What is black's best move? Hint: Look at where black's pieces are focussed. Count the attackers and count the defenders. Solution

4 May: Martin Simons, in his Handicap KO Cup organiser role, has sent out the message below; followed by Richard Ursell’s reflections as the excitement builds Thank you for completing the semi-final matches and well done to Highcliffe and Purbeck for winning their matches in some style. The match results and reports can be found on the […]

Julian Cherryson, Dorchester Chess Club reports the excellent news that Dorchester Library & Learning Centre will be hosting “friendly chess sessions”. These will be for anyone aged 14 and over – and  will be called “Chess Knights” taking place on Tuesdays, fortnightly from 5 March ’19, 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Julian is keen each session is attended by at least one […]

26 Feb: Richard Ursell has kindly sent this news item… “We held a  Quickplay tournament at Highcliffe last night, handicapped with time increments. Congratulations to Derek Chaffey who won with 5/6, and Tom Trach and myself were 2nd. Full scorecard below”

The 3 Wessex teams were all in action this weekend, 9 & 10 Feb ’19. A playing in 2b, B & C both competing in 4s. On 9 Feb, Wessex A lost to Irish team Gonzaga 1.5-4.5. Allan Pleasants sent this report Saturday evening: A tough match for us against Irish team Gonzaga. After a long journey to Telford […]

Many thanks to Richard Ursell for the prompt!

Summary: There was a very pleasing record entry of 33 players at the Southbourne CC Christmas Handicap Tournament since the club has moved to its new premises.  As always, fun & enjoyment was the main theme with Christmas music being played throughout together with Bucks fizz & mince pies being offered during the tea break […]

REPORT ON 53rd DORSET CHESS CONGRESS The event had 100 entries and was situated in 3 rooms in the Elstead Hotel, close to the centre of Bournemouth. We had a larger room than expected in what was previously the bookstall and analysis room. The main room housed the Open and Minor and was quite warm […]

Chess Team Wanted! Any grade 80 to 280! The immensely hard working and enthusiast Wessex 4NCL Team Manager/Captain Keith Gregory is seeking additional players for new Wessex teams in the weekend 4NCL (4 Nations Chess League). This follows success last season when Wessex excelled winning promotion to Div 2 and there has been a consequent […]

Eric Sachs pictured taking part in an impromptu street chess game during his recent Belgrade holiday. Reports say he did very well, taking on the best of local players and was unbeaten

10 May. Poole A have looked all season likely County Div 1 Champions, but in a thrilling finish to the competition Wimborne A defeated them to be league winners themselves with a fine win last night. Ian Clark, Mark Littleton & Peter Wilcock all won for the visitors and Ciprian Stanciu scored a full point for […]

Many congratulations to the Wessex team who have been promoted from 3 South Pool C. They finished 1 point ahead of nearest challengers Brown Jack 1, after holding them to a draw in the final  match. In this encounter,  Martin Simons & Ian Clark both won, and there were draws from Gill Oliver and Jaimie Wilson. […]

26 Apr. Poole came through this test against a Southbourne team, who challenged them all the way. Dragi Popovic & Richard Smith both won for Poole & Paul Sandy (Southbourne) beat Adam Jaggard on board 4. It was drawn on board 2. John Harris, Southbourne’s  Captain commented “I played a 153 on board 1 and made him work […]

26 Apr. Wins from Tim Joyce and Sepp Clarke enabled Wimborne E to pull off this victory against the league leaders. Boards 2 & 3 were drawn. Wimborne were slightly the higher graded team, except on board 4. For the Southbourne team it was a chance lost to pull away at the top, after a […]

23 Apr. Kenny Harman got Ringwood off to a good start with a win and then Geoff Searing (Dorchester) drew with Bruce Jenks. Chris Webb  (Dorchester) had winning opportunities against Martin Clancy on board 4, who forced a draw with perpetual check. The last to finish was on board 1 and Martin Simons played accurately to win […]

13 Apr. An exciting and close match, saw Wimborne become finalists to play Poole. Southbourne, who needed to win 3.5-2.5, finished just short. Please go to LMS for score details and a report: http://ecflms.org.uk/lms/node/16376 Also Martin has sent out an updated report on the competition so far. Please go to very top menu and click on […]

11 Apr. With this win Wimborne moved to within 2 points of leaders Poole A, but Poole have played a match less. Eddie Barker and Steve Appleby won on boards 2 & 4 for Wimborne. The other 2 boards were drawn. Weymouth A stay in equal 3rd place with Dorchester B

