The Hampshire Chess Association will hold their Hampshire Chess Congress 2023 on 3-5th November, at the Lysses House Hotel in Fareham.

The over-the-board chess tournament comprises 6 Rounds of 4-hour games, organised in three Sections: The Open, the Major, and the Minor. There are currently 75 players entered in the tournament.

The venue

The Lysses House Hotel in Fareham is a pleasant and friendly venue that has been used by the Hampshire Chess Association on previous occasions, and also by Castle Chess (they will have 3 events there in 2024). The address is: Lysses House Hotel, 51 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BQ.

Parking:

The Hotel has free parking for 35 cars, but there is a convenient car park very close to the venue: the Lysses Car Park, Lysses Path, Fareham PO16 7BE, free after 6pm and Sundays, whilst Saturday all day is only £3.50.

Hampshire Chess Congress 2023: details

Sections:

• The Open. £35 Entry fee.
• The Major. Under 1900 English Chess Federation rating. £30 Entry.
• The Minor. Under 1600 ECF. £27 Entry.

Note: Entry fees based on ECF Membership of Silver or above. Otherwise add a £9 fee.

Late Fee: for entries received after Monday 30th October additional fee of £5. So enter the HCA Congress today!

Prizes

Each Section has Prizes 1st, 2nd, 3rd, plus a Grading Prize. There are also various Trophies and Cups in the Sections. Overall, there are further Prizes, such as the Gillian Moore Cup for the highest-scoring Hampshire Lady, and the John Dunleavy Memorial Best Game Prize (£100). The cash prizes are open to all players, whilst the Cups and Trophies are for Hampshire players.

For more details on the Prize see the HCA entry form link below:

Timetable

• Rd 1: Fri 1900-2300
• Rd 2: Sat 0900-1300
• Rd 3: Sat 1400-1800
• Rd 4: Sat 1900-2300
• Rd 5: Sun 0900-1300
• Rd 6: Sun 1400-1800 Prize-giving on Sunday at 18:05

Rate of play

The time control is 40 moves in 100 minutes followed by a 20-minute quickplay finish.

Byes

A ½-point bye may be taken in any one round except the last if claimed in advance on the entry form.

The Summer Tournament runs during the summer months between May and September, and has a 5-round Swiss format. The organiser is Malcolm Clarke.

The winner receives the Kooner Cup for a year and usually gets to keep a replica. The games are standard play in terms of time control, 90 minutes each player.

This year the results are entered on the League Management System – LMS.

Tournament update: Round 5 ongoing

There is one game left from Round 4, but the Summer Tournament 2023 is currently well into its 5th and last Round of the year, with all but two of the Round’s games already completed.

Click on the button below to see the Summer Tournament 2023 Page:

Round 5 Pairings

The Summer Tournament 2023 Round 5 player pairings: the first-named player plays white.

• Graham Stuart v Iwan Cave
• David Culliford v Eric Jones
• Cary Xie v Sam Murphy
• Pablo Vidal v Andrew Mills
• Rob Sims v Philip Tarrant-Edwards
• Steve Saunders v Ian Parker
• Nobby George v Frazer Burlinson
• Peter Przybycin v John Kooner
• Lee Mundy v John Davis
• Geoff Parish v Alan Weaver
• James Gray v Rob Strachan
• Keven Lamb v Rose Saunders
• Mike Davis v Steve Dunleavy

Summer Tournament 2023 Rules

• Rate of play: the Games are 90 minutes all moves per player.
• When the Round Pairings are announced, the first-named plays as white.
• Notify Malcolm Clarke of the results.

See previous Posts about the Summer Tournament:

Summer Tournament

Summer Tournament Round 3

News from Chandler’s Ford Junior Club organiser Maha Chandar that one of our young players has won a trophy at the South of England Junior Congress. Timothy Hsiu-Yao Hu came 4th in his category: congratulations Timothy!

The South of England Junior Chess Congress

• The event was held at Yately Manor, Yately, on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th October 2023, different sections playing on different days.
• Eight Sections, according to age of player, from the under-7s to Under-18. Timothy Hsiu-Yao Hu was in the under-8 section.
• The Under eight category played their games on the Sunday. They played six one-hour games (i.e. time control 30 minutes all moves for each player).
• The games were all English Chess Federation rated.
• Trophy Prizes were awarded for the first 4 places in this section. Timothy won a trophy! He came 4th in the U-8 Section. Well done Timothy!

