The Gazette
February 2025
Registered Charity Number 263049
Bringing Chess to Visually Impaired People.
BCA Website Address: www.braillechess.org.uk
Email: info@braillechess.org.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrailleChess
BCA User Group: BrailleChess@groups.io
To contact a member of the
committee, please go to the Contact page on the Braille Chess Association’s
website.
https://braillechess.org.uk/contacts
Honorary
Members
Christine and Norman Andrews, Hazel and Steve Burnell, Colin Chambers, Alec Crombie, Celia Gibbs, Julie Leonard, Stan Lovell, Mike Murphy, Richard Murphy, Joan Shorrock, Gill Smith, Gerry Walsh, Roger Waters, Norman Wragg.
Trustees
Bill Armstrong, Abi Baker, Tristram Cole, John Fullwood, Mark Kirkham, Julie Leonard, Gerry Walsh, Guy Whitehouse, Gary Wickett.
Note: The views expressed in the Gazette do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of the BCA, nor those of the editor.
CONTENTS
A
Tribute to Paul Benson, who has left the BCA
Correspondence
Chess Director’s Report
Millennium
Club, the BCA’s monthly lottery
Annual
Award in Memory of Graham Lilley
David
Hodgkins Memorial Annual Best Game Competition
Selected
Games from the 21st BCA Email Tournament
BCA
International Autumn Tournament, October 2024
Games
from the 2024 BCA International Autumn Tournament
Dress
Code at Chess Tournaments
Here
to There and the Land in Between
Snaky
connections with chess don’t end there.
We have forks in common. Snakes
have forked tongues, and we try to fork pieces!
Also, the English Opening has a variation called the Great Snake, in
which Black adopts a serpentine pawn structure a7, b7, c6, d6, e5, f5, g6,
h6. If you play it this year, please
send me a game to publish!
In
China, snakes are associated with good luck and prosperity. The BCA is fortunate in having had plenty of
both and this gazette contains a retrospective piece by our Chairman as he
recalls some of the best things that have happened over the last twelve
months. Our Treasurer gives good news
about donations too!
The
results of the latest email tournament and the 2024 Autumn Tournament are in
this issue. There are plenty of games as
well so you can discover who rattled their opponents and who recoiled in horror
as venomous attacks were launched over the board! All games were checked by Gerry Walsh, and I
thank him kindly for his invaluable assistance.
Forthcoming
Events has no fewer than three tournaments to entice your participation – a
clear indication of the scale of our ambition for 2025. Personalia tells of a wedding where joy was
unconstricted and there are charming articles about a player’s experiences at a
tournament overseas and another member’s success in getting a book
published. There is also a summary of a
recent dress code commotion in the mainstream chess world. One wonders how many hissy fits were thrown
behind the scenes before it was all resolved!
Snakes
are known for shedding their skins, symbolising transformation and
rebirth. In this issue you can read
about a couple of committee members who have, or are about to, shake off their
posts. There are all the regular
officer’s reports and reminders about our annual competitions too. Add a viperishly hard puzzle to finish with
and it’s plain that there’s a lot to look forward to in this gazette. Though if the puzzle has you writhing in
frustration, you may wish that instead of chess, you’d taken up Snakes and
Ladders!
Please let me have articles for the May gazette by the end of
March.
Julie Leonard
Booking
Conditions and Procedures
All bookings must be made through the named event organiser or via an online form on the BCA website.
See https://braillechess.org.uk/events/event-forms
The organiser will confirm the amount to be paid to the BCA and will notify the Treasurer to expect this payment from the entrant. Only when full payment has been received will the booking be complete.
When booking, please supply the organiser with the following:
1.
Name/names
of everyone the booking is for.
2.
Dates
of arrival and departure.
3.
Room
type (single/double/twin/accessible room).
4.
If
you will be bringing a guide dog.
5.
Any
special dietary requirements.
6.
Any
special requests: For example, a preference for a bath or shower or a need for
a walk-in shower; a preference to be near the lift or stairs; a need for
support in case of a fire alarm at night.
7.
Consent
for your name, dates booked, room type and any special requirements to be sent
to the hotel.
8.
Whether
you require a Braille, print or large print event programme. (The programme will be emailed to all
participants for whom an email address is held.)
9.
An
emergency contact number. This is
important as otherwise it puts a great responsibility on the organiser if an
emergency arises. The organiser will
keep this information confidential and destroy it after the event.
If you are taking part in the chess, please also give:
10. Consent for your
forename, surname, club, results and gender to be sent to the ECF for rating
purposes.
11.
The
section you would prefer to play in if you are under the rating limit for the
Challengers.
If you have any queries about the hotel or the tournament please contact the event organiser, not the Treasurer.
Blind and partially sighted UK residents under the age of 25 receive free entry and free accommodation when playing in BCA events. In appropriate circumstances, free accommodation is also available to a parent or guardian accompanying a junior.
Visually impaired UK residents in their first year of membership receive their first BCA weekend event free or £100 reduction in the cost of a week-long event. They may also be accompanied by a guide or companion who will receive the same concession. For a first event we ask for payment in advance and we then make a refund at or after the event.
The Treasurer will acknowledge receipt of your payment and let the organiser know. You may pay in either of these ways:
Cheques payable to Braille Chess Association should be sent to the Treasurer.
Online or telephone payments may be made to:
Account name: Braille Chess Association, sort code: 40 52 40, account number: 00082456.
If you pay by direct payment you should inform the Treasurer when the payment has been made.
Bookings accepted after the closing date are at the discretion of the organiser and are subject to a £10 late booking supplement for each person.
Bookings can only be cancelled and payments refunded within the time limit set in the conditions by the hotels. Members may consider it advisable to take out holiday insurance to cover themselves.
The BCA reserves the right to exclude from its events anyone whose behaviour towards participants and tournament organisers was unacceptable or who is currently serving a time ban for cheating.
Friday
14th March to Sunday 16th March 2025: AGM Weekend Chess Congress
This will be held at The Hilton Leicester Hotel, Leicester. The AGM will take place at 20.15 on Saturday evening, 15th March. We shall also aim to enable members to join in via an online platform if they prefer.
This is our second year with the hotel after positive reviews from all last year. The hotel has a fitness centre and swimming pool. It is located about 4 or 5 miles from Leicester Railway Station and close to junction 21 of the M1 for anyone travelling by car. There is a lot of green space around the hotel which should make it very suitable for guide dog owners. It is also within easy walking distance of Fosse Park Shopping Centre.
We are hoping there will be enough entries to hold two five round Swiss tournaments – an Open and a Challengers for those whose rating or estimated rating is 1450 or below. Both are open to blind and partially sighted players and to associate members of the BCA. The entry fee for each tournament is £12. Please state when booking which tournament you would like to enter – subject to eligibility.
Rooms will be available on the Friday afternoon from 15.00 with dinner that evening at 18.00. Likely start times for the five games are 20.00 on the Friday evening, 09.45 and 14.00 on the Saturday and 09.45 and 14.00 on the Sunday, but these times might need to be changed depending on discussions with the hotel. The rate of play is likely to be 90 minutes for each player for all moves. Any player can request a half point bye in any one of the first four rounds or a delay in the start of their game in round 1 of 30 minutes.
Any enquiries about the Hotel or the tournament should be sent to John Osborne and Phil Rafferty.
To enter, please either send your accommodation requirements to John or Phil, with a copy to our Treasurer Tristram Cole, or complete the online form (https://braillechess.org.uk/events/event-forms). The closing date for entries is Friday 31st January 2025.
The cost of dinner, bed and breakfast for members and associate members is £70 per person per night in a single room and £60 per person per night in a double or twin room. This is also the cost for those wishing to stay Sunday night. For example, 3 nights in a single room is 3 times £70 and if playing chess, add the £12 entry fee, making £222. Please send full payment for your entry fee and accommodation to Tristram by the closing date.
Please send any resolutions or other items for inclusion on the AGM agenda to Guy Whitehouse by the end of December. Also, let Guy know if you are planning to join the AGM online or attend the AGM without staying at the hotel so that we can let you have the AGM papers.
Saturday
5th July to Saturday 27th September 2025: BCA Summer Cup to be played remotely.
The Summer Cup will be a five-round tournament in which games are played on any mutually agreed internet-based platform such as Zoom, Skype, Lichess or WhatsApp, or by telephone. The general default platform will be Zoom as most members find this accessible and people can dial into meetings if they prefer or if they do not have internet access. Players for whom Zoom is genuinely inaccessible should mention this when entering and if possible special arrangements will be made to accommodate their participation.
