Author: Lawrence Rhodes

Bexhill Juniors recently competed successfully at the British Championship tournaments at St George’s Hall Liverpool. It was a prestigious venue and a vast field of competition.

LUKE CHAPMAN played in the Rapid u-16 , finishing in 6th place ( having started ranked 9th) with a score of 5/9. Here is his game against the tournament winner, who vastly out-rated him. After Luke’s speculative aggessive opening counter-attack which gave White good chances, in the complex tactical battle which followed, White came unstuck and it looked as through Luke could consolidate a clear win, a piece up, and with White in a passive position. Maybe it was the time factor that led Luke to go for a Rook sacrifice and perpetual check.

Editor – I’m now having problems with Fritz copying and inserting diagrams into this website page, so my apologies

British Ch. – Rapid u-16
2025.08.01
Round 5
White Badacsonyi, Stanley
Black Chapman, Luke
Result 1/2-1/2
Annotator – FRITZ program
ECO A04
White Elo 2343
Black Elo 1830

1. Nf3 f5 2. d3 d6 3. e4 e5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. exf5 Bxf5 6. d4 e4 7. Nh4 Bg4 8. Be2 {White is better.} Bxe2 9. Qxe2 d5 10. Bg5 {Black must now prevent Bxf6.) Bb4 11. Qb5+! Nc6 12. Qxb7 (White is more active.) Nxd4 ({Black should play} 12… Kd7) 13. O-O-O (13. O-O Qb8 14. Qa6 (14. Qxb8+ Rxb8 15. Bxf6 Bxc3 ( (Remove Defender}) 14… Bxc3 (14… Nxc2 15. Qe6+ Kf8 16. Bxf6 (14… O-O 15. Nxd5 {Decoy} Nxd5 16. Qc4 ) 15. Bxf6 (15. bxc3 Qb5 ) 15… O-O (15… Bxb2 16. Bxd4 Bxd4 17. Qa4+ c6 18. Qxc6+ Kf8 19. Rad1 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 ) (13. Bxf6 gxf6 (13… Nxc2+ 14. Kd1 14. O-O-O Bxc3 15. bxc3) 13… Rb8 (13… Bxc3 {should be considered.} 14. bxc3 Rb8 15. Bxf6 Rxb7 (15… gxf6 16. Qa6 ) 16. Bxd8 Nb5) 14. Bxf6 $16 (14. Nf5) 14… Bxc3 15. Bxd8 (15. bxc3 is forced if you want to stay better.} gxf6 (15… Qxf6 16. Qxb8+ Kd7 17. Qxh8 ) 16. Qa6 (16. Qxa7 Nb5 ) 15… Ne2+ (15… Rxb7 16. bxc3 Nb5 17. Nf5 (17. Rxd5 Nxc3 18. Re5+ Kxd8 17… Nxc3 18. Bg5 (18. Nxg7+ Kxd8 19. Rdf1 Rg8 ) 16. Kb1 Rxb7 17. b3 Kxd8 18. Rxd5+ Kc8 19. Nf5 Bf6 {Inhibits Ne7+.} 20. Rc5 Rd8 {Prevents Nd6+.} 21. h4 Nc3+ {Deflection} 22. Kc1 Rb6 23. Ra5 Ne2+ 24. Kb1 Rd2 {aiming for …Rc6.} 25. Rf1 Rxb3+ {Fritz gives 25…Rc6 or ..Kb7 for a clear win for Black.} 26. cxb3 (26. axb3 Kb7 27. h5) 26… Rb2+ 27. Ka1 Rc2+ (27… Rxb3+ {mates} 28. Re5 Bxe5+ 29. Nd4 Bxd4#) 28. Kb1 Rb2+ (28… Rd2 29. a4 Rb2+ Weighted Error Value: White=0.54/Black=0.23 (precise) An unexpected result. Loses game: White=3 — Mistake: White=1 Black=2 OK: White=10 Black=8 Best: — Black=3 Strong: White=1 —} 1/2-1/2} Rxb3+ $2 {Fritz gives25…Rc6 or ..Kb7 for a clear win for Black.} 26. cxb3 (26. axb3 $16 Kb7 27. h5) 26… Rb2+ 27. Ka1 Rc2+ $2 (27… Rxb3+ {mates} 28. Re5 Bxe5+ 29. Nd4 Bxd4#) 28. Kb1 Rb2+ (28… Rd2 19 {( -> …Rb2+)} 29. a4 Rb2+ 30. Ka1 Nf4) 29. Ka1 {0 Weighted Error Value: White=0.54/Black=0.23 (precise) An unexpected result. Loses game: White=3 — Mistake: White=1 Black=2 OK: White=10 Black=8 Best: — Black=3 Strong: White=1 — 1/2-1/2
2. Here is Luke’s choice of his best standard play game at the event, a deep Q sacrifice which achieves a draw by perpetual check

