25th Rapidplay (15 Mar), 24 Jan: 54 entrants so far
24 Jan ’20: To celebrate 25 years this is a very special Rapidplay event! There is a record £1000 in cash prizes. Please click on “Congresses”, main menu bar and then “Rapidplay 2020”. If you are still thinking of entering, just a prompt that, like other congresses, we have to set a limit on entries to […]
Dorset Junior Championships – Sat 8 Feb ’20, B’th; 24 Jan: 16 entries
Kevin Goater’s fantastic performance in Bucharest includes beating Russian GM
23 Nov: Dorset player Kevin Goater is achieving fantastic results in the World Seniors as reported by Allan Pleasants immediately below:- Kevin Goater is playing in the World Seniors in the Romanian capital of Bucharest. Kevin started the 11 round competition that has 20 grandmasters and many other titled players in it in fine style […]
ECF drive to encourage more women and girls to play chess
27 Nov: The ECF are strongly committed to see more women and girls playing chess, whether in a chess club, junior clubs, school or university – or just enjoying social chess in libraries and cafes etc. To this goal, they have appointed a Women’s Recruitment Officer, Tim Wall ([email protected]) Tim wrote to all chess organisers […]
Ian Clark announces date for 3rd Dorset Closed – Sunday, 24 May ’20
21 Nov ’19: It will again take place at the Merley Community Centre, near Wimborne. Eligibility rules require entrants to have met at least one of these conditions:- a) Born in Dorset b) Lived in Dorset for over 5 years c) Play regularly in either the B&DCL or Dorset County Chess League (pictured James Forster, 2019 Dorset […]
Bacchus Bournemouth East will get underway from January with 3 teams & 2 “new” clubs
17 Nov: All set for an extra Bacchus division in the New Year as Southbourne, Highcliffe and Ringwood all give the go-ahead. For Highcliffe, it will be an additional team in Bacchus, whereas Southbourne and Ringwood are entering for the first time. The teams will be known as Highcliffe Castles, Southbourne Seagulls (tbc) and Ringwood Gambits. […]
Christmas present solved?! – Game Changer is ECF Book of 2019
7 Oct: This fascinating book focusses on issues around Artificial Intelligence (AI), not only in chess but in wider society. It is written by GM Matthew Sadler and WIM Natasha Regan. They especially explore the extraordinary new software AlphaZero (AZ). There is a comprehensive collection of games. The book is said to be very readable, beautifully […]
Dave Lockwood Memorial event highly successful & fitting tribute; 37 take part
19 Aug: Excellent report from Dave Fuller on a great day of quick-play chess held Sat 17 Aug ’19 at Poole to remember Dave Lockwood (pictured immediate left) who had been such an outstanding and loyal member of Poole Chess Club. He had been a member for over 50 years and played in the Parkstone and […]
ECF new grades out, but gremlin in the system has duplicated some B&DCL results; update @ 24 July
24 July: Phil has today updated his message below. He explains the grades affected should be corrected by the start of the season. And adds those players who played several games in the B&DCL Sept-Dec ’18, and had a performance about the same as their grade, will probably see no difference when the grades are corrected. It’s […]
James Forster in state of shock after winning a strong Dorset “Closed” Open at Merley, Sun 7 July
7 July: According to informed sources, James was a reluctant late entrant for the Open Championship – he felt out of practice, the season is over etc. But enter he sportingly did, fearing the worst, as the Open section was so strong. But with 3/4 he played some great chess and won – much against […]
DCCA AGM 26 June ’19 – Officers report successful season – Highcliffe achieve a cup & league “double”
27 June: All participating clubs were well represented at the Dorset County Chess Association AGM, which took place at RBL, North Road, Poole Weds 26 June. There were reports on 3 successful congresses and the 3 league divisions were well contested, with 2 newcomers, Ringwood and Highcliffe becoming champions for the first time in Divisions […]
Well attended B&DCL AGM at Tuckton 19 June ’19 – Meeting outline, including competition winners
B&DCL Rules following AGM 19 June ’19 – both summary and detail of what has changed
Image: John Belinger, New Milton (on the right) at the AGM presentation. Pete Donaldson, B&DCL Secretary presenting. Steven Disney was the successful captain. New Milton B had the best points and games record of any team in the 5 divisions and will play in B&D 3 next season. These are the […]
ECF: Entries invited for European Senior Team Championships in Croatia from 18-26 Sept ’19
European Senior Team Chess Championships (taken from ECF Newsletter 8 June ’19) Stewart Reuben writes – The European Senior Team Chess Championships take place in Croatia from 17-27 September 2019. The arrival date and registration for the event are 17 September, with play taking place every day at 15.00 from 18-26 September. Departure is 27 September. The […]
B&DCL AGM: Weds 19 June ’19; request for any rule change proposals to be sent in soonest please
4 May ’19: Martin Simons, B&DCL Chairman role has sent out this message to club secretaries: The B&DCL AGM will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 19th June 2019 at the Tuckton Social Club (home venue of Southbourne Chess Club), 222 Tuckton Road BH6 3AA and all members of B&DCL clubs are welcome. It is […]
Highcliffe riding high after 3-1 win at Dorchester B secures County 2 – in debut season
12 April: Many congratulations to Highcliffe after their success last night, made possible with wins on the top 2 boards, and draws on 3 & 4. It was always going to be a key fixture, bringing together 2 strong teams and mindful Dorchester B were the one team to have beaten Highcliffe, at fortress Greystones, back in […]
Monthly grading moves closer as ECF embarks on consultation process
The ECF is consulting about grades being calculated and published monthly instead of twice a year. Details are on the ECF website, but the main document is reproduced below. There is also a suggestion to adopt the Elo system, so that would mean 4 digit grades, instead of 3. The move to monthly grading lists […]
Poole Knights 4.5 Poole Bishops 1.5 – Bacchus – “kids hog the limelight!”