The event will run for 12 weeks with four weeks allowed for Round 1 because many players will be at the Chairman’s Cup during that time, and two weeks allowed for Rounds 2 to 5. Games are played at a mutually convenient time agreed by the two players. Ideally, there should be a third-party timekeeper for each game unless it is played on a dedicated chess server such as Lichess. Players may take a half point bye in any one of the first four rounds and will be able to request this when entering or arrange it at fairly short notice. The arbiters will be Gerry Walsh and Julie Leonard. If we’re lucky, Bittor Ibanez may once again collate all the games for us!
The tournament will be open to all members and associate members of the BCA. Entry is free. Depending on the entries, we may be able to incorporate a Ladies’ section and a Challengers’ section for those whose ECF online standard play rating or estimated rating is below the cutoff point, which is likely to be around 1750. Trophies will be awarded to section winners, provided they are based in the UK or can arrange to collect the trophy at one of our over the board events within twelve months. Trophies will not be posted to overseas winners.
The tournament will be a friendly and fairly informal event. We urge members and associate members to “have a go” regardless of their playing strength. Results will be sent for rating in the ECF Online Rating system.
To enter please complete the appropriate online form on https://braillechess.org.uk/events/event-forms by Monday 30th June 2025. The online form is the preferred method of entering. Please try it as it will guide you through the information you need to provide. If you cannot use the form, you may send your entry to the organiser, Julie Leonard, giving your full contact details, your location or time zone if you’re not in the UK and stating which playing platforms you can use. You must also give consent for your contact details to be shared with all 2025 Summer Cup players and arbiters and for rating information to be sent to the ECF.
Saturday
19th to Saturday 26th July 2025: Chairman’s Cup
This will take place at the Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth, which has proved to be a very popular venue for some of our recent events. It is very friendly and comfortable, and we also have use of an outdoor heated pool. The parking and green areas are also very good.
The tournament is open to all blind and partially sighted chess players and to associate members of the BCA. The Chairman’s Cup will be awarded to the highest placed player, whether VI or associate member, whose most recent published grade is 1750 or below (equivalent to about 140 under the old ECF grading system). A player who scores the highest number of points but does not meet the rating criterion will be recognised as the overall winner of the tournament but will not receive the Chairman’s Cup.
If there are sufficient entries we will run two sections, an Open and a Challengers for players whose rating or estimated rating is 1300 or below. Both are open to blind and partially sighted players and to associate members of the BCA. Please state when booking which tournament you would like to enter – subject to eligibility. The entry fee for each section is £12.
Rooms are likely to be available on the Saturday afternoon from 15.00 with dinner that evening at 18.00. The event will be played over 7 rounds with one round each day. Likely starting times for the seven rounds are 19.45 on the first Saturday evening and a morning start of 10.30 for the remaining six rounds but these times might have to be changed a little depending on discussions with the hotel. The rate of play will be all moves in two hours for each player. Players may request a half point bye in any one of the first six rounds.
In addition to the chess tournament there will be a varied programme of social activities. Anyone with ideas for social events, or who wants further information about the hotel or tournament should contact the organisers:
John and Pam Jenkins.
Please send your entries to John Jenkins, with a copy to our Treasurer, Tris Cole, or complete the online form (https://braillechess.org.uk/events/event-forms). The closing date for entries is Friday 23rd May 2025.
The cost of dinner, bed and breakfast to members and associate members of the BCA is £420 for the week irrespective of room type. The cost to those booking for less than the full week will be £60 per night for members and associate members. There are options for guests to pay significant supplements for a sea view room or sea view plus balcony. Please contact John Jenkins if you would like to know more or you wish to stay additional nights at the beginning or end of the tournament.
Bookings accepted after the closing date of 23rd May are at the discretion of the organiser and will be subject to a late booking fee of £10 per person. All payments should be sent to the Treasurer, Tris Cole. Please note that rooms will not be reserved until full payment has been received.
A note from your Congress Support Officer, Tony Elbourn:
If you would like to participate in any mainstream competitions, then why not make use of the Congress Support Scheme? It's designed to help BCA members meet the costs of entering mainstream congresses. The expenses that can be claimed are travel, accommodation and the entry fee, or just the entry fee itself. It's open to all members who have played in a BCA event over the past year and who have not also received international funding. All we ask for is a little feedback on the congress in which they have taken part.
If you are considering entering a mainstream event you may well find yourself in good company as some of them are popular with BCA members. In order to make a claim there are three simple steps:-
1. Contact the Congress Support Officer at least one week prior to the event. Retrospective claims will not normally be accepted. Please contact him either by telephone or email giving full details of the event in which you wish to compete.
2. Send a receipt or proof of expenditure to the Treasurer on return from the congress. Claims can include entry fee, accommodation, travel and any other reasonable expenses. The Congress Support Scheme does not cover claims for insurance.
3. Provide feedback on the event to the Congress Support Officer. This does not need to be formal and will be stored as an anonymous record for our database. It may benefit other BCA members thinking of attending the same event in the future.
Please note that, in the spirit of the Congress Support Scheme, failure to complete all the above steps may mean that we cannot guarantee that your claim will be processed successfully, as the scheme is subject to available funds (the year referred to is the BCA’s operating year starting on 1st October and ending on 30th September).
If you are mainly a “home player” and have been wondering whether to take part in a local tournament and would like to find out more about playing competitively then why not join the BCA in one of its competitions, or you may recently have become V.I. in which case you can find out about the equipment we use and that you will still be able to play competitively. Our competitions are run in exactly the same way as a “mainstream” congress. If it is your first time as a competitive player then you can take part in the Challengers section which, in spite of its name, will give you some good games. If you are concerned about the expense of joining a mainstream congress, then you will have taken the first step to obtaining “Congress Support” from the BCA.
Guy Whitehouse has compiled the following
list of mainstream tournaments that are “All Under One Roof” i.e. the
accommodation and chess playing room are in the same hotel.
1st Cheadle FIDE Open, 4th-6th February
2025, Village Hotel, Cheadle.
It seems there’s just one section, an Open capped at 60 players. The time control is all moves in 90 minutes
with 30 second increments per move from move 1.
Contact the organiser Sarah Longson.
48th Blackpool Chess Conference, 7th-9th
February 2025, Imperial Hotel, Blackpool.
There is an Open, a Major U2050, an Intermediate U1850, a Minor U1700
and a Standard U1550. Contact the
organiser Bill O’Rourke.
6th Simon Bartlett Memorial Congress, 28th February – 2nd March 2025,
TLH Toorak Hotel, Torquay
This advertises itself as the colourful
congress, apparently after the loud shirts Simon Bartlett used to wear. There’s even a Simon Bartlett shirt
prize. Five round Swiss, Open, U1975, U1750, U1600.
Online entry:
https://congress.org.uk/congress/471/home
Website: http://www.budechess.co.uk/
Organiser John Constable.
British Rapidplay Championship 2025, 1st-2nd
March, Holiday Inn, Peterborough.
There are 11 rounds and one FIDE- and ECF-rated open section. The time control is all moves in 15 minutes
with a 10-second increment per move from move 1. Contact the organiser Mike Truran.
48th East Devon Chess Congress, 21st – 23rd March 2025, Mercure Exeter
Rougemont Hotel, Exeter
Full details will be released via the
website: https://eastdevonchesscongress.com
Organiser, Tim Paulden.
5th Bournemouth Grand Chess Congress,
28th-30th March 2025, the Bournemouth West Cliff Hotel
There are four sections: an Open, a Major U1900, an Intermediate U1700
and a Minor U1500. Contact the organiser
Martin Simons.
1st Huddersfield Chess Congress, 5th-6th
April, Cedar Court Hotel, Huddersfield
There are three sections: an Open, a Major U1900 and a Minor U1600. Contact the organiser Andrew Wainwright.
Jersey International Chess Festival,
5th-12th April 2025, Hotel Ambassadeur Jersey, St Clement Bay
There is an Open, something called the Holiday under ELO-1900 or ECF-160
and something called the Championship which is described as the Jersey
Blitz. Contact the organiser Paul
Wojciechowski.
5th 4NCL Easter Congress, 18th-21st April
2025, Mercure Daventry Court Hotel, Daventry
There’s an Open, a Major U1700 and a Minor U1400. Contact the organiser Mike Truran.
5th Cornwall Chess Congress, 2nd-4th May
2025, Falmouth Hotel, Castle Beach, Falmouth
There are three sections: an Open, a Major U1800 and a Minor U1500. Contact the organiser Rebecca Gardiner.
I am approaching the end of my first
year as Treasurer, which means that over that time I have had the opportunity
to experience the vast majority of different duties that the role
requires. With the continued help of
Gill and the Committee these have continued to go smoothly.
The charity's financial situation
remains very positive. This is partly
due to the continued work of our fundraiser Carl Concannon who since the last
gazette has helped raise over £10,500 for which we are all extremely grateful.