Chapman, Luke (1921) – Gunatilake, Vinuda (1851)
2025 British Chess Championships: Weekday AM Open (Holiday Inn Liverpool), 06.08.2025

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.a4 e6 6.e5 d6 7.Bb5 dxe5 8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.fxe5 f5 10.OO Ba6 11.Re1 Ne7 12.d4 cxd4 13.Nxd4 Kf7 14.Bg5 Re8 15.Kh1 Rc8 16.b4 h6 17.Bxe7 Rxe7 18.b5 Bb7 19.bxc6 Bxc6 20.Ncb5 Bxb5 21.axb5 Rd7 

22.Nc6 Rxd1 23.Rexd1 Qh4 24.Rxa7+ Kf8 25.h3 Qg3 26.b6 Bxe5 27.Nxe5 Qxe5 28.b7 Rb8 29.Rd7 Ke8 30.Rh7 Kd8 31.Ra8 Qe1+ 32.Kh2

1/2-1/2

ROSE BECOMES u-14 JUNIOR CHAMPION

Here is Karen’s account of Rose’s experience at Liverpool :

“It was a great experience. She was happy with her win against Shreyas as he’d beaten her during round 2 of the U-1750 She got 3 points in the U-14 and 3.5 in the U-1750.

It was good to see so many girls at the British and Sussex girls doing well,. Only Rose and Spriha Punjabi came away with titles for Sussex…”

..”St George’s hall was a spectacular venue, a beautiful hall to play in and importantly, the chairs were comfortable. The players were pleasant and the tournament was well-organised with everything running to time. We spent well over an hour chatting to Thalia Holmes who won TV’s Chess Masters earlier this year. She went through her games with Rose and showed her some behind the scenes photos and gossip.”

Here is Rose’s Game against Shreyas

Burgess, Rose (1598) – Pasupulety, Shreyas (1648)
2025 British Chess Championships: Under 14 (St George’s Hall in Liverpool), 08.08.2025

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4 Bf5 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 h6 6.Bd3 Ne4 7.Bxe4 dxe4 8.Nd2 e6 9.Ncxe4 b6 10.a3 Nd7 11.h3 Ra7 12.O-O g5 13.Bh2 Bg6 14.Nc3 f5 15.Nc4 h5 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.Bxe5 Rh7 18.f3 Bh6 19.Re1 Bg7 20.Bxg7 Rxg7 21.f4 g4 22.hxg4 Qh4 23.g5 Rd7 24.Qf3 Rd6 25.b4 b5 26.a4 c6 27.Re2 Rh7 28.axb5 cxb5 29.Qa8+ Ke7 30.Rxa6 Rd7 31.Nxb5 Qg4 32.Qc6 Bf7 33.Qc5+ Ke8 34.Ra8+ Rd8 35.Rxd8+ Kxd8 36.Qd6+ Ke8 37.Nc7#

1-0

Rose has commented : ” I went to Liverpool intending to claim the U14 girls British Champion title and I’m chuffed to bits to achieve it.”

Congratulations Rose !

_______________________________

Luke Chapman, on Friday 15 Aug , showing his sweeping successes this year have been no ‘fluke‘, capped off the season with his final trophy – for 1st place in the Annual club Blitz tournament, with a stunning 4.5/5.

In 2nd place was James Lumsden with 4/5 who was also presented this year’s Mid-Sussex tankard for the outstanding player in the second division. Congratulations James!

James pictured earlier this year :

With a great score, in 3rd place was Janis Petersens, who was also adept in handling the bespoke laptop installed for such efficient tournament control! And credit to Jo Carthew, edged out on tie-break also on 3.5

Well done to all for a great competition, and with thanks especially to Bill Tracey for the organisation. It was good to welcome a strong visitor from the West Midlands, John Wrench, who added an extra edge to the battles.

Here is the final crosstable :

Editor – In the next few days I will be posting games/ key positions from Luke’s and Rose Burgess’ performance in the recent British Championship in Liverpool, so don’t leave it too long before you log on to us again.

