Our aim is to provide a club for children to experience chess both competitive and friendly play and develop a basic understanding of the game through informal coaching.
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Thursday, 8 November 2012
Junior news
The Darlington Junior chess club is very busy these days. Last meet there were 27 children playing chess! Ages run from 6 to 12. Below is a recent game between two of the best players, as you can see these two can play decent chess.
Our aim is to provide a club for children to experience chess both competitive and friendly play and develop a basic understanding of the game through informal coaching.
Our aim is to provide a club for children to experience chess both competitive and friendly play and develop a basic understanding of the game through informal coaching.
Thursday, 13 September 2012
And there off
The new chess season started on the 10/09/12 at Darlington with the AGM.
Pictured above Jonathan Sams accepts the magnificent E.D.Walker Shield.
The meeting unanimously agreed that in the coming season we will have 3 teams in the Durham league: 3 teams in the Cleveland league and 1 team in the Darlington league as follows:-
“A” team in the Durham league - J Sams elected as captain.
Darlington league – Brian white
elected as captain. (in absentia)
The following Monday was the annual lightening where players must move on the sound of a buzzer, which goes off every 10 seconds. Part skill part luck, this year was won by Kevin Wilson in a final against Steve Dauber. Rod Gilpin, as always, proved almost unbeatable and forced Kevin Wilson to a group playoff which after drawing the first game conceded.
Next is the annual friendly with Durham followed by the start of the season proper.
Don't forget the juniors meet every Monday at 18:00.
The meeting unanimously agreed that in the coming season we will have 3 teams in the Durham league: 3 teams in the Cleveland league and 1 team in the Darlington league as follows:-
“A” team in the Durham league - J Sams elected as captain.
“B” team in
the Durham league – W
Metcalfe elected as captain.
“C” team in
the Durham
league – Peter McKay elected as captain.
“A” team in
the Cleveland
league – Steve Dauber elected (in absentia) as captain.
”B” team in
the Cleveland league – W
Metcalfe elected as captain.
“C” team
(Cavaliers) in the Cleveland
league – James Garner elected as captain.
The following Monday was the annual lightening where players must move on the sound of a buzzer, which goes off every 10 seconds. Part skill part luck, this year was won by Kevin Wilson in a final against Steve Dauber. Rod Gilpin, as always, proved almost unbeatable and forced Kevin Wilson to a group playoff which after drawing the first game conceded.
Next is the annual friendly with Durham followed by the start of the season proper.
Don't forget the juniors meet every Monday at 18:00.
Saturday, 25 August 2012
New season is nearly here
The new season is nearly here! The junior club recommences on 10/09/12.
This blog has been quiet for a while, hopefully we will have more posts during the season.
During the summer the North East was host to the brilliant British chess championships. Eight Darlington players were able to make the short trip to North Shields to play. The graded tournaments are played in the mornings while the main championships kick off at half two.
Most players stay to watch the GMs battle it out and with expert analysis can learn something too.
Below is a game from the North East's best player:
Chapman,Terry P (2290) - Hawkins,Jonathan (2499)
British Championship The Parks, North Shields, ENG (7.3), 30.07.2012
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 0-0 5.d4 d6 6.0-0 c6
The fianchetto variation of the King's Indian defense. c6 blunts the White Bishop on g2, but Black is preparing to play the KID in a more strategical style, usually Black looks for a king side attack.
.
7.Nc3 Qa5 8.e4 e5
White builds a big centre and Black plays to undermine it. The queen may look a little exposed on a5, but practice has shown she is quite safe.
9.h3 Nbd7
After h3, to stop Ng4, I expect the natural 10.Be3. After Be3 Black is unlikely to break up White's centre with 10...exd4 as 11.Bxd4 sees the two dark squared bishops toe to toe along the same diagonal, which is better for White.
10.Re1 This is the main move Karpov has played some games in this line, so we can be assured its a good move.