If you are shopping online, please
consider using Give As You Live which raises funds with many different
retailers at no cost to you. Simply
search for “give as you live online”, sign up and choose the BCA as the charity
you are supporting.
If anyone has any questions relating
to these or other related matters, please get in touch. I look forward to seeing many of you in
upcoming events.
Tris Cole
Gary Wickett
writes:
It’s
hard to believe that this will be my last report as Membership Secretary. The year has flown so quickly.
After
the bumper crop of new members who have joined over the last twelve months, 40
in all, there are just five new members to introduce for this report: three VI
members and two Associate Members. Let
me begin as always by extending a very warm welcome to our three new VI
members.
Some
of you may have already met Mark Noble as he attended the Chess Theme Break in
January. Mark is from Kent and has
rejoined as a five-year member after a fairly lengthy break. Mark used to be a member way back in the
1980s. Great to hear that you’ve come
back to us, and I hope you’ll agree that the BCA is even bigger and better than
it was before.
Connor
Scott-Gardner is from Leeds and has also joined as a five-year member (albeit
at the time of writing, his membership is still in the mechanics of being
processed). Connor told me that he has
known the rules and how the pieces move for some time but has only recently
decided to take the game up as a hobby and learn how to form plans and
strategies etc. The moves are merely the
bare bones; the life and spirit are in the plans and tactics. Great to have you on board; you’ve chosen a
great hobby.
Daniel
Hayton is from Northumberland and at the age of 18 has joined as a BCA
Junior. Daniel is studying physics at
Northumberland University, where he has also joined the University Chess
Society. Great to hear that chess is
proving as popular as ever amongst the young and I hope to see you at one of
our events if you’re able to come along.
Let
me now offer a very warm welcome to our two new Associate members; both of whom
some of you will already be familiar with.
Hugh
Lawson is from London and has taken out five-year membership. Hugh will be a familiar voice to those who
receive the audio Chess Magazine. Please
let me take this opportunity to thank you for your sterling work which I know
is much appreciated by all who receive it.
Finally,
some of you may remember Lara Norman; albeit it’s been a few years since she
last attended one of our events with her parents, Claire and Ian and younger
sister Lucy, and she’s no doubt grown somewhat since then! Lara is from Hinckley in Leicestershire and
has taken out Life membership. Good to
have you back in the fold.
Before
I close, let me say a huge thank you to all the people who have helped me
perform my role as Membership Secretary.
A special thank you goes out to our Editor, Julie, whom I can only guess
must never sleep the amount of work she manages to get through! Due to various IT issues, which I’m sure are
unique only to me, I could not have carried out my duties without Julie’s
help. Let me also take this opportunity
to thank Voldi, who has kindly agreed to stand for Membership Secretary at the
next AGM. Voldi is another stalwart in
his work for the BCA and I can think of no one more perfect for the role.
Bill Armstrong writes:
Before the accident which cost Paul his sight, he and I had played against each other. As his longest chess contact in the BCA, it's fitting that I write this tribute. He was a tenacious opponent, a careful player but one prepared to enter risky double-edged situations if he assessed the line as favourable. The results were good. He won two UK visually impaired Championships, played board 2 in a BCA team in the Brazil Olympiad where he gained a silver medal for his individual performance, and (before computers ruined the event) was a fine correspondence chess player. He played in the BCA team in the 1980s which won the gold medal for international Braille correspondence chess.
He had a love of the game which led to hours of complex analysis and shrewd annotation of games. Covid and a withdrawal from over the board chess was a serious setback in his involvement with chess. Gradually he became less interested in chess theory or the events for top players. The general loss of interest meant his once meticulous approach to his role as Correspondence Chess Director declined to apathy and he decided to give up the role completely and unexpectedly resigned.
Paul also had a whimsical sense of humour and would see this pseudo-obituary with amusement. I will miss him, albeit our contacts were becoming more limited. I will hope to see that whimsical humour in Sunday Smiles to which he occasionally contributed.
With best wishes and thanks for his many contributions to the BCA - not least of which were his brilliant articles in several past BCA Gazettes.
47th
BCA Correspondence Championship 2023-24
Premier
Final scores: Philip Doyle 3-4, George Phillips 3, Alec Crombie 2, Guy Whitehouse 1.5, Malcolm Jones 0.5.
In the August gazette, Philip and George were applauded for jointly winning the Premier as the tie-breaks had failed to separate them. There’s no harm in repeating praise of their success now that the event has finished!
Challengers
Final scores: Voldi Gailans 3-4, Mike Flood 2.5, Eric Gallacher 2.5, Maria Dod 2, Eleanor Tew 0.
Well done Voldi for finishing top of the Challengers!
BCA
League 2024-25
Division 1
Crombie 1 - 0 Phillips, English Opening, 24.
Final scores: Alec Crombie 3.5-4, Glenn Crawford 3, George Phillips 2, Malcolm Jones 1, Voldi Gailans 0.5.
Congratulations to Alec on taking the League Division 1 crown!
Division 2
Bland 0.5 - 0.5 Gallacher, Queen’s Pawn Game, 18.
Final scores: Marilyn Bland 3.5-4, Eric Gallacher 3, Mike Flood 2.5, Maria Dod 1, Eleanor Tew 0.
Well done Marilyn for winning Division 2!
Sadly, an insufficient number of entries was received for the 48th BCA Correspondence Championship 2025-26, so this event has been cancelled. The committee is meeting on the 8th of February 2025 and one of the items on the agenda is to discuss the future of correspondence chess in the BCA. The number of participants has diminished over the last few years to the point where some feel the competitions are no longer viable and that it would be better to concentrate our efforts on running the very popular email tournaments and the Summer Cup. If you would like the BCA to continue offering correspondence events, please share your views in advance of that meeting, saying which format you prefer (Championship, League, or something less formal) and whether you’re willing to take on any organisational responsibilities.
To use Paul’s sign off for one last time, “Break a peg!”
BCA Committee
Gerry Walsh’s monthly “How Good Is Your
Chess?” training, held over Zoom, continues to grow in popularity! Students are taken through the opening moves
of a game, then asked to predict the succeeding moves for one side or the
other. Points are given to those who
guess correctly, and sometimes fewer points are given for other moves. Recordings of recent sessions are available
for anyone interested in finding out more.
The sessions are very informal, the points
awarded are subsidiary to the main objective, which is to provide instruction, to
give us an opportunity to work together as a group to find solutions and to
enjoy some very exciting chess. For
those not used to solving chess problems it is a wonderful way to start, and an
encouragement to become involved by suggesting moves at each stage of the
game. There is no criticism of
individuals' suggestions, and anyone is free to suggest any possible move. I highly recommend these sessions to players
of all standards!
At the end of each month, I will send a note
to the user group, reminding everyone of the next session and asking for names
of those interested in taking part.
(Please email the Gazette Editor or Audio Librarian if you have not yet
joined the user group and would like to do so.)
I will then liaise with the group and Gerry to find a suitable day. For those not familiar with Zoom, help is available,
either for accessing the sessions online on a PC or an iPhone. It is also possible to dial in to the Zoom meeting
from any phone.
Please contact Voldi Gailans or Gerry Walsh
if you have any questions regarding the sessions.
For a variety of reasons, no sessions have
taken place since September, but Gerry and I are planning to resume them on
Wednesday the 26th of February 2025.
Please contact me to book your place.
I will also announce the session on the user group nearer the time.
Voldi Gailans
Probably in a more formal mode I will shortly be preparing a report for our
AGM but for the Gazette I have just picked out some of the highlights which
mark for me the second year of being chairman.
I was impressed by the efforts of all the committee and other helpers, -
not least by the fact that we explored two new tournament venues, one at
Leicester organised by John Osborne and the other at Milton Keynes organised by
John Fullwood. But in very different
ways two people took centre stage. Gary
Wickett returning as membership secretary threw himself into making personal
contact with each new member and paying attention to almost every issue that
confronted the committee. I will miss
Gary because other commitments have led to his withdrawing from being
membership secretary. Losing a
treasurer, a correspondence chess director and TWO membership secretaries in
two years does suggest some carelessness on the chairman's part. In a much quieter style, Mark Kirkham
considered issues more slowly and made shrewd judgements about each topic in
turn. I'm glad he did not retire from
committee duties and will hope to see him continue in 2025.
The ECF, prompted by some brilliant writing by Julie on behalf of the
committee, forced the spotlight onto a very modest and unwilling celebrity,
Voldi Gailans, awarded the ECF trophy for services to chess accessibility. Meanwhile, Tris Cole unobtrusively but
steadily took command of the role that Gill had covered for so many years that
we are still getting lots of mail addressed to the Treasurer but immediately
opening with, “Dear Gill...”. Yes, yes
... fascinating stuff for the chairman
to reminisce about, but was there no chess for him to comment on?
