Mar
08
Monday puzzle / game
Black to play Black is a pawn up. How does he force the win of more material to leave a won position? Solution
Mar
08
Daily Quiz
While face-to-face chess is disrupted in Dorset we are running a daily 'Test Your Chess Knowledge' quiz question (with 5 possible answers). For local quiz questions you may find the Bulletins and Chat articles helpful. Martin Simons welcomes your feedback on the quiz and any submissions you have for questions. Every day we will be [...]
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Mar
07
Online Rapidplay on Sunday 14th March – Latest Update: Team Prize
The Tournament In place of the normal face-to-face Dorset Rapidplay the 1st Dorset Online Rapidplay will be held on Sunday 14th March. Key points are: 7 round Dutch Swiss to be held on lichess Kick off at 9:30 a.m. sharp and finish by 1.30 p.m. Entry is free But there are still lots of cash [...]
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Mar
06
Bulletin No.51 – How Do Our Local Chess Players Think?
Introduction This article was produced for Dorset Chess in 1982 and it was reproduced in the 'CHESS' magazine in April 1986. Many of the findings and analyses remain just as relevant today as they were almost 40 years ago and quite interestingly, Alexander Alekhine, the World Champion when this game was played almost 80 years [...]
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Feb
27
Bulletin No.50 – Mike Waddington on the BIG money Isle of Man Grand Swiss
Map copyright OpenStreetMap Mike Waddington has kindly provided this fascinating article on the Isle of Man Grand Swiss and has annotated a couple of games which are given at the end. The Isle of Man, The Tournament and The Man Behind It What springs to mind if one mentions the Isle of Man? Perhaps TT [...]
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Feb
20
Bulletin No.49 – Alan’s Column Revisited – Local Games and More.
On the previous incarnation of the Dorset Chess website between 2012 and 2013 there was a feature called Alan's Column in which Alan Dommett annotated games, some local, some national. This bulletin brings you some of the most interesting action from that. Here are seven games, four of them featuring local players, all crisp wins [...]
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Feb
13
Bulletin No.48 – Valentine’s Special – Share the Love, Share the Draw, Share the Point!
We often remember many of our fantastic wins and our worst losses, especially those short ones, covering combinations galore and brilliant finishes. This has been fully illustrated when you submitted your games in droves for our articles on Local Blunders and then the Countdown to Christmas Short Games series. Indeed, there were so many games [...]
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Feb
06
Bulletin No.47 – 7 Deadly Sinful Traps for White
In Bulletin No.31 Martin Simons showed how to ‘Bash’ the Birds and to be (almost) winning after only 3 moves. In Bulletin No.38 we covered '7 Deadly Sinful Traps for Black'. In Bulletin No.45 we examined perhaps the most trappy of Black openings with the Stunning Stafford Gambit. However, these bulletins have all been written [...]
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Jan
30
Bulletin No.46 – The world champions & what you may not know! – Part 2 Petrosian to Carlsen
Photo (cropped) by Vladimir Barskij of Carlsen retaining his title in 2016. CC BY-SA 3.0 In this and the previous bulletin we are taking a look at each of the official world chess champions, going down the “classical” line from Steinitz to Carlsen, missing out the FIDE champions from the time of the split (i.e. [...]
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Jan
23
Bulletin No.46 – The world champions & what you may not know! – Part 1 Steinitz to Tal
The above is a rare photo with four world champions together: Smyslov, Botvinnik, Euwe and Tal at Schipol airport in June 1961. In this and the next bulletin we take a look at each of the official world chess champions, going down the “classical” line from Steinitz to Carlsen, missing out the FIDE champions from [...]
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Jan
16
Bulletin No.45 – The Stunning Stafford Gambit
Martin Simons offers a personal view on the attraction of this gambit. Be afraid, be very afraid, there is a new gambit in town! Until 2020, it was hardly known but maybe because of Lockdown and the vast numbers of chess players migrating across to the online blitz chess platform the Stafford Gambit has now [...]
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Jan
12
Western Counties Championship – Dorset and Wiltshire Lose
Ian Clark sends the following report on the Dorset & Wiltshire vs Gloucestershire online match played on Sunday 10th Jan. Match Report This was the first Dorset county match of any description for about 15 years with a combined team of 6 from Wilts and 10 from Dorset. The match did not go very well! [...]
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Jan
09
Bulletin No.44 – Chess Players – Are we just a little bit different?
Along with many other sports people and those who have a passionate hobby, we are often thought of as a special breed. In a game where deep, complex yet forthright decisions have to be made in solitude and silence, it is perhaps reasonable to think that the people who are drawn to chess are often [...]
