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Match Reports and Tables

Mid-Sussex League chess match Hastings second team against Brighton and Hove 3 February 2022

After their recent success against Worthing the Hastings and St Leonards second team travelled to Hove full of excitement. They were fielding a fairly strong team with Henry Cove on first board; Paul Kelly on second board; Ian Calvert on third board; and Martin Fletcher (captain) on fourth board. This team had an average grade of 1835 and many years of experience at competitive chess between them.

However, the games did not go as they hoped. The first game to finish was Ian’s, and he was defeated by Brighton and Hove player, Geoffrey James.

The second game to finish was between the two team captains, with Martin against Paul Batchelor. As in the well-known television series Martin found himself facing the Queen’s Gambit opening, and he responded with a Semi-Slave defence. However Martin found that he was not able to channel Beth Harmon’s brilliance and after 35 moves he accepted the inevitable and resigned.

It was not long before Paul Kelly suffered the same fate against Calum Salmons.

On Board 1 Henry was facing Luke Rutherford, and as Luke is graded 200 points higher than Henry this was never going to be an easy match. But recognising that he had a strong position, and also not wanting his team to leave with no points, he offered Luke a draw. However, Luke declined the offer and the match continued. Indeed, it continued for another hour. But in the end Henry was unable to maintain his edge, and the Hastings team had a fourth loss for the evening.

It was a more subdued journey home, but the team are upbeat again as the contemplate their next match – at home against Horsham 1, on Tuesday 15 February. This looks like it will be another tough challenge, as Horsham are currently unbeaten in the League.

Contact – Martin Fletcher – fletcherinsussex@btinternet.com

Match Reports and Tables

Mid-Sussex League chess match Hastings second team against Worthing

From Martin Fletcher – second team captain; Hastings & St Leonards Chess Club

Mid-Sussex League chess match Hastings second team against Worthing

27 January 2022

 

Hastings 2nd team were at home against Worthing in the second match of the season. The visiting team had a slight advantage, with an average score of 1930 per player, as compared to 1852 for Hastings.  These averages reflected a wide range of abilities, with the highest grading player being Russell Granat from Worthing (2262) and lowest being the home team captain, Martin Fletcher (1408).

Martin’s game was the first to finish, but at 63 moves it was by no means a short game.  Martin was facing Tim Hedger, one of the two Hedger brothers from Worthing.  Martin was white, and his standard opening of e4 was met by the unexpected d5 – the Centre Counter (Scandinavian) Defence.  This meant that Martin was in unfamiliar territory right from the second move against a player who was clearly in his comfort zone.  The game was finely balanced throughout the middle game, and with a passed pawn Martin entered the endgame in a strong position.  Tim played a solid defence and was able to exchange the passed pawn for two of his own, and with precise end game play the best Martin could deliver was a draw.

The next game to end was Henry Cove against the elder Hedger brother, Alec.  Henry was able to play reliably and delivered a win for Hastings.  Paul Kelly was facing the Worthing team captain, Peter Larwood.  Paul played his moves quickly, but found that he could not beat the more reflective Paul, and the game ended in a draw.

On Board 1 Bernard Cafferty was facing Russell Granat, and a win by Russell would tie the match.  The game was not without incident as Bernard noticed after playing for 20 minutes that the Hastings team had three players with white pieces, rather than two with black and two with white, as required by the rules.  It was established that the problem was on Bernard and Russell’s board and their game had to restart, with Bernard now having the black pieces.  Despite this initial confusion, Bernard was able to deliver his usual confident standard and gave the team a second game win.  With two wins and two draws, Hastings won the match 3 points to 1.  This was the team’s first win of the season, and put them at the top of the league table.

Hastings 2nd team have their first away match on 3 February against Brighton & Hove.

 

Contact – Martin Fletcher – fletcherinsussex@btinternet.com

Postal Address:
Hastings and St Leonards Chess Club,
Pelton House,
2 Cornwallis Terrace,
Hastings,
East Sussex,
TN34 1EB, United Kingdom.

 

Email: HastingsChessClub@outlook.com

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Announcement – COVID Guidelines

Government COVID Guidelines Update

 

The government has announced that the measures put in place under Plan B in England will be lifted.

This means from 27 January, there is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering.

The government suggests that you continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet.