10...exd4 11.Nxd4 Ne5
Black has eroded White's centre and now hits the c-pawn. How does White respond?
12.Nb3?! The main move is the odd looking Bf1. I'm sure almost all club players would be very tempted to play Nb3. It introduces a threat to the Black queen and, in many lines, will allow c5 defending the pawn. However, the game soon becomes very complicated. Perhaps not the wisest strategy for White playing a ruthless slayer of weaker playes!
12...Qb4 I would be too scared to play this and would have gone for Qc7.
13.c5 dxc5 14.a3 White could try f4 here, Ned7 e5 sees White making progress on the kingside. 14...Qb6 15.Be3
Looks like Black will lose the pawn and may end up worse, but Johnny keeps his cool
Rd8 16.Qc2 Nd3 The Black knight supported by the rook enters the White position. The helpful stead protects c5 while spreading panic inside the White camp.
17.Red1 will the knight have to move?
17...Be6!
No the obvious move is best. The bishop and queen gang up on the Knight on b3, if it moves to d2 for example allows Qxb2 when the White's position collapses. White is more-or-less forced into 18.Nxc5 Nxe5, but what does Black play after 19.b4? Does Black have to return his knight?
18.Nxc5 Nxc5 19.b4
19...Bb3!! The Hawk obviously has it all under control
20.Rxd8+ Qxd8 Removing the queen from the pin, White has to move his queen allowing the knight on c4 to move for example Nxe4 winning a pawn.
21.Qb1 Qd3! 0-1 Black finds a strong move to keep the pressure on. Qxd3 leaves Black a piece up. Qb2 allows Ncxe4 and Black will win the c3 knight or the exchange.
This blog has been quiet for a while, hopefully we will have more posts during the season.
During the summer the North East was host to the brilliant British chess championships. Eight Darlington players were able to make the short trip to North Shields to play. The graded tournaments are played in the mornings while the main championships kick off at half two.
Most players stay to watch the GMs battle it out and with expert analysis can learn something too.
Below is a game from the North East's best player:
Chapman,Terry P (2290) - Hawkins,Jonathan (2499)
British Championship The Parks, North Shields, ENG (7.3), 30.07.2012
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 0-0 5.d4 d6 6.0-0 c6
.
7.Nc3 Qa5 8.e4 e5
White builds a big centre and Black plays to undermine it. The queen may look a little exposed on a5, but practice has shown she is quite safe.
9.h3 Nbd7
After h3, to stop Ng4, I expect the natural 10.Be3. After Be3 Black is unlikely to break up White's centre with 10...exd4 as 11.Bxd4 sees the two dark squared bishops toe to toe along the same diagonal, which is better for White.
10.Re1 This is the main move Karpov has played some games in this line, so we can be assured its a good move.
10...exd4 11.Nxd4 Ne5
12.Nb3?! The main move is the odd looking Bf1. I'm sure almost all club players would be very tempted to play Nb3. It introduces a threat to the Black queen and, in many lines, will allow c5 defending the pawn. However, the game soon becomes very complicated. Perhaps not the wisest strategy for White playing a ruthless slayer of weaker playes!
12...Qb4 I would be too scared to play this and would have gone for Qc7.
13.c5 dxc5 14.a3 White could try f4 here, Ned7 e5 sees White making progress on the kingside. 14...Qb6 15.Be3
Rd8 16.Qc2 Nd3 The Black knight supported by the rook enters the White position. The helpful stead protects c5 while spreading panic inside the White camp.
17.Red1 will the knight have to move?
17...Be6!
No the obvious move is best. The bishop and queen gang up on the Knight on b3, if it moves to d2 for example allows Qxb2 when the White's position collapses. White is more-or-less forced into 18.Nxc5 Nxe5, but what does Black play after 19.b4? Does Black have to return his knight?
18.Nxc5 Nxc5 19.b4
19...Bb3!! The Hawk obviously has it all under control
20.Rxd8+ Qxd8 Removing the queen from the pin, White has to move his queen allowing the knight on c4 to move for example Nxe4 winning a pawn.