28 Mar. Please go to “Junior Chess” top menu, for a full report from Eric on the 1st & 2nd round matches, score details & Qualifying Table. Pictured Poole Grammar School, who did not make the final, but competed well and showed much promise

On Saturday, 24 Mar, Wessex beat Full Ponty 3.5-2.5 and the next day it was Wessex 5 MK Phoenix 1. So the 2 wins mean Wessex are well placed. For score details please go to 4NCL website Wessex were in 3A on Saturday and then the Promotion Pool 3C Sunday

22 Mar. Eric Sachs reports that “Poole came from behind to win the top boards to ensure victory on tie break rules. Great credit to Dorchester who fought back, so hard late on, to win boards 4 & 5, when these games looked drawn, and square the match 3-3”. Poole’s decisive winning advantage was winning […]

19 Mar. In this 1st season in the County League Ringwood moved up the table by 2 places with a narrow win . The top 3 boards were drawn, but on board 4 Niall Woodger beat Chris Leeson

The arrangements set up by Phil Wallace for Captains to enter results direct are progressing well. Captains say it is far quicker and easier than sending emails. Ongoing feedback suggests most readers also like to know a little background to the match, e.g “closely fought, good atmosphere, came back to draw from 0-2 down, fine […]

1 March – Controller Martin Simons announces the draw. One change is Peter Wilcock has taken over as the Wimborne Captain from Phil Wallace. For Martin’s news update, scores to date, plus other information including score sheets and the rules, please click on “Team Handicap KO Cup” very top menu

28 Feb. Report below and result from Wimborne’s Colin Wilson (Many apologies to Peter Wilcock for wrongly saying Colin is the Captain in earlier report!). Wimborne were the higher graded team and so needed to win 3.5-2.5. All credit to both teams. Wimborne join Dorchester, Poole and Southbourne in the next round What a terrific […]

21 Feb. Honours shared at Merley with draws on all 4 boards and a particularly good result for the New Milton team. Wimborne D stay top, but the outcome emphasised what a close Division this is, with only 3 points separating 1st and 5th currently

21 Feb. Southbourne advanced to the next round to join current KO Cup Champions Poole and Weymouth. James Forster, Grzegorz Sawicki, John Harris and Martin Buse were the Southbourne winners, and Stephen Disney won for New Milton. The board 4 game between John Belinger (NM) and Frank Hamilton-Taylor was drawn. New Milton were warmly welcomed this […]

Our regional team, Wessex has been on good form in the 4NCL this weekend at Reading. In their Sunday match they defeated Cambridge University (2) 4.5-1.5 and are 2nd, on better games points over Anglian Avengers (2), in 3A. More information, including forthcoming fixtures on the 4NCL website. Come on Wessex!

Michael Litchfield won on board 2 for Southbourne C, but Neil Salinger & his father Ron both scored a full point for Highcliffe B. And so with board 4 between John Harris and Jan van Heeckeren being drawn, Highcliffe emerged winners. Southbourne had the higher aggregate grades, 552 to 501. Jan, the Highcliffe captain commented […]

13 Dec – Honours shared at Merley, with 2 games drawn; a win by Rob Davenport (Ringwood) on board 2, but scores levelled by John Bowley’s success on board 4 for Wimborne. The Wimborne team are top of the table by 1 point, but Southbourne C in 2nd place have a game in hand. Ringwood B stay 3rd. […]

The match is now taking place on 16 Feb ’18 instead of 15 Dec ’17

Highcliffe A had the higher aggregate grades, 586 to 564 and their new recruit from Southend, Christian Westrap made his debut on board 1, but Wimborne C were convincing winners 3.5-0.5. Highcliffe Captain Rob Halse generously commented “Lost our sparkle last night and Wimborne played really well”. In recent seasons, Wimborne C have been successful escapologists […]

Both clubs were very grateful to Eric Sachs and Poole for allowing this match to be played at the Poole RBL clubroom – to reduce travelling for both teams. Purbeck Captain Paul Stanley comments “For the time being our mini winning run continues”. In fact, Purbeck now lead Div 5 on better games points from […]

Sad news the County League is losing an established club Falling membership and consequent problems fulfilling fixtures has resulted in Bridport closing forthwith (posted 3 Aug ’17). Last season Bridport managed to complete the season, but were not having regular club nights. Several members are said to be joining Dorchester and Weymouth. Club Chairman Malcolm Steevens […]