 

 

It is important to follow all the other government advice to help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). If you have recent onset of any of the most important symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19):

  • a new continuous cough
  • a high temperature
  • a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of smell or taste (anosmia)

you must isolate at home: wearing a face covering does not change this. You should arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19.

 

It is advised to continue to follow government guidance on ventilation

 

Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer

When a person infected with COVID-19 coughs, talks or breathes, they release droplets and aerosols which can be breathed in by another person. Meeting outdoors vastly reduces the risk of airborne transmission, but this may not always be possible. If you’re indoors, you should let fresh air in to reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.

The more fresh air you let into your home or other enclosed spaces, the less likely a person is to inhale infectious particles.

You can let in fresh air by uncovering vents and opening doors and windows. Opening your windows for just 10 minutes, or a small amount of time continuously where you can, makes a significant difference. This is particularly important before, during, and after meeting people you do not live with indoors.

Do not prop fire doors open. If you have an extractor fan at home, for example in your bathroom or kitchen, think about leaving it running for longer than usual with the door closed after someone has used the room. If you are concerned about the costs of heating, opening windows for shorter periods of time can still help to reduce the risk of the virus spreading. Wearing extra layers can help you to keep warm. You may be able to change the layout of your room so that you do not sit close to cold draughts from open windows or doors.

There is guidance for the public on how to ventilate indoor spaces to stop the spread of COVID-19, including if someone is self isolating. This includes advice on how to claim financial and practical help on heating your home.

Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

 

Best Wishes

Hastings & St Leonards Chess Club Directors

 

Match Reports and Tables

Mid-Sussex Chess League Games

From Martin Fletcher – second team captain; Hastings & St Leonards Chess Club
Mid-Sussex League chess match Hastings first team against Hastings second team
18 January 2022

After a long period of suspension, over the board chess returned to Sussex on 18 January with the first game in the Mid-Sussex Chess League. Hastings & St Leonards Chess club had entered two teams and they were faced against each other in the first match of the season.
With teams of four players the fourth board for each team was played by the team captain. Jim Wheeler (first team captain) was facing Martin Fletcher (second team captain). The game lasted just 30 moves and was the first to finish, with Jim gaining one point for a win.
After the game Jim said that before lockdown his favourite opening was the Richter Veresov. During lockdown he revisited his openings and had been playing on line with many new variations. However, for this match he returned to his tried and trusted favourite, and his expertise in the Richter Veresov paid off.
The next two games to finish were Francis Rayner against Bernard Cafferty and Andrew McGettigan against Paul Kelly, and these both ended in a draw.
This put the pressure on John Sugden who was playing for the first team against Henry Cove. He needed a draw or better to secure the match. Although the games were limited to 65 minutes for each player there was an additional 30 seconds allowed after each move. Theoretically the game could go on all night. However, in this league there is a further time limit and all games must stop after 3 hours 10 minutes. As that deadline drew nearer the players were locked in a rook and knight endgame with John having a small pawn advantage. With less than five minutes to go John forced a rook exchange making his pawn advantage more important; but against Henry’s faultless defence he was unable to press his advantage. When the time limit fell the team members analysed the position to see if there was a clear winner. However, following much discussion it was agreed that the game was drawn.
Winning this game, the first team achieved 2 ½ points and a position at the top of the league table. The second team were happy to gain 1 ½ points against their strong opponents and went home with their heads held high.
Hastings second team are at home to Worthing on 27 January; and the first team play away against Eastbourne 1 on 4 February.

Contact – Martin Fletcher – fletcherinsussex@btinternet.com
Postal Address:
Hastings and St Leonards Chess Club,
Pelton House,
2 Cornwallis Terrace,
Hastings,
East Sussex,
TN34 1EB, United Kingdom.

Email: HastingsChessClub@outlook.com

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Current Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidelines

Notice to all attendees of the club premises

To pursue the aim of applying cautious best practice, and duly as a ‘members club’ who fall under the updated government rules at:

Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make your own – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Hastings & St Leonards Chess Club Ltd are observing the current Government Coronavirus (COVID‑19) Guidelines and are currently requiring that the wearing of face masks be mandatory whilst on H&StLCC premises, unless a legitimate exemption applies.

We are also encouraging that all individuals attending the Club premises to have done a lateral flow test which gives a negative for COVID result, although we are not currently requesting evidence of this at this stage.

