Tonight (Tuesday 30th October 2012) HA2 play at home to Willowbrook 2.
On Thursday, we have two away matches: HA1 at Shepshed 1, and HA3 at Kirby Muxloe 3.
Good Luck Everyone,
Colin.
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Monday, 29 October 2012
Problem Answer: A Rather Sad Affair...
The answer as to what happened wasn’t obvious. Biggg Boss Ross correctly identified (as befits a winner of the Sunday Times Chess Problem Competition) that 45 …Qd5+ wins (46. Ne4 Qxe4+ 47. Rf3 Qxf3+ 48. Kg1 Qg2#.) Unfortunately that isn’t what Black played.
The position had arisen from a couple of Queen checks in an attempt to find a perpetual check. At this point, in the actual game, Black resigned! He had completely missed the mate in two (with the possibility of a couple of pieces being sacrificed to delay the inevitable.) He had considered a further check by Qe4, but had completely missed the fact that he could check by Qd5, as he’d thought that he then couldn’t deliver a further check in pursuit of his desire for a perpetual, as the pawn was in the way.
So who was the guilty party? The game was Garland (Latimer) – Ricketts (Heathcote Arms) on Board 2 in the Minor League Cup last week, so it was moi. Probably this was the biggest debacle of my chess playing career, although there have been a few. (Up to this point my being mated in 13 moves in the County Championship by Colin Ross probably held the title, although my play as Black against Dorothy Blampiad at Hinckley this year ran it very close.) At the time we were leading 3-2, so half a point would have secured the victory. As soon as I tipped my King TCPFKAR said “Why didn’t you play Qd5?” It was then obvious without too much analysis that I had blundered. To be fair, my team mates offered to enter a vow of silence about the matter to save my blushes, but you’ve either got to laugh or cry. (The only redeeming feature of the game was I managed to extract a new rude comment out of Fritz for an earlier move where I set up a Knight fork for Mick by moving my Queen into its optimal position for a fork, Fritz said “strolling merrily down the path to disaster”, which I don’t recollect I’ve seen before.)
I had thought that as we’re publishing games on the site we ought to have an award for the best game each year. I now think we need an award for the worst – I’d be a shoo-in already for 2012-3.
The position had arisen from a couple of Queen checks in an attempt to find a perpetual check. At this point, in the actual game, Black resigned! He had completely missed the mate in two (with the possibility of a couple of pieces being sacrificed to delay the inevitable.) He had considered a further check by Qe4, but had completely missed the fact that he could check by Qd5, as he’d thought that he then couldn’t deliver a further check in pursuit of his desire for a perpetual, as the pawn was in the way.
So who was the guilty party? The game was Garland (Latimer) – Ricketts (Heathcote Arms) on Board 2 in the Minor League Cup last week, so it was moi. Probably this was the biggest debacle of my chess playing career, although there have been a few. (Up to this point my being mated in 13 moves in the County Championship by Colin Ross probably held the title, although my play as Black against Dorothy Blampiad at Hinckley this year ran it very close.) At the time we were leading 3-2, so half a point would have secured the victory. As soon as I tipped my King TCPFKAR said “Why didn’t you play Qd5?” It was then obvious without too much analysis that I had blundered. To be fair, my team mates offered to enter a vow of silence about the matter to save my blushes, but you’ve either got to laugh or cry. (The only redeeming feature of the game was I managed to extract a new rude comment out of Fritz for an earlier move where I set up a Knight fork for Mick by moving my Queen into its optimal position for a fork, Fritz said “strolling merrily down the path to disaster”, which I don’t recollect I’ve seen before.)
I had thought that as we’re publishing games on the site we ought to have an award for the best game each year. I now think we need an award for the worst – I’d be a shoo-in already for 2012-3.
Friday, 26 October 2012
Davis R (98) Vs Milner G (43)
25 October 2012
Gordon Reports:
Gordon’s run of
three wins on the trot came to end on Thursday when he came up against Richard
Davis playing white in the Minor League.
Both players
started well with only a bishop and Knight exchange during the early opening
moves.
The game was fairly
tight with both players having pieces tied up Gordon’s concentration was on
Richard’s Queen’s side. Richard changed tactics and after some minor exchanges
left Gordon with a weaker King’s side and a vulnerable pawn.
Despite Gordon’s
efforts to fend off the attack Richard managed to exploit Gordon’s King side
weaknesses and brought the game to an end with a checkmate on the 45th
move.
Gordon
Minor League Cup - and a Little Puzzle
Last night we trekked over to Latimer to play the Minor League Cup. Things got off to a good start - Ray managed to avoid crashing into anything on the way.
On arrival, as I was playing Board 2 I ensured (as acting unofficial Vice-Captain) we lost the toss, but Mick Garland chose Black on odds, so my cunning plan failed
As my game was the last to finish, I didn't see any of the other games, but Ray, Gordon & I were outgraded. Gordon succumbed to Rich Davis, Ray lost too, and the Grinder, continuing his good form from his weekend on the Yorkshire Coast, won. Unsurprisingly, I lost to Mick Garland, but at least I wasn't bust after a dozen moves.
Given the grading difference we had a two point start, so the match finished as a 3-3 draw. It seems the Conservative Club has sold their car park and installed a heating system. Mick G even suggested that it was warm, and disrobed somewhat. However, the bar, after the match, still resembled the Marie Celeste.
To do a Biggg Boss, Well done everyone. To do a Hacker, Some more than others.
On a different note:
This is from a game I've recently played through.
Black to play and neither player is in time trouble.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
A (VERY SMALL) PRIZE TO HOWEVER GETS THE CORRECT ANSWER FIRST...
All will be revealed in a few days time, if no-one knows.
On arrival, as I was playing Board 2 I ensured (as acting unofficial Vice-Captain) we lost the toss, but Mick Garland chose Black on odds, so my cunning plan failed
As my game was the last to finish, I didn't see any of the other games, but Ray, Gordon & I were outgraded. Gordon succumbed to Rich Davis, Ray lost too, and the Grinder, continuing his good form from his weekend on the Yorkshire Coast, won. Unsurprisingly, I lost to Mick Garland, but at least I wasn't bust after a dozen moves.
Given the grading difference we had a two point start, so the match finished as a 3-3 draw. It seems the Conservative Club has sold their car park and installed a heating system. Mick G even suggested that it was warm, and disrobed somewhat. However, the bar, after the match, still resembled the Marie Celeste.
To do a Biggg Boss, Well done everyone. To do a Hacker, Some more than others.
On a different note:
This is from a game I've recently played through.
Black to play and neither player is in time trouble.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
A (VERY SMALL) PRIZE TO HOWEVER GETS THE CORRECT ANSWER FIRST...
All will be revealed in a few days time, if no-one knows.
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Scarborough 2012 - Sunday
The Grinder Reports:
My opponent offered a draw in the fourth round game. I had a small positional advantage, but agreed, knowing I would have the white pieces and still be sharing the lead going into the last round.
Fifth round. Didn't play a great opening, was under a bit of pressure. Managed to extricate myself and started to get counter play. Again my opponent offered a draw. I agreed, maybe a little hastily with hindsight.
So 4/5. A couple of other results worked in my favour and I ended up sharing first place with eight others.
Prize money was £1000 so my share was £112.
I was more than happy, as there were 74 entrants in the u136 section.
Phil Harlow won a share of 3rd/4th in the u151. I think Karl Potter also got a placing in the u171.
Cheers all
John
Sunday, 21 October 2012
Scarborough 2012 - Saturday
The Grinder Reports:
A quick report, just got to bed after a three hour analysis session with Phil Harlow. Knackered now!
Leicestershire players holding up pretty well. Phil doing particularly well in the U151 section, he won this morning but was very annoyed with himself for letting the win slip away to a draw in the third round. That leaves him on 2.5/3 but still capable of winning it.
I had a quick 23 move win this morning followed by a 'grinder' in the third round. With 72 entrants in the U136 section I'm amazed to be sharing the lead on 3/3.
It's going to be tough to add to that score tomorrow.
Cheers all
John
Saturday, 20 October 2012
Scarbrough 2012 - Friday Evening
The Grinder Reports:
It really is a fantastic venue for a chess tournament. 300 people playing in one huge room, large windows the full length, looking out to the sea only a few yards away.
There are six other Leicestershire players here. Phil Harlow (Wigston), Tony Robinson (Braunstone), Larry Hayden, Dave Reynolds and Richard Vann (Ashby), and Karl Potter (Latimer).
There are five sections with 50-70 odd entrants in each.
First round wins for Phil, Tony, Dave and myself. Phil and I left before the others finished. It's an accelerated Swiss pairing so we are sure to face the sharks tomorrow.
Cheers all,
John
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