Hampshire Junior Chess Congress at Badger Farm on 12^th November

Junior Chess organiser Maha Chandar also brings to our attention the Hampshire Junior Chess Congress, which will be on Sunday 12th November at Badger Farm Community Centre, 2 Badger Farm Road, Winchester SO22 4QB.

See the link buttons below for the Hampshire Junior Chess Association website, and the link to the Eventbrite page for full details and entry:

The Book Prize Tournament 2023-24 begins, one of four Chandler’s Ford Chess Club tournaments. This year’s Book Prize Tournament started at the beginning of September 2023. It is organised by Peter Przybycin. Here he announces the start of the new tournament.

Hi All,

Welcome to the fourth Chandlers Ford Book Prize Tournament!

We have 30 entries, 10 in the Premier, 10 in the Major, and 10 in the Minor. The tournament will have nine rounds, with one round every five weeks, so the tournament should last 45 weeks, ending August 2024.

Rate of play will be 90 minutes each for the whole game.

If two players tie for first place in any section, the book prize will go to the winner of their individual game. If that was a draw, then there will be a replay with reversed colours. If the replay is drawn, the player with the lower published grade (at the time of the replayed game) will take the prize.

These are the pairings for round 1 (first named player has white):

Premier Section:

• Peter Eales v Iwan Cave
• Connor Frost v Graham Stuart
• Cary Xie v Rob Sims
• Sam Murphy v Peter Przybycin
• Philip Tarrant-Edwards v Andy Mills

Major Section:

• Patrick Pavey v Frazer Burlinson
• Richard Meredith v John Kooner
• Daniel Phillips v Nobby George
• Keven Lamb v John Davis
• John Pellegrini v Alikhan Menseitov

Minor Section:

• Rose Saunders v Lee Mundy
• Steve Dunleavy v Alan Weaver
• Ian Parker v James Gray
• Rob Strachan v Steve Saunders
• Geoff Parish v Mike Davis

Please complete the above games by 4^th October 2023.

All the best,

Peter P.

Previous, 2022-23, Tournament Page:

The Castle Chess Fareham Congress will be on 13-15 October 2023. It will be at the Lysses House Hotel, 51 High Street, Fareham, PO16 7BQ. The Congress – tournament (over the board games) – is over six Rounds, played at a rate of 75 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. There are 3 Sections.

Castle Chess have run a number of Congresses (tournaments) over recent years at this pleasant venue. They usually host two Congresses per year at the Lysses, one earlier in the year, one in the Autumn. But this year they have put on three events in Fareham, these tournaments being popular events. The previous 2023 Castle Chess events in Fareham were in January and March.

Tournament format

The format of the Congress is a six-Round Swiss: round one on the Friday evening, three rounds on the Saturday, and the last two games on the Sunday. Byes may be requested (except Round 6).

There are three sections:

• Open: Under 2001
• Major: Under 1901
• Minor: under 1601

The Congress costs £40 to enter, with a £7 discount for Juniors. Non-ECF members will need to pay £9 extra.

Please note that an £8 Late fee is payable after 3rd October. So enter soon!

There are also various accommodation packages – available through Castle Chess – if you would like to stay at the Lysses.

Tea and coffee will be provided for a donation.

Results of all games will be be sent to the ECF for Grading.

There will not be a Prize-giving ceremony as prizes will be sent via bank transfer.

Rate of Play

The rate of play for the games is 75 minutes plus 30 seconds per move (about 3 and a half hours). All moves must be recorded throughout the game.

Further information

EVENT ENQUIRIES:
Tony Corfe, 51 Borough Way, Potters Bar, Herts. EN6 3HA
Tel: 01707 661160 Mob: 07973 516718
email: tony@mrcorfe.co.uk or marc.shaw.chess@gmail.com
or Marc Shaw 07947 813303

See the Castle Chess website’s Fareham Congress page: CastleChess.co.uk – 22nd Fareham

Photos from last October’s tournament

The Chandler’s Ford Chess Club website is 5 years old! The first article was on 26th September 2018.

Since the first article the website has grown: to date there have been 284 Posts (articles etc; this is a Post), and 19 Pages. There have been 59 comments.

Some recent photos

Over the five years of the website, many photos have appeared in its Posts. Here are a few new ones, mostly taken at the club’s AGM on 13th September:

The Chandler’s Ford Chess Club AGM will be on Wednesday13th September 2023. The Annual General Meeting 2023 will be at the Club’s venue at the Central Club, at 7:30pm.

