4NCL Division 1 2012-13: e2e4.org.uk 1 – Warwickshire Select 1

Going into the last weekend of this 4NCL season, e2e4.org.uk 1 was in danger of being relegated from the top division, so we needed some good results over the last three rounds. In round 9, we were up against Warwickshire Select 1, whom we needed to beat. We managed to prevail 4.5-3.5, as Mark Josse and I managed to win, while Alan Byron suffered our only defeat. Continue reading

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4NCL Division 2 2012-13: e2e4.org.uk 2 – ADs 1

On the Sunday, e2e4.org.uk 2 was paired against ADs 1. Unlike the Saturday match, the result was closer (4.5-3.5). I was pitted against Darren Wheeler on board two. The game was a tough manoeuvring battle that was resolved in the time scramble leading up to the first time control, where I overlooked a tactical resource for my opponent. A couple of moves after the time control I resigned, as my position was then hopeless. Continue reading

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4NCL Division 2 2012-13: e2e4.org.uk 2 – Anglian Avengers 1

The most recent 4NCL weekend was overshadowed by the sad news of Richard Almond’s sudden death aged only 46. He was a stalwart of Hastings and Sussex chess, and a regular competitor at the 4NCL. He will be missed. Continue reading

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County Match (Open) 2012-13: Sussex – Essex

The recent county match between Sussex and Essex saw Sussex soundly beaten. I lost my individual game against Jeff Goldberg, as an over-ambitious approach backfired. Continue reading

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County Match (Open) 2012-13: Sussex – Herts

Sussex played their rearranged match against Herts on Saturday. We managed to win 9-7 in the end, as we gradually built up a decent lead, then held on. Continue reading

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Mid-Sussex League Knockout 2010-12: Horsham – The Args

As reported elsewhere, Horsham lost to the Args in the Mid-Sussex League Knockout last Tuesday as they failed to overcome their grading handicap. My game against Peter Farr ultimately ended up in a win for me, but there was plenty of “coffee house chess” in-between to keep the spectators entertained! I think my 24th was a serious mistake, with Peter missing his chance on move 25, while just after the time control, he missed a deflection that would have given him better defensive chances. Continue reading

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4NCL Division 2 2012-13: e2e4.org.uk 2 – Wessex

While my game on the Saturday had been dull, my game on the Sunday was anything but. I was faced with Michael Yeo, a dangerous attacking player armed with the White pieces. Continue reading

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4NCL Division 2 2012-13: e2e4.org.uk 2 – Poisoned Pawns

Last weekend saw rounds 5 and 6 of the 4NCL season played at Staverton Park for Divisions 1 and 2. I was in the second team this weekend. On a personal note I achieved a decent result with two draws against strong opposition, but unfortunately the team lost both matches. Continue reading

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Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2012-13: Horsham 1 – Eastbourne 1

Horsham 1 achieved a narrow 3-2 victory over Eastbourne 1 in their match last night. Gavin Lock, Dix Roberts and Paul Taylor all won, but Phil Stimpson lost a safe-looking endgame, while I managed to blunder my queen against Oliver Froom. Continue reading

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County Match (Open) 2012-13: Sussex – Kent

Last Saturday saw Sussex matched against Kent in the County Open competition. Despite being outgraded by 11 points per board, Sussex put up a good fight. They took an early lead by racking up a series of wins on the lower boards, but were gradually pegged back as Kent’s superior firepower on the higher boards started to tell. The final result of the match is still undecided, as the top board game finished in controversial circumstances. The score was 7.5-7.5 on boards 2 to 16. In the board one game, in a position where his opponent Neil McDonald has just been left with Rook and Knight against his Rook, Feliks Kwiatkowski immediately claimed a draw with 6 seconds left on his clock. The consensus even among Sussex players seemed to be that his claim was unlikely to be upheld, but we will have to wait for the official decision. Continue reading

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