Well, there was a minor miracle of an 83-year-old winning the
championship for the fifth time. That
was a delightful memory. But it was
partly due to the rising stars not yet at their mature best or absent learning
new skills by playing the talented players of other nations. I have great hopes of Brandan Read who has
indicated his potential by winning outright both the Remote Summer Cup and the
Irish organised email tournament and Gary Hogan again scoring 4 from 9 games
against tough international opposition.
Having both of them and Chris Ross at the autumn event in Milton Keynes
(plus the attendance of two strong associate members) made it as strong a field
as we have had for ages. So all things
considered, my second year as chairman has been remarkable in chess terms.
I hope to be re-elected at the coming AGM although at 84 I will be
looking for my successor in 2026. Three
years is more than I undertook at starting, but thanks to all those mentioned,
and also those not mentioned but whose contributions are certainly not
forgotten, I've enjoyed serving as chairman in 24-25.
Bill Armstrong
The most recent Millennium Club
winners and numbers are:
October - Richard Harrington with
number 5
November - Bittor Ibanez with number 9
December - Colin Fisher with number 11
To take part in the monthly draw costs
£12 per number per year. You may have as
many numbers as you like at £12 each.
Every month a lucky winner receives £35.
If you wish to take part, please make a payment to the BCA.
Tris Cole, Treasurer
Jon and Maria Lilley (Graham's brother and sister-in-law) have very kindly sponsored this award, which will run for three years, with the first award being made this year, in August.
Visually impaired UK members who have played in at least one BCA rated OTB tournament during the prior 12 months are eligible for the award. The winner will be the player whose ECF Standard OTB rating has increased the most since August 2024. He or she will receive an engraved medal and a prize of £50. In the event of a tie, the money will be shared, and each winner will receive a medal. So, keep working on your game and improving your rating to increase your chances of winning this award in memory of one our most successful, highly respected and well-liked members of all time!
Every year BCA members and associate members are invited to submit a game for entry into the David Hodgkins Memorial Best Game Competition. Entries are now being taken for the 2025 competition which will be judged by BCA member Gary Hogan.
Any competitive game which is played in a BCA event, or by a BCA member representing the BCA in an overseas event is eligible. All games published in The Gazette will automatically be considered. The competition is open to members (including overseas members) and associate members.
Please send your games to me to forward to Gary. Alternatively, I am happy to receive games in braille or over the phone.
The result of the 2024 competition will be announced at the AGM in March and published in the May 2025 Gazette.
Steve Burnell – Coordinator
Eamonn Casey and Philip Doyle write:
Once again, the tournament ran very smoothly, thanks to the co-operation of all the players. The final game of the 21st email tournament resulted in victory for Brandan Read over Bill Armstrong, which means that Brandan is the winner of Division 1. As this was his first appearance in the top division, his achievement is all the greater. Second in this division was Richard Murphy, who was also appearing for the first time in this division. In Division 2 there was a two-way tie for first place between Malcolm Jones and Eamonn Casey. Gill Smith won Division 3 decisively, and there was a three-way tie for first place between Tony Lawton, John Ramm and Maria Dod in Division 4.
Our next tournament is due to commence on the 1st of March, so look out for the notice on the BCA user group in early February. We are always happy to have new players, or the return of previous participants, so if you can recruit more players to take part that would be marvellous. We wish everyone a successful 2025 over the chessboard!
A full list of results and scores in the 21st BCA Email Tournament follows.
Division 1:
Murphy beat Doyle
Murphy beat Armstrong
Burnell drew with Doyle
Read beat Murphy
Doyle lost to Read
Armstrong beat Burnell
Burnell drew with Read
Doyle beat Armstrong
Burnell drew with Murphy
Armstrong lost to read
Final scores from 4 games and placings:
Brandan Read 3.5, Richard Murphy 2.5, Steve Burnell and Philip Doyle both 1.5, Bill Armstrong 1.
Division 2:
Fullwood beat Casey
Gailans lost to Jones
Casey beat Jones
Jones beat Fullwood
Casey beat Gailans
Fullwood lost to Gailans
Final scores from 3 games and placings:
Malcolm Jones and Eamonn Casey both 2, John Fullwood and Voldi Gailans both 1.
Division 3:
Flood lost to Smith
Flood lost to Elbourn
Smith beat Elbourn
Bland lost to Smith
Elbourn beat Bland
Bland beat Flood
Final scores from 3 games and placings: Gill Smith 3, Tony Elbourn 2, Marilyn Bland 1, Mike Flood 0.
Division 4:
Ramm beat Lawton
Jodhan lost to Ramm
Lawton beat Jodhan
Dod beat Jodhan
Ramm lost to Dod
Lawton beat Dod
Final scores from 3 games and placings: Tony Lawton,
John Ramm and Maria Dod all 2, Donna Jodhan 0.
Division 1: Philip Doyle v
Brandan Read
1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e3 Nf6 6. Nf3 c4 7. Ne5 Nbd7 8. f4 Bb4 9. Bd2 Bxc3
10. Bxc3 Ne4 11. g3 b5 12. Bg2 a5 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. a3 Nf6 15. h3 O-O 16. Ng4 Bxg4 17. hxg4 Nd5
18. g5 g6 19. Kf2 b4 20. Be1 c3 21. bxc3 bxc3 22. Qc1 Qb6 23. Kg1 Rfb8 24. Rh2 Qb5 25. Rc2 Qd3
26. Kf2 Rb2 27. Ra2 Rxa2 28. Rxa2 Rb8 29. Rc2 Nxe3 White resigns.
Division 1: Bill Armstrong v
Steve Burnell
1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. f4 e6 5. Nf3 h5 6. Be2 Nh6 7. h3 Be7 8. 0-0 Nbd7 9. c3 c5 10. Be3 Qc7
11. a4 0-0 12. Na3 a6 13. Nc2 Rac8 14. Ng5 c4 15. d4 Bxc2 16. Qxc2 g6 17. Nxe6 Black resigns
Bill writes:
An oversight on move 16 left Black losing the exchange. But the defence of the king is also difficult with the pawn structure favouring White's attack.
Division 1: Bill Armstrong v
Brandan Read
This was the last game to finish, not just in Division 1, but in the whole tournament. The comment is by Bill.
1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. d5 Nce7 4. g3 Ng6 5. Bg2 Bc5 6. c3 Nf6 7. b4 Bb6 8. Bg5 d6 9. Nd2 h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6
11. Qe2 Bg4 12. f3 Bd7 13. a4 a5 14. b5 c6 15. bxc6 bxc6 16. Bh3 Bxh3 17. Nxh3 0-0 18. Rb1 Ba7
19. Nf2 cxd5 20. exd5 Rab8 21. 0-0 h5 22. Kh1 Bxf2 23. Rxb8 Rxb8
Here White planned Qxf2 then Ne4 with some prospects of king side attack but carelessly played them in the wrong order and effectively gave away two tempi. That cost him the game. Brandan took charge and found some crushing continuations.
24. Ne4 Qd8 25. Qxf2 f5 26. Nd2 h4 27. f4 hxg3 28. hxg3 Rb2 29. Qe1 Qc7 30. Qc1 Ra2 31. fxe5 Nxe5
32. Nf3 Nxf3 33. Rxf3 Qc4 34. Qd1 Qg4 White resigns.
Division 2: John Fullwood v
Voldi Gailans
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3
b6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 e6
5. Nbd2 cxd4 6. exd4 Nc6 7. c3 Be7
8. Bd3 Nh5 9. Be3 Nf6
10. Qc2 h6 11. h3
d6 12. c4 Bd7 13. a3 Rc8
14. b4 d5 15. c5 b5 16. Bxb5 0-0
17. Bxc6 Bxc6 18. a4 Bb7
19. 0-0 Ne4 20.
Nb3 f5 21. Bf4 g5 22. Bh2 g4
23. hxg4 fxg4 24. Ne5 Bd6 25. Qe2 Bxe5
26. Qxg4+ Bg7
27. Qxe6+ Kh7 28.
Qh3 Rc6 29. Bg3 Bc8 30. Qh2 Nxg3
31. Qxg3 Bf5 32. Ra2 Rg6 33. Qh2 Qd7
34. f3 Bd3
35. R1f2 0-1
Gill Smith writes:
Last autumn, 38 of us made our way to Milton Keynes. This was our first visit to the Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre. It is a large hotel comprising a few buildings connected by enclosed walkways. From immediately outside the hotel throughout the buildings, it is all level access. The hotel reception, dining room, chess room and our bedrooms were all on the ground floor. Above the dining room, accessed by lift or stairs, was a large area with tables and chairs and a bar. In the dining room, there was a good selection of food with buffet service. This proved to be much quicker than waiter service, most of us were enjoying an after dinner hot drink well within an hour of sitting down. Free hot drinks, juice, water, and fresh fruit were available all day.