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Jan
02
Bulletin No.41 – Christmas Puzzles and Quiz – ANSWERS
Photo by Photo by Kgbo (Wikimedia) CC BY-SA 4.0 How did you get on with our Christmas Puzzles and Quiz? Answers to all 24 brain challenges are below. A. Six Christmas Tree Chess Puzzles It wouldn't be Christmas without these! 1. Warm Up - What is the best move if it is White to move [...]
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Dec
31
Festive Bulletin No.43 – A Review of our Extraordinary Year
How Good Are Our Bulletins? - Please Have Your Say No, we are not asking 'How Good is Your Chess?' but 'How Good are Our Bulletins?' Over the last 9 months, and particularly more recently, have we managed to achieve the right balance or is there something else you would like to see covered and [...]
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Dec
26
Bulletin No.42 – More Local Games Fireworks!
Many thanks to all players who submitted their short games. The response has been absolutely fantastic and we have been a little overwhelmed. We apologise to those people whose games have not been included. However, due to all the excellent games submitted, here are 7 more to entertain you, some of which are just a [...]
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24
Bulletin No.41 – Christmas Puzzles and Quiz Special
Photo by Photo by Kgbo (Wikimedia) CC BY-SA 4.0 In this Christmas bumper edition, to mark the 24th day of the Christmas run-up, here are 24 fun Christmas questions and problems. There is a mixed bag, some easy and some just a bit more tricky: 6 Christmas Tree Chess Puzzles - It wouldn't be Christmas [...]
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Dec
24
Thursday puzzle / game
White to play and win quickly The solution to the last puzzle before Christmas is both simple and at the same time a little hard to spot. You’ll kick yourself if you don’t find it! White has a number of ways of winning but one is much more convincing that the rest, forcing a quick […]
Dec
24
Countdown to Christmas
Thank you to everyone who submitted their short games. We have received over 80 from which we have picked some crackers for your enjoyment! Every day until the 24th December we will be featuring one of these games including analysis by the players or Martin Simons. Click on the red and green days in the [...]
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Dec
19
Bulletin No.40 – Christmas Opening Gifts and Gaffs
It's that wonderful time of the year, and similar to Halloween, we are all wondering if there are any fun, exciting openings that can be played over the festive period to rejoice the season of goodwill! After some deep research and an online meeting with Santa Claus, he has confirmed there appears to be two [...]
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Dec
12
Bulletin No.39 – In Praise of Chess Variants!
Peter Anderson gives a personal opinion on the attraction of some chess variants. All these fun variants can be played on Lichess, including in the tournaments organised by Martin Clancy. Martin has organised special taster events for these variants on Monday and Wednesday in the coming week starting at 7pm. Please see the home page [...]
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Dec
05
Bulletin No.38 – 7 Deadly Sinful Traps for Black in less than 10 moves!
Photo of venus fly trap by Noah Elhardt. CC BY-SA 2.5 In Bulletin No.31 we showed you how to 'Bash' the Birds and to be (almost) winning after 3 moves. In this article we are now going to provide 7 cunning ways to 'trap' White in their standard mainstream openings in less than 10 moves [...]
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Nov
28
Bulletin No.37 – Ringwood Online Lockdown Tournaments
When covid-19 disrupted face-to-face play, Martin Clancy of Ringwood Chess Club quickly organised online tournaments and team battles open to all local players that have continued to the present day. In this bulletin Martin reflects upon these events. At the end we give a win each from some of the regulars at these tournaments: John [...]
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Nov
21
Bulletin No.36 – The 1993 World Chess Championship Revisited – Part 2
The photo above is of the VHS tape of the match by Messrs Keene and King. In Part 1, we covered how two local chess players, but one in particular, had the privilege of attending and reporting on the 1993 Short versus Kasparov World Chess Championship at the Savoy Hotel in London, and who also [...]
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Nov
16
West of England Counties Online Championship Details
Ian Clark has provided an update on the West of England Counties Online Championship and reports that good progress has been made in both organising the event and assembling a squad. The key points are: Dorset and Wiltshire will be fielding a combined team to ensure a large enough squad which currently comprises 15 Dorset […]
Nov
07
Bulletin No.35 – Allan Pleasants – Dorset’s Own Welsh Chess Champion!
Allan Pleasants is one of Dorset's leading chess players. In 2012 he won his first ever game versus a Grandmaster when he beat Keith Arkell at the 1st Bournemouth Grand Chess Congress which was reported in the Bournemouth Echo. Then, in 2017, after a few years of trying, he successfully became the Welsh Chess Champion, [...]
