc7 {[%clk 0:00:59]}  35. Qxc7+ {[%clk 0:01:03]} Ka8 {[%clk 0:00:32]} 36. Qxf7 {[%clk 0:00:58]} Qc5+  {[%clk 0:00:39]} 37. Kb1 {[%clk 0:01:05]} Qc3 {[%clk 0:00:36]} 38. Qe8+ {[%clk  0:00:43]} Kb7 {[%clk 0:00:42]} 39. Qf7+ {[%clk 0:01:00]} Kb8 {[%clk 0:00:35]} 40.  Qg8+ {[%clk 0:31:14]} Kb7 {[%clk 0:30:38]} 41. Qxh7 {[%clk 0:24:48]} Qe1+ {[%clk  0:29:45]} 42. Kc2 {[%clk 0:24:23]} Qxf2+ {[%clk 0:29:26]} 43. Kd3 {[%clk  0:24:29]} Qf3+ {[%clk 0:27:34]} 44. Kd4 {[%clk 0:23:28]} Qd5+ {[%clk 0:24:16]}  45. Ke3 {[%clk 0:23:09]} Qc5+ {[%clk 0:23:47]} 46. Kf3 {[%clk 0:21:59]} Qc3+  {[%clk 0:17:36]} 47. Kg4 {[%clk 0:20:50]} Qd4+ {[%clk 0:16:24]} 48. Kh5 {[%clk  0:20:19]} Kc6 {[%clk 0:15:43]} 49. Kg6 {[%clk 0:19:41]} e5 {[%clk 0:15:08]} 50.  Qxg7 {[%clk 0:17:59]} Qd3+ {[%clk 0:14:48]} 51. Kh6 {[%clk 0:15:26]} e4 {[%clk  0:13:12]} 52. g6 {[%clk 0:09:21]} Qd2+ {[%clk 0:05:59]} 53. Kh7 {[%clk 0:08:45]}  e3 {[%clk 0:04:12]} 54. Qf6+ {[%clk 0:07:23]} Kc5 {[%clk 0:01:42]} 55. g7 {[%clk  0:05:07]} e2 {[%clk 0:01:21]} 56. g8Q {[%clk 0:04:21]} Qd3+ {[%clk 0:00:44]} 57.  Kh8 {[%clk 0:04:24]} e1Q {[%clk 0:00:43]} 58. Qgf8+ {[%clk 0:04:23]} Kb5 {[%clk  0:00:35]} 59. a4+ {[%clk 0:04:43]} 1-0

October 16, 2018October 17, 2018

Bedford derby days

Tension mounts ahead of the traditional season openers, Bedford C v Bedford D (this week) and Bedford A v Bedford B (defending champions!) next week.

October 15, 2018October 15, 2018

Membership page

The membership page has been updated with all the latest information. Some updated distribution lists are also provided for the various teams and club competitions which you may find useful.

Any queries or observations, let me know – Ed

October 15, 2018October 15, 2018

Blackthorne Russia progress

Steve reports from Greece:-

Managed to beat an Irish team yesterday though not as convincingly as it might have been. Luxembourg’s finest today who are a mixture of Serbs and Steve Dishman who I was playing in my uni days. Rest day for me. You’re not allowed to wear a watch let alone have a phone on you ! And everyone gets frisked with a metal detector when entering the playing hall …. yes, even Magnus, shame chess has come to that.

Ed – I found Steve’s game which I thought looked quite good!?

