English Chess Forum

Why not give all players 5 or even 10 extra minutes on their clock when they reach move 70 (assuming that this can be preset on the clocks)?

Basically he used "two AI-powered chess engines to dissected every move my upcoming opponent had made in recent games, the AI strategies on offer diverged. One suggested an aggressive shock-and-awe approach. The other recommended a quieter squeeze to try to wear them down over several hours." 

"Ignore the doomsayers, this technology has transformed the game for the better and it can do the same for education."
Article by Aarav Dengla - The writer became India’s 93rd chess grandmaster in February this year

See https://www.ft.com/content/8267236e-f4b ... c0a9867b94

Having been a member of Wallington Chess Club until moving to Cumbria in 2023 I am sad to hear this.

Last year it was only two, Peter Roberson being the unlucky third. IIRC Roberson did partipate last year in the playoff, but was eliminated before the playoff final. (It being a knockout format.) That's right, Peter did participate, at least. He and Conquest played for the right to face Adams, who ...

Graham Borrowdale wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2026 10:22 am

I couldn’t see a bar of any kind near to the playing hall,

There is an open bar in Warwick Arts Centre where AM/PM and blitz are played. But it closes by 8pm. The Scarman Hotel is open for longer.

New York Mayor reports having a chess rating at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/videos/cg74nxkdpd7o

The championship was won by Queen Elizabeth School, Barnet. Only one other state school has won since 1987 - Reading School in 2016 and 2018.

24 teams fhave converged on the University of Nottingham for this year's finals of the English School Chess Championship. With one IM and 40 players rated over 2000 there promises to be some great games. They are being live streamed : https://www.chess.com/events/2026-english-schools-chess-champions...

Alex, thanks for your reply, from which I am glad to read of the initiatives of Neill Cooper, Andrew Martin, and others. It would seem from what you said that help is needed in restoring local schools chess to its earlier prosperity. Help is needed but it needs to be local, creative and sympathetic...

I hope someone is watching to see that the ECF is adding value to schools chess as well as receiving subscriptions from it. I recall chess was flourishing in Berkshire schools in the 1970s when my son played and I provided occasional transport. The enthusiasm of the teachers was highly commendable....

this is the main motion and what is people views? 10. Proposed Membership Fees for 2026-27 Current Proposed Rates for 2026/27 £ £ Junior Bronze 7.50 9.00 Junior Gold 14.00 16.00 Junior Platinum 80.00 82.00 Bronze 21.00 22.00 Gold 37.00 38.00 Platinum 80.00 82.00 Supporter 9.99 10.00 Congress Pay to...

How many juniors play in leagues for their school There are almost no leagues (as you would think of them) left, except for the Briant Poulter League. In any event, we are likely to adapt Schools Membership for 2026/27 to cover that off, to make it more convenient for schools chess. Alex forgets to...

Thanks Mike, that is useful to know.

What happens in the following situiation: A player joins a club in Autumn 2024 and plays in the club championships. They join the ECF in Spring 2025 so all isfine. They play in the club championships in Autumn 2025 but then disappear and do not renew their ECF membership in Spring 2026. Presumably t...