Sunday, December 10, 2017

Christmas Opening and Events

We will be open on all the Thursdays and Saturdays over the Christmas period as usual, however the Bridge Club will be closed on Saturday 23rd so we will be open strictly between the hours of 2:00 and 6:00 pm - tournament games still possible with a prompt start.

Hastings International starts on the 28th and goes on until the weekend events of the 6th/7th January when no doubt some of us will be putting in an appearance, if not before. If you can't wait that long or need a last minute 2017 grading booster there's also the Coulsdon Christmas Congress next weekend.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Brighton and Hove Juniors debut in Lewes

Our junior team made their debut on Tuesday evening with a match against Lewes which they drew 2-2  - an excellent start considering the average grade was 50 against Lewes's 73. The actual results can be seen here. Our team are coached by Callum Brewer and captained at away matches by erstwhile member of the club James Rayment.

Friday, October 27, 2017

Staying up in the league and more games at home!

Congratulations to the fourth team on beating the third team last night - the exact result is still subject to some analysis. Although this might seem like bad news for the third team, it's great for the club as it increases the chances of the fourth team staying up. We would like a fifth team in the fourth division again next year - one that would give some league experience to lower graded players - but this year the fourth team will aim to pick the strongest players available in an attempt to avoid relegation.

So, what are the rest of the club going to do? We are making some changes to the internal tournaments to significantly increase the number of graded games you can play at the club throughout the year. There will never be more than one league match taking place on a Thursday this season (sole exception - 22nd March) and when there is a league match the whole of the through room will be available for the match and tournament games. This will allow more graded games to be played on a Thursday as well as a Saturday.

We have increased the number of internal tournaments and reduced the time available to complete them in - this is to make tournament play a more regular reason to visit the club rather than on the odd occasion you have something arranged. In future we may bring in internal fixtures - as many other clubs do - but for now we're leaving it to you to get through the games you've committed to. (Although internal fixtures might sound too overbearing they might actually lead to a simpler life!)

The other element we're seriously trying is to offer you the chance of playing in a second tournament after Christmas - a place in the tournament above the one you're in - if you can demonstrate your commitment to playing regularly enough to finish both tournaments before the end of April. This earlier finish date is so we can wind up the tournaments in time to try something else over the summer - when our membership has shifted slightly and we find new members with nothing to do and regular members having lost their unplayed opponents. So please expect to see tournament gaps being filled and your opponents increasing before the end of the season.

All this represents quite a shift in thinking if people take it on board and commit to playing more games at home - if they want to of course. It's part of the overall aim of attracting and planning for new members and getting some of our Thursday juniors playing in the senior tournaments. It's hard to get the balance right but we hope anyone wanting to play at a higher level than they're currently placed will jump at the opportunity to double their games and play some different people. There are still two whole months left to play half a tournament and qualify for two - for more details see the Tournaments tabs above.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Dieppe Vs Brighton Chess Club Match Report 2017

We had a fantastic trip to Dieppe this year, although we lost the match 6 to 5. The team played very well considering Brighton was outgraded on every board by some margin.

We had such a fun trip, i really hope this continues for many years to come. A big thanks to the French team who treated us so well, not to mention getting in there cars and coming to pick us all up after the taxi company failed to show up...




Also everyone enjoyed the Doubles speed chess match on the ferry and congrats to Mikolia winning the chocs.

Anyway here are a few pics and video clips;
Video Links Below

1 - Before the match

2. Meet the Team

3. The Match

4. Congrats to the French

5. Simon vs Callum Bullet Game



Match Result

Thanks

Michael

Friday, September 15, 2017

Successful launch of B&H Junior Chess

Brighton and Hove Juniors got off to an excellent start last night with ten juniors divided between two coaching groups. Callum's advanced group contained some familiar faces and Anna's 'beginners' were already well into the game. Their ages ranged from seven to twelve. We have advertised at Sussex Junior Chess but not yet in schools so we're hoping our numbers will soon be up to twenty. Anyone interested should come at 5:45 pm on Thursdays while we still have spaces. Girls too please - it's not all boys - the future is different! Callum and Anna are both excellent and experienced coaches with grades of 192 and 180 ECF. It's also looking very positive for a B&H junior team entry in the MSCL Rapidplay League this season.

Please see the Juniors tab above for more information.

Friday, September 8, 2017

Brunswick Square 2017 Photos

Here are the Chess photos from this years 2017 Brunswick Festival.
 

Click This link to see the 2017 Brunswick Square Photos

Thank you to all those who came along to support the club.

Looking forward to seeing you all on the Ferry in a few weeks time.

All the best

Michael

Friday, August 18, 2017

Brighton Chess Club Promotional Day This Saturday at Brunswick Square.

Hi Brighton Chess Club Members,
I am  pleased to tell you about an up coming exciting event "Brunswick Square Chess and Brighton Chess Club Promotional Day" on Saturday August 19th from 12 oclock to 6pm located at the prestigious Brunswick Square, Hove. 

Please come down and support your club.