We ask that all attendees please also make sure that there is continuous ventilation to the room(s) you use at Club premises by opening the windows.

These current rules will of course also apply for events held on Club premises, thereby superseding  any guidelines formerly given by the organisers.

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New Club teen prodigy beats adults winning chess tournament in Yorkshire

Ted enjoying a recent chess event in Guildford

Ted enjoying a recent chess event in Guildford

Ted Filby, new to the game of chess, has just won his section at the Scarborough Chess Congress, a prestigious annual event in English Chess.

14 year old Eastbourne school ‘Gildredge House’ student Ted only started playing chess in January this year after watching Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit”.

The event, held in the seafront Scarborough Spa Centre from the 29th until the 31st of October 2021, entailed five rounds of matches played over the weekend, lasting up to 4 hours each making them a test of stamina as well as skill.

As an unranked player Ted had to start at the bottom of the list in the intermediate section against 65 adult and far more experienced players from all over the country.

He was able to put in a lot of practice time during lockdown and has also benefited from personal coaching by Eastbourne Chess Club’s Lithuanian-born WFM (Women’s FIDE Master), now Eastbourne resident, Rasa Norinkeviciute and that the Hastings & St Leonard’s Chess Club and Sussex Junior Chess have helped him advance from his initial interest.

Winning his first three matches earned him the promotion into the final day of moving up into the leading group of players.

In the fourth round he faced the only other player with a 100% record, but still beat Leeds University PhD researcher Luke Gostelow. In the finale, after 90 minutes play, Ted knew that a drawn (half point) match would be enough for a podium finish so he happily accepted his opponent’s offer. Following a nervous wait, news of other results eventually came through that confirmed Ted had taken first place, plus prize money of £400.

Ted said “As it was my first senior tournament I was just very pleased to win a couple of matches but then I realised I might be able to win a prize. In the last match I probably also had winning chances but it worked out well for me with the draw being enough.”

For this ‘Post-The Queen’s Gambit’ ‘would-be King’, after his great achievement of winning his first senior tournament, Ted’s next aim is to get selected for the Sussex Junior Chess Team and to ascend the English Chess Federation (ECF) ranking list.

Since putting this information together Ted has had further success in that he took 3rd place in the 6 Round Sussex U18 Swiss Championship held on Sunday 7th Nov at Hassocks, again against a strong field of older and much more experienced players. He got a draw against the number one seeded England player Jonathan Britnell in Round 4; he followed that up by beating second seed Alec Hedger in Round 5 and so was in contention to completely ‘upset the form book’ until coming unstuck in the final round of matches.

 

Media, Press & Publicity Officer

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Goodbye Derek: Club member dies suddenly aged 74

Battersea Chess Club is very sad to announce the death of team captain and valued member Derek Harvey.

Derek died on Friday night, according to his family.

His daughter Simone sent the club the following message on behalf of her family: “Our dear dad Derek Harvey aged 74 passed away yesterday afternoon, 5th November 2021, very suddenly… we are utterly heart-broken and still trying to process the shock but wanted to let people know.

Derek Harvey 2

“Dad, we still can’t believe you’re gone… we love you so very much. We take comfort knowing that it happened so quickly, you wouldn’t even have been aware and that you were with your youngest daughter Simone when it happened.

“We would like to thank the paramedics for their amazing effort for close to an hour trying to resuscitate him and the police for going above and beyond, blue lighting me to be with Simone to say goodbye.

“We would like to thank everyone for their love and support at this incredibly sad time. Sonja, Jasmine and Simone xxx.”

Derek joined Battersea having played briefly for Streatham & Brixton and his hometown Hastings & St Leonard’s Chess Club before that.

He was an experienced player who had a peak ECF grade of 154 (converted to 1885 under the new Elo system). Derek also captained Battersea’s third team in the Central London League before lockdown.

He was enthusiastic about organising team matches on chess.com for Battersea teams against sides around the world, including his former club Hastings.

Derek had said he didn’t want to play chess indoors following covid but was last at the club on the night of the Battersea FIDE Blitz. He also attended Chess on the Common meetings over the summer.

In 2019, Derek appeared on the Channel 4 show Countdown – which he enjoyed telling us about.

Derek will be greatly missed at Battersea Chess Club and we pass on our condolences to his family.