21.Qb1 Qd3! 0-1 Black finds a strong move to keep the pressure on. Qxd3 leaves Black a piece up. Qb2 allows Ncxe4 and Black will win the c3 knight or the exchange.
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Junior Club - 2012 competition Final round
Round 5 is the final round of the junior club's competition. Dylan only had to turn up to win, which he did and is therefore the club's champion for 2012. There was, however a serious match to play. Aidan had missed a week, but otherwise had a perfect score. Top of the table was going to be a heavyweight clash. The games were:
Dylan Aidan
Harry James
Joe Tom
Raj Dhillan
Leia Nicola
Game one: Aidan seemed to win a pawn early, but had moved his f-pawn, with Dylan's bishop on b3 Black couldn't castle, even though he did, but very honestly pointed out his mistake! With his king stuck in the centre Aidan couldn't fend off Dylan's 'hack' attack. Yes Dylan is a bona fide hack attacker, which I think is rung one of the chess development ladder. I remember my own junior days attacking with similar vigour, now I grind out 80 move draws...
Aidan is aiming to skip rung one, as he plays more strategically, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this boy will develop into a very strong player.
Game Two: Harry methodically outplayed James. Nothing fancy, just won more material and James is now good enough to recognise when a game is hopeless and resigned. Harry goes about his business with calm determination and is developing into a fine junior player.
Game Three: Joe was too strong for the improving Tom and quickly won his game. Joe is one of the oldest at the club and has improved the quickest out of all the players. If he keeps improving he will challenge Dylan's and Aidan's supremacy next year and then it could be adult games for him....
Game four: Raj has just started coming to the club and is good friends with Dhillan. Dhillan has been coming for longer and that extra experience helped him win the game, just.
Game five: Battle of the girls, which the determined Leia won. Both players are decent players and I had no idea who was best. Perhaps they equally matched.
Well done Dylan club champion 2012.
The final standings are:
Dylan Aidan
Harry James
Joe Tom
Raj Dhillan
Leia Nicola
Game one: Aidan seemed to win a pawn early, but had moved his f-pawn, with Dylan's bishop on b3 Black couldn't castle, even though he did, but very honestly pointed out his mistake! With his king stuck in the centre Aidan couldn't fend off Dylan's 'hack' attack. Yes Dylan is a bona fide hack attacker, which I think is rung one of the chess development ladder. I remember my own junior days attacking with similar vigour, now I grind out 80 move draws...
Aidan is aiming to skip rung one, as he plays more strategically, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this boy will develop into a very strong player.
Game Two: Harry methodically outplayed James. Nothing fancy, just won more material and James is now good enough to recognise when a game is hopeless and resigned. Harry goes about his business with calm determination and is developing into a fine junior player.
Game Three: Joe was too strong for the improving Tom and quickly won his game. Joe is one of the oldest at the club and has improved the quickest out of all the players. If he keeps improving he will challenge Dylan's and Aidan's supremacy next year and then it could be adult games for him....
Game four: Raj has just started coming to the club and is good friends with Dhillan. Dhillan has been coming for longer and that extra experience helped him win the game, just.
Game five: Battle of the girls, which the determined Leia won. Both players are decent players and I had no idea who was best. Perhaps they equally matched.
Well done Dylan club champion 2012.