This time we did not have any visitors from overseas, but we were pleased to welcome Joe Paton to his first BCA event. He did not take part in the tournament but had a friendly game with Clare Gailans. Perhaps we might see them in a tournament soon.
It was good to have Chris Ross taking part in the tournament after a few years’ absence. We had 22 participants, and everybody played in the one section. Here is the list of players with ratings from the beginning of October.
Chris Ross 2220, Owen Phillips 1944, Tristram Cole 1850, James Connors 1719, Gary Hogan 1710, Brandan Read 1698, Bill Armstrong 1637, Stan Lovell 1607, George Phillips 1421, Dan Rugman 1359, Mark Hague 1344, Voldi Gailans 1316, John Fullwood 1260, Neda Koohnavard 1245, Stephen Bailey 1224, Gill Smith 1134, John Osborne 1105, Tony Lawton 1092, Abi Baker 1063, Philip Rafferty 937, Lea Ryan 857, Richard Harrington 660.
In Round one on Friday evening the results were as you would expect from players’ published ratings. Rounds 2 and 3 were held on Saturday morning and afternoon respectively, after which we had the following standings.
Tris was leading with 3 points. 4 players were on 2.5 points, Chris, Owen, James and Gary. On 2 points were Bill, Brandan and Neda.
After dinner on Saturday evening, we all met up again in the chess room for presentations, a raffle and some music.
First of all, two trophies were presented for winners in the Summer Cup. Brandan Read had won the 2024 Summer Cup with a perfect score of 5 from 5 games and Neda Koohnavard had won the Ladies’ trophy with a score of 2.5. There is one cup outstanding to be presented as the Challengers section was won by Paul Inglis. We hope that his plan for joining us at an OTB event next year will go ahead so we can present his trophy to him in person.
We also celebrated Neda’s engagement, with her wedding coming up the very next month. She kindly brought a couple of tubs of chocolates to share.
Two of our members who were present were recipients of awards from the English Chess Federation. There was applause for James Connors as he won the 2024 award for Online Chess Contribution of the Year. James had already received his trophy. Voldi Gailans won the 2024 award for Contribution to Accessible Chess and was presented with a splendid glass trophy.
We then had the draw for the raffle which was organised by Julie and Pat. Their hard work raised £200.
A musical soirée followed with Julie and Steve each playing guitar, Julie on vocals, and the audience also in fine voice for several of the songs. Joe was persuaded to sing too, and Tessa recited a couple of poems.
On Sunday morning, organised by Tessa and Julie, 10 people went on a visit to Bletchley Park which was a short drive away, while chess players fought their way through the 4th chess round. After round 4, the fight for the top positions then looked like this. Chris and James were both on 3.5 points, Tris and Owen were on 3 points and 6 players were on 2.5, Gary, Brandan, Bill, Stan, Neda and Gill.
Then the 5th and final round had Chris playing James and Owen played Tris, and all those with 2.5 points were in a group of 3 games.
Final standings and prize winners.
Chris beat James so finished on 4.5 points. Many congratulations to Chris for being the outright victor and winner of the Open Trophy and the top prize money.
Owen and Tris drew their game so finished with 3.5, along with James. Also, Gary beat Stan, Brandan beat Gill and Neda beat Bill so Gary, Brandan and Neda also had 3.5 points.
This meant 6 players shared second place.
Neda won the Challengers section, as top player with a grade under 1450 and she was presented with a trophy and prize money.
Dan finished on 3 points and was placed 2nd in the Challengers.
On 2.5 points were Bill, Stan, Gill, Mark, George, Steve and Voldi.
Gill, Mark, George, Steve and Voldi were joint 3rd in the Challengers, and Gill won Rating Prize A.
John, Tony and Phil ended on 2 points and Phil won Rating Prize B.
Lea, Abi and John had 1 point and Richard was on 0.
Congratulations to all the prize winners.
The weekend was complete with a short soirée on the Sunday evening, this time held in the bar as there were very few hotel guests apart from our party. Musical talent was provided by Julie, Steve, Richard Murphy, Joe, Clare and Owen, and Lea had us in stitches with her standup routine.
A big thank you to John and Tessa Fullwood for their work researching hotels and organising our event at Kents Hill Park. We are grateful to Matthew Carr and David Clayton who were our arbiters and Richard Murphy who was our steward. Thank you to everyone who helped out behind the scenes and everyone who attended, you made it another successful BCA event.
All prize-winners at the 2024 International Autumn Tournament were invited to send in games for the gazette, with or without analysis.
Round 2, Chris Ross 2220 v
Brandan Read 1698, 19/10/2024, A43: Schmid Benoni
This is the first of three games provided by Chris, who won the Open section. The comments are Chris’s.
1. d4 c5 2. Nf3 Refusing to go into the highly likely prepared Benoni defence.
By taking away that potentially prepared homework, Black is already having to think on his feet, realising that any proposed plans, strategies or setups have just gone out of the window. A psychological blow on move 2.
2. ... cxd4 3. Nxd4 d5 4. g3 e5
Seizing the centre. Although this is an acceptable line, Black should be aware of some nimble theory. As with many principals of the Alekhine Defence, White is going to snipe at the black centre from the flanks. Black’s pawn centre appears strong, but the maintenance thereof and the power within, must both be carefully calculated. Only a vast amount of experience, gained over years can teach how to juggle this delicate balancing act.
5. Nb3 Be6 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. O-O Nf6
All appears well for both sides. Black is slightly behind in development, but there's nothing unusual in that. White now needs to begin operations against the black pawn centre and to question its validity.
8. Nc3 The pressure on the d5-pawn initiates the tension on the pawn centre.
The advance of the d5-pawn allows Na4/Nc5 and holes begin to appear around the black central formation, as well as opening up the long h1-a8 diagonal. The other way to hit d5 is to menace the f6-Knight.
8. ... Bb4 A contentious decision. Black counterattacks an attacker of the d5-pawn.
This is logical, but is Black really willing to give up the dark-squared bishop to accomplish this?
9. Bg5 Bxc3
A critical concession to White's pressuring of the black pawn centre. The cost of which is a serious weakening of the dark squares. Once exchanged, Black will find it incredibly challenging to have any control of the dark squares. Admittedly, this inflicts a telling structural aspect to the white pawn formation, but space, enhancement in development and coordination in piece play more than makes up for this deficiency.
10. bxc3 e4?!
It is somewhat harsh to criticise this move, but it effectively puts Black in a positionally losing stance. Once again, it is logical enough to blunt the pressure exerted by the LSB on g2 through the d5-pawn and a glance gives the impression that the position is tenable for Black. White's enhancement in his development should be ringing alarm bells though for Black and although aesthetically, White's refutation to this attempt by Black is pleasing, the deeper positional aspects are not so obvious. Black would do best to castle here and hope to survive the onslaught.
I'd encourage the reader at this point to consider very carefully how White proceeds. Unless decisive action is immediately taken, Black will be offered the opportunity to consolidate his position and re-group his forces. White must strike whilst his advantage is still hot.
11. c4! After which, Black is on the precipice of being completely in a lost position.
It is seemingly impossible to play this move, as Black has it defended by the d5-pawn and bishop on e6, but the bigger picture matters. In true authentic style, Nimzowitsch instructed us to ensure to attack the base of any pawn formation to reap the rewards; here White does that with his shattered pawn formation, regardless of the consequences. The collapse of the d5-pawn can only lead to the fall of the e4-pawn. Obviously, tactics must be calculated, but with the added bonus of the exposure of the dark squares, with Black having exchanged said bishop, this can only lead to a massive advantage to White.
11. ... dxc4
With Black being so undeveloped, there's little else for him to achieve here. He can only hope that an exchange of queens will ease his cramped position. This isn't the case, and the uncoordinated black pawns can be picked off.
12. Nc5 Bg4
Black tries to mix it up. However, steals on e2 are never possible due to Re1 and there will be discoveries down the E-file, which can only be fatal.
(12... Qa5 13. Bxf6 Qxc5 14. Bxg7 White is on top with the black king stranded in the centre and of the protection of the dark squares.)
13. Nxe4 Keeping it simple. (13. Nxb7 is the complicated route.)
13. ... Qxd1 14. Rfxd1 Nxe4 15. Bxe4 O-O
Black has survived the initial tactics and escaped with material equality. However, White has the bishop pair, a kingside pawn majority and more importantly, a huge advantage on the clock. Small advantages soon accumulate.