FRIDAY 1 AUGUST

See also our Events Page and Calendat.

Here is Bill Tracey’s welcome message :

This Friday, 1st August, sees the 4th of our 5 Summer events, namely the Head and Hand tournament.

For those not familiar with this, it is a pairs game. One of the pair is the Head and one is the Hand.

The Head will name a piece to be moved but only in very general terms for example by saying Pawn,

the Hand will then move a pawn that he/she thinks is the one that the Head had in mind.

There is no need to pre enter, just turn up on the night.

We will start at 7.30pm so please arrive in good time to be paired.

Time control will be 12 plus 3 and, depending on numbers there will be 4 rounds.

Hope to see you Friday.

Bill

HEADS UP, HANDS ON…..

ROSE BURGESS – Congratulations!

Here is Karen Burgess’ report :

The English Women’s Championships took place in Kenilworth from 18th – 21st July and Rose took part in the u1700 section.

The atmosphere was notably calm and friendly with no drama!

Rose lost against top seed with a blunder and a lesson learned, which cost her the tournament but she settled with second place with 5.5/7

She is already looking forward to next year.

Here is her fine game from round 5 as annotated by Fritz 19 chess program – Editor

Event English u-1700 Womens Tournament
Date 2025.07.24
Round 5
White Burgess, Rose
Black Royce, Anastasija
Result 1-0

Annotator : Fritz 19

1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 e6 3. Bf4 Nf6 4. Nb5 Bd6 (…Na6 is ‘book’) 5. Nxd6+ cxd6 6. e3 h6 7. h3 Nc6 8. Nf3 {White is slightly better.} Qc7 9. Be2 e5 10. Bh2 Bf5 11. c3 a6 12. O-O O-O 13. a3 b5 (13… Rac8 ) 14. Re1 (14. a4 ) 14… Rfd8 (14… Rab8 ) 15. Rc1 (15. dxe5 Nxe5 (15… dxe5 16. a4) 16. a4) 15… Qe7 16. Ra1 (White should try16. a4 ) 16… Nh7 (16… Qc7 {keeps the balance.) 17. Qb3 Be4 (Black should play 17… Na5 18. Qd1 (18. Qxd5 Nf6 19. Qa2 Be6 20. Qb1 (20. c4 Nxc4) 20… Nb3) 18… e4) 18. Nd2 (18. a4 ) 18… Na5 19. Qa2 Qe6 (19… exd4 20. exd4 (20. cxd4 Nf6 ) 20… Qb7 (20… Bxg2 21. b4 =))

20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. Qxe6 fxe6 22. dxe5 (22. a4 ) 22… dxe5 (22… d5 23. a4 Nb3) 23. Bxe5 Nb3 24. Rad1 Rd2 (24… Nd2 25. a4 bxa4) 25. Rxd218 Nxd2 26. Rd1 Rd8 (26… Nc4 27. Bxc4 bxc4) 27. Bd4 Nb3 28. Bb6 Rd5 29. Kf1 2 (29. Rxd5 is more deadly, exd5 30. h4) 29… Nf6 (29… Rxd1+ 30. Bxd1 Nd2+ 31. Ke1 Nc4) 30. Ke1 Rxd1+ 31. Bxd1 Endgame KBB-KNN. White is a pawn up. Nc1 32. Bc2 Nd3+ 33. Bxd3 exd3 KB-KN. White is a pawn up. 34. Kd2 Nd7 35. Ba7 Ne5 36. b3 Against Nc4+ Nc6 37. Bb6 Ne5 38. f4 Nc6 39. Kxd3 Kf7 40. c4 bxc4+ 41. Kxc4 g6 42. Kc5 Ne7 43. e4 Ke8 44. Bc7 Kd7 45. Bd6 aiming for Bxe7. Nc8 46. e5 Na7 47. a4 (47. b4 Nb5 48. a4) 47… Nc6 48. b4 Nd8 49. b5 Nb7+ 50. Kb6 Nxd6 51. exd6 axb5 52. Kxb5 {Threatening mate with Kc5. Kxd6. KP-KP. White is a pawn up. 53. Kb6 g5 54. a5 (54. fxg5 hxg5 55. a5 e5 56. a6 e4 57. a7 Ke5 58. a8=Q (58. a8=B Kd4 $18) 58… Kd4 59. Qd8+ Ke5 60. Qxg5+ Kd4 61. Qc5+ Kd3 62. Qd5+ Ke3 63. Kc5) 54… gxf4 {K3P-K3P} 55. a6 White mates. e5 56. a7 Kd5 57. a8=Q+ Kd4 58. Qf3 e4 59. Qxf4 Kd3 60. Qh4 e3 61. Qe1 Weighted Error Value: White=0.42/Black=0.72 Loses game: — Black=1 Missed win: White=1 — Mistake: White=5 Black=8 Inaccurate: White=2 Black=2 OK: White=17 Black=9 Best: White=1 — 1-0

