Sussex Chess News 2015

Finally I have managed to put the Sussex Chess News file onto the website. You can download it from the pdf file on the Links page.

McArthur cup final 2015

Hastings & St Leonards were to host Brighton & Hove for the 2015 final. Geoffrey James was to renew a rivalry that stretched back to 1969 when he faced John Sugden. Their opening was a Caro-Kann defence. Geoffrey won an exchange and soon after the game. Brighton & Hove took the lead. Brian Denman was paired with Howard Tebbs. Their game was a Slav defence. This was to end in a draw. Simon Wilks was to play Sussex County Chess Association president Robert Elliston. The game was a Catalan with Simon playing the black side. This ended peacefully in a draw. Julien Carron making his debut for the club was to face Francis Rayner, who has represented Wales apparently. The opening was an Open Sicilian. At the end of a joint time scramble it became apparent Francis had made one move to few. The game was won by the Brighton & Hove player. My game finished next. It had been a Bird's opening. My opponent offered the draw and i accepted. Brighton & Hove now had 3.5 points and could not be caught. Callum Brewer, a promising young player, was playing Rasa Norinkeviciute who has a WFM title. The opening had been a Sicilian defence. Callum won a pawn and with seconds to spare on Callum's clock, Rasa resigned, although mate was inevitable. So the final score was Hastings & St Leonards 1.5 Brighton & Hove 4.5. Brighton & Hove had won the match and retain the McArthur cup.

AGM of the Sussex Chess Association

The Annual General Meeting of the Sussex Chess Association will be held at the Lewes CC, St Mary's Supporters Club, Christie Road, Lewes, at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday 9th September.

The organisation started in 1882 and is responsible for arranging county fixtures and competitions. It also produces a magazine once a year, which coordinates chess within the county.

You do not have to be of county standard or even a strong player to attend. Anyone who is a club member is welcome at the meeting.

The end of a successful season: AGMs and Awards

The Mid-Sussex League AGM minutes are now published. Paul collected the first division winners' cup and Luke the tankard for best individual performance in division one. Congratulations to them and the other first team players: Brian, Geoff and John. The second team are promoted to join the first in division one next season and the fourth team move up to join the third in the second division. The fifth team will then have a new sixth team to contend with in the third division as we revert to fielding six teams in the league: ample opportunities for all our promising new talent.

The Sussex County Chess Association's AGM is due to take place, also at the Lewes venue, next Tuesday 17th at 7:30 pm. I can forward the agenda and last year's minutes to anyone interested and the meeting welcomes anyone who would like to attend.

Player needed for the Sussex U140s

Keith Osborne, captain of the Sussex Under 140 team, is still a player short for this Saturday if anyone would like to play. There are sixteen to a team (hopefully) playing Kent in Dartford. His number is 01323 492 158.

SCCA Competitions 2011-12

Entry for these has been extended to Saturday 8th October due to low turn-out so far. I circulated the original email several weeks ago but, in case you missed it, entry can still be made via the entry form on the SCCA website.

A.G.M. of the Sussex Chess Association

The Annual General Meeting of the Sussex Chess Association will be held at the Bridge Club on Tuesday 19th July at 7.30 p.m.

The Sussex Chess Association, which was formed as long ago as 1882, promotes chess throughout the county and is reponsible for the county competitions as well as the county teams. This year the Brighton Chess Club has won the McArthur Cup, the county teams' competition, and club members have won individual events. Luke Rutherford has won the county championship, Adrian Pickersgill came first in the East Sussex Queen and Geoff James shared the Sussex Veterans' Championship title.

Brighton CC members are encouraged to come along to the AGM - it does not matter how strong a player you are!