16. f3 Be6 17. c3
Solidifying the centre, taking b4 and d4 away from the black knight and effectively preventing the black queenside majority from advancing. It is the white kingside majority that is now going to be the more mobile and pressing point of attention. The reduced material on the board makes the fact of the pawn islands irrelevant. It is all about the rook activity and how quickly the kings can influence the game.
17. ... h6 18. Be3 Rfd8
It is tough for Black to deal with the bishop pair raking through the queenside. The a7-Pawn can drop off at any point and the black rooks have no control of the penetration points of the white bishops.
19. Kf2 Bringing the king into the centre and ensuring there's no trouble along the E-file once things open up.
19. ... Rac8 20. f4 White expands and controls the e5-square.
The black knight cannot emerge to cause concerns on the kingside and future pushes f4-f5 must be carefully calculated for Black.
20. ... f5 Logical, but this only impedes the black LSB and makes yet another target of a black pawn.
21. Bf3 a6 Voluntarily yielding the b6-square. White can dominate the D-file with his rooks.
(Better was the occupation of the b6-square, to shield the a7-pawn. 21. ... b6 22. Rxd8+ Nxd8 23. Rd1 Gives White the D-file, but Black is still in there.)
22. Bb6 Re8 Attempting to keep pieces on the board for better defensive opportunities.
(22. ... Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Re8 24. h3 and White begins to improve his pawn structure.)
23. Rd6 Re7 24. Rad1 Bf7
Allowing White to penetrate the 7th rank. Black can do little but wait for White to improve his position.
25. Rd7 Rce8 26. Bc5 Rxd7 Attacks on the e7-rook had to be avoided.
Black's cramped position only gets worse. He has found a potential trick though.
27. Rxd7 Rc8 28. Bb6
Avoiding the obvious trap 28. Rxb7 Na5 when White would have to give up the exchange with 29. Rxf7 Kxf7 30. Bd5+ Kg6 when Black has equalised.
28. ... Rb8 The b7-pawn needs protection. The white rook and DSB completely clamp Black down.
Now for the advancement of the white kingside majority.
29. e4 g5
Desperation alone. Black has been suffering for quite some time. He lashes out in the faint hope of unsettling his opponent. With an advantage on the board and on the clock, this is an ineffective bluff.
(29. ... fxe4 30. Bxe4 Re8 and White must advance the kingside pawns carefully.)
30. exf5 gxf4 31. gxf4 Kg7 Allowing White to wrap things up quickly.
(31... Kf8 prolongs the game, but the result is not in question.)
32. Bd5 Essentially winning a piece. Black resigns.
(32. ... Rf8 33. Rxb7 and the c6-knight and f7-bishop are overloaded.)
Brandan is a very promising young man. He reminds me of, well, me, 25 years ago! Experience, a deeper appreciation of the positional nuances of 11. c4! and the long-term consequences of exchanging a bishop, all come with years of practice, having ridden the rocky roads of the ups and downs of victory and loss. Brandan showed me, not only in this game, but by his excellent performance in the tournament, jointly coming second with 3.5/5, that the potential lies within him. Dedication, enthusiasm and a trust in his own ability, will lead him to many a success. I hope he will take this game as a massive learning curve, get inspiration from it, use it as fuel to ignite his hunger in the game and maybe, the next time he comes across this old dog, he might just vanquish...
Round 3, Owen Phillips 1944 v
Chris Ross 2220, 19/10/2024, A00: Anderssen Opening
Chris and Owen both selected this game for publication. The comments are from Chris unless otherwise stated.
1. a3 As bizarre as this looks, it is a perfectly acceptable opening move.
Named after Adolf Anderssen, who played it against Morphy, it essentially says to Black that White wishes to “pass”. In essence, White is wishing to play as Black. The issue for Black is to find a system, in which the tempo-losing move a2-a3 is not favourable for White. That is a challenge, for there are few systems in the black opening variations where a7-a6 is not usually played. 1. a3 is often not a complete waste of time.
Owen: An oft derided move, but why, as it stops any Black ideas of Bb4 or Nb4 and can be used in a Reversed Sicilian Paulsen set up with White the move ahead!
1. ... g6
Black also plays quietly. A possible continuation for White would be to play b2-b4 and Bb2, making use of the long diagonal. Black rules out that option immediately.
2. c4 Bg7 3. g3 Nc6
Black aims to take control of the dark squares through the centre. The position is transposing into an English-like position. Since one of the main objectives of the English is to advance rapidly down the queenside, is 1. a3 going to prove to be a waste of a tempo?
4. Bg2 d6 5. Nc3 e5 Guiding the opening structure more and more into an English opening.
6. d3 Nge7 7. e4 Blockading the centre. By doing this, White has less flexibility with his middle-game.
7. … O-O 8. Nge2 Be6 9. O-O Qd7 10. Nd5
Blocking the potential attack on the c4-pawn. Black can sneakily slip in f5xe4 when White would not be able to recapture with the d3-pawn, due to c4 being loose. This would damage the white pawn formation.
White occupies the stronghold on d5 and prevents Black from exchanging favourably the light-squared bishops by a future Bh3 since the c7-pawn will be left loose. However, Botvinnik aptly demonstrated to us to how Black can get around these challenges.
10. ... Rae8 Completing development. The central files may become open, so it is useful to have the rooks there.
11. Bd2 f5 12. Rb1
White initiates the typical English opening plan of launching down the queenside, the b7-square being the natural point of focus. With this as a clear plan for White, Black needs to take steps to minimise the damage.
12. ... Nc8
Neatly side-stepping any problems that this knight could cause Black and removing the option of Nxe7+ tactics. Also, strange as it may be, the a7-pawn may need protection once the c6-knight has been evicted and a potential Qa4 by White could become awkward. Another route for the knight reemergence is via b6.
(12. ... Nd4 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Re1 doesn't help Black's long-term structural aspirations.)
13. Qc2 Nd8
Once again, removing the knight from potential attacks by b2-b4-b5, defending the b7-pawn in doing so and coming out again via e6. The option of c7-c6 to evict the strongly outposted d5-knight is also possible now. Strange as it appears, the back-rank knights, clumsy as they are, are poised to jump out once the position opens up.
14. b4 c6 15. Ndc3 Sadly, the knight has to retreat.
This is a small victory for Black, for an English opening player to have a knight on d5 is a luxury. Being deprived of such an option, White is now beginning to be pushed back.
15. ... fxe4 16. Nxe4 White cannot recapture in the natural way of d3xe4, because of the loose c4-pawn.
Now Black can exchange the light-squared bishops releasing pressure on b7, thereby thwarting much of the purpose of the English opening.
16. ... Bh3 17. Qb3 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Ne6
Centrally posting the knight, which guards against the c5-square and also has a possible route into the white king-side, blocking the white queen's view down the a2-g8 diagonal, so c4-c5 discoveries are not awkward.
19. Be3
This bishop doesn't have much of a future. It is uncertain to whether d3-d4 is desirable for white, with his pieces so loosely positioned. Probably best was 19. f4 Kh8.
19. ... Rf7
Preparing to double up along the F-file and defending horizontally along the second rank. Alternatively, 19... d5 20. cxd5 cxd5 21. Nc5 Nxc5 22. bxc5 appears to ease the white position.
20. f3
This demonstrates that White is in defensive mode. The draughty king is shielded, and the dark-squared bishop given some room to manoeuvre.
20. ... a6
Annoyingly, this is essential before the c8-knight can come back into the game. It further holds up the white queenside.
21. a4
Which, just about, proves that 1. a3 was actually a loss of tempo. Possibly, this is why Black can claim that he has the better position. If the whole game had been played without 1. a3, White could have had this already on the board by playing 1. a4.
21. ... Ne7 22. Ng5 Seeking exchanges.
However, this allows some interesting tactics, which White would best to avoid. Best would be 22. Bg1 to retreat the loose dark-squared bishop.
22. ... Nxg5 Missing the obvious 22. ... Bh6, which would give White further challenges.
23. Bxg5 Nf5 24. g4
White cannot permit the f5-knight to stand there, but this is a huge concession. The f4-square is left very vulnerable now. It is a long-term destination for the black knight. If White had played 24. Rbe1 h6 25. Bd2 g5 space is created for Black.
24. ... Bh6 Having seen the belated previous tactic, Black attempts to reenact it.
However, 24. ... Bf6 is better. Very strong for Black is 25. gxf5 Bxg5.
25. Bxh6 Nxh6 26. Ng3 At which point, White posed a second draw offer.
I took the tactical decision to accept, being behind on the clock and realising that I would have White in round 4 against the third seed in the tournament, there was statistically no benefit in taking the risk to win this game. White will probably play g4-g5 and then plant a knight on f6. To gain winning opportunities, Black would more than likely need to sacrifice the exchange on f6 and then transfer the black knight to f4. The winning chances are all with Black, but the tactical decision outweighs the risk.