Chess Club AGM 2023: Agenda

1.  Apologies for absence
2. Minutes of last year’s AGM
3. Matters arising
4. Minutes of EGM
5. Presentation of B Team Trophies
6. Officer reports
   • 6.1 Secretary
   • 6.2 Treasurer
   • 6.3 Website
   • 6.4 Any other officer not covered above
7. Agreement of Constitution
8. Officer Elections
   • 8.1 Election of officers
   • 8.2 Election of Team captains
   • 8.3 Nominated players
9. Fees for 2023/24
   • 9.1 Use of funds 2023-24
10. Proposals

Above: the SCL Division 4 Trophy presented to CFCC’s Sam Murphy

EGM: the CFCC Planning Meeting 5th April

The chess club Planning Meeting (EGM) in April had discussed the ambition to enter five teams in the next, 2023-24 Southampton Chess League –SCL -season. This was agreed and we are indeed entering 5 teams.

There are five Divisions in the Southampton Chess League. Our Teams will be distributed over 4 of the Divisions:

• Chandler’s Ford A will be in SCL Division 2
• Chandler’s Ford B will be in SCL Division 3
• Chandler’s Ford C will be in SCL Division 4
• Chandler’s Ford D and E will be in SCL Division 5

The League structure was agreed for the forthcoming 2023-24 season following its AGM, and our Club’s own AGM on Wednesday 13th September will decide, amongst other things, which players will play in which team, and who the team captains will be.

The League AGM 31st May

SCL 2023-24: increments as default, and LMS results

The Southampton Chess League AGM, held at Chandler’s Ford Central Club on 31st May, agreed various points, two of which we highlight here.

Rate of play for games to use increments as the default time control

The rate of play for League games in the forthcoming 2023-24 season will use increments as a default time control for matches, although other rates of play are permissible if agreed by team captains. The main time control to be used is 80 minutes, plus a 10-second per move increment. A shorter time control of 60 minutes per player for all moves is available for games involving a junior player (under 18).

ECF League Management System for results

Match results for the forthcoming season will be reported on the ECF League Management System – LMS. Our club has been trying out LMS with some of its internal tournaments, and now more members are getting LMS logins to enable match results to be entered.

The Book Prize Tournament 2022-23 ends as the winners of this year’s event are announced by organiser Peter Przybycin.

The 2022-23 Book Prize Tournament is now closed.

Congratulations to the three winners: Iwan Cave, Nobby George, and Daniel Phillips. They will each receive a copy of “Defend Like Petrosian – What you can learn from Tigran Petrosian’s Extraordinary Defensive Skills“.

Book Prize Tournament 2022-23 ends: Results

The winners

• Iwan Cave won the Premier Section
• Nobby George won the Major
• Daniel Phillips won the Minor

Final positions

Premier section:

• Iwan Cave 7
• Keith Gregory 5½
• Graham Stuart 3½
• Cary Xie 3½
• Sam Murphy 2½
• Peter Przybycin 2½
• Pablo Vidal 2 (from 6) 
• Rob Sims ½ (from 6)

Major section:

• Nobby George 6
• Keven Lamb 4½  
• Andy Mills 4½
• Dick Meredith 3½
• John Kooner 3
• John Pellegrini 2½
• Peter Eales 2
• Patrick Pavey 2

Minor section:

• Daniel Phillips 8
• Lee Mundy 7½
• John Davis 6½
• Rob Strachan 5½ (from 8)
• Alan Weaver 3½
• Rose Saunders 3 (from 8)
• Geoff Parish 3
• Ian Parker 3
• Steve Saunders 3
• Steve Dunleavy 1

ECF Membership renewals 2023-24 will be due for many club players at the end of August. Until recently, this was the time for membership renewal for all English Chess Federation members, but it is now possible to join and renew in any month. Many of us continue to have September to August membership annual membership. Membership will last for 12 months from the date of purchase of the membership package you choose.

Membership of the English Chess Federation enables playing ECF-graded games, such as the club’s own internal tournaments, plus Southampton Chess League matches, County matches, and Congresses (tournaments) across the country. The different membership levels will determine what is covered.

ECF Membership also gives discounts at various companies, including Chess & Bridge shop

ECF Membership levels: what’s best for me?

• Basic Bronze level ECF membership gives players ECF Grading for their game results in club tournaments, local Leagues, and County games. 
• Silver as Bronze, plus grading at chess tournaments (Congresses – but not FIDE rated standard-play ones). 
• Gold membership: as Silver, plus it includes FIDE rated standard play tournaments.

