Keverel Chess

Archive for October, 2012

Anyone looking at the team sheets before the match started could be forgiven for thinking that Devon should not have too much difficulty in recoding a win, given that Dorset were outgraded on every board but one. However, a late withdrawal and a default on Bd. 13 probably did much to even things up and once the game results started coming in, Devon spent most of the time on level terms, at best.

Eventually, it came down to 7½-all with one game finishing in a tense knight + rook endgame that was far from clear, as time trouble made finding the right moves difficult. However, after the rooks came off, Mike Litchfield succeeded in getting his knight trapped, and conceded his game, and with it the match.

It was a much tighter match than anticipated, and none the worse for that.

Foreground: Phil Aston vs Trefor Thynne

Foreground: Piet Dobber vs Paul Errington on Bd. 8.

Foreground: Paul Brackner vs Rob Wilby on Bd. 9

A nervous finish with the result in the balance.

Last weekend saw the start of the new Inter-County season, with Somerset drawing 8-8 against Hampshire, and Cornwall losing by the odd point to Gloucestershire.

Somerset names first in each pairing:

1. J. Rudd 1-0 J. Tambini; 2. D. Buckley 0-1 M. Yeo; 3. P. Krzyzanowski1-0 I. Thompson; 4. D. Littlejohns½-½ D. Tunks; 5. A. Wong 0-1 A. McDougall; 6. P. Chaplin 1-0 O. Gill; 7. A. Footner 0-1 W. McDougall; 8. D. Painter ½-½ D. Fowler; 9. C. Purry ½-½ S. Knox; 10. N. Senior 0-1 C. Bellers; 11. J. Fewkes ½-½ P. Cooper; 12. G.Jepps 1-0 I. Stipcevic; 13. C. McKinley ½-½ F.McLeod; 14. S. Pickard 0-1 R.Marsh; 15. A. Champion ½-½ T. Davis; 16. R. Knight 1-0 S. Smith. Totals 8-8.

Glos names first in each pairing.

1. D. Lambourne ½-½ J. Menadue; 2. J. Jenkins 0-1 M. Hassall; 3. P.Meade 1-0 L. Retallack; 4. D. Vaughan ½-½ S. Bartlett; 5. P. Dodwell 0-1 J. Wilman; 6. P. Denison 1-0 G.Trudeau; 7.G. Taylor (154) 0-1 C. Sellwood; 8. M. Claypole ½-½ J. Nicholas; 9. M. Ashworth ½-½ D. J. Jenkins; 10. R. Dixon 0-1 C. Reeves; 11.A. Walker ½-½ C. Long; 12. P. Baker 1-0 D. R. Jenkins; 13. A. Richards ½-½ A. Barkhuysen; 14. P. Bending ½-½ P. Spargo; 15.I. Blencowe ½-½ D. Lucas; 16. double default. Totals 7-8.

Rudd’s game featured a finely-calculated ending by White.

White. J. Rudd (220). Black: J. Tambini (203).

Nimzowitsch Defence [B00]

1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5 3.dxe5 Nxe5 4.f4 Nc6 5.Bc4 Bb4+ 6.c3 Ba5 7.Nf3 Bb6 8.Na3 d6 9.Qe2 Qe7 10.Bd3 Nf6 11.Nc4 0–0 12.Nxb6 axb6 13.0–0 Re8 14.Re1 d5 15.e5 Ng4 16.h3 Qc5+ 17.Kf1 Nh6 18.Be3 Qf8 19.Qc2 g6 20.g4 f5 21.exf6 Qxf6 22.f5 Nf7 23.g5 Qd6 24.Bf4 Nfe5 25.Nxe5 Nxe5 26.Qh2 Qf8 27.Rxe5 Rxe5 28.Bxe5 Bxf5 29.Bxf5 Qxf5+ 30.Kg1 Qxg5+ 31.Qg3 Qxg3+ 32.Bxg3 c6 33.a3 Kf7 34.Rf1+ Ke6 35.Bh4 Ra4 36.Bg5 Re4 37.Kf2 Kf5 38.Bd2 g5 39.Kg3+ Kg6 40.Re1 Rxe1 41.Bxe1 Kf5 42.Kf3 h5 43.a4 g4+ 44.hxg4+ hxg4+ 45.Ke3 Ke6 46.Bg3 Kd7 47.Kd4 Ke6 48.b4 Kd7 49.a5 c5+ 50.Kxd5 Kc8 51.Ke6 cxb4 52.cxb4 bxa5 53.bxa5 b5 54.a6 If 54.axb6 Kb7 ensuring a draw. 54…b4 55.Kd5 b3 56.Kc6 b2 57.a7 1–0.

Last week’s position ended with Black’s unanswerable combination 1…Qh1+ 2.Bxh1 Nh2+ 3.Ke1 Rg1+.