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Nov
07
Halloween Quiz Special: Answers
Did the wicked witches catch you out with their fiendish puzzles? Or did you fend them off with magical solutions? If you still want to have a crack at the questions without seeing the answers then click here 1. There are no ghosts on this board, just zombies blocking the way. What is the only [...]
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Oct
31
Bulletin No.34 – Halloween Gambit Horrors!
Something ghoulish and very creepy is happening in the local chess world tonight! Welcome to your darkest fears ... welcome to the horrific Halloween Gambit! Be prepared for some creepy crawly action - this is not for the faint-hearted. We think this would be great for bats, sorry we mean Blitz! 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 [...]
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Oct
24
Bulletin No.33 – Mike Waddington Talks Titles
Mike Waddington is one of Dorset's very strongest players, an FM and the only over-the-board titled player from the county still active. We asked him if he would mind writing a bulletin on how he earnt his FM title. He kindly agreed and went further, contributing this fascinating article on the history of titles, FIDE's [...]
DETAIL Oct
15
Western Counties Championship Online – Call For Dorset Players
Effort is being made to organise a Western Counties Championship online. Ian Clark is coordinating on behalf of Dorset. This is an exciting opportunity for our County players to represent Dorset without all the traveling and expense that was previously involved. Ian is therefore looking for players for the Dorset team/teams. If you are interested [...]
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Oct
04
Coronavirus Update – Further Guidance From ECF
February Government Update Here is the UK government's link to its Roadmap out of lockdown including its 4 steps announced this week ... Covid-19 Response Spring 2021 As the dates are indicative and subject to change, it's too early to be definitive but with a significant relaxation of measures and restrictions for meeting up indoors [...]
DETAIL Jul
01
Coronavirus Update – Completing the 2019/20 season – Please have your say
As indicated on the previous update message in mid June, please find below a detailed Consultation Document from Martin Simons providing the options available to us regarding the completion of this season and the start of next. The document also explains the difficulties and challenges we are likely to face when we return to playing [...]
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Jun
27
Bulletin No.24 – The Dorset Chess Website (Mike Jay and Peter Anderson discuss its history and future)
A brief history of the Dorset Chess website
Jun
14
14th June: Coronavirus Update
Below is a message from Martin Simons regarding the coronavirus and local chess. I hope you are all keeping well. It has been almost a month since the last update on the Dorset Chess Website and this update comes in two parts. 1. League Season Update The UK Government has started to relax some of its […]
Jun
13
Bulletin No.22 – Chess at the Cafe Tratt in Swanage
With lots of thanks to Derek Mount and Steve Peirson who produced the article. Pictured above, left to right, are Dick Woodford, Brian Beard, Paul Stanley and Derek Mount enjoying a relaxing game of chess at Caffe Tratt. Taking inspiration from the Flirt Café in Bournemouth, in autumn 2017 Purbeck Chess Club member Derek Mount […]
Jun
06
Bulletin No.21 – History of the Dorset Individual Chess Championship
The history of the Dorset Chess Championship in words and photos, and a few introductory words on bulletins for the comings weeks and months.
Jun
05
Poole win first online team challenge.
The first online team event organised by Martin Clancy was well attended and seemingly enjoyed by all. Five clubs fielded teams and Ringwood Nomads which was intended for any players without a team comprised solely of 3 New Milton players so effectively became a 6th club team. In all 34 players took part. Teams were [...]
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May
30
“Dorset Local Chat” – Articles 1 to 10
Dorset Local Chat N0.10 – The Dorset Rapidplay – 25 years strong and last UK Chess Tournament standing in 2020 by Martin Simons and Mike Jay How it all started, then developed – The Tuckton Social Club years (1995 – 2012) – Martin Simons discusses these early years (pictured above Bruce Jenks playing in […]
May
28
Bulletins 1 to 20 – Martin Simons reflects on 30 articles, 61 puzzles & 2 Towns
(Pictured above Martin Simons, Chair B&DCL and DCCA Executive Committee member. He has been the inspiration behind all the website “Bulletins” & “Dorset Chess Chats” over the last 2 months, providing interest and information during lockdown. They have required a huge amount of research and we are all very grateful to Martin. Also, as several […]
Mar
17
Castlepoint Junior Chess Group Suspended
17/3/2020 Following yesterday’s government advisory notice, the Castlepoint Library Junior chess club will not be running this Saturday and will, sadly, be closed until further notice. We will review the situation after Easter. In the meantime, we encourage the junior players to take a look at the puzzles available on the junior puzzle page of […]