The final standings are:
| | Name | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Score |
| 5 | Dylan | W,6 3 | B,1 3 | B,3 3 | W,4 3 | W,2 3 | 15 |
| 3 | Joe | B,9 3 | B,4 3 | W,5 1 | B,2 1 | W,6 3 | 11 |
| 4 | Harry | B,10 3 | W,3 1 | W,11 3 | B,5 1 | W,9 3 | 11 |
| 2 | Aidan | W,7 3 | X | B,6 3 | W,3 3 | B,5 1 | 10 |
| 9 | James | W,3 1 | Bye 3 | B,7 2 | W,6 3 | B,4 1 | 10 |
| 7 | Leia | B,2 1 | X | W,9 2 | B,12 3 | W,11 3 | 9 |
| 11 | Nicola | Bye 3 | X | B,4 1 | W,8 2 | B,7 1 | 7 |
| 12 | Dhillan | X | X | Bye 3 | W,7 1 | B,13 3 | 7 |
| 6 | Tom | B,5 1 | W,8 2 | W,2 1 | B,9 1 | B,3 1 | 6 |
| 8 | Caroline | W,1 1 | B,6 2 | X | B,11 2 | X | 5 |
| 13 | Raj | X | X | X | Bye 3 | W,12 1 | 4 |
| 1 | AJ | B,8 3 | W,5 1 | X | X | X | 4 |
| 10 | Jamie | W,4 1 | X | X | X | X | 1 |
Round boxes show Colour, Opponent and score gained.
3 = win, 2 = Draw, 1 = loss. X = No show
Friday, 16 March 2012
Blackpool Chess congress
During the weekend of the 9th, 10th and 11th of March I attended the 36th Blackpool chess conference. This event has been the highlight of my chess year for many years now.
The venue was the magnificent Barcelo Imperial hotel on the North shore of Blackpool. The event was extremely well run and the venue perfect. See http://www.blackpoolchess.org.uk/.
There were six sections from the open down to the standard. Over 400 chess players took part, which makes this event one of the largest in the country.
Before going I promised myself I would try and share my feelings on my own games, with a couple of diagrams here and there. I was playing in the Median which is the third strongest section.
Friday
My first game stared with me playing Black using the Caro-Kann in an unusual White set-up. After the opening White had left himself with a weak pawn on c3 and a weak square on c4. His knight is out of the game. I felt I had a decent plus here and was enjoying the game ready to try and build pressure by doubling rooks on the c-file.
White chose this moment to launch a king-side attack with the rook lift Re3-h3. White enjoyed some pressure on h7, but with the knight on f6 Black easily withstood the attack and was able to bring his out-of-play knight back into the action.
White resigned. The White rook is struggling for a move, note the nice knight fork on f3! He still has the weak pawn and off side knight, with his attack dead and an exchange down the fight does look over.
Saturday
The morning game started as a modern Benoni. This is an opening I'm not that up on. White ends up with a triangle of pawns on c4, d5 and e4, but Black quickly challenges White's pawns and an exchange is made on d5. I chose exd5, which is not the strongest move, but is solid. Both players developed quietly after the initial activity.
White has just played Bf1 ready to chase the bishop with h3. I had thought I could play h3 earlier, but didn't like the sac Bxh3!
White does chase the bishop and manages to exchange for the knight. White tries to control the e-file, which Black challenges. The rooks are exchanges leaving White with a queen on the open file.
At this point I thought I was better because White controls the open file, enjoys the bishop pair and has a target on d6.
Play continues with Black forcing off the queens and then makes a knight sac on d5. White manages to hold, as he realises that Nc3, Nxa2, Nc3, a2,a1Q is a strong plan. White had to counter sac a bishop to stop the pawn. The following position was reached.
At this point I was looking to hold the draw! But Black doesn't play well and manages to go into a knight + pawn v bishop ending with 2 minutes left. After about 90 moves a draw was agreed.
The afternoon game started with White playing a Colle with an early f4. This isn't a Colle at all and Cox calls it the Stone wall attack. I played Cox's Colle set-up regardless and arrived at this position.
After exchanging on d4, the White position looks a little split down the middle.
Black moves his knight and plays f5 and enjoys an easy game. White forces the queens off and after a bit of jockeying for position this position is reached.
Perhaps neither side is better, but I was happy with my knight on d5. Black has to find a plan and activate his pieces. I tried to open the a-file and gain control there hoping to invade with my king . Unfortunately this back fired slightly and White was able to double his rooks along the 7th rank via the a-file.