Here’s an ending from Wenman’s little book “100 Remarkable Endings” in which the great American master, Marshall loses in 14 moves to Alapin (W). What remarkable 2 move combination did White play to force the win?

White to play and win.

At the weekend the first blows were traded in this year’s Inter-County Competition, with Somerset and Hants meeting at Mere. while Gloucestershire met Cornwall at their usual venue of Exminster Village Hall.

Both matches were very tightly contested, with the first match ending in an 8-8 draw, and Cornwall losing by the odd point to Gloucestershire. This may presage a series of close encounters for the rest of the season.

Next weekend, Devon II meet Dorset in an U-160 match at Luppitt. Will this one go down to the wire?

Full details are as follows:-

Devon’s Team Blitz Tournament was held at the Newton Abbot Club on Sunday. Thirteen teams of 4, playing six rounds with only 12 minutes each per game for the all their moves, battled it out for the Thomas Cup. Tiverton Buzzards retained this with Bideford 2^nd and in joint 3^rd place Exmouth Eagles and Newton Abbot Rooks. The Hodge Cup, newly donated by Exmouth veteran Fred Hodge, for teams between 600 – 450 total grade, was won by Tiverton Kestrels, while the U-450 trophy was won by Torquay Boys’ G.S. Full details of all teams may be found on keverelchess.com.

Weymouth’s Allan Pleasants continued his recent run of form by winning the 47^th Dorset Congress at the Bournemouth International Hotel last weekend. This was the crucial game from the 5^th and final round.

White: Allan Pleasants (188). Black: Ian Clark (180).

Sicilian Defence – Smith-Morra Gambit [B21]

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 Nge7 7.Bg5 f6 8.Bf4 Ng6 9.Bg3 a6 10.0–0 Bb4 11.a3 Bxc3 12.bxc3 0–0 13.Bd6 Re8 14.a4 Nce5 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.Ba2 Nf7 17.a5 b6 18.Rb1 b5 19.Bb4 Bb7 20.Qe2 Qc7 21.Rfe1 Ne5 22.Rbd1 Nc6 23.Bd6 Qxa5 24.Rd3 Both defending c3 and preparing to attack. 24…Ne7 25.Rh3 Rac8 26.Bb4 Qc7 27.Qh5 h6 28.Qg4 Kf7? saving his h-pawn and opening up a route for his rooks to move across and defend, but not the best option. Necessary was 28…Nc6 then if 29.Rxh6 Ne5 30.Qg3 a5 31.Rxf6 axb4 32.Rf5. 29.e5 f5 30.Qh5+ Kg8 31.Rg3 f4 32.Rg4 a5 White sees a winning kingside attack which does not involve his black-square bishop, so goes for it. 33.Bb1 axb4 34.Qxh6 Nf5 35.Bxf5 d5 36.Qh7+ Kf8 37.Qh8+ Ke7 38.Rxg7+ Kd8 39.Qh4+ Re7 40.Bxe6 Qxc3?? Least worst was 40…Qc5 Anything else leads to a quick mate. 41.Qxe7# 1–0

The solution to last week’s 2-mover by Grandmaster Christopher Jones was 1.Rb5! and the g-file knight threatens mate on e2 or h5. If Black’s rook’s pawn takes it then 2.Qxg3 is mate.

This position arose at the end of a game at this year’s Olympiad in Istanbul. Black is materially down but has a 3 move knockout combination up his sleeve. How did the game end?

Black to play and mate in 3

Devon’s annual match against Dorset has been regularly held in recent years in the picturesque village of Luppitt, tucked away in a hidden valley, high in the Blackdown Hills, near Honiton. And so it is again this year, Saturday 27th October being the date.

The Village Hall is a good playing venue, except for the hardwood floor that makes a degree of noise beneath heavy heels. Players are advised to wear soft-soled shoes or stay seated. Those with sensitive hearing could have earplugs in reserve - just in case.

Both captains are sufficiently on the ball to be able to announce their teams well ahead of this date, and, subject to late changes, this is how the protagonists line up.

It is fair to say that Paignton Congress regulars, and others, have viewed the on-going saga of the development of Oldway Mansion with a mixture of concern, trepidation and a certain amount of scepticism.

The latest news appeared recently in the local paper and gives the current position.

“THE final deal has been signed for the £12million Oldway Mansion development.

Four months after being granted planning permission and following weeks of negotiation, the flagship project has been given the final green light.​

IT’S A DEAL: Torbay Mayor Gordon Oliver and James Brent shake hands to mark signing of agreement to develop Oldway.

Under an original 2010 deal, Torbay Council was expected to receive £1millon premium plus a percentage of profits from the sale of houses being built in the grounds of the mansion.

