Congratulations to everyone who played in our fourth Grand Prix rapid tournament this evening.
Another wonderful turn out for this event. This sees us at the half way point in the season and with the top five scores counting towards your seasons total score… it’s all about to get very exciting!
The current standings have all been updated and are available here.
A special congratulations to this evenings overall winner: Andy!
A quick reminder to all our members that the early bird discount for the upcoming Crowborough tournament closes on Monday 19th February. The event takes place on Saturday 24th February at the Crowborough community centre. It’s a 6 round Swiss with a time control of 25+5. (Which is the same as a SJC Grand Prix for our junior members.) There are two sections; a Championship (U2250) section, (though open to Sussex players of any rating), and a Challengers section. (U1600). It’s a great day in a wonderful venue. Highly recommended.
For more information and to book, see the Crowborough Chess Club website.
Many congratulations to Bexhill junior Noah, who travelled to Kent to play in the East Kent Zonal this weekend. He finished on 4/5 and won the under 10 trophy! Fantastic stuff! Well done Noah!
Last weekend, many of our juniors made the long journey over to Horsham for the fifth grand prix event of the Sussex Junior Chess season.
Zac, in the under 11 minor section, started the day off badly with two losses, but came back strong to win three in a row, finishing on 3 from 6 in 11th place.
Eszter, in the same section, also finished on three points and on tie break finished 14th.
In the under 11 major section, Harry unfortunately had to withdraw after two rounds as he was feeling unwell.
In the same section, Noah had a great day, winning 4 from 6 and finishing in 3rd place! Fantastic achievement Noah!
In the incredibly tough under 18 major section, Rose finished on 2.5/6. Sam just above on 3/6 including a draw with 1829.
Luke had another fantastic tournament getting a draw in the last round against the overall winner and finishing on 4.5/6 and 2nd place!
But the day belonged to our Sebastian. Who has been plodding away in the background for many years. Finally, it was his day!
He strolled through his first four games winning them all. Round 5 saw him drawn against a strong opponent. A very tight game developed. Before Sebastian made an epic queen sacrifice to go into a winning position and checkmate followed soon after! An incredibly gutsy move under time pressure!
Finally, on 5/5 going into the last round needing at least a draw, his opponent fell into an opening trap and Sebastian quickly gave checkmate to finish on 6/6 and winning the Under 18 minor section!
Many congratulations Sebastian! A well deserved and hard earned achievement that should serve as a lesson to all the children who find themselves in a plateau and feeling a lack of progression. If you keep going, one day you will also have your day!!
Many congratulations to ALL the Bexhill players. One more GP to go in Worthing in May!
Our six man team made the short journey to play Hastings in the McArthur Cup on Sunday 4th February.
Our team, in board order was Andy, Andrew, Leo, Bill L, Michael Hayward and myself.
The match was very tight even though we were out rated on all six boards, in two cases by over 200 points.
Eventually there were 5 draws but we lost one game and hence the match by 3.5 to 2.5.
Many thanks to all members of the team who competed so well against a formidable Hastings team
Bill
On Friday 2nd February Bexhill played in the Paul Watson trophy at home to Uckfield. Our team in board order was Andy, Andrew, Janis and Sharon.
Andrew was first to finish. In a tight position and with it looking good for Bexhill on all boards, he agreed a draw.
Next to finish was Sharon. Playing someone 260 points higher rated, she played a great game and managed to get up an exchange. Her experienced opponent fought back, and despite being up she came under time pressure and lost back the exchange. Eventually she saw out a drawn king and pawn endgame to secure the half point for Bexhill.
Next to finish was Janis. His superior play took him into a winning game and Bexhill took the win!
At 2 to 1, it all hinged on board one, as a win for Uckfield and a 2-2 result would see them go through on board count. Andy initially looked strong going two pawns up. But his opponent fought back and went into a rook endgame eventually two pawns to none. With both players low on time, it was incredibly tense with both teams watching with bated breath.
