Author: Lawrence Rhodes

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

An opportunity has arisen for a schools chess tutor in this area. This is a re-post via our Secretary with the details for anyone interested.

From: ajwallace@chessinschools.co.uk <ajwallace@chessinschools.co.uk>
Sent: 24 June 2025 09:20
To: HastingsChessClub@outlook.com <HastingsChessClub@outlook.com>
Subject: Chess in Schools

I am the regional organiser for the charity Chess in Schools and Communities. Please do take a look at our website to see the work we do in state schools and elsewhere:

https://www.chessinschools.co.uk/become-a-tutor

We currently have a school in Hastings very interested in our chess programme offering lessons in curriculum time. However we currently have no tutor in the area and are urgently seeking one for September.

If you know of anyone who might be interested in becoming a tutor (on a paid or voluntary basis) please do get in touch with me for more information.

Kind regards,

Andrew Wallace

Regional Organiser, Sussex

And a cracking start it was with the Time Handicap Tournament on Friday 20 June, and event which did not go un-noticed by the English Chess Federation – thanks to great publicity efforts on our behalf by Karen Burgess :

Here is Bill Tracey’s Tournament report on this very successful event :

Friday 20th of June saw the first of our Summer club tournaments, the Time Handicap .

Although the entry numbers were lower than hoped, the standard was high and many very competitive games were played. 

The time control was 7 minutes each if the players were in the same rating group, but some of the matches saw a time difference of 3 minutes to 11 minutes in favour of the lower rated player.

Some of the higher rated players were sorely tested by the handicap with one game that finished in a draw with the higher rated player down to 19 seconds, whilst another saw the higher rated player win with 2 seconds left.

All the games were played without increments.

After the completion of five rounds four players were tied for 3rd place on 11 points, these were

Rose, Harry, James and Michael Hayward.

In second place with only 1 loss and on 13 points was Luke.

In top spot with 4 wins and a draw, V Michael was Mark Rich.

So congratulations to Mark and thanks to all who took part.

Our next event is the Lightning Tournament on Friday 4th July.

SO PLEASE CHECK OUR EVENTS Page and CALENDAR Page on this website for details of upcoming events. In brief these are :

4 July LIGHTNING CHESS

18 July SIMULTANEOUS DISPLAY by MARK RICH

1 August HEAD AND HAND TOURNAMENT

15 August BLITZ TOURNAMENT

Look out on the WhatsApp group also, or arrange among yourselves, to use the public Chess Tables on the Seafront. Just make sure the pieces are weighted in the event of wind! Maybe bring a picnic!

---

See our CHAMPIONSHIP page on this website for full tournament crosstables, provided by our Controller Sharon Merchant.

After a season of intense competition – many congratulations to our Championship tournament winner this year :

LUKE CHAPMAN with a score 6/7.

Runners up – congratulations to :

in 2nd place STEVE BLEWITT with 4.5/7

in 3rd place HOWARD TEBBS with 4/7

In the CHALLENGERS tournament, a fine victory was achieved by :

PHIL SWAIN with a score of 7/9

He was followed closely in joint 2nd by BILL TRACEY and MICHAEL HAYWARD on 6.5/9

Winning the GORDON CUP, an excellent achievement by :

HARRY MORTER scoring 8/9

In close pursuit were DAVID PRATT with 7.5/9

and M IKE CHAPMAN with 6/5/9

CHECK our GRAND PRIX page on this website for the season’s final GP10 and overall outcomes with full crosstables.

The season’s winner is LUKE CHAPMAN

Here is the very last game of this season’s Grand Prix, in the words of James Lumsden – a “double Bill” ( Bill Luxton – L and Bill Tracey – R, overseen by Sharon – L and Janis – R

OUR THANKS TO SHARON FOR CO-ORDINATING ALL THESE EVENTS and to all who took part in successfully completing the many fixtures, on time, and throughout an exceptionally busy and competitive season.

We hope to celebrate these outcomes at a prize-giving soon.