If you are interested in seeing some photos;
 

*We have been allocated a space in Brunswick Square as part of the popular Brunswick Square Festival.
  Click Here to See map

 
Additionally the event organizer has kindly donated 6 large tables and chairs which we can use to play chess on during the day.
 
*** All you have todo is come down and play chess with each other and the general public. ****
Thanks for reading this and will be great to see you between 12 and 6pm on Saturday the 19th August 2017 at the Brunswick Square, Hove.
Thank You
 
Michael
Mobile:  07976 739911

Sunday, August 13, 2017

BHCC AGM Thursday 7th September at 8:00 pm

The BHCC AGM will be held on Thursday 7th September at 8:00 pm at the club. New members can join and subscriptions are due for the new season.

Friday, July 28, 2017

Internal Tournament Winners 2017

The final results of the internal tournaments are now up on the Tournament pages. The Tasker Tankard was won by newcomer Joe Reid on 5/6, the Plummer Knight was extraordinarily close and resulted in a three-way tie between Brian Izzard, Paolo Ortolani and Anthony Stanton on 4.5/8, and the Club Championship was won by a junior, Mikolaj Rogacewicz, on an amazing 8.5/9. Congratulations to all!

Here is Mikolaj's win against Simon Wilks with analysis by Brian Denman:

MikoĊ‚aj Rogacewicz 1-0 Simon Wilks
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. e3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 d6 8. Bd3 
Nbd7 9. Qc2 h6 10. Bh4 Qe7 11. g4 e5 12. g5 hxg5 13. Nxg5 exd4 14. O-O-O Qe5 15. 
Bh7+ Kh8 16. cxd4 cxd4 17. Rxd4 b5 18. Nf3 Qh5 19. Bxf6 Nxf6 20. Rh4 Qxh7 21. 
Rxh7+ Nxh7 22. cxb5 Bb7 23. Qf5 Rac8+ 24. Kd2 Rc5 25. Qf4 Nf6 26. Rb1 Be4 27. 
Rb2 Rf5 28. Qh4+ Rh5 29. Qg3 Ba8 30. Ke2 Ne4 31. Qg4 g6 32. Ke1 Kg7 33. h4 f5 
34. Qf4 Rc8 35. Ng5 Nxg5 36. hxg5 Rh1+ 37. Kd2 Be4 38. f3 Rcc1 39. fxe4 Rhd1+ 
40. Ke2 Re1+ 41. Kd3 Red1+ 42. Rd2 fxe4+ 43. Qxe4 1-0

I am really impressed by your tactical attacking play in this game and you displayed excellent technique to finish him off. I am not particularly keen on his 6th move of Bc3+. Why give up a good bishop when it is not required? However, the crucial position comes on move 11 when you play the incredibly bold move of g4. Strictly speaking 11 Nd2 was probably better, but your move is difficult to defend against. On move 13 he probably should have played cxd4, and then after 14 Rg1 the position is probably about level. However, it was difficult to see this and by move 17 you have got your rook into play on the dangerous d4 square. He should probably have played 17...Qa5 when you are better, but instead 17...b5 looks like a mistake. He should perhaps have played 18...Qc5, though 19 Bf5 would have been good for you. After 18..Qh5 he may be lost, but it was not easy to convert this into a win. On move 24 your king might have been safer if you had headed for a1, but on move 25 he should have captured your pawn on b5. For the rest of the game you show good technique and keep finding good moves, though 32 Ke1 was not the best move. An excellent result, easily your best so far. Well done!

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Three out of four wins for Brighton and Hove

Rob Counsell, Paul Batchelor and Paul Selby at MSCL AGM
The MSCL AGM passed off on Tuesday without much controversy. Peter Farr of the Args volunteered to take on Julie Denning's job of Fixtures Secretary so the league drew a collective sigh of relief - it will continue! Brighton and Hove picked up three division cups which were collected by the first team captain Paul Batchelor and regular supporters of the second and fourth teams, Paul Selby and Rob Counsell.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

New Members' Nights

While we're relatively quiet in the summer - no league games and most tournaments nearing completion - we're going to hold three New Members' Nights on Thursdays from 7:30pm, on 22nd June and 6th and 20th July. The nights will be free to prospective members to give them a chance to try out the club. Any juniors who know how to play would also be welcome. The idea is to encourage any new or less experienced players who might be hesitating or wondering how good they need to be to join. The answer is: no matter - everyone improves with practice, so - we'll try and give everyone a chance against a range of opponents and the more we have of you the better! (We're not all super-strong either..... shhhhhh.....) Regular members also needed in support.

Friday, June 2, 2017

Dieppe vs Brighton Club 2017 - Away match to France - September 29th - 1st Oct (2 nights)

Hi Brighton Chess Club,

For the last 10 years Brighton has enjoyed playing Dieppe Chess Club in France, this has been a very successful and enjoyable event, which I hope continues. Therefore;

Would you like to play Chess for Brighton against Dieppe?

If you are interested, please contact me and let me know.

Here are the details?

