Category Archives: Uncategorized

Joe triumphs in online tournament

This week’s online tournaments on lichess.org: the Tuesday Arena Tournament (in which a player won against his own Dad – again!) and the Thursday 5-round Swiss. Plus details of next week’s tournaments – our own online tournaments, and a reminder about the Castle Chess Fareham tournament next weekend.

Tuesday Arena, 15th September 2020

Eleven of us participated in the tournament this time. It was a one-hour Arena event in which players had ten minutes each per game.

Congratulations to Joseph Henbury – JoeHenbury- who won the event. Well done too Don Creasey – ‘Carouselman’- 2nd, and Sam Murphy 3rd. Joseph triumphed with 16 points from his unbeaten run of games, whilst his closest rivals had 10 points each. Joseph’s performance was calculated by the system as 2161, well above the others. One of his victories was another win against his own dad, ‘Ewokmike’!

5-Round Swiss, Thursday 17th September

Nine of us played in the 5-round Swiss on Thursday 17th September on lichess.org. Each Round comprised games in which players had an initial 7 minutes then 3 second increment per move.

Congratulations to Keith Gregory who won this week’s Swiss. Well done too Joseph Henbury who came 2nd, and Graham Stuart (‘WillHeSac’) 3rd.

Forthcoming Tournaments (two online, one over-the-board)

There are two online tournaments coming up, both on lichess.org, on Tuesday and Thursday. Then there is the Castle Chess Fareham Congress tournament over next weekend, from Friday evening, 25th September.

Firstly the regular Tuesday evening Arena (ten minutes per player per game in a one-hour tournament) on 22nd September 2020.

Then a 5-Round Swiss on Thursday 24th September (7minutes then 3 seconds a move increment roughly equating to ten minutes per player).

Castle Chess Fareham Congress, 25-27th September

The Castle Chess Fareham Congress – their 17th- will run over the weekend 25-27th September 2020. The venue is the Lysses House Hotel, Fareham. The 6-round swiss is comprised of 3 Sections according to playing strength. Grades Under 115 ECF play in the Minor. Those Under 155 play in the Major, and grades above that in the Open Section. See their website online Entry Form for full details.

Online Tournaments 8th and 10th September: Joe beats Ewok Dad

This week’s online tournament on lichess.org: the Tuesday Arena Tournament and the Thursday 5-round Swiss – in which a player won against his own Dad! Plus details of next week’s tournaments.

Tuesday Arena, 8th September 2020

Twelve of us participated in the tournament this time. It was a one-hour Arena event in which players had ten minutes each per game.

Congratulations to Sam Murphy who won the event. Well done too Don Creasey 2nd and Joseph Henbury, playing his first such tournament, 3rd.

Each of the three podium winners had 8 points, interestingly, so the system had to place them according to its tie-break criteria of performance rating.

How is the winner decided?

The player(s) with the most points at the conclusion of the tournament’s set time limit will be announced winner(s).

When two or more players have the same number of points, the tournament performance is the tie break.

5-Round Swiss, Thursday 10th September: Ewok defeated by son

Eight of us played in the 5-round Swiss on Thursday 10th September on lichess.org. Each Round comprised games in which players had an initial 7 minutes then 3 second increment per move.

Congratulations to Graham Stuart (‘WillHeSac’) who won this week’s Swiss. Well done too Joseph Henbury who came 2nd, and David Culliford (‘djc202’) 3rd.

A stellar performance by Joseph, who, In the tournament’s 2nd round, played and beat his own Dad! Joseph Henbury beat his father Mike (‘Ewokmike‘) in their 37-move game.

Forthcoming online Tournaments

There are two online tournaments coming up, both on lichess.org. Firstly the regular Tuesday evening Arena (ten minutes per player per game in a one-hour tournament) on 15th September 2020.

Then a 5-Round Swiss on Thursday 17th September (7minutes then 3 seconds a move increment roughly equating to ten minutes per player).

Click on the buttons below to go to the tournaments:

Castle Chess Fareham Congress

Yes, that’s right: an actual chess congress! Castle Chess have thought carefully about how to resume over the board chess in a safe way.

The Lysses House Hotel, Fareham
The Lysses House Hotel, Fareham, venue for Castle Chess and HCA Congresses

Fareham Congress, 25-27th September

The Castle Chess Fareham Congress – their 17th- will run over the weekend 25-27th September 2020. The venue is the Lysses House Hotel, Fareham. The 6-round swiss is comprised of 3 Sections according to playing strength. Grades Under 115 ECF play in the Minor. Those Under 155 play in the Major, and grades above that in the Open Section. See their website online Entry Form for full details. An excerpt from it below gives the Playing Schedule and rate of Play:

What measures are Castle Chess taking to provide a safe tournament?