Given for the 2024-25 season on Friday 18 July

The overall winner – LUKE CHAPMAN What an achievement this is! – on top of the Club Championship and team matches, plus international and County team events. ( Thank you , Sharon ( in the background) presenting )

The Grand Prix is Rapidplay, comprising 4 short, sharp (nationally rated) matches at the club on each of 10 Friday evening events over one season.

Not everyone awarded a prize could be present at this event, held on the same evening as Mark’s Simultaneous Display.

See the full tournament results on the Grand Prix page on this website.

Prizes were also given to the top 3 in each rated section and the top 3 overall.

James Lumsden – U-1800 winner and overall no 2 . One tough, talented cookie!

Bill Tracey – U-1800 Loyalty personified and with a fearsome quick-thinking skill.

Janis Petersons, who also won a loyalty award, was unable to attend. Janis was overall tournament no.3

Sam Merchant – Winner U-1600 section, an amazing, well-deserved achievement for such a focussed junior at this level

Bill Luxton – Runner-up in U-1600 section, and with his Loyalty award. Great chess, challenge and determination throughout.

The loyalty award was also awarded to Rose Burgess ( who was unable to attend, taking 2nd place at the English Champiionship Womens’ U-1700 section. ( News on thar to follow)

Harry Morter – Winner of the U-1400 section. Rapidly rising talent in Rapidplay and Standard……

Be afraid, Be Very Afraid!

Loyalty medals for anyone who played in more than 7 events were given, and rating prizes.

15 players – club members and two welcome visitng guests, simultaneously challenged Chess Master player Mark Rich on Friday 18 July. Two hours of concentration and pressure on Mark, resulting in 3 draws ( Luke Chapman, Lawry Rhodes, Ed Booth – pictured R below next to Mark.

Mark judged that Ed had the best game as after 2 hours it still looked a dead draw and awarded a brand new chess book for Ed.

At the end of the session, Mark lost on only two boards against Michael Hayward and Bill Tracey though Bill commented it “only happened as Mark tired and unfortunately blundered his Queen.” If my maths is right that meant Mark had victories over 10 of us.

All smiles from most of the players with Mark

OUR CHAIRMAN – BILL TRACEY

..has just put together a report on a successful tournament our members took part in at Tunbridge Wells. His report follows :

“Here is a brief report on the recent Tunbridge Wells Chess Congress:

Over the weekend of 11th, 12th and 13th July 4 members of our club took part in the Tunbridge Wells Chess Congress.

In the Open section Luke Chapman was only able to play 3 of his 5 matches as he had other sporting commitments on the 13th. As has become his norm he played very well and won 2 of his 3 games only losing to the top seed who was rated 2286. Although down 6 pawns to 5 in the endgame, Luke did have have a chance of a draw but as is so often the case in a tight endgame one wrong move can be enough to settle the game.

Michael Hayward, Bill Luxton and myself entered the u1900 section

Michael Hayward had a very solid tournament scoring 2.5 from a possible 5.

In one game his analysis  showed that he had played at 96% accuracy over 23 moves for a fine win. He eventually finished in 16th place after starting the tournament in 26th place.

I had one of my better tournaments. Based on my ECF rating I started in 28th position in a field of 31 and ended in joint 5th. I had one win, three draws  and a bye which, given my opponents ratings, meant I had a performance rating of 1878 some 340 points above my ECF grade.

Bill ended with 2 points including a fine draw with an opponent who out rated Bill by 220 points. Unfortunately for Bill he lost the battle of Bexhill when he was beaten by Michael!

All 4 of us would definitely recommend this congress to anyone looking to play in a very well run tournament based in a quality facility and only a 45 minute drive from Bexhill.”