Round 4, Chris Ross 2220 v
Tristram Cole 1850, 20/10/2024, A92: Classical Dutch
This game was also selected by Chris and the annotations are his.
1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 f5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Be7 An acceptable sub-variation of the Dutch defence.
(4. ... d5 would instigate the Stonewall variation, with Bd6 preferred, in an attempt to force through e6-e5 later.)
5. O-O O-O 6. c4 Qe8 A typical manoeuvre in the Dutch.
The black queen swings around to the kingside with attacking aspirations. This queen slide is slightly early and it is more usual to develop the queen-side minor pieces first, but there is no immediate refutation apparent.
7. Nc3 Ne4
White wishes to expand through the centre and usually, this is via e2-e4. Black attempts to hold up this push, and can do so for some time. White can eventually evict the knight from e4 with f2-f3 and then expand with e2-e4.
8. Qc2 Pressurising the outposted e4-knight.
Black needs to make a decision now. Either he cements the e4-knight with d7-d5, instigating the Stonewall - when the dark-squared bishop ideally belongs on d6, not e7 - or exchange the e4-knight, thus losing tempi. Black ultimately wishes to push with e6-e5, having supported this with d7-d6. A key battle in the Dutch is to see which player can expand first by pushing the E-pawns. Naturally, White restrains e6-e5 and Black inhibits e2-e4.
8. ... Nxc3 9. Qxc3 a5 This appears to be a bit slow.
Black expands on the queenside and creates a potential outpost on b4. This is fine, if he intends Na6/Nb4.
It is possible for White to expand on the queenside, but the more desirable endeavour is to get e2-e4 in.
10. Bf4 d6 11. Rad1 Simply developing. The d4-pawn may need protection were Black to flick in Bf6.
(11. c5 is playable trying to disrupt the black pawn formation. This isn't immediately necessary though and development is preferred.)
11. ... Nd7 12. Qc2 Bringing the queen back to its natural square.
e4 is boosted and there are no pins through the d4-pawn were Black to play Bf6.
12. ... Nf6 Clamping down on the e4-square.
White now needs to find a way to progress his game plan of expanding through the centre, creating space.
13. Bc1 Removing the dark-squared bishop from any potential tactics.
Black could flick in Nh5 ideas and if the bishop retreats, play f5-f4 with attacking intentions. The dark-squared bishop is vulnerable to e6-e5 expansion ideas. So, it is removed placed securely and away from the operations of the other white pieces. Ultimately, the intention is to redevelop this bishop by fianchettoing it.
13. ... Bd8 Black has a similar idea. He paves the way for e6-e5.
This has to be very carefully calculated since the D-file will become open for the white rook.
14. b3 Qh5 15. Ne1
Rerouting the knight to a more central position and opening up the light-squared bishop, as well as freeing up the F-pawn. The white knight also wheels around to control the f4-square, holding up the black king-side advance.
15. ... g5
Black lashes out on the king-side, with aspirations of a king-side attack. This is very committal and if embarked upon, Black should go all-in.
16. Nd3 Rb8
Somewhat passively played. Having lashed out on the king-side, it seems erroneous to limply defend a b7-pawn on the other side of the board, where there’s no real action. Black ought to stick with his intentions on the kingside and find a way to create holes or tension. For example, 16. ... Ng4 17. h3 Nf6 would at least create a target on h3 to focus upon.
17. f3 Bd7
It is all a bit ponderous by Black. Having started aggressively on the kingside, he should be seeking activity there.
If 17. ... Nd7 18. c5 and White is probing the black pawn formation.
18. e4 White achieves his central expansion.
Interestingly 18. Qd2 would put Black into a challenging position when 18. ... f4 would probably be forced.
18. ... fxe4
Believing that the re-capture would allow 19. ... Ng4 with attacks on h2 and a fork on e3, forgetting that the c1-bishop covers that threat. 18. ... Ne8 might be Black’s best option, with the idea of coming around via g7.
19. fxe4 Be7 Connecting the black rooks.
If 19. ... Bc6 20. e5 Bxg2 21. Qxg2 and White maintains his grip on the position.
20. Bf3 Menacing the black queen and defending h2 horizontally.
(20. Qd2 Ng4 21. h3 Nh6 22. Qxa5 would snatch a pawn but leave the white queen far from the kingside action.)
20. ... Qg6 21. Qe2 g4 (21. ... Bc6 22. Rde1 Rbe8 only helps White.)
Black was now short on time. The white pieces are coordinating to hold off the black forces. White's space advantage in the centre is telling and it is only time before he begins to squeeze that bit further.
22. Bg2 Nh5 23. Kh1 Avoiding all the tactics along the a7-g1 diagonal.
White is in no rush. Black's kingside attack has ground to a halt. 23. e5 is playable, but again, there's no rush.
23. ... Qg7 Short on plans, Black tries to pressurise the d4-pawn.
There’s little for Black to do here. He should seek exchanges with 23. ... Rxf1+ 24. Rxf1 Rf8, but the white pieces still dominate and he has the centre to expand at will.
24. e5 Rxf1+ 25. Rxf1 b6 Again, defending mere pawns like this does not help Black’s cause.
Black needs to seek active play as rapidly as possible. White can further expand in the centre unhindered.
26. d5 Qg6 27. Be4 Forcing the black queen back.
The white king is given the g2-square if needed to avoid tactics such as Nxg3.
27. ... Qg7 28. Bb2 Qh6 In desperation and incredibly short on time, Black plays for the obvious Nxg3+ tactic.
(28. ... Rf8 29. Rxf8+ Kxf8 30. exd6 Bf6 31. dxc7 Bxb2 32. Nxb2 Qe5 is a comfortable victory for White.)
29. Qxg4+ Stealing the G-pawn with check and avoiding any Nxg3+ tricks.
29. ... Ng7 30. exd6 Bxd6 31. Rf6 is crushing, so Black decides to throw in the towel. 1-0
Round 4, Brandan Read 1698 v
Owen Phillips 1944, 20/10/2024
This game and the accompanying comments were sent in by Brandan.
1. f4 b6 (An unusual response. Allows White to get a strong reverse classical Dutch style position.)
2. Nf3 Bb7 3. e3 c5 4. b3 Nf6 5. Bb2 g6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. h3
(Perhaps too slow. Qe1 straight away would have been better.)
8. … Nc6 9. Qe1 a5 10. c4 d5 11. Ne5 Nd7 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. h4 Qc7 15. cxd5 Bxd5
16. Nc3 Nf6 17. h5 gxh5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bxh5 Nf6 20. Qh4 Nxh5 21. Qg5+ Kh8 22. Qxh5 Qc6
(Sneaky move! If 23. Qe5+ f6 24. Qxe7 then the queen is trapped after 24. … Rg8 25. Rf2 Rg7.)
23. Kf2 Qg6 24. Rh1 Rg8 25. Rh2 Qxh5 26. Rxh5 a4 27. Rah1 Rg7 28. Rd5 Draw agreed
Round 4, Steve Bailey 1224 v Gill Smith 1134, 20/10/2024
Gill Smith selected this game. She writes: I’ve improved since the last time
we played, when I managed a draw against Steve.
On move 32 Steve made a mistake when he moved a pawn to f3. I took advantage of the situation to gain a
rook for a knight. After that I kept
eroding his defences, but he made me play to the end.
1. d4 d5 2. c4
c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6
5. e3 Be7 6. Qc2 b6 7. Bd3 Ba6
8. a4 dxc4 9. Be2 Bb4 10.Bd2 Nbd7
11. 0-0 0-0 12.
Rfe1 Qc7 13. Na2 Bxd2 14. Qxd2 c5
15. Nc3 cxd4 16. exd4 Rfe8 17. Bd1 Rad8
18. Bc2 Nc5
19. Qe3 Ncd7 20.
Rad1 Bb7 21. Nb5 Qb8 22. Ne5 Nd5
23. Qh3 N7f6 24. Ng4 Nf4 25. Qh4 Nxg2
26. Nxf6+ gxf6 27.
Qxh7+ Kf8 28. Rf1 Qf4 29. Qh3 Qg5
30. Qg3 Ke7 31. Qxg5 fxg5 32. f3 Ne3
33. Kf2 Nxf1 34.
Rxf1 a6 35. Nc3 Rxd4 36. Ne2 Rd2
37. Rc1 Red8 38. Ke1 Bxf3 39. Kf2 Bxe2
40. Ke1 Bf3
41. h3 Rh2 42. Bd1
Rh1+ 43. Kf2 Bxd1 44. Rxc4 Rh2+
45. Kg3 Rxb2 46. Rc7+ Kf6 47. Rc1 Rd4
48. Rc3 Rbd2 49.
Rf3+ Bxf3 50. Kxf3 R2d3+ 51. Ke2 Rxh3
52. a5 Re4+ 53. Kf2 bxa5 54. Kg2 Ra3
55. Kf2 Rb4 56. Ke1 Rb2
57. Kd1 Ra1#
You may have heard in the news that the world number one chess player,
Magnus Carlsen, was fined on the 27th of December 2024 for wearing
jeans at a FIDE event in New York. He’d forgotten to change into his smart
trousers and fell foul of the dress code.