Some of you may have received the Castle Chess Newsletter, and the excerpt from it below shows how Castle Chess meet the challenge of providing a safe chess tournament environment.

Lysses House Hotel has put into place many safety measures regarding the use of toilets, extra deep cleaning of bedrooms, preparation and serving of food in the restaurant. Tea and Coffees will need to be ordered and paid for from the bar rather than in the congress office, as normal.

In the event that the curve of the virus increases dramatically then the tournament will not happen and all monies will be refunded.

Unless things are completely back to normal, which we think is unlikely, there will have to be some new playing conditions.

  1. Each player will be required to bring their own chess set and each player will make moves on their own board, just as you would if you are playing against a blind player.

Note:

Castle Chess can sell you a new tournament set and board for £15 if ordered in advance.

  1. You will not sit facing your opponent but diagonally away from them with the statutory social spacing distance.
  1. Two clocks will be placed back to back between the two boards so that each player can see a clock face and each player will press the buttons simultaneously on both clocks to complete their move.
  1. The result slip will be completed by the person with the white pieces and will be the only player to touch the slip when they place it in the results box.
  1. The arbiter will be on call as normal. At the end of the round the arbiter will clean the clocks ready for the next round.
  1. Players will be required to wear a mask or visor whilst in the hotel.
  1. Your temperature will be taken as you arrive upstairs for the tournament. Anyone who is not feeling well should stay away from the tournament.

We think that these will be the only alterations to the playing conditions.

Entry to the hotel and then the playing rooms will be controlled by the arbiters. Players are asked to follow their guidance and be a little patient as social distancing is maintained.

There will be lower numbers allowed to play in each of the playing rooms, which means that our total number of players who can enter for the weekend will be limited.

In order of priority players who reply earliest and who also are booked into the host hotel will be allocated a place in the tournament.

Because the number of players will be lower, we have to share the costs between fewer players and therefore Castle Chess will be adding a £10 CoronaVirus19 surcharge on top of the prices on the entry form.

Are other Congresses happening?

Castle Chess are not unique in getting back to over-the-board chess tournaments, as the chess world cautiously emerges from its COVID hibernation. Northumberland Congress, also this month, for example.

Hampshire Congress, however, normally on the 1st weekend of November, won’t be happening this year. Hampshire’s Secretary, John Wheeler, said in a recent email circular:

The Hampshire committee was in the middle of planning the 2020 congress when lockdown struck. We have been waiting for any sign that it would still be possible to go ahead, but we have now reluctantly concluded that it will not be possible to run the congress in 2020.

But we want you to understand that the congress is not happening in 2020. We do expect and hope that we will be able to run the congress next year – in 2021, same place, same time. And we hope to see you there.

Results of last week’s tournaments 1st and 3rd September

Results of last week’s two online tournaments on lichess.org: the club’s Tuesday Arena on 1st September, and the Southampton Chess League Tournament on Thursday 3rd, plus details of the next two forthcoming online Tournaments on Tuesday 8th September and Thursday 10th September.

Tuesday Arena, 1st September 2020

Eleven of us participated in the tournament this time. It was a one-hour Arena event in which players had ten minutes each per game.

Congratulations to Graham Stuart (‘WillHeSac’) who won the event. Well done too David Culliford (‘djc202’) 2nd, and Sam Murphy 3rd.

Southampton Chess League Tournament, Thursday 3rd September

Graham Stuart had hoped that the Southampton and Portsmouth Leagues would compete in a Team Battle tournament on lichess.org. On the evening this wasn’t possible due to lack of players in one of the sides, but Graham had anticipated this and had set up a Contingency Tournament as a back-up.

The players all gathered in the Southampton Chess League team and played a tournament within that: 16 of us participated. It is hoped that there will be a monthly Team Battle. The tournament as played on Thursday was good fun, and used a familiar Rapid play time control of 7 minutes initial time per player, then 3 seconds increment per move (i.e. about ten minutes per player per game), and the event ran for one hour 20 minutes.

Congratulations to Keith Gregory who won the Contingency Arena. And looking at the results list below, ‘TheVirtualAir’ managed to squeeze in ten games in the tournament!

Forthcoming online Tournaments

There are two online tournaments coming up, both on lichess.org. Firstly the regular Tuesday evening Arena (ten minutes per player per game in a one-hour tournament) on 8th September 2020.

