Horsham Club Championship 2012-13: Comley – Mansson

Posted on October 10, 2012 by James Mansson

Last night I played my first Rook (Club Championship) game of the season. I was Black against Ian Comley. Ian played the opening weakly and soon ended up in an inferior position. This was surprising as he had played the same opening correctly in a previous encounter. Although I didn’t press my advantage home as vigorously as I might have, Ian played several weakening moves and his position soon fell apart. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Championship, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Reti Opening | Leave a comment

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

Posted on October 7, 2012 by James Mansson

Yesterday saw my first appearance in a county match for Sussex since 2008. The match, for the Open Team (no grading restriction), was against Surrey, and I was on board 3, my highest ever position in the top team. We were not expecting to do well against Surrey, having lost to them 13-3 last year, but the Sussex team won decisively 10-6. Congratulations are due to everyone for this fine result. Continue reading →

Posted in County Matches, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Semi-Slav Defence | 1 Comment

Horsham Club Knockout 2012-13: Mansson – Higgs

Posted on October 3, 2012 by James Mansson

Last night saw the first round of the Club Knockout competition. This year everyone was playing using the Mid-Sussex League Knockout time control: 30 moves in 60 minutes, followed by the remaining moves in 30 minutes. I was paired against Anthony Higgs. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Knockout, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Czech Benoni | 2 Comments

Horsham Club Quickplay Knockout 2012-13: Mansson – Nkomo

Posted on September 26, 2012 by James Mansson

Last night saw the start of this season’s Quickplay Knockout competition at Horsham Chess Club. The aim was to play as many rounds of the competition as possible over the course of the evening. I was paired against Melusi Nkomo. Although I managed to win the match, I was unable to play any further rounds. This was because the Higgs – Donnelly match, which will produce my second round opponent, was postponed. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Quickplay Knockout, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The King's Indian Defence, The Sicilian Defence | Leave a comment

Horsham Club Quickplay Knockout 2011-12: Mansson – Forster (Part Two)

Posted on September 12, 2012 by James Mansson

Following the AGM last Tuesday, Mike and I were able to complete the quickplay knockout final. The first game saw me build up a strong attack as black, but because of my time shortage, I had to bail out with a draw. The second game featured an early blunder by Mike, after which he resigned on the spot. This left me as Quickplay Knockout champion for last season. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Quickplay Knockout, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Sicilian Defence, The Sokolsky Opening | Leave a comment

Horsham Chess Club Annual General Meeting 2012

Posted on September 12, 2012 by James Mansson

Last Tuesday saw the AGM of Horsham Chess Club. There were no major changes in the club’s list of officers, with the exception of the election of me as the club’s inaugural web master. This was prompted by the club’s recent efforts to improve its web presence. Continue reading →

Posted in AGM, Reports | Leave a comment

Playing the Semi-Slav: White’s 5th Move Alternatives

Posted on September 9, 2012 by James Mansson

So far in this series I have been looking at the various ways to reach the basic starting position of the Semi-Slav, which arises after 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6. Now I’ll turn my attention to this key position, and the main lines that arise from it. Continue reading →

Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating to playing the Semi-Slav as Black.
Posted in Opening Analysis, Playing the Semi-Slav, The Semi-Slav Defence | 4 Comments

Champion’s Simul 2012

Posted on September 7, 2012 by James Mansson

The now traditional Club Champion’s simul against all comers opening the new season last Tuesday. As noted in my previous post, Mike Forster and I attempted to play off last season’s Quickplay Knockout final beforehand, but were tied at 1-1 when it was time for the simul to begin. Continue reading →

Posted in Champion's Simul, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Symmetrical English | Leave a comment

Horsham Club Quickplay Knockout 2011-12: Mansson – Forster (Part One)

Posted on September 5, 2012 by James Mansson

Prior to the champion’s simul last night, Mike Forster and I attempted to play off the Quickplay Knockout Final that was still outstanding. However, as it turned out we won one game apiece in “normal time”, and didn’t have time to play any “sudden death” games before the start of the champion’s simul. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Quickplay Knockout, Miscellaneous Queen's Pawn, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Reti Opening | 1 Comment

Playing the Semi-Slav: Nimzo Move Order

Posted on September 3, 2012 by James Mansson

The final move order for reaching the Semi-Slav I want to consider runs 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 Nc3 c6. I refer to this move order as the Nimzo move order, as it involves playing the Nimzo-Indian in combination with the Semi-Slav. Continue reading →

Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating to playing the Semi-Slav as Black.
Posted in Opening Analysis, Playing the Semi-Slav, The Semi-Slav Defence | Leave a comment