Games played by club members in the 2018-19 season

25. Bedford Championship decider

In a thrilling final game Steve Ledger needed only to draw with Richard Bodily to clinch the Bedford Chess Club Championship.  After missing a good line in the middle game Steve found himself in a losing endgame. As usual he defended stoutly and in the end it was the clock that forced Richard to repeat moves and agree a draw. Preliminary analysis by Fritz strongly suggests that Richard maintained a winning advantage right to the end, but the correct line from the final position involves a bold piece sacrifice to force through the K-side united passed pawns.

24. Kingside attacks are quicker

Ravi scores a full point to help Bedford A beat MK.

23. James shares top spot in EACU Championship

Our own James Gardener continued his impressive season by sharing first place, with John Anderson and Graham Moore, at the EACU Closed Championship.

He shares a couple of his games.

22. EACU success

Another winning game from James.

21. Exploiting pawn weaknesses

Mindaugus demonstrates.

20. If you can’t castle…

Richard makes the most of a direct attack against the Sicilian.

19. The pendulum swings

Richard seizes on his opponents inaccuracy.

18. Derby captains clash

This was the last game to finish, with the match score poised at Bedford A 2.5-1.5 Bedford B.

17. More spectators than time

John:- “In my game a dodgy ‘theoretical novelty’ at move 5 led to a decent position where I eventually won a pawn. Disaster struck as I was coasting to victory, with more spectators than time.”


16. Captain’s draw

Paul’s draw  in his team’s match against Milton Keynes B.


15. Petroff novelty

Peter:-  “I have never seen this before. Despite my atrocious play I am publishing it as it may be of interest to other e4 players who enounter the Petroff.”


14. Collacott’s legacy

A number of players commented that they could “retire happily from chess” if they emulated Nick’s achievement here.


13. Missed opportunity

Paul misses a forced mate in a crucial match


12. Smooth endgame play

Steve plays efficiently to save the match.


11. Two mad clergymen

An entertaining encounter


10. Not quite immortal

You know what its like when you sac a rook and knight and go on to a famous victory? - no, nor do I but so nearly ...!?

Many thanks to Qais for provoking me into the attack, defending well and missing his own chances!


9. Ruthless punishment

Well done to Toby for another fine win. His opponent makes a couple of mistakes and is ruthlessly punished for them.


8. More luck than judgment?

My game was fun, though the phrase "more luck than judgment" comes to mind.


7. Clinical on derby top board

Marc faced the daunting prospect of facing Mindaugas on board 1. A Benoni opening saw Marc press on the queenside and a very adventurous venture forward by his queen. Mindaugas clinically wove a net around the monarch and successfully trapped it, winning the game (see below, apologies Marc! - Ed)


6. Welcome back

Gerry's first game back after his sabbatical.


5. European swindle

Hope you all saw my magnificent swindle today (below-Ed) !? One very peed off Estonian who made me mate him with k+q V k.


4. European bad luck

Not gone entirely to plan lately in a couple of bizarre matches. We drew with Grantham yesterday, 3 quiet draws on the top 3 then Dave won a right mess of a game, I recovered from an awful opening to even entertain winning thoughts then messed up a Q ending and got mated with 4Qs on the board.


3. European Cup success

Managed to beat an Irish team yesterday though not as convincingly as it might have been.  Ed - I found Steve's game which I thought looked quite good!?


2. Top draw

Ben and Toby thought that these games may be of interest for the chess club website. They come from the Gibraltar International Junior Chess Festival, in which they have both just participated as part of the National Junior Chess Squad.

Ben's game is a draw, against an opponent of ECF grade of 199. This is his biggest chess result to date.


1. Toby beats a bunch of GM's!

Toby's game is a win over a team of 4 GM's (David Howell, Stuart Conquest, Pia Cramling, and Juan Bellon-Lopez) and an IM (Jovanka Houska), playing in relay against him in a "simultaneous event" [wow! - Ed]. This format probably comes under the category of "fun and interesting" rather than a game to be taken too seriously, but the club members may wish to see it nonetheless.