Eyes wide shut

Ezra, seated left, sees off round one.

"Could beat you with my eyes shut" took on a very literal meaning on Saturday 18th when Ezra Kirk took on Peter Benson, Grant Minshull, Robin Jones, Andrew Caswill and Sue Chadwick in a blindfold simul. He played a second round against Roger Berryman, Bob Davies and Anthony Stanton where a mentally misplaced pawn allowed the loss of a rook and eventually the game to Anthony. All the other games were complex and fairly swiftly winning for Ezra. Brian Denman and Luke Rutherford monitored the moves. Thanks to Ezra for a mind-blowing performance which was enjoyed by all.

Tournaments

  A final reminder, the tournaments end on June 30th.
  Please aim to play as many games as possible over the last few weeks.In many tournaments there seems to be an exciting close run finish.
   Please aim to avoid playing games during the very last week. Games in this week can be difficult to arrange.
   During the summer months, members may wish to continue to play graded games with the longplay ladder tournament ( LPL ) and/or the rapid play tournament (RP.)

Reminders

PS Please note the change of start to 3:00 pm on Saturday for the simul.

Two things: one is to phrase your beefs or inspirations about the MSCL into neat proposals for the AGM, to get to the secretary by tomorrow at the latest for the AGM on Tuesday 18th June - but as avid readers of the MSCL website I'm sure you all knew that.

Second, Ezra's blindfold simul on Saturday will start around 3:00 pm for the first batch of players. There's still room for more in the second batch but only a few - yes, blindfold simul folks - so spaces are limited. £4 a board on the day.

Ezra Kirk v Keith Arkell

The Daily Telegraph today (Tues 7 May) gives the moves from Ezra Kirk's 23-move win
against GM Keith Arkell in the 4 Nations Chess League, gaining an IM norm.

Grandmaster draws

Michael Cain, Andrew Caswill, Rob Counsell, Bob Davies, Robin Jones, Oli Weiss and myself all attended the opening of the new Mind Sports Club on Fourth Avenue on Friday night (see Competition on Fourth Avenue post below). As the main attraction seemed to be the poker tables we all got to play GM Raymond Keene in a ten-board simul, being distracted the while by elegant finger morsels and, possibly, the equally elegant cocktail waitresses. Some good games were played and Michael and I accepted draws - YES WE DID!! An excellent - and entirely free - evening.

Ezra's blindfold simul Sat.18th May

Ezra has kindly offered to do a double blindfold simul on Saturday 18th May. It will be open to all members below 170 grade. Places will go to the first 10 applicants who either sign up at the club or contact me via email. The two simuls will run consecutively with five boards in each and at £4 a board (to give Ezra some pocket money for the summer). This may be your only chance to beat the top FIDE English U18! Spectators also welcome.