Then a 5-Round Swiss on Thursday 10th September (7minutes then 3 seconds a move increment roughly equating to ten minutes per player).

Click on the buttons below to go to the tournaments:

Knockout Round 2: the Semi-Finals

The Knockout Tournament organiser Steve Dunleavy announces the draw for the Semi-Finals.

Steve Dunleavy in New York, October 2019
Steve Dunleavy in New York, October 2019 (photo by Suzan Dunleavy)

2020 Knock-out Semi-Finals Draw

Dear all the draw for the above made by myself and Suzan is as follows:

Game 1: Rob Bird vs Peter Przybycin

Game 2: the winner of the replay between Rose Saunders and Steve Dunleavy (played Thursday 27th August) vs Patrick Pavey

In addition to the above please make note of the following guidance notes

  1. All games to be played by the 25th September (4 weeks time), in the event of a draw (or if arranging the game proves to be very difficult) a time extension can be requested if needed
  2. All games can be played on lichess, chess.com,email, text, telephone, over the board or whatever format/medium that can be agreed by both players
  3. The player named first will play with white in the event of a draw colours will be reversed
  4. All games played on lichess and/or chess.com to have a 90 minute time control for both players games played on any other format can dispense with the time control unless both players can agree on a solution
  5. Please email me with the result of your game as soon as it has been played
  6. Enjoy your games and thanks for entering/supporting this competition in such difficult times
  7. Results are not acceptable to be sent for grading purposes

See the Knockout Tournament Page

Results of last week’s Online tournaments 25, 27 August

Results of last week’s two online club tournaments on lichess.org: the Tuesday Arena on 25th August, and the 5-round Swiss on Thursday 27th.

Tuesday Arena, 25th August 2020

Nine of us participated in the tournament this time. It was a one-hour Arena event in which players had ten minutes each per game.

Congratulations to Rob Sims who won the event. Well done too Sam Murphy 2nd, and David Culliford (‘djc202’) 3rd.

5-Round Swiss, Thursday 27th August

Eight of us played in the 5-round Swiss on Thursday 27th August on lichess.org. Each Round comprised games in which players had an initial 7 minutes then 3 second increment per move.

Congratulations to Graham Stuart (‘WillHeSac’) who won this week’s Swiss with 5 straight wins in a row. Well done too David Culliford (‘djc202’) who came 2nd, and Don Creasey (‘carouselman’) 3rd.

Forthcoming online Tournaments

There are two online tournaments coming up. Firstly the regular Tuesday evening Arena (ten minutes per player per game in a one-hour tournament) on 1st September 2020.

Then on Thursday 3rd September, the Southampton v Portsmouth match that Graham Stuart has set up on lichess.org, and is a ‘Team Battle’ event between the Southampton Chess League (SCL) and Portsmouth & District Chess League (PDCL). The tournament’s time control, at 7 minutes initially then 3 seconds a move increment roughly equating to ten minutes per player per game, is the same as we’ve recently used in our 5-round swiss tournaments. Please note though the slightly earlier time for this event, 7:30pm, and that it lasts for 1 hour 30 minutes.

Click on the buttons below to go to the tournaments:

To join the Team Battle on 3rd September, join one of the teams on lichess.org:

English Chess Federation Subscriptions now due 1st September

Membership of the English Chess Federation runs from 1st September to 31st August each year. Basic Bronze level ECF membership gives players ECF Grading for their game results in club tournaments, local Leagues, and County games; Silver level of membership additionally, grading at chess tournaments (Congresses). Gold membership also includes FIDE rated standard play tournaments.

One of the membership benefits this year is a one-off discount at Chess & Bridge (chess.co.uk) of an amount equivalent to your subscription cost https://www.chess.co.uk/ecf-members/ – until 13th September 2020.

ECF Membership rates for 2020/21

ECF Supporter – £10.00
Bronze – £18.00 | Junior Bronze – £6.00
Silver – £27.00 | Junior Silver – £6.00
Gold – £39.00 | Junior Gold – £19.50
Platinum – £75.00

Chess king and chocolate coins on chessboard.
ECF Subs now due

Please see recent Membership message from the ECF:

ECF Membership – Your Federation Needs You!


Your current ECF membership expires on 31 August 2020. The membership rates are unchanged from last year. In this time of crisis for our game please support the ECF so we can continue our work and ensure that chess life continues to thrive when circumstances permit.

The ECF has been actively working to develop online chess tournaments for members (details here: https://englishchessonline.org.uk/), and to assist clubs with getting started again when they feel the time is right.  We’re also working hard to put in place the software that will give members monthly grades when over the board chess begins again.

