Games played by club members in the 2021-22 season

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Division 1 action

James and Richard take it to the wire.

   [Event "Bedford Division 1"] [Date "2022.03.17"] [White "James Gardner"] [Black "Richard Bodily"] 1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Be7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 8. Be3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Be6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 9. Nd5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bxd5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 10. exd5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nbd7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 11. O-O {[%clk 0:00:00]} O-O {[%clk 0:00:00]} 12. c4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Ne8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 13. Rc1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} f5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 14. f4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} a5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} (14… b6 {is better to deter white's expansion}) 15. fxe5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} dxe5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 16. c5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} a4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 17. Nd2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bg5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 18. Bxg5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qxg5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 19. Rc3 {allows Nxc5 equalising which we both missed, Nf3 is better[%clk 0:00:00]} e4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 20. c6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} bxc6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 21. dxc6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nb6 {[%clk 0:00:00]}c7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rc8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 23. Qc2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rxc7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 24. Nxe4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} fxe4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 25. Rxf8+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Kxf8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 26. Rxc7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qe3+ {a useful intermezzo forcing Kh1 as Kf1 allows Qf4+[%clk 0:00:00]} 27. Kh1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nxc7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 28. Qxc7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qxe2 {engines have this as drawn but it is much easier to play as Black, James offered a draw here[%clk 0:00:00]}29.Qd6+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Kf7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 30. Qc7+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Ke8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 31. Qb8+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Ke7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 32. Qxb6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qe1+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} 33. Qg1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qd2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 34. Qc5+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Ke6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 35. Qc6+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Ke5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 36. Qb5+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Kf4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 37. g3+ {the final mistake, letting the king in[%clk 0:00:00]} Ke3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 38. Qc5+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Ke2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 39. Kg2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} e3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 40. Qh5+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Ke1+ {an interesting final move, discovered check by the king[%clk 0:00:00]} *

Ledgers in Prague

Steve Ledger and his brothers played at the Prague International Chess Festival. He had an especially good win in the first round against a strong Polish FM.

   [Event "Prague International Chess Festival"] [Date "2022.06.10"] [Round "1"] [White "Ledger, Steve"] [Black " Zylka Stanislaw  (POL) 2374"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A44"] [Annotator "Bodily,Richard"] [PlyCount "69"] [TimeControl "240+2"]    1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c5 2. d5 e5 3. g3 d6 4. c4 f5 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Bg2 g6 7. e4 Bg7 8. Nge2 O-O 9. O-O Na6 10. f4 exf4 { Better Nxe4} 11. Bxf4 Ng4 12. Qd2 Nc7 13. Rae1 b5 14. Bg5 Qe8 15. h3 Ne5 16. cxb5 Nxb5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. g4 Bd7 {Nxc3 or Bd3 is better. This loses control of e4 which white now exploits} 19. Rxf8+ Qxf8 20. Rf1 Qe8 {Not a great square as the game progresses} 21. Ne4 Nc4 22. Qf4 Nd4 23. Nxd4 Bxd4+ 24. Kh1 Ne3 25. Re1 Nxd5 {White is winning now after this} 26. Nf6+ Nxf6 27. Rxe8+ Rxe8 28. Bxf6 Re1+ 29. Kh2 Bg1+ 30. Kg3 Re3+ 31. Kh4 h6 32. Qxh6 Bf2+ 33. Kg5 Re5+ 34. Bxe5 Be3+ 35. Bf4 {1-0} 1-0

Never give up

Marc shows a never say die attitude!