Consequently, Carlsen withdrew after 8 rounds of the 13 round World
Rapid Chess Championship thus ruling himself out of defending his title.
With the World Blitz Chess Championship due to start a few
days later, also in New York, FIDE had a rethink about the dress code and
relaxed it to permit “elegant minor deviations”. Carlsen took part, and after 13 games,
finished joint first with nine other grandmasters on 9.5 points. On New Year’s Eve, the ten top scorers took
part in a knockout tie-break.
Eventually, just two players remained, Carlsen, wearing his now
acceptable jeans, and Ian Nepomniachtchi.
After a nail biting seven game playoff the two remained level and agreed
to share the title.
After the furore over the wrong trousers in New York, it
seems a good idea to remind members about the BCA dress code. In short, we don’t have one! However, in keeping with FIDE’s revision, we
also permit, indeed actively encourage, “elegant minor deviations” such as the
wearing of BCA branded t-shirts, sweatshirts, polo shirts and beanie hats! To get yours, please see Gill Smith at one of
our events, or contact any committee member.
Julie Leonard
Simon Highsmith writes:
In October 2023 I travelled to Austria for an annual chess tournament after being invited by Mahendra Galani to attend. Getting the opportunity to visit a hotel in the mountains of Mönichkirchen and play chess for several days was like being offered a rook for a pawn and so off I went.
I had such a good time in 2023 I went again in October 2024 only this time, I stayed for a few days before the tournament with Jurgen and Anna whom I had met in 2023. They live in a very nice apartment north of Vienna and have a supermarket just 20 meters from their front door. We ventured out for Austrian hotdogs, walked a few times to their local sailing club by the river Danube and had a bottle of beer or two.
After a few days in Vienna, we made our way by train and tram to the mountains. When we arrived in the village near Mönichkirchen, we caught a bus for a 20 minute ride to the hotel. I was feeling very excited to be back in this hotel. They have free Wi-Fi, a small bar, 2 open plan dining rooms, the ensuite bedrooms are very comfortable, and the food is wonderful.
In one corner of the hotel is the chess room. There were about 28 of us taking part this year. I played 9 games in total, 3 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats. I believe I finished 14th in the standings which I was very pleased with as this is where I finished last year. However, this year some of the players had much higher ratings.
There were players from various countries including Kosovo, Germany, France and Romania. I made friends at mealtimes with Kosovars Jaffa and Rainer and their very own guide Anton. A few of us all gathered many times around the dining tables with beer and chess boards and had lots of fun. Rainer showed me how to execute a “2 Bishops Checkmate” which I found amazing.
We all assembled to celebrate on Saturday evening with a 5-course gala dinner, live music from the talented accordion player Markus Hintermair and prizes. I won the best player in my category and was absolutely thrilled to receive 100 Euros.
I love the hotel in Mönichkirchen, the people and the food. If I were a millionaire, I would attend this tournament every year but sadly in 2025 (unless a miracle comes my way) I won’t be attending as my priority will be the BCA summer tournament in Bournemouth.
Congratulations to Neda Koohnavard, who married her fiancé Rahul in London on the 30th of November. Gill and Paul Smith, and Julie and Olly Leonard, were there for the wedding celebrations. Neda wore a striking dress of red and gold. She looked beautiful and extremely happy. Rahul was a very proud bridegroom! There was music and dancing, Punjabi style, with ladies in brightly coloured saris making a vibrant and joyful scene. It really was a wonderful occasion. Let’s all wish Neda and Rahul a long and happy marriage!
A UK BCA member and two U.S. based ones have had success in the U.S.B.C.A. 2024 Correspondence Divisional and Ladder Tournaments! Well done to Glenn Crawford on winning Division 2 and Marilyn Bland for finishing top of Division 5. Also, congratulations to Malcolm Jones for winning the Ladder Tournament!
Julie Leonard
Claire Norman writes:
When my girls were small, I used to make up little stories for them. Many years later, I was telling our dear friend Antoine Reeves about this, and he said to me “Promise me you'll write them down”. When Antoine passed away, I wanted to keep my promise and decided to write the stories. Originally, the book was meant to be just for my (now grown up) children, Lara and Lucy, but it has ended by being published! Aimed at Infant and Junior School children, it is called “Here to There and the Land in Between” and is published by Austin-Macauley. It is an adventure story about a family who end up in a different time and have to fend for themselves in a prehistoric land. You might recognise the characters in the book as they are us and the illustrations are by Lara. The book is available online at Amazon and Waterstones and other online bookstores. ISBN: 9781035875009.
I have written the book as though it is by a teenager called Chloe Norman. Many years ago, we had a baby called Chloe who passed away a few days after she was born. By writing this book I feel I have given her an adventure, I have given her a life. So, this book is more than a children's adventure story, it is a book of hope and loss and it was written with love and for those we have lost along life’s path.
Unfortunately, the book is only available in print but if anyone wants to hear it, I will be looking for someone who is able to record it for me.
By special request, this game from the 2024 Summer Cup is being published because it ends in a rather unique stalemate in the middle of the board!
R1, Neda Koohnavard v Paul Inglis, Queen's Pawn Opening 12/07/2024
1. d4 d6 2. c3 g6 3. Bf4 Nf6 4. e3 Bg7 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Qd3 O-O 7. Nf3 Qe8 8. Bxd7 Qxd7 9. O-O e5
10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Qxd7 Nbxd7 12. Nxe5 Nxe5 13. Bxe5 Nd7 14. Bxc7 Be5 15. Ba5 b6 16. Bb4 Nc5
17. Nd2 Rfd8 18. Nc4 f6 19. Rad1 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Rb8 21. Ba3 Rb7 22. b4 Rd7 23. Rxd7 Nxd7 24. Bb2 b5
25. f4 Bc7 26. Nd2 Bb6 27. Kf2 a5 28. Ne4 f5 29. Nd6 axb4 30. cxb4 Nb8 31. Nxb5 Na6 32. a3 h5
33. h4 Kh7 34. Nd6 Kg8 35. b5 Nc5 36. Bd4 Kf8 37. a4 Nd7 38. Nc4 Bxd4 39. exd4 Ke7 40. b6 Nb8
41. a5 Ke6 42. Ne3 Kd6 43. Nc4+ Kd5 44. Ne5 Kxd4 45. Nxg6 Kc5 46. Ne7 Nc6 47. b7 Nb8 48. Nxf5 Kd5
49. Kf3 Ke6 50. Ke4 Kf6 51. Nd6 Ke6 52. Nb5 Na6 53. f5+ Kf6 54. Kf4 Nb8 55. Nc7 Nd7 56. a6 Ne5
57. b8=Q Nd3+ 58. Ke3 Ne5 59. Qf8+ Nf7 60. Nd5+ Kxf5 61. Qxf7+ Ke5 62. Qd7 1/2-1/2
November
2024 Puzzle
The following is from Bill Harvey's mate in 2 collection. White mates in 2, also I would think that Black's disastrous last move was probably Bishop takes the white Queen on d1 after White had just played the surprising move Knight takes e5!
Henry Buckle vs NN, London, 1840
r2qkb1r/pp2nppp/3p4/2pNN1B1/2BnP3/3P4/PPP2PPP/R2bK2R
White: King e1, Rooks a1 and h1, Bishops c4 and g5, Knights d5 and e5, pawns a2, b2, c2, d3, e4, f2, g2 and h2.
Black: King e8, Queen d8, Rooks a8 and h8, Bishops d1 and f8, Knights e7, and d4, pawns a7, b7, c5, d6, f7, g7 and h7.
Solution: 1. Nf6+ gxf6 2. Bxf7#
February
2025 Puzzle
Louis Paulsen vs Blachy, New York, 1857. This is a novel mate in 2!
1rb4r/pkPp3p/1b1P3n/1Q6/N3Pp2/8/P1P3PP/7K
White: King h1, Queen b5, Knight a4, Pawns a2 c2 c7 d6 e4 g2 and h2.
Black: King b7, Rooks b8 and h8, Bishops b6 and c8, Knight h6, Pawns a7 d7 f4 and h7.
Clues:
1. White's first move is a forcing move.
2. A man on horseback delivers the killer blow!
The solution will be in the May Gazette.
Mark
Hague