For most club players, Bronze or Silver Memberships are sufficient: Bronze if you don’t plan to go to Congresses, but do want to play in the club’s events and the League.

Other ECF Membership types

Whilst Bronze or Silver would suit most of our Club members, there are other ECF membership types, and, just for information, here’s a brief overview:

• ECF Supporter: access, and ECF grading to ECF online members clubs and events on chess.com and lichess.org together with free online rating of all ECF rated online events. £10.
• Queen’s Gambit Scheme Supporter: Available to women aged 18 and over who have not been members of the ECF before, for their first membership year. Grants access to ECF online members clubs and events on Chess.com and Lichess, together with free online rating of all ECF rated online events. Free.
• Platinum. As per Gold, plus printed ECF Yearbook. £75.

ECF Membership renewals 2023-24 rates

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

It looks like the ECF have kept the membership rates at the previous prices, which is good in these inflationary times.

There are other benefits too: a range of discounts at online chess retailers Chess & Bridge (chess.co.uk) and Chess Direct, as well as discounts with other partners. See Membership partners and benefits – English Chess Federation for more information.

Renewing your ECF Membership

This may automatically happen, and the subs will be taken when due. If you are an existing ECF Member, but haven’t set up for automatic payments, you can renew by going to the ECF’s membership payment page ecf.justgo.com – or via the ECF’s Membership page:

Any other costs for chess players?

English Chess Federation membership is one of 3 possible costs of being an active member of Chandler’s Ford Chess Club. The other costs are joining our chess club, and membership of our venue, the Chandler’s Ford Central Club. See our ‘What does it cost?” Page:

The pre-season friendly vs Fareham Chess Club was last Tuesday, 8^th August 2023. Thanks to Graham Stuart for organising the event. Chess! Buffet! New chess pieces! It was a great evening. The new chess pieces used in the match were purchased in London just the previous Friday.

In this article Graham Stuart selects the team, and then reports on the match.

Preparations

Graham’s pre-match preparations including how he selected the team.

Thanks to everyone who wished to play in this match.

It is a shame that not everyone can play in the match as we have more people interested that Fareham, but I have hopefully chosen a fair method for selection. Because Fareham will be stronger than us (as I have discussed players with their Captain) I felt that the top 6 rated players should be selected, and the remaining 3 players were chosen by my wife at random. For the remaining 6 players I have paired 4 of you to play an extra rated friendly on the night as part of the friendly, but not counting towards the result of the match.

This leaves two players, myself, and Kev Lamb. We will be the reserves and if Kev does not mind I would very much like him to be of photographic duties for the night?

Team: CF Team (board colours to be chosen on night)

Time Control: 80 mins + 10 secs per move (I will set the clocks up before the match, but this is option 18)

Start Time: 7:30 (Rob and myself should be at the club at 7pm to set up)

LMS: CF vs Fareham Annual Friendly | ECF League Management System (ecflms.org.uk)

1	Eric Jones	1714
2	Andy Mills	1656
3	Sam Murphy	1542
4	Rob Sims	1513
5	Peter Eales	1479
6	Philip Tarrant-Edwards	1459
7	Patrick Pavey	1371
8	Nobby George	1435
9	Steve Saunders	1063

Additional Friendlies (white first player named)

• Geoff Parish v Mike Davis
• Keven Lamb v Rose Saunders

I hope this is all ok with everyone, but please do let me know if you cannot play and I will rejig?

Buffet

With regards to the Buffet, we have received a very generous donation to pay for this and the club will supply this. I would kindly suggest that you don’t eat at the boards especially as we should be playing on the new equipment. But the beauty of chess is that you can move away from the board during the match. There should be plenty of food for everyone at the club, and this is not just for the people playing.

Good luck on the night.

Graham

The match: CFCC 3-6 Fareham CC

A closer game than the result indicated saw us lose 6 – 3. Fareham out-rated us by an average of over 100 points and the result  was not unexpected. However, we did have a number of excellent results with Sam “Morphy” Murphy beating Tom Philidor with a very pretty finish and Patrick coming out on top in his game as well. There were also two CF vs CF games as well which were hard fought.

Diagram: “Morphy” v Philidor. White to move. Black then resigned.

The new chess pieces were an excellent addition, many thanks for Peter, Andy, David and Kev for their trip to London to collect these.

The match has been added to LMS as well as the two overspill games.

• Chandlers Ford v Fareham | ECF League Management System (ecflms.org.uk)
• Round 1 | ECF League Management System (ecflms.org.uk)

Cheers

Graham

Gallery: photos from the friendly match