Coronavirus Consultation Questions and Answers
Question: Why has a Consultation Document been issued now when it is clear that any return to competitive face-to-face chess is neither permitted now nor is it likely to be permitted in the near future? Should we not be doing this exercise when there is more certainty, relevance and clarity? Answer: The Consultation Document […]
Coronavirus Update – Completing the 2019/20 Season – Feedback Received
We have received the following comments regarding the coronavirus consultation. Martin Simons would like to thank all those who have responded. Colin Wilson, Wimborne, 3/7/20 Such is the time lag and ongoing uncertainty that I think it would be difficult to complete this season’s fixtures in a practical or satisfactory way. My view is […]
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
Monday puzzle / game
White to move Kasparov, playing white, has sacrificed an exchange for a pawn to reach this position. A quick glance gives the impression that black’s king is in trouble and there are a number of promising candidate moves for white. However, in fact only one move wins. Can you find it? Solution
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.
All bulletins
———————————————- (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 […]
Puzzle / Game of the day
Black to move White is threatening Rb8. How does black get his punch in first? Solution
Puzzle / Game of the day
Black to move White is threatning to take the black bishop on c2. How should black respond? Solution
Puzzle / Game of the day
Black to play and draw Black only has one move to save this position. Solution
Puzzle / game of the day
White to move Can you find mate in 5 against all defences? No prizes for the first move – it’s the second one that is harder to spot! Solution
Puzzle / Game of the day
White to play A famous position from an Alekhine game but still a joy to look at and it may be new to some readers. How does white win quickly? Solution
Talbot Heath School Recognises Chess Achievements
Talbot Heath has posted on its Facebook Page the achievements of Larissa Cuthbert and Florence Spirling at the Dorset Junior championships. Well done girls.
Black to play
55th Dorset Open Congress, 16-18 October 2020, Bournemouth
B&DCL Handicap Knock-out final is Highcliffe v Purbeck; clubs have agreed on Mon 3 June
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 […]
“Chess Knights” initiative running at Dorchester Library & Learning Centre & began 5 March ’19
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 […]
25 Feb: Derek Chaffey wins Highcliffe Quickplay (handicap + time increments) 5/6
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”
4NCL – Wessex A narrowly lose to fellow relegation pool candidates Guildford
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 […]
ECF 1 Jan ’19 grades now on the ECF website – for games played up to 30 Dec
Many thanks to Richard Ursell for the prompt!
21 Dec: Southbourne Christmas Handicap has record entry for “fun & enjoyment” – Len Laker wins with 5.5/6 & is also ahead on mince pies
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 […]
Organiser Ian Clark reflects on a very successful 53rd Dorset Congress
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 […]
Wanted: a chess team! Please apply to Keith Gregory
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 […]
Michael Duggan wins Southbourne Summer Blitz in style
Poole’s Michael Duggan (pictured above) scored an excellent 5/6 to win the Summer Blitz and earn £30 ahead of 18 competitors, who were undeterred in was Friday the 13th (July). Organiser Martin Simons commented “…Michael Duggan (Poole) played exceptionally well, remained undefeated and was a deserved winner”. Some other very good performances, including James Forster […]
Eric Sachs takes part in 1st Belgrade Open (Air) Congress and draws enthusiastic spectators
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
Poole A 1 Wimborne A 3, County Div 1; Wimborne become County Champions!
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 […]
Wessex triumph over 4NCL Bank Holiday weekend & are promoted; 3-3 draw with nearest challengers Brown Jack 1
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. […]
Southbourne 1.5 Poole B 2.5, County Div 3; Southbourne compete strongly, but Poole now 3 points ahead & championship beckons
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 […]
Wimborne E 3 Southbourne D 1, B&DCL Div 4; 4 teams challenging for championship, only 2 points apart
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 […]
Ringwood 3 Dorchester A 1, County Div 1; Ringwood move up table to 3rd
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 […]
Southbourne 3 Wimborne 3, Team Handicap Knock-Out Cup; Wimborne advance to final – see Martin’s latest report
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 […]
Wimborne A 3 Weymouth A 1, County Div 1; Wimborne consolidate their 2nd place in table
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
German schoolboy Vincent Keymer achieves highest rated performance in history by U14 year old
The Guardian newspaper has reported (April ’18) on a brilliant tournament performance by 13 year old German chess prodigy Vincent Keymer. Many thanks to Brian Lose, who is the inspiration behind the growth of chess at Highcliffe School, for sending this link to Eric Sachs: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/apr/06/schoolboy-vincent-keymer-wins-grenke-open
Eric Sachs reports on latest rounds in Senior Inter-Schools Chess
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
Wessex enjoy 4NCL success at weekend with 2 wins and are 2nd in Div 3 Promotion Pool
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
Dorchester 3 Poole 3, Handicap Cup Semi-Final; Poole come from behind to win another Handicap thriller
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 […]
Ringwood A 2.5 Weymouth A 1.5, County Div 1; Ringwood secure inaugural win
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
Results & Comments on ECF LMS
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 […]