Under the deal now agreed, the council will pay developers Akkeron Regeneration £400,000 towards a new indoor bowls club building, an enhanced marriage ceremony room and the restoration of the gardens.

The council says this is in recognition of the changes since the original conditional contract was signed in August 2010.

The housing numbers were scaled down to meet opponents’ requests. As part of the scheme, 48 three and four-bedroom townhouses will be built along with a new orangery and cafe.

The original deal would have given the council a £50,000 deposit after a development scheme was agreed and £1million within two years of planning consent or the ‘practical completion of the hotel’. The council was also set to be paid 15 per cent of the profits from the redevelopment.

The deal has now been agreed by the council and Akkeron Regeneration, the development arm of Akkeron Group. The mansion will be fully restored and conserved, and the currently derelict ancillary buildings converted into a spa and fitness centre. Over 75 full time jobs will be created.

Torbay Mayor Gordon Oliver said: “I am very pleased that an agreement has been reached that ensures the development is carried out in a way which preserves and enhances the buildings and grounds for the enjoyment of both residents and visitors.”

James Brent, chairman of Akkeron, said: “In these times of austerity, the public and private sectors need to work in close partnership not only to protect our heritage but to create homes and jobs for our communities.”

Steve Parrock, chief executive of the Torbay Development Agency, said: “I am delighted that four years of hard work from the TDA and council have come to fruition.”

Paul Hawthorne, chairman of the Friends of Oldway, said: “We welcome the finalising of the agreement.”

Torbay Civic Society chairman Ian Handford said: “Rather than see this important building go into irreversible decline, the Civic Society has supported the renovation proposals while ensuring important public access to the main areas and the estate is maintained.”

Work will begin on site at the earliest opportunity with the project due to be completed by 2015.

The cafe is open for business until next year and the developer is keen to work with the operators as long possible. The tennis courts will be open for business for next few months and will re-open next year.

Both bowls clubs are unaffected for time being — the indoor club is staying open until the new club opens. The outdoor club is investing in ground improvements.

Public access to the gardens and grounds will be carefully managed to ensure the public can enjoy safe access during the development and any temporary restrictions will be carefully considered and minimised, says Torbay Council.

The mansion is available for meetings and events until next March. Most weddings are now being undertaken at Cockington, with the wedding room returning to Oldway in 2015.

The registrars are moving to Paignton Library in mid October. Access to Singer Collection continues.”

Although everyone involved in the scheme appear to be happy with the way it’s going, hardened cynics may point out that what originally appeared to be a £1 million plus, selling price on the mansion plus a 15% cut on the houses going to the Council, now appears to be a near half million sum going to Akkeron. Also, in spite of the fairly detailed nature of the report, there’s nothing specific about the hotel aspect of the overall scheme, which has been the chief concern of the Congress organisers and players.

Devon’s annual pre-season chess funfest is the Team Blitz Tournament, hosted in recent years by Trefor Thynne in the Newton Abbot clubroom. Entries were up again, this time with 13 teams of 4 players, and 3 trophies to play for, The Thomas Cup for the overall winner, the new Hodge Cup (donated by Exmouth veteran Fred Hodge) for teams in the middle range (600 - 450 total grade) and a small trophy for teams whose total standard grade was under 450.

The teams were not only increased in quantity but also in quality, with International Master Jack Rudd featuring for Bideford and top players from 3 counties appearing for Tiverton. The South Hams were a player short, a gap filled by one of Exmouth’s extra players, this composite team being re-named Ham & Ex.

The odd number of rounds necessitated a 4-point bye in each round, and with 6 rounds to be played, the maximum posible score was 24 pts. In outline, the final scores were as follows:

More details will appear after the photograph section.

Rd. 1 gets under way, with Arbiter, John Ariss (l), watching.

General view of the action.

The Egret's Steve Murray relishing his upcoming game against Jack Rudd.

Dave Regis (W) vs John Stephens in Rd. 4.

DCCA President, Paul Brooks, presents tropy to TQBGS captain Jeff Leung.

Ivor Annetts & Alan Brusey to share the new Hodge Cup.

Brian Hewson collects the Thomas Cup on behalf of his Tiverton Buzzards team.

N.B. The S. Hams teamsheet is missing, but their totals are correct.

A new book from the Westcountry that is creating some interest is Arkell’s Odyssey – The Autobiography of a Chess Grandmaster (123pp ISBN 0-9531-3216-1 £15.99). Having reached his 50^th birthday, Keith Arkell decided to take a backward look and record how he came to be one of Britain’s busiest and best-known players.

In doing so, he reached deep into his inner fears and phobias, as well as recording his many tournament triumphs, to produce a candid account of his personal and chess development.

This is Game 43 from the book, in which he faces the chess master of Millfield School in the 2001 British Championship, and illustrates both his playing and writing style.