Tarik reports on 17 Jan: Poole Knights names first Graham Morris 0.5 – 0.5 Steve Bailey Harry Rowbotham 1 – 0 Teo Borsa Ben Howard 1 – 0 Josh Leggatt Zack Little 1 – 0 Felix Wyatt Samuel Williams 0 – 1 Jamie Doyle Matthew Bailey 1 – 0 Jake Doyle POOLE KNIGHTS 4.5 POOLE […]
13 Jan: Wessex teams all lose on Sunday, but still doing well in 4NCL
Sunday: Something of a reversal of fortunes compared with the success of the day before – this time, Wessex A, B & C all lost. In 2B round 4, Wessex A lost to Grantham Sharks (2) by 2.5-5.5. But following promotion they are holding their own well with 2/4 and sit mid-table Wessex B & […]
When do the ECF charge Game Fees for grading non-members?
From time to time clubs ask for clarification on this. The actual ECF ruling, as applicable to Leagues like ours, is given below from their website. The current annual ECF membership fee for Bronze Membership is £16. Non ECF members are allowed to play up to 3 games in any one League without the ECF […]
Relaxed and informal chess at Swanage: moves temporarily to Chococo from now until early Feb ’19
4NCL Sun 18 Nov ’18 Div 4 (South) – Wessex B storm to another big win; Wessex C win and draw in same day
Wessex B had an incredibly successful weekend. They followed up their 5-1 win on Saturday going even better on Sunday – beating CSC 3 by 5.5-0.5! And this time Wessex C had a better day themselves, in 2 reduced boards matches – beating Oxford 4 by 2-1. With a different team, they drew with Barnet Knights […]
2nd Dorset Blitz – 30 competitors & big success; Further Steve report + cross-tables + photo links
Organiser Steve Peirson reports on a most successful day on Sun 16 Sept ’18 at Furzebrook, nr Wareham “Everything went very well – we had 3 groups of 10 players and we extended the time limit to 10 mins + 5 sec increment. These are the prize winners:- Group A (please see […]
2 Towns 12 Sept: Poole 17 Bournemouth 12; 1st Poole win in 4 years – Martin: “Great evening, well done Poole!” Score details
Please note results details at foot of this report 12 Sept. Poole Captain Eric Sachs Reports: On a most enjoyable night as the season commenced with the traditional curtain raiser, Poole beat Bournemouth 17-12 to win the trophy for the first time in 4 years. Quote from the losing captain Martin Simons “it was a great night, […]
24 thoroughly enjoy Southbourne 10 sec competition; Bruce wins with 6/7 but Reenen & Grzegorz close behind
“Fun” 10 Second Buzzer Tournament Results on Fri 7 Sept ’18, Tuckton Martin writes Good turnout, 24 players. Pleasing to see players from other clubs and also some people who don’t normally play. Great fun, everyone enjoys the buzzer (I think!). Bruce Jenks (180) was in good form to win with 6 points out of […]
Steve Bailey reports on Barbados VI cricket tour
UK Women’s Visually Impaired Cricket Team – Barbados Tour, 5-15 July ’18 Steve coaches England to series win Written by Steve Bailey 18 visually impaired women with an age group range of 15-70 and 4 visually impaired coaches of which Steve Bailey (Dorset Dolphins Coach and Captain) was Head Coach. (Steve, of course is also an active member […]
Poole AGM honours members’ success in winning 5 trophies in 8 months; Bournemouth Echo report 1 Aug
This photo was taken at the recent Poole AGM. Chair Eric Sachs commented “I would like to mention it is not intended to highlight trophy and glory hunting for Poole; the intention is to record the success and connection with all members at the club and chess in the area to increase the profile”. On […]
ECF July ’18 Grades are out!
