English Chess Forum

OK. Five to get more than 6½

Gormally, Keith Arkell, Hawkins, Hebden, Williams.

Sad news. I first met him in 1978 or 79 when he was in the quest for the Grand Prix, in Totnes - I won, luckily, but he was very generous in defeat. A few years later I was his match captain at Hampstead and he was a joy to have in the team - totally reliable, a big smile win or lose and always on h...

Disappointing clue in the Times crossword today; "Maybe castle's staff (3)"

I've only seen that show once (which was enough) but if I recall you get extra marks for spotting the "Impossible" question, hence the title.

Berks* 3.12.94 Middx* MV Houska 208 (B) 0 1 K Shovel 230 AP Smith 200 0 1 SH Berry 220 PS Cooksey 197 0 1 PJ Sowray 213 HW Murphy 179 1 0 RJ McMichael 208 J Houska 173 1 0 SD Brown 208 DS Tucker 171 ½ ½ PS Cawte 208 PS Janota 174 0 1 RG Wade 190 JT Munday 171 0 1 M Lyell 197 JE Hickman 167 0 1 A Tri...

For those who may be interested, Sabadell is a reasonably pleasant city with a nice market, but otherwise unremarkable. But in August it will be hot, 30 degrees at least during the day.

Found it with two moves to spare. Or just having a laugh?

I don't believe long-retired players should qualify on their old titles. Why is that? I don't think you need worry about that. Long retired players are that for a reason, and I as one wouldn't want to risk not performing to at least a reasonable level. Too embarrassing. In addition long retired pla...

Before I shifted to d4 I played the Vienna, because I wanted the option of playing f4 later, which is prevented by 2 Nf3. At lower levels it also has the benefit of not being that well known, so now and then you may get 1 e4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4 Qg4 which is great fun. Leonard Barden will no do...

Thanks Roger

The main game I recall went 7..Qd4 8 d3 Bb6 9 Rf1 Nf6 10 Rf6 d6 then spot the continuation. Perhaps Roger can pgn that as well?

Before I shifted to d4 I played the Vienna, because I wanted the option of playing f4 later, which is prevented by 2 Nf3. At lower levels it also has the benefit of not being that well known, so now and then you may get 1 e4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4 Qg4 which is great fun. Leonard Barden will no dou...

If Malcolm is involved it's worth checking out. As it's near my office I'll drop in at some stage.

Thanks Roger, I see it now!

Maybe I had another senior moment, but I looked at the first one for five minutes and couldn't see it. And still can't. However the second one took seconds - it's easy to see that there are no obvious moves, so the less obvious one jumped out quickly, for me anyway.

Hmmmm. I'm not necessarily convinced that the 2200-2400 players are, in general, there to be brought back. They aren't playing the British, but they also aren't playing many other tournaments of this type either. If I was to start playing again, and assuming that with some work I could get close to...