Location = Dieppe, France.
Match Time/Date = 2pm on Saturday 30th September 2017

Here are the Dieppe Event Details;

Chess Weekend Itinery;
1. Friday 29th September 2017 at 9am -> Ferry Crossing to Dieppe. (4 hours)
2. Saturday 30th September 2017 at 2pm -> Play Deippe Chess Club (4 hours).
3. Saturday 30th September 2017 at 7pm -> Dieppe Chess Team will provide Brighton with evening Meal.
4. Sunday 1st October 2017 at 6pm -> Ferry Crossing to Newhaven (4 hours)

FYI
* The Egg hotel costs only 73 pounds including breakfast for 2 nights.
*. The ferry Crossing is 30 pounds foot passenger return.

We require 15 players, So far, the people signed up for the match are;

1. Michael Cain (Captain)
2. Robin Jones
3. Grant Minshul

(A) You can book ferry tickets using this website; (costs 30 pounds for foot passenger return)
 
Please let me know if you are interested?

My email address = michael_s_cain@yahoo.co.uk

Many Thanks

Michael

If you need more help or have questions, please call me;
Mobile Phone = (07976) 739911

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

First team win Division One

 The first team clinched the Division One title in the last match of the season against Crowborough 1.
 The match was a 2.5-2.5 tie. Thanks to those players who represented the team this season. They
 were Julien Carron, Rhys Cumming, Simon Wilks, Geoffrey James, John Henshaw, Callum Brewer,
 Paul Selby and Mikolaj Rogacewicz. Can we do it again next season? It would be a hat-trick. Time
 will tell. Thanks for everyone's support and understanding.

Monday, April 3, 2017

Junior Hour

On Thursday 13th April from 6:30 to 7:30 pm we are holding an experimental Juniors Welcome session to see what interest there would be in running one on a regular basis. This is for any junior chess players who know how to play but might like to improve with other juniors rather than join the adult club. You/they don't have to have a grade and parents/carers of U16s must stay on the premises. We hope to be able to answer questions, take suggestions and play/arrange a few games.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

BHCC Juniors

We hope to encourage some more juniors to join the club next season and hopefully run a team in the MSCL Junior/Rapidplay League, see ongoing interesting discussion on the MSCL Forum. To this end I have added a Juniors page to our website, see under Home tab above. If you are a relative or teacher or know of any promising or keen juniors please consider bringing them along and perhaps linking up with others to run a team in October. We need to continually encourage improvers and learners of any age to revitalise the club from below and I think juniors are crucial to this. The Rapidplay League seems to have had a very successful start this season and I think we should be doing our best to support it. So please let me know if you're interested even if you only have one junior so far!

Congratulations to Andrew for a very successful year running the fourth team and to all who played in it!

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Fourth Team

Congratulations to the fourth team for their success in winning Division 4 in the MSCL.
The team played 7 games and won 6 .
They are the outright winners. A great result from all concerned.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Bob Davies

Just a reminder to everyone who knew him that Bob Davies's funeral is being held at 1:30 pm on Tuesday 28th March at South Chapel, Woodvale Crematorium, Brighton. We remember Bob with great fondness and regret: his gentle humour and his many contributions to the club both as a player and as librarian and committee member over many years. He died on 8th March aged 67 yrs..

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Players needed for 4NCL match

I currently run the Sussex Martlets 4NCL teams and I'm emailing to see if anyone from your chess club would be interested in playing for us on Saturday 29th April at Wokefield Park near Reading. If you could spread the following information to any adults in your clubs who you think might be interested it would be much appreciated. Any juniors from your club who I haven't already asked will probably be playing in the Sussex Megafinal (this clash is the reason for us being short on numbers as our squad has strong links to Sussex Junior Chess).

We are looking for players of any standard, ideally over 120 ECF (although even if you are below this standard and interested, please do get in touch). The player would fit into either our 2nd or 3rd team and would be playing 1 match against a player of a roughly similar standard. Our team consists of Sussex based players of all ages, with a particular emphasis on exposing promising juniors to one game a day chess. The 4NCL matches are FIDE rated and played over a time control of up to 7 hours. Players do NOT need to be ECF Gold members. Depending on location, we may be able to help out with transport.

If anyone at your club would be interested in helping us out (and getting to play some chess in the process) please get them to send me an email to rhyscumming94@hotmail.co.uk, or alternatively let me know their email address and I will get in touch. I will be more than happy to answer any questions.

Thanks,
Rhys Cumming

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Thurs. 26th: Ragozin's visit remembered

On Thursday 26th January at 7:45 pm Ches Clifton will be visiting the club to talk informally about his memories and memorabilia of the simul played at the Pavilion Buildings by Russian grandmaster Vyacheslav Ragozin on 29th December 1955 against twenty members of the Brighton Chess Club. Ragozin was a close friend and trainer of Mikhail Botvinnik. Ches Clifton was the organiser of the event and also the winner of the West Sussex Queen in the same year. Brian Denman, who has memories of some of the participants, will also be coming along so join us to see cuttings and photographs of the event.