  [Event "2nd 4NCL Easter Congress"] [Date "2022.04.17"] [Round "?"] [White "Marc Obi "] [Black "James McDonnel"] [Result "*"] [WhiteElo "1921"] [BlackElo "1929"]   e4 c5 2. Nc3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} d6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 3. f4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} e6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 4. Nf3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 5. Bc4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} g6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 6. O-O {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bg7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 7. d3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nge7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 8. Qe1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nd4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 9. Nb5 $2 {I forgot my queen was no longer on d1, now I will not even be down an exchange but by a full rook[%clk 0:00:00]} Nxc2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 10. Qf2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nxa1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 11. Be3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} a6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 12. Nxd6+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qxd6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 13. Bxc5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qd8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 14. Rxa1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} O-O {[%clk 0:00:00]} 15. f5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} b5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 16. Qh4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nxf5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 17. Qf2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Ne7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 18. Bb3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bb7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 19. Rf1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rc8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 20. Bb6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qd7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 21. Ng5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rc6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 22. Be3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} f6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 23. Nf3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Kh8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 24. d4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rcc8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 25. Qh4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Ng8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 26. Qh3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rfe8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 27. d5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qe7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 28. Nh4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bh6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 29. Bxh6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nxh6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 30. Nxg6+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} hxg6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 31. Qxh6+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qh7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 32. Qf4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} f5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 33. Rf3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qg7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 34. exf5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} g5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 35. Rh3+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Kg8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 36. Qd2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rcd8 $2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} (36… exf5 {was necessary to maintain any advantage but black has time troubles}) 37. d6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Kf8 {black is imploding!} $4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 38. fxe6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qe5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} e7+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Kg7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 40. exd8=Q {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rxd8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 41. Qc3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qxc3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 42. Rxc3 {winning[%clk 0:00:00]}

County championship final round action

Paul makes the most of some good fortune in an interesting final round game

   [Event "Bedfordshire Championship"]   [Site "?"]   [Date "2022.05.14"]   [Round "6"]   [White "Habershon, Paul"]   [Black "Matthews, Adrian"]   [Result "1-0"]   [PlyCount "71"]   {Towards the end of this game Black misses a few winning lines when short of   time. A typical amateur dogfight.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5.   Bc4 e6 6. f5 Nge7 7. fxe6 fxe6 8. d3 d5 9. Bb3 b5 10. a3 c4 11. Ba2 O-O 12. O-O   Qb6+ 13. Kh1 Bd7 14. Bg5 ({I may have missed a trick on the undefended Bd7 with   } 14. dxc4 bxc4 15. Bxc4) 14... h6 15. Bh4 g5 16. Bf2 Qb7 17. Bc5 Rf7 18. h3 a6   19. Qd2 Qc7 20. Bg1 Raf8 21. Bh2 Qb7 22. Bd6 Bc8 23. exd5 Nd4 24. Bxe7 Nxf3 25.   Rxf3 Qxe7 26. Rxf7 Qxf7 27. dxc4 Be5 28. Ne2 ({Fritz much prefers} 28. Qe3)   28... Qf2 29. Qe1 Qe3 (29... Bxb2 $1 $11) 30. Rd1 Rf2 31. Rd2 Bf4 $2 (31...   Rxg2 $3 32. Kxg2 exd5 33. Qf2 Bxh3+ 34. Kg1 Qxd2 {threat Qd1+} 35. Kh1 bxc4)   32. cxb5 axb5 33. dxe6 Bxe6 $4 (33... Bb7 $1 34. Rd8+ Kg7 35. Rd7+ Kf6) 34.   Bxe6+ Qxe6 35. Rd8+ Kg7 36. Qxf2 1-0

Evan steps up

Evan plays board 1 for the D team against the county captain – good things happen!