[Event "European Clubs Cup"]  [Site "chess24.com"]  [Date "2018.10.13"]  [Round "2"]  [White "Ledger, Stephen C"]  [Black "Kenny, William"]  [Result "1-0"]  [Board "6"]  [WhiteElo "2020"]  [WhiteCountry "ENG"]  [WhiteFideId "404470"]  [WhiteEloChange "4"]  [BlackElo "1787"]  [BlackCountry "IRL"]  [BlackFideId "2509440"]  [BlackEloChange "-4"]   1. d4 {[%clk 1:30:52]} d5 {[%clk 1:30:56]} 2. Bf4 {[%clk 1:30:35]} Nf6 {[%clk  1:31:17]} 3. e3 {[%clk 1:30:31]} c5 {[%clk 1:31:33]} 4. c3 {[%clk 1:29:57]} Nc6  {[%clk 1:31:55]} 5. Nd2 {[%clk 1:29:23]} Qb6 {[%clk 1:30:08]} 6. Qb3 {[%clk  1:28:44]} Bf5 {[%clk 1:18:55]} 7. dxc5 {[%clk 1:24:16]} Qxb3 {[%clk 1:18:47]} 8.  axb3 {[%clk 1:19:03]} e5 {[%clk 1:18:38]} 9. Bg3 {[%clk 1:15:21]} Bxc5 {[%clk  1:15:34]} 10. b4 {[%clk 1:11:05]} Bd6 {[%clk 1:15:29]} 11. Ngf3 {[%clk 1:10:11]}  Nd7 {[%clk 1:01:50]} 12. Bb5 {[%clk 1:08:22]} O-O {[%clk 0:53:43]} 13. O-O {[%clk  1:04:32]} Rfc8 {[%clk 0:46:24]} 14. Rfd1 {[%clk 0:57:44]} f6 {[%clk 0:37:52]} 15.  Ba4 {[%clk 0:49:21]} Nb6 {[%clk 0:33:31]} 16. Bb3 {[%clk 0:48:54]} Kf8 {[%clk  0:26:06]} 17. Nh4 {[%clk 0:39:07]} Bd7 {[%clk 0:24:16]} 18. e4 {[%clk 0:37:38]}  Ne7 {[%clk 0:16:42]} 19. exd5 {[%clk 0:30:36]} Nbxd5 {[%clk 0:17:05]} 20. Ne4  {[%clk 0:26:53]} Bc7 {[%clk 0:16:51]} 21. c4 {[%clk 0:20:35]} Nb6 {[%clk  0:16:39]} 22. c5 {[%clk 0:19:46]} Nbd5 {[%clk 0:16:52]} 23. Bxd5 {[%clk 0:17:37]}  Nxd5 {[%clk 0:17:18]} 24. Rxd5 {[%clk 0:17:50]} Bc6 {[%clk 0:17:12]} 25. Nc3  {[%clk 0:17:20]} Bxd5 {[%clk 0:15:39]} 26. Nxd5 {[%clk 0:17:38]} Bd8 {[%clk  0:16:01]} 27. f4 {[%clk 0:12:26]} exf4 {[%clk 0:09:29]} 28. Bxf4 {[%clk 0:12:11]}  g6 {[%clk 0:08:59]} 29. Nf3 {[%clk 0:11:38]} Kf7 {[%clk 0:06:26]} 30. Nd4 {[%clk  0:09:46]} a5 {[%clk 0:05:43]} 31. Bd6 {[%clk 0:03:49]} axb4 {[%clk 0:05:26]} 32.  Rxa8 {[%clk 0:03:22]} Rxa8 {[%clk 0:05:52]} 33. Nxb4 {[%clk 0:03:20]} Be7 {[%clk  0:04:49]} 34. Bxe7 {[%clk 0:02:53]} Kxe7 {[%clk 0:05:08]} 35. Kf2 {[%clk  0:02:56]} Rd8 {[%clk 0:04:18]} 36. Ke3 {[%clk 0:02:50]} Rc8 {[%clk 0:03:05]} 37.  Nd5+ {[%clk 0:02:46]} Kf7 {[%clk 0:03:09]} 38. b4 {[%clk 0:02:59]} f5 {[%clk  0:02:07]} 39. Nb5 {[%clk 0:02:35]} Re8+ {[%clk 0:02:02]} 40. Kd3 {[%clk 0:32:16]}  Kf8 {[%clk 0:30:40]} 41. Nd6 {[%clk 0:31:58]} Rb8 {[%clk 0:27:03]} 42. Kc4 {[%clk  0:28:30]} f4 {[%clk 0:21:40]} 43. b5 {[%clk 0:25:33]} g5 {[%clk 0:20:24]} 44. c6  {[%clk 0:24:44]} bxc6 {[%clk 0:20:22]} 45. bxc6 {[%clk 0:25:06]} Rb1 {[%clk  0:20:29]} 46. c7 {[%clk 0:25:16]} Rc1+ {[%clk 0:20:43]} 47. Nc3 {[%clk 0:25:37]}  1-0

October 15, 2018October 15, 2018

ECF appointment

As Paul reports, on Saturday, Adrian Elwin was elected Director of Home Chess just ahead of Tim Wall. That makes two ECF officers from the Beds. League along with Brian Valentine in charge of Grading (can’t be a bad thing imho – Ed)

October 10, 2018October 10, 2018

Maybe 2019!?

If you agree with Charlie the Chess Cat and I that we would really like to see more chess events in this area (and would enthusiastically support them if only we knew about them in advance), perhaps you could use whatever medium or influence you have to let 4NCL know!

I realise that maybe they needed more GM’s or hotel guests or whatever and weren’t too bothered whether I pitched up or not but I’m sure we could have drummed up a bit of business and publicity between us.

October 2, 2018October 2, 2018

European Club Cup

Steve Ledger offers the following which sounds very interesting:

I shall be be at the European Club Cup with my 4NCL team 11^th to 19^th October – see eurochess2018 for details.

Under ‘Participants’ you’ll see there are some “quite good” teams playing and the 1^st round, especially, has the potential to be amusing as we are currently 35^th of 62 teams.

If this stayed the same we would be playing Svidler and assorted 2700s, 1 board further down and it would be Magnus and his boys ( though he might not deign to play against us of course ).

September 28, 2018September 30, 2018

Cordon trophy champions

Bedford A won the Cordon Trophy last night, scoring 13/16. Captain Paul Habershon received the trophy from the arbiter Adrian Elwin who organised the competition with his usual aplomb.

When a “rusty” Steve Ledger contributes least to Bedford A (with a still respectable 2/4), you know you will be competing for the prizes. Mindaugas Beinoras (4/4), Paul Habershon and Richard Bodily (both with 3.5/4) made sure although Richard’s adjective to describe his own performance, despite swindling his way to 3.5, was apparently colourful.

Bedford B finished 5th with Toby Cox scoring 3.5/4, only drawing with Paul and beating Kevin Williamson.

Bedford C were 6th thanks mostly to Qais Karimi who scored 4/4 including wins against Steve’s Law and Ledger.

Bedford D were 7th with Alex Taylor scoring 3/4 on top board.

All in all, a very enjoyable evening, with 4 clubs fielding 8 teams, to launch what promises to be an interesting season.

Detailed results maybe found here.

September 28, 2018September 30, 2018

Chess Olympiad

The 43rd Chess Olympiad comprising open and women’s tournaments is being held in Batumi, Georgia, from 23 September to 6 October 2018.

The total number of participants is 1,667, with 920 in the Open and 747 in the Women’s event. The number of registered teams is 185 from 180 nations in the Open section and 151 from 146 nations in the Women’s section.

The best place to watch it, I think, is the official website.