White offered a draw her, which I was very happy to accept.
Sunday
I was a little disappointed Saturday evening, as I thought I had decent positions in my games and should probably have been at least a half point better off.
The morning game started off as a Tarrasch defence, with me as White. The game quickly reached a thematic isolated queen's pawn position.
White has the pawn blockaded. The general idea is to exchange minor pieces and win the isolated pawn. As highlighted this plan starts quickly with Nf5. After a flurry of exchanges White has an active rook and does manage to bag Black's weak pawn.
And the rest, as they say is a matter of technique.
I did convert the point here, but I didn't find it easy. There was a lot of shuffling and false starts. In fact my indecisive play was Black's downfall, he just got fed up trying to hold and seemed to make little mistakes every 5 moves or so, until I won another pawn, when his king was pushed over.
The afternoon game started with White playing d4 with an early Bf4. Black exchanges a dangerous bishop and fights for space and the centre.
Play continues with White playing for a king-side attack, while Black counters on the queen-side. White's attack picks up pace and Black has to defend.
Black has just moved his knight to the unusual g8 square, but this forces White to depart with another attacker. White manages to organise a second wave, but I'm not feeling as uncomfortable during this second attack, as I felt it was going to come to nothing and White had invested so much time.
The pawn on a3 acts a s a 'peg' to hang a rook on b2. Black's plan is simple. Double or triple on the b-file whatever it takes and then land a rook on b2, after exchanges axb2 should promote.
White just couldn't hold from here. After a few more moves an exchanges White resigned.
3 Wins
2 draws
0 defeats
A good congress.
The venue was the magnificent Barcelo Imperial hotel on the North shore of Blackpool. The event was extremely well run and the venue perfect. See http://www.blackpoolchess.org.uk/.
There were six sections from the open down to the standard. Over 400 chess players took part, which makes this event one of the largest in the country.
Before going I promised myself I would try and share my feelings on my own games, with a couple of diagrams here and there. I was playing in the Median which is the third strongest section.
Friday
My first game stared with me playing Black using the Caro-Kann in an unusual White set-up. After the opening White had left himself with a weak pawn on c3 and a weak square on c4. His knight is out of the game. I felt I had a decent plus here and was enjoying the game ready to try and build pressure by doubling rooks on the c-file.
Saturday
The morning game started as a modern Benoni. This is an opening I'm not that up on. White ends up with a triangle of pawns on c4, d5 and e4, but Black quickly challenges White's pawns and an exchange is made on d5. I chose exd5, which is not the strongest move, but is solid. Both players developed quietly after the initial activity.
White does chase the bishop and manages to exchange for the knight. White tries to control the e-file, which Black challenges. The rooks are exchanges leaving White with a queen on the open file.
Play continues with Black forcing off the queens and then makes a knight sac on d5. White manages to hold, as he realises that Nc3, Nxa2, Nc3, a2,a1Q is a strong plan. White had to counter sac a bishop to stop the pawn. The following position was reached.
The afternoon game started with White playing a Colle with an early f4. This isn't a Colle at all and Cox calls it the Stone wall attack. I played Cox's Colle set-up regardless and arrived at this position.
Black moves his knight and plays f5 and enjoys an easy game. White forces the queens off and after a bit of jockeying for position this position is reached.
Sunday
I was a little disappointed Saturday evening, as I thought I had decent positions in my games and should probably have been at least a half point better off.
The morning game started off as a Tarrasch defence, with me as White. The game quickly reached a thematic isolated queen's pawn position.
I did convert the point here, but I didn't find it easy. There was a lot of shuffling and false starts. In fact my indecisive play was Black's downfall, he just got fed up trying to hold and seemed to make little mistakes every 5 moves or so, until I won another pawn, when his king was pushed over.
The afternoon game started with White playing d4 with an early Bf4. Black exchanges a dangerous bishop and fights for space and the centre.
