Author Archives: James Mansson

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

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 … 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

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 … Continue reading

Posted in AGM, Reports | Leave a comment

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

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Opening Analysis, Playing the Semi-Slav, The Semi-Slav Defence | 4 Comments

Champion’s Simul 2012

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 … Continue reading

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

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 … 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

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 … Continue reading

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Playing the Semi-Slav: Triangle Move Order

The main alternative to the traditional move order for reaching the Semi-Slav is 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c6 4 Nf3 Nf6. The system where Black plays …d5, …e6 and …c6 prior to (or even without) …Nf6 … Continue reading

Posted in Opening Analysis, Playing the Semi-Slav, The Semi-Slav Defence | 1 Comment

Playing the Semi-Slav: Traditional Move Order

The traditional move order for reaching the Semi-Slav is 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6. In this order, Black initially keeps open the option of developing his queen’s bishop to f5 or g4. If … Continue reading

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Playing the Semi-Slav: Overview

The post is the first in a series in which I look at building a repertoire against 1 d4, 1 c4 and 1 Nf3 based on the Semi-Slav Defence. The basic starting position of the Semi-Slav can be reached via … Continue reading

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Horsham Chess Club has a new website

Horsham Chess Club has a new website, which can be found here. Over the last month or so, I have been working in conjunction with Club Secretary Ian Comley and others to create a new site for the club. At … Continue reading

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