Thurs 26 July: link http://www.ecfgrading.org.uk/new/menu.php This link will appear on the top menu bar through the season. Under the rules of both the County League and B&D, only a few grades of course, change at 1 Jan. Typically, these are grades that were estimated, shown as “L” for local, at the start of the season. […]
Highcliffe Castles win Keith Bateman Memorial Trophy; Final Table
24 players in 6 teams from Salisbury, Highcliffe & Ringwood, including players from Southbourne, packed into the White Hart Ringwood Thurs night, 5 July. They were taking part in the inaugural Keith Bateman Memorial Trophy. It was excellently planned, organised and run by Ringwood’s Pete Donaldson, who in his opening welcome remembered the life of popular Keith […]
Big attendance at B&DCL AGM, 12 June – Poole honoured
There were special congratulations at the AGM for Poole who won 3 of the 4 B&DCL Divisions they entered, plus the Handicap Team KO Cup. It was an outstanding performance. Pictured here on behalf of Poole, Michael Duggan (centre) and Eric Sachs (right) with Pete Donaldson presenting the Div 1 Championship board. Highcliffe A were congratulated […]
Good support for cricketer Steve Bailey
Poole hosted a final charity evening last Thursday before Steve Bailey departs for the West Indies this week (2 July) and collected an impressive £70. Around 20 attended a fun evening, including new juniors plus a Russian family. This follows Poole’s highly successful and earlier fund-raising to enable Steve to take part in the cricket coaching and matches […]
Mike Waddington success in Bristol Open 15-17 June ’18
Mike has reported he shared 1st place (£300) with IM Alan Merry last weekend, with 4.5/5 and ahead of a strong field that included “such luminaries as GM Keith Arkell”. Very well done to Mike who has an excellent record of weekend congress successes. Our own 53rd Dorset Open is in Bournemouth, this October and […]
Time Increments – Trial in Div 1 of both Leagues proposed
21 May. An update appears in the last paragraph of the feature item in the column alongside. Since it was posted for information some months ago, there have been unexpectedly high levels of opinion and feedback, including at Committee of both Leagues. Essentially stronger players, specifically Div 1 of both County & B&DCL generally want to […]
GDPR 25 May ’18 – Letter to club members, Congress information and Privacy Policy
To comply with the new regs we have been created a permission letter for clubs to send to their members. Also, there is a statement covering congresses run by Dorset County Chess Association on how personal information is used and this will be included in all entry forms etc. Both documents appear under “GDPR” on the “Links” […]
Wimborne D 2 Highcliffe B 2, B&DCL Div 3; Wimborne F 1 Poole D 3, B&DCL Div 4; Poole C Champions Div 3 & Poole D lead Div 4 – what a night for Poole!
16 May. It was a night to remember for Poole Chess Club! Not only did their A team win Div 1, but by Wimborne D dropping a point at home to Highcliffe B it meant Poole C cannot be caught at the top, so they become Div 3 Champions. So very well done to Poole C on […]
Poole A 2.5 Wimborne B 1.5, B&DCL Div 1; Poole A become champions after Wimborne B nearly pull off shock result! “Phew!”
16 May. Very well done to Poole who are crowned Div 1 champions after an incredibly close match with Wimborne B. As Eric Sachs reports below, Poole had to battle back after going 0-1 behind to a Jorgen Nielsen win on board 4 and to their credit, Wimborne B fought all the way and the […]
Bournemouth B 1.5 Wimborne C 2.5, B&DCL Div 2; Wimborne fall just short, so many congratulations to Highcliffe A on their promotion to Div 1!
16 May. This was a close match. Jorgen Nielsen and Steve Culleton won on boards 2 & 4 for Wimborne, board 3 was drawn and on top board Ivan Willis gained a full point for Bournemouth. Aggregate grades were Bournemouth 524, Wimborne 565. Unfortunately for the Wimborne team, they needed a bigger win to overtake Highcliffe A, […]
Highcliffe C 1 Wimborne E 3; B&DCL Div 4; Wimborne E lead in Div 4 title chase, but Wimborne F safe
14 May. The result was beneficial to the 2 Wimborne teams in Div 4. For E, it put them back on top with just 1 match to go – a crucial encounter at Poole D on 24 May. The position at the top is so close, with 4 teams separated by just 2 league points, so […]
Poole A 1.5 Wimborne A 2.5, B&DCL Div 1; Wimborne A now top table, but Poole A have crucial match in hand
14 May. Several Championships this season across B&DCL & County are being settled between the Poole and Wimborne clubs. In this important match Wimborne’s narrow win put them as new league leaders, but they have now completed their programme. There were 3 draws, but the crucial outcome was on board 3 where Eddie Barker (Wimborne) […]
Ringwoood A 3.5 Bournemouth A 0.5, B&DCL Div 2; Highcliffe A on the brink of historic promotion to Div 1
14 May. This defeat for near challengers Bournemouth A means Highcliffe A are almost assured of playing in the top flight next season. But the result does leave Wimborne C with an outside chance. Bournemouth deserve credit for competing especially well both this season and last, coming close to promotion themselves. In this match Kenny Harman, Peter Donaldson […]