______________________________________________

Well Done all who took part ( Editor)

So, by way of giving a wider attention to our members I thought I would feature one of Bill’s wins from the 2023-4 season against me, below

I’m experimenting with a Fritz 19 program which I find very difficult to master. But I’m making some progress. This is also an experiment on my part to feature individuals’ actual play from time to time, incorporating both Fritz’ basic analysis and a diagram. The comments on the game and evaluation at the end are entirely Fritz’! Lert me know what you think of the format, so far. I hope to improve at this, even if my chess doesn’t ( as you will see from the flaws in the real world of club matches)

Event – Bexhill Club Challengers
Date 5/3/2024

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bc4 e6 5. Nc3 Ne7 6. Bb3 Nd7 7. Bf4 e5 (7… a6 ) 8. dxe5 {White is clearly better.} dxe5 9. Bg3 (9. Be3 O-O 10. h4) 9… O-O 10. O-O (10. Qd2 ) 10… b6 (10… Nc6 ) 11. Qe2 a5 12. Rad1 Ba6 13. Bc4 {White has more active pieces.} Bxc4 14. Qxc4 Qc8 (14… c6 15. a4 Qe8) 15. Nb5 c6

(15… g5 16. Nxg5 (16. Nxc7 Ra7 ) (16. Qxc7 Qxc7 {Remove Defender} 17. Nxc7 Rad8 ) 16… Nc5) 16. Nd6 18 Qc7 17. Rd2 Rad8 (17… Nc8 {keeps fighting.) 18. Rfd1 Nc8 (18… Bf6 19. a3 Nc8) 19. Bh4 (19. Nxf7 Intending Nh6+ and mate.} Rxf7 20. Ng5 {Pin) 19… Bf6 (19… Nxd6 $16 20. Rxd6 Nf6 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Rxd8+ Qxd8) 20. Bg5 (Better is 20. Nxf7 b5 21. Qe6 (21. Nxd8+ bxc4 22. Ne6 Qb6 ) 20… Bxg5 (Black should play 20… Nxd6 21. Rxd6 Nc5 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Rxd8+ Bxd8 (23… Qxd8 24. Bd2 ) 21. Nxg5 Nxd6 22. Rxd6 {Hoping for a4!. )Nc5 (22… b5 23. Qxc6 Qxc6 24. Rxc6 Nb8) 23. Rxd8

Black resigned

Weighted Error Value: White=1.00/Black=1.52 Loses game: — Black=3 Missed win: White=1 — Mistake: White=2 Black=6 Inaccurate: White=3 — OK: White=3 Black=4 Best: White=1 – 1-0

IF ANY MEMBERS WANT TO SHOW A PARTICULAR GAME OF YOURS OR AN ENGAGING POSITION, PLEASE FORWARD TO ME AT :

lawryrhodes@yahoo.co.uk

LET’S MAKE THIS WEBSITE A SHARED EFFORT,

OUR WORKSHOP MAGAZINE.

It’s not every day we get to play against chess Masters. We are fortunate to have one amongst us, and Mark’s taking the 20-1 odds against all-comers – in what’s known as a Simultaneous Display. 20 of us against one. Members playing but guests welcome as observers.

GOOD LUCK!

I MEAN YOU NOT MARK – YOU’LL NEED IT …..

On Friday, evening, we enjoyed a fresh challenge at the club- not tried here before.- Lightning Chess. Make your move on the BUZZER, which sounds every 10 seconds. Sound easy? Great for about the first 7, maybe 10 moves , if your opening knowledge is advanced, but in a complicated middlegame or endgame – not for the faint-hearted. It was a delight to have some guests join us especially for this event. Here are some great photos from Karen and an excellent report from Bill Tracey our chairman, who sacrificed playing to keep tabs on the rest of us.

Bill’s report :

Friday 4th of July saw us host our first ever Lightning competition.

There were 12 entrants which were divided into two groups of roughly equal rating.

The five rounds saw plenty of close and hard fought matches.

In group 1 despite the best efforts of the other 5 entrants Luke emerged victorious with the only 100% record from either group, and as a result progressed into the final.

The other group was rather closer with 4 of the 6 players ending on the same score. After count back, including a coin toss, Steve Blewitt was the winner and progressed to the final to take on Luke.

The final saw some excellent chess from both players, but Luke eventually emerged victorious.

The evening was enjoyed by all and we will aim to hold another Lightning event next year.

Particular thanks go to Karen and Rose for supplying some wonderful home made cakes ( pics by Karen ) which went down very well with all of us.

Do I really want a sugar rush after this!

Speed chess but not as you know it!

10 seconds to make each move.

Play on the buzzer