English Chess Forum

I was unable to play today, but I managed to pay a visit to the tournament just now. May I express my appreciation and gratitude to Sarah, Matthew, Natasha, anyone else involved in organising the event and those playing? It is a fitting tribute to a popular, polite and fine man.

Just shows the dangers of "stopping playing" by trying to win by being too careful and keeping complete control. In anything like a normal game, Micky Adams would have played Rxh3 in almost an instant.

Adair blunders in a drawn rook ending against Keith... Last season, I lost a very similar "drawn" rook ending. I had under 2 minutes v my opponent's 25 or so in a guillotine finish in a match where the result was already decided. My opponent just kept on shuffling pieces, whereas I just wanted to f...

I am slightly surprised Nick Pert accepted the draw. Whatever the computer says, it seems to me that it is White who has the harder task in the final position to find the precise moves to hold. Mark you, having defended for so long against a 2700 plus player, psychologically it is understandable

Thomas Villers v Eu Wen Aron The in the Major Open is worth a look.

"Rick McMichael 8/9 outright" I think he would be pleased with that! Our game did fluctuate a bit, but every time I got back into it, he created difficulties. Luckily, I like to play good opposition. I'll vote for Adams 8/9. Unfortunately, the DGT board you were using did not function, so I was una...

Rick McMichael 8/9 outright. Maybe heart overruling head, because of family connection. However, Leicester City proved that the unthinkable can happen.

Is John Jarmany v Ameet Ghasi really the game played? I find it hard to believe. Perhaps it is a relic from a junior event played this morning on the same DGT board. There are a host of problems on many boards. Not complaining about a free service, just an observation. EDIT: Now rectified and the ac...

I have sent a private message to Mike. I would be curious to know what others think, as it would probably be helpful to Mike and his colleagues to know what level of support from players they are likely to get if they invest time and effort in resurrecting the event. Having spent 20 minutes on some ...

I can see plenty of other events listed on the 4NCL website, but nothing for a rapidplay on 13-14 October at Bedford. Where is it shown? I have been to all the 4NCL Team rapidplays and thoroughly enjoyed each one (I rarely have time for weekend chess). Thanks to Mike and co for having organised them...

On YouTube, one can find examples of some of the top players in the world setting a poor example when playing in blitz tournaments. Pieces straddling squares, pieces knocked over and only replaced after clock pressed etc.

Bedford CC used to hold a lightning tournament every September as a curtain raiser to the season. No longer. They were good fun but bad for the nerves. The main irritant was players stealing seconds by not moving promptly. It was a bit unfriendly to claim by default so the best you could do was to ...

I could not get down to the event today as intended because of travel problems, which is a pity as the blitz looks highly entertaining. Anyone on site know the full story behind Luke McShane's ten move loss to Tim Rogers in the blitz? It was not on position, so was it mobile phone or something else?...

In successive moves from move 78 in the opposite coloured bishops ending v Gawain Jones, Luke McShane has moved his bishop from e2-d1-c2-b1-a2-b3-c4-d5-e6-f7-g8-h7-g6-h5-g4 before making the mighty leap on move 93 from g4 to e6 without taking a pit stop on f5. Normal service resumed with B from e6-...

In successive moves from move 78 in the opposite coloured bishops ending v Gawain Jones, Luke McShane has moved his bishop from e2-d1-c2-b1-a2-b3-c4-d5-e6-f7-g8-h7-g6-h5-g4 before making the mighty leap on move 93 from g4 to e6 without taking a pit stop on f5. Normal service resumed with B from e6-d...