White: K. C. Arkell (2431). Black: Matthew Turner (2511).

Queen’s Gambit - Slav Defence [D17]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Nh4 Be6 6…Bc8 7.Nf5; 6…Bd7; 6…Bg6; 6…Bg4; 6…e6 are all perfectly playable here. 7.e4 g6 8.Nf3 Bg7 9.Ng5 Qd7 10.Nxe6 Qxe6 11.Qe2 Na6 12.Qxc4 Qxc4 13.Bxc4 Nb4 14.Bb3 There was no way of holding on to my two bishops, and I think he should now eliminate one of them with 14…Nd3+ 14…Ng4 15.f3 Nh6 16.Ke2 Rd8 17.Rd1 I can now enjoy the clear advantage with my bishop-pair and classic pawn centre. Matthew therefore decides he must try to break up my position somehow. 17…f5 18.Be3 fxe4 19.fxe4 Ng4 20.Bg1 Rf8 21.a5 Na6 22.d5 c5 After 22…cxd5 23.Bxd5 his queenside is indefensible. 23.h3 Ne5 24.Rf1 Rf6 25.Ba4+ Kf7 26.Bb5 Rc8 27.Bxa6 This was a difficult decision to make. I am fond of my white-squared bishop in the Slav, but I thought I would get good chances against his wrecked queenside. 27…bxa6 28.Na4 Nc4? This loses, whereas against passive defence by 28…Nd7 I don’t think I can force a win. 29.Kd3? Giving him a second chance to find …Nd7. Better were either 29.Rfc1 or 29.Nxc5. 29…Ne5+ 30.Ke2 Nc4 31.Nxc5 Nxb2 32.Rfc1 Rf4 33.Be3 Rh4 34.Bf2 Rh5 35.Ne6 Rc4 36.Rxc4 Nxc4 37.Nxg7 Kxg7 38.Rc1 Nd6 39.Rc7 Kf8 40.Kf3 g5 Even my favourite chess move won’t help him. His rook is horrendously placed! 41.Rxa7 Rh6 42.e5 Nc4 43.Ke4 1–0.

E-mail [email protected] to obtain a copy.

Last week’s problem by the 11 year old Alain White was solved by 1.Rd1!

Here is a 2-mover by Christopher Jones, the Westcountry’s latest Grandmaster. This one was composed in 1993 and won a 1^st prize in The Problemist.

White to mate in 2.

After 62 consecutive years at the same venue, the Paignton Congress must now take an enforced break from Oldway Mansion as developers are due to move in next summer to start converting the building into a hotel. Originally, the Committee were minded to take a complete break for 2013 as nowhere else could quite match Oldway’s surroundings, but this year’s players were keen to carry on at an alternative venue if one could be found. Congress Secretary, Alan Crickmore now tells me that the Livermead Hotel, Torquay has answered a prayer, and is set to be next year’s venue.

The 47^th Dorset Congress starts next weekend at the Bournemouth International Hotel. Details obtainable from their website bournemouthchesscongress.org.

This miniature is from last year’s event.

White: Meri Grigoryan (176). Black: Paul Helbig (175)

Trompowsky Opening [A45]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4 3.Bf4 c5 4.c3 cxd4 5.Qxd4 Nf6 6.Bxb8 Rxb8 7.Qxa7 Qc7 8.Na3 Ne4 9.Nb5 Qc5 10.Qxb8 Qxf2+ 11.Kd1 Qc5 12.b4 Nxc3+ 13.Nxc3 Qxc3 14.Rc1 left. 14…Qd4+ 15.Ke1 Qxb4+ 16.Kf2 Qb6+ 17.e3 Qb2+ 18.Ne2 1–0

The Westcountry has its share of resident Grandmasters; Michael Adams in Taunton, Keith Arkell in Paignton and Peter Wells of Swindon, and to these can now be added C. J. A. “Christopher” Jones of Henbury, Bristol, who was recently awarded FIDE’s title of Grandmaster of Chess Composition. He was born in 1951 on Tayside, attending Dundee High School and later Corpus Christi, Oxford . After a period of distinguished playing and administration in Scotland, he moved to Bristol in 1978, where, as Christopher Reeves reports, he has had prodigious success over the past ten years with his helpmates in 3 moves, establishing himself as the leading exponent in the field. I’ll have one of his simpler problems next week.

In last week’s position, Adams (White) lost out to 1…Re2+! 2.Kxe2 any other king move and he is mated on g2. 2…Qxg2+ 3.Ke1 Qxh1+ 4. Kd2 Qxf3 5.Ke1 and 5…h4 wins.

Here is a 2-mover by the great American philanthropist/problemist Alain C. White (1880 - 1951), composed when he was just 11 years old.

White to mate in 2.