English Chess Forum

I think that 10.2 claims should only be upheld where the opponent has no reasonable winning chances and that cannot win by normal means should mean situations where, for example, your opponent only has a knight but can in some unlikely combinations of moves find a checkmate. In this case, I suspect ...

How many times in a game would a strong player really need to use computer assistance to improve dramatically If you are good enough not more than once or twice. So suppose you have the Black pieces and White tempts you by allowing Qxb2. If you cannot extricate your queen, you will lose in an humil...

The Thames Valley League has the following rule The player of the white pieces has the option on his first move, in the absence of his stipulated opponent, of starting black’s clock without playing a move. Black on arrival can immediately restart white’s clock. The idea is that white may wish to...

A couple of years ago, I was plaing in the same tournament and we had just started the game when my phone rang. I didn't answer the call but later found out that it was BT trying to sort out a problem I had with the phone! My opponent was quite happy to continue the game until the controller turned ...

Earlier this year I was in a small Italian town and was surprised to see a full length poster of Magnus Carlsen in a shop window modelling some designer clothes. The caption accompanying the poster helpfully advised that he was a chess Grand Master and Number 1 player in the world.

At the Thames Valley League AGM meeting in June there was unanimous opposition to the proposals and that was before the additional clause to introduce a variable game fee for non-members. It is unfair to charge leagues a game fee which depends on the percentage of players who are members when they a...

Sean, I don't think that my simplified system would increase the amountof chess played in this country but I think that Option 1 will deter the occasional player. At our club, it is hard to collect £50 for annual membership which provides the opportunity to play in 15+ League games plus 45 club nig...

I have read Andrew Farthing's paper regarding the shortfall in funding and the two options and some of the comments on the Forum and I note the following points There are approximately 11,800 graded players of which 903 are basic members and of the remaining 10,900, 9144 (over 80%) are not members. ...