As we approach the end of the 2025-26 season, it’s time to consider contenders for game of the season. This is the eleventh season of holding this competition. For those relatively new to the club, any game published in a post is automatically entered (whether you like it or not!). We currently have quite a good crop. However, we always need more, and from as many different members as possible.
Every member must have at least one (but more is good!) game they would like to share with the masses. I am particularly interested to see games of our newer members.
For those of you unfamiliar with the format, and as a reminder to others who pretend they don’t know, any game you have played this season in any competition anywhere will qualify – brilliant, funny, ridiculous, important or insane are some of the qualities that could win the prize.
You can annotate them or not, pgn is preferable but I’ll accept anything (even a photo of a scoresheet), but please send them to me as soon as possible, or certainly within the next month.
This was the winner last year with an introduction from guest judge Toby Cox:-
1st – fantastic free-flowing chess from start to finish. Both sides went with guns blazing (there was only one move when a piece moved backwards – move 10), and it seemed as though neither had much regard for their own king’s safety. White, through a fascinating knight sacrifice managed to orchestrate a slightly safer king, and slightly faster attack. Black’s position collapsed spectacularly. Bonus points for such interesting annotations.
I always enjoy following the exploits of our younger members and their games over a season, which often feature in important team matches or national junior competitions – some of these contests will certainly feature in the GOTS competition. However, it is also good to note that youth or indeed ability are not necessarily key factors. It’s always fun to have an excuse to air the following game of Joe’s from 2016 – not a winner but certainly received an honourable mention!
Joe explains how to self-mate your queen in 9 easy moves:-