Just as it looked as though the Uckfield player was about to break through, the flag fell and he lost on time. A savage loss.
This means the overall score was 3-1 to Bexhill and we progress to the semi-finals!
Well done Bexhill!
On Friday 2nd February we played a friendly match V Bexhill 6th Form College. Our team, in board order was Bill L, Michael Hayward, Bill Tracey, Rose, Tony and David Pratt.
I was the first to finish. My opponent unfortunately made a couple of errors early on which let me
gain a strong advantage and led to a quick win.
Rose was next to finish. Playing for the senior section of the club for the 1st time she played confidently
and accurately and overwhelmed her opponent.
David continued the theme and proved too strong for his opponent.
Tony had a very competitive game and eventually he agreed a draw with his opponent.
Michael, seemed to have his game under control but things took a turn for the worse and a piece down he resigned.
Bill on one had a titanic struggle. He made a bold sacrifice which put his opponent under huge pressure
to the extent that her King was on the 7th rank with no squares to move to. She defended very very well but with both players under huge time pressure and no increments, her clock ran out while Bill had 4 seconds left!
The afternoon was very enjoyable and all of us, except Bill , played at least 2 matches.
The final score was Bexhill 4.5 Bexhill College 1.5
On Friday 26th February our 2nd team entertained Crowborough 2
in Division 2 of The Sussex League.
Our team, in board order was Leo, Steve B, Bill L and Steve M.
Unfortunately our opponent’s board one thought the match was at Crowborough! So Leo did not get a game
Steve M was first to finish. He took full advantage of his opponents desire to pinch a couple of pawns whilst Steve developed and eventually overwhelmed his young opponent and won in good style.
Bill on 3 fought hard but going into the end game was a Bishop down and this proved decisive.
Steve B on 2 became involved in a long, complex and exciting game. We just needed a half from this game to win the match, which Steve was clearly aware of, but he pushed hard for the win, keeping me on tenterhooks!
Eventually with a draw looking the most likely result Steve offered the draw and his opponent who was in time trouble agreed.
Final score Bexhill 2.5 Crowborough 2 1.5
On Thursday 18th January, our fourth team travelled to Haywards Heath to take on their third team.
Our team in Board order was Jo, Sam, Sebastian and Sharon.
Sharon was first to finish. A very steady and even opening progressed to a very tight and even middle game. Sharon was offered a draw, and being low on time, made the decision to secure the half point for the team.
Sebastian on board three was next to finish. Initially he went up an exchange, but some great play in the middle game from his opponent meant he had to give back the exchange and with the weaker pawn structure, eventually went into a losing endgame.
Sam on board two played a great game. He got a pawn up in the opening and played a solid middle game taking his one pawn advantage into the end game and playing some accurate moves in the endgame to give Bexhill the win!
Last to finish was Jo on board 1. It was very tight all the way through. With both players low on time and a very closed end game with no way through in sight, they agreed a draw.
Final score: 2-2.
Many thanks to Jo for driving and thanks to Chris for your hospitality.
On Friday the 19th January, our 1st team made the short journey to Eastbourne to take on their 1st team.
Our team was Mark, Janis, Leo and Steve Blewitt.
On board 1 Mark faced a strong player who played a very unorthodox opening as black. e4 a6, d4 b5 even with Mark’s vast experience he was now out of book!
A tight game followed and on move 26 with the game very close a draw was agreed.
On board 2 Janis played very well and pushed hard for the win but settled for a draw against an opponent who out rated him by 120 points.
On board 3 Leo, playing his first match of the season, really rose to the challenge and won against an opponent who out rated him by 130 points.
On board 4 Steve Blewitt stepped in at short notice when Andy who would have played on board 2 was forced to withdraw due to illness. This was always going to be tough for Steve as he had been working all day and unfortunately his opponent got the better of him.
Final score Eastbourne 2 Bexhill 2
This draw does give us a glimmer of hope in the battle to avoid relegation, particularly as we are still to play the two teams that are currently the bottom 2 teams in the league.