The easiest way to renew or upgrade your membership is online, by card or by direct debit. You will need your username. Full instructions can be found here: https://www.englishchess.org.uk/ecf-membership-2020-21  

The ECF needs a minimum level of funding to remain viable so that we can provide support to chess activities when life begins to return to normal. To that end, and to encourage our members to renew early, Chess & Bridge (chess.co.uk) are very kindly offering extremely generous one-off discounts until Sunday 13 September which allow you to recover the entire cost of whichever membership category you choose when you shop with them. And it’s even better news if you’re a junior – if you renew early as a paying junior member you still get the full discounts on offer *. Full details here: https://www.chess.co.uk/ecf-members/

* Offer not open to free junior Silver membership

If you need assistance, the ECF Office remains open during normal working hours. Please send us an email in the first instance, and a member of the ECF Office staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

We know these are difficult times for our members and whatever category of membership you choose, we would like to thank you in advance for your support.

Stay safe, and very best wishes.


The English Chess Federation Admin Team
Email: membership@englishchess.org.uk
Tel: 01424 775222
The Watch Oak, Chain Lane, Battle TN34 0YD

Southampton v Portsmouth on 3rd September

Graham Stuart has set up an online Team Battle on lichess.org for Thursday 3rd September. He recently created the SCL and PDCL teams on lichess in preparation. Join Southampton Chess League or Portsmouth & District Chess League – or both online clubs (when you join the Team Battle tournament choose which team you are playing for in that event).

The event lasts for an hour and a half, and starts at 7:30 pm on Thursday 3rd September 2020. There won’t be a clash with the Chandler’s Ford Thursday tournament, as we will skip setting one up that week to avoid such a clash. Time control: the players each have 7 minutes initially plus 3 seconds increment per move in each game.

A message below from Graham Stuart about this event :

SCL – PDCL Chess tournament, Thursday 3rd September, 7.30pm start

Hi all – I have created the 1st SCL – PDCL Chess tournament for 3rd September. Initially this has been created as a blitz/rapid event with a time control of 7mins + 3secs for each game and a total playing session of 90 minutes (i.e. ending at 9pm). Further matches may have a different time control, but this is one which has proved popular in other tournaments. We could do with some more members, so please put the word out to other players in your league.

Players can register to join the SCL squad at: https://lichess.org/team/southampton-chess-league 

(and there is a similar link for the Portsmouth team), which will then allow you to join the tournament on the day.

These are planned to run monthly and will set up a forum post for any suggestions on format / frequency etc. I know the current date may clash with some internal chess tournaments, but finding a suitable time slot which did not clash was difficult.

Graham Stuart

Graham Stuart, wearing chess themed apron
Graham Stuart, wearing his chess themed apron, reveals his recipe for a fun chess event

Join the SCL or PDCL teams on lichess.org

Join the Southampton Chess League Team on lichess.org by clicking the button below and click Join when you get to the team on lichess.org:

To join the Portsmouth & District Chess League Team on lichess.org click the button below and click Join when you get to the team on lichess.org:

Join the SCL v PDCL Team Battle tournament

Once you’ve joined one or both teams, enter the event (decide at that point which team you’re playing for if you’re in both clubs).

Results of 18th & 20th August Online tournaments

Results of this week’s two online club tournaments on lichess.org: the Tuesday Arena on 18th August, and the 5-round Swiss on Thursday 20th.

Tuesday Arena, 18th August 2020

Twelve of us participated in the tournament – another great turnout by club members. It was a one-hour Arena event in which players had ten minutes each per game.

Congratulations to Phil Overton who won the event. Well done too Rob Sims 2nd, and David Culliford (‘djc202’) 3rd.

5-Round Swiss, Thursday 20th August

11 of us played in the 5-round Swiss on Thursday 20th on lichess.org, an excellent level of participation. Each Round comprised games in which players had an initial 7 minutes then 3 second increment per move.

Congratulations to Keith Gregory who won this week’s Swiss with 5 straight wins in a row. Well done too Graham Stuart (‘WillHeSac’) who came 2nd, and David Culliford (‘djc202’) 3rd.

Forthcoming online Tournaments

There are two online tournament coming up. Firstly the regular Tuesday evening Arena (ten minutes per player per game in a one-hour tournament) on 25th August. Then a 5-Round Swiss on Thursday 27th August (7minutes then 3 seconds a move increment roughly equating to ten minutes per player).

Click on the buttons below to go to the tournaments: