Wednesday 22 December 2010

Christmas Pairs

Last night we played some non-serious chess. We had enough people for four pairs with representatives of HA1, HA2, and HA3. We played some short pairs games without consultation. Food was chips, mushy peas and faggotts (British faggotts - meaning fancy meatballs - not American faggotts). The winners of the evening were Graham S and Drew who went undefeated. A fun evening.

No chess on the 28th, but a club night will be had on Tuesday 4th January.

Merry Christmas everyone,

Colin

Friday 17 December 2010

Spinney Hill 2 Vs HA3 & Some Good News for HA1

We were not really expecting to win this fixture. Spinney Hill 2 are a strong side. Having said that, however, Gary scored his first league win in some style against the very experienced Rich Davis.

Gary Sanders Vs Rich Davis (Gary is keen to point out that he was playing white)

1 d4 d5, 2 Nc3 g6, 3 e4 dxe4, 4 Bc4 Bg7, 5 Nge2 Bg4, 6 Nxe4 Bxd4, 7 f3 Bxf3, 8 gxf3 e5, 9 c3 Qh4+, 10 N2g3 Bb6, 11 Bg5 black resigns. The black queen is somewhat trapped and mate is also threatened on d8.

The rest of us did slightly less well.

16 DecSpinney Hill 2vHeathcote Arms 3
3 - 1
1B131Colver, John1 - 0Ross, Colin102
2W126Garland, Michael (snr)1 - 0Bubb, Andrew80
3B101Davis, Richard T0 - 1Sanders, Gary80
4W89Butler, Alan1 - 0Bubb, Michael60



Very well done to Gary.

 

Colin



Shepshed beat Wigston 1 last night so HA1 go into Christmas top of league again!!


Graham B

Monday 13 December 2010

Ray and Colin at the London Chess Classic

On Friday, Ray and i travelled down to Kensington to see the World's elite and the top four English Grandmasters competing in round three (of seven) of the London Chess Classic. We could have watched all the moves along with commentary over the Internet, but this would have been nothing like being there.

We started off in the auditorium watching the players with giant screens projected behind them, but after half an hour or so we headed to the commentary room to have it all explained to us by yet more Grandmasters. This was where we stayed for most of the day. These guys were extremely good and entertaining - analysing what was going on, and talking through the different variations, whilst the audience called out their own moves. There was a VIP room that we did not get to see - Viktor Korchnoi and Julian Hodgson were commentating in there and that is where the wine was kept.

Round three was when Vishy Anand, the world Champion, played white against Magnus Carlsen, the world number one. This game was an epic struggle with Anand missing a couple of mating chances (although Ray hadn't) before finally finishing Carlsen off. As Malcolm Pein had pointed out, this was the first time that Anand and Carlsen had met since Carlsen had withdrawn from the World Championship Cycle and there was rather more at stake, in this tournament, for these two players, than just the prize money.

The other games were all draws - though one sided draws- and when analysed in the commentary room were still very instructive. The Fortress was a recurrent theme.

At the conclusion of each of the games, the players came in to the commentary room and went through their games explaining their thoughts and plans. This was really useful.

It was great also to walk around people spotting and putting faces to names.

This was an excellent day out and well worth the six hours of travelling.

Club Night
On Tuesday 14th, Ray will be at the Heathcote if anyone fancies a game.

Radio Programmes
Haka Dave has spotted some Chess related programmes on the Radio3 listings. They are:

Night Waves (? or should it be Knight Waves at 9PM tonight (Monday)), and The Essay at 11PM all week.


Colin.

Thursday 9 December 2010

HA2 & HA1 at Home 7.12.10

It was an evening of draws on Tuesday (7 out of 9). With Ray (for HA2) and Mike C (for HA1) winning the decisive games for both home teams. Ray was material up from an early stage, but faced some tactical threats. Mike was a pawn up, but time down when his opponent made a slip losing his last remaining piece.


07 DecHeathcote Arms 2vWigston 5
2½ - 1½
1B139Ensor, Rob½ - ½White, David113
2W122Manger, John½ - ½Hammond, Grant111
3B102Ross, Colin½ - ½Winterton, Paul102
4W90Beach, Ray1 - 0Vaughan, Ben100




07 DecHeathcote Arms 1vScraptoft Valley 1
3 - 2
1B192Sharpe, Graham½ - ½Burgess, Ray173
2W168Bray, Dave½ - ½Graf, Roland162
3B167Ganger, Rajan½ - ½Deacon, Paul159
4W156Cowley, Michael1 - 0Tate, Michael145
5B153Booley, Graham½ - ½Collins, RF (Bob)129


Upcoming Events

HA3 play away at Spinney Hill 2 on Thursday 16th December - we play five boards.
HA2 next play at home to Braunstone 3 on Tuesday 4th January.
HA1 next play away against Wigston 1 on Thursday 13th January.

The Christmas pairs competition will definitely be taking place on Tuesday 21st December (not on Wednesday 22nd as we thought that it might).

Well done everyone - especially to Ray and Mike C.

Colin

Friday 3 December 2010

Tuesday 30th November

On Tuesday, HA2 Versus Syston 2 was snowed off.
With Pete, Dave, Ray, Drew, Michael and myself however, we had a good few friendly games in the dining room.

On Tuesday 7th, HA1 play at home against Scraptoft Valley 1, and HA2 play at home against Wigston 5, and there should also be the opportunity for some friendlies for anyone who pops down.

Colin.