Second team helps first team.

On Thursday last the club's second team fought hard against Horsham first team in the Mid-Sussex League first division. The Horsham side included four players, who regularly compete in the Four Nations Chess League, and it was that same team which earlier in the season had won 4-1 against our first team. On this occasion Horsham needed to win the match 5-0 to be the sole occupiers of the second position in the league, while a score of 4.5 to 0.5 would mean that they would share second place with the Brighton first team.

As it happened, a determined display by our second team enabled our first team to take the second place in the league. Nadya Somova on top board was playing Gavin Lock, who is graded about 35 points above her. Although at times she seemed to be in difficulties, she nevertheless obtained an honourable draw. Nadya might not be in Brighton next year, but she has done very well in her period at the Brighton Chess Club and this season in particular has performed creditably against some formidable opposition. Dona Strauss was Black against a strong opponent in James Mansson and unfortunately lost a piece in the opening. After that she was clearly lost, though she soldiered on until near the end of the session. Chris Lowe, has recently rejoined us, and for a long time he maintained a very solid position. Unfortunately, as problems with time pressure developed, the experienced Philip Stimpson gained a substantial endgame advantage and at the end of the game appeared to be winning. Duncan Badham soon found himself in a very passive position. His opponent, Dix Roberts, the Sussex secretary, had a definite advantage, but allowed one side of the board to be blocked. This gave Duncan chances of stemming White's initiative and he defended tenaciously. In the final position Dix Roberts still had the advantage, but Duncan has chances of a draw on adjudication. On board 5 Arthur De Silver, who has at times this season played well above his grade, recovered from what might have been a rather shaky opening to take the initiative against Anthony Higgs. Arthur won a pawn and had potentially a won position. Unfortunately out of deference to his opponent's grade he agreed a draw.

The second team has therefore obtained at least one point against Horsham, which means that our first team have finished second in the league. Although the first team failed to win the league, they obtained 32 games points altogether, which was more than any other team.

Brian Denman

New members

Hi everyone,

The other day Andrew Caswill asked me how I felt about the welcome to the club as a new member since last September. I responded that it was 'fine', but on reflection I think I was somewhat fortunate in being able to attend the annual meeting early on when many things were clarified for me. Therefore might it be worth slightly formalising the process for new members, which might include: being shown around the club/ where things are, provided an overview of internal and external tournaments, introduced to some members (of similar standard perhaps?), walked through the website/ blog..., announced on the blog?

What do you think?

Holcombe Handicap

First, a big thank you to Sue and Michael, for what must have been an incredible effort at producing this website.
Entries for the Holcombe Handicap close on Saturday 30th April. Members who wish to enter may sign up on the club notice-board or enter their request on this blog. This competition is a knockout event, where a time handicap will occur for the highest graded player.

Vive la difference

Salut, I'm happy to help people book a room in a hotel for the Dieppe trip. Ideally I would like to do this in one fell swoop. Perhaps we should set a time limit to determine when players are committed to going over and then they will know if they want help with the bookings. Two years ago people were confirming they wanted help with room bookings at different times.

It might be worth having a go at booking a room yourselves in the first instance. If the hotel doesn't speak any English I will be happy to help out.

Bon weekend,

John

Hi Everybody

I'm in ur blog, making new posts.

NB Easy Access to the Blog

I see that some people are joining the blog with a new gmail.com or googlemail.com email address. Just a reminder that you don't need a gmail.com or googlemail.com address to register for the blog, you just need a google account. Access to the blog will work more smoothly if you use the same email address as the invite.

Rapid Play on Wedding Day?

RAPID PLAY: THE NEXT WEEKEND FIXTURE ORGANISED BY THE HASTINGS & ST. LEONARDS CHESS CLUB IS TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY 29TH APRIL 2 pm START
7 Round Swiss of 10 minutes per game plus 5 seconds per move. Results will be submitted for ECF rapidplay grading. Non-members are most welcome to participate. Modest and many prizes available to be won by players at all levels. Entrance numbers limited to twenty – advance booking is essential. Prize giving is expected to be finished by 6:30 pm. Members may book by paying the entrance fee to John Driver on a Friday evening. Non-members and out-of-town members may book by contacting Paul Buswell on email paulbuswellchess@aol.com. £2.50 entrance fee for members who pre-book. £5 for non-members. Light refreshments are included in fee.
If interested, pre-entry - by 26 April - is ESSENTIAL.
From Paul Buswell

Welcome to the Blog

Members of the Club, please use your email invitations to register for the blog so you can post here. It works more smoothly if you register with the same email address as the one used for the invitation. If you would like to use a different email address, please let me know and I will send you another invitation. Previous non-bloggers, don't despair, do it now! The invitations don't last forever.