Black has just moved his knight to the unusual g8 square, but this forces White to depart with another attacker. White manages to organise a second wave, but I'm not feeling as uncomfortable during this second attack, as I felt it was going to come to nothing and White had invested so much time.
3 Wins
2 draws
0 defeats
A good congress.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Junior Club - 2012 competition round 4
Round 4.
By now the kids are starting to get used to competition. Rules are stricter, quiet is called for and the kids eventually concentrate.
The draw was made as follows:
Board1 Dylan V Harry
Board2 Aidan V Joe
Board3 James V Tom
Board4 Nicola V Caroline
Board5 Dhillan V Leia
Raj Bye
Board5
Leia eventually ground Dhillan down. Although the game drifted along for ages Leia had a material advantage, which Dhillan eventually decided was going to win for Black and resigned.
Board4
Nicola had the game sewn up. She had several forced mates with queen and two rook advantage, but stalemated Black's king.
Board3
This was a close game, but James tricked his way to a decent win, much to Tom's dismay.
Board2
This the last to finish and was very close. Aidan sacrificed his queen to checkmate on the back rank. A familiar motif to adults, but for a juniors to spot was a good move and a sign of Aidan's improvement. The fact that Joe pushed Aidan all the way is testament to his.
Board1
My boys (Harry and Dylan) faced off for a head to head. "You could agree a draw" I suggested. No way this was going to be a fight to the death, which came quickly for Harry.
With a perfect score of 12/12 Dylan is now the new Darlington junior Champion at the age of 6!
By now the kids are starting to get used to competition. Rules are stricter, quiet is called for and the kids eventually concentrate.
The draw was made as follows:
Board1 Dylan V Harry
Board2 Aidan V Joe
Board3 James V Tom
Board4 Nicola V Caroline
Board5 Dhillan V Leia
Raj Bye
Board5
Leia eventually ground Dhillan down. Although the game drifted along for ages Leia had a material advantage, which Dhillan eventually decided was going to win for Black and resigned.
Board4
Nicola had the game sewn up. She had several forced mates with queen and two rook advantage, but stalemated Black's king.
Board3
This was a close game, but James tricked his way to a decent win, much to Tom's dismay.
Board2
This the last to finish and was very close. Aidan sacrificed his queen to checkmate on the back rank. A familiar motif to adults, but for a juniors to spot was a good move and a sign of Aidan's improvement. The fact that Joe pushed Aidan all the way is testament to his.
Board1
My boys (Harry and Dylan) faced off for a head to head. "You could agree a draw" I suggested. No way this was going to be a fight to the death, which came quickly for Harry.
With a perfect score of 12/12 Dylan is now the new Darlington junior Champion at the age of 6!
Congratulations Dylan
Below the standings after round 4
| | Name | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Score |
| 5 | Dylan | W,6 3 | B,1 3 | B,3 3 | W,4 3 | 12 |
| 2 | Aidan | W,7 3 | X | B,6 3 | W,3 3 | 9 |
| 9 | James | W,3 1 | Bye 3 | B,7 2 | W,6 3 | 9 |
| 4 | Harry | B,10 3 | W,3 1 | W,11 3 | B,5 1 | 8 |
| 3 | Joe | B,9 3 | B,4 3 | W,5 1 | B,2 1 | 8 |
| 7 | Leia | B,2 1 | X | W,9 2 | B,12 3 | 6 |
| 11 | Nicola | Bye 3 | X | B,4 1 | W,8 2 | 6 |
| 6 | Tom | B,5 1 | W,8 2 | W,2 1 | B,9 1 | 5 |
| 8 | Caroline | W,1 1 | B,6 2 | X | B,11 2 | 5 |
| 12 | Dhillan | X | X | Bye 3 | W,7 1 | 4 |
| 1 | AJ | B,8 3 | W,5 1 | X | X | 4 |
| 13 | Raj | X | X | X | Bye 3 | 3 |
| 10 | Jamie | W,4 1 | X | X | X | 1 |
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