Evan Lewis, May 4th 2022

   [Event "Leighton Buzzard B vs Bedford D. Beds Division 2, 2021/2022"][Date "2022.05.03"][White "Evan Lewis"][Black "Kevin J Williamson"][Result "1-0"][Termination "Normal"][ECO "D07"][Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense, Modern Gambit"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 (3... dxc4 { If you're wondering the difference between this order and the one played in the game, follow this line. } 4. d5 Na5 5. Qa4+ c6 6. b4 b5 7. Qxa5 Qxa5 8. bxa5 b4 9. dxc6 bxc3 10. Nf3 { Trying to transpose to the line in the main game, however, black hasn't committed themself to Nf6 and so there is more flexibility in black's setup. e6 Ne7 will follow and the c pawn will be rounded up. This is equal. }) 4. Nf3 dxc4 { I knew before the game that Kevin has at least two games in this position, winning the most recent one last year. I was unsure whether had ever seen the next move. My preparation begins here. } 5. d5 { Immediately questioning Black's unorthodox knight placement. } (5. e4 { This seems very natural. } 5... Bg4 { But haven't we just given white a good bishop and the ability to undermine d4? I prefer the line I played in the game. }) 5... Na5 { This move allows white a choice, play e4 and say black has an awkward knight for the rest of the game. The other choice is to enter a sequence of only moves with Qa4+, where black will sacrifice a knight to ruin white's queenside structure. } (5... Nb8 6. e4 { This looks extremely unappealing. }) 6. Qa4+ c6 7. b4 { The knight is trapped and en passant is no good. So the only move is... } 7... b5 { A knight sacrifce! Black's plan is to divert the b pawn, play b4, cxd5 and be better structurally. } (7... cxb3 8. axb3 { You can't allow the A file like this whilst behind in development, black will quickly be overrun. }) 8. Qxa5 Qxa5 9. bxa5 b4 { My opponent said he had never seen anyone play anything but Nd1 in this position. My preparation led me to a game Praggnandha-Dale (2017), where Pragg loses, trying to keep the knight. } 10. dxc6 { So I allow black material equality, accompanied with some problems. Mainly, the c pawns scare nobody, the a pawn is weak and black is behind in development. Black's plan is in ruins and white has aggressive intentions brewing. Equality rests on a knife edge. } 10... bxc3 11. e3 { Does white have an initiative? } 11... Ba6 (11... Be6 { Is an alternative, but looks ridiculous. }) 12. Ne5 { Yes! White is clearly in control. } 12... e6 { I thought for about 10 minutes here and could not, for the life of me, remember if the correct move was Bxc4, Nxc4 or Rb1. My choice is the second engine move but gives any advantage away. } (12... Rc8 13. Rb1!) 13. Bxc4 Bxc4 14. Nxc4 { Outrageously, Stockfish recommends O-O-O and it's only ever been played once according to my database. It's the only reason why Bxc4 is an inaccuracy and I'm unsure if anyone would ever make (or consider) this move without preparation. It looks like strategical death. } 14... Rc8 { Seems natural, the white initiative looks dead in the water but don't be fooled, Rc8 is a paper tiger. The c pawn can be defended tactically. White to move and keep advantage. } (14... O-O-O) 15. Rb1! { The only move. If you're playing black here, this hits you like a cold bucket of water. The white initiative somehow rages on. } (15. Ne5 Bd6 { But don't blunder this trying to defend the pawn. Your initiative evaporates along with your advantage. }) 15... Bc5 (15... Rxc6 { A fairly simple calculation exercise. White to move. }) 16. Rb5 { This move is very important. White's advantage is the initiative. Playing Rb7 too early lets black castle. Forcing the bishop back to e7 to kick it again, wins time for white and stops black castling.If you completed the calculation exercise, Rxc6 is still impossible, even though the diagonal is interposed, the rook on h8 hangs now. } (16. Rb7) 16... Be7 17. Rb7 Bc5 { White just won two plys! This is the same position as move 16 but the rook is on b7 and it's no longer black to move. } (17... Rxc6 18. Ne5 Rc8 19. Rxa7 { Kevin and I spoke about this position after the game and he clearly regretted not playing it. It is probably Black's best try. White stands better, the initiative has somewhat dried up but black needs a few moves to solve their problems. O-O is impossible currently and f7 is weak. White has a better endgame with the outside passers. }) 18. Ba3 { My only inaccuracy. the position goes from +2 to +1. } (18. Ne5 { This is the best move and it's horrifically Karpovian. Follow the line and watch black suffocate. } 18... O-O 19. Nd7 Nxd7 20. cxd7 { Nobody wants to play this. }) 18... Bxa3 19. Nxa3 O-O 20. c7 Nd5 (20... Ne8 21. Rxa7 Nxc7 22. Ke2 { This is probably black's best try. You just have to hope this isn't a losing endgame. }) 21. Nb5 a6 22. e4 { Danger levels again! } 22... axb5?? { A subtle but fatal blunder. En passant was impossible earlier because it opened the A file. This is a blunder for the same reason. } 23. exd5 exd5 24. a6! { This move reminds me of a game I read about: Morphy - Lowenthal (1859). Black's rooks are trapped to the back rank and can't stop the promotion of the A pawn. If you've never seen that game, I suggest you check it out. It's a very beautiful Evans gambit (no, not mine!). } 24... Rfe8+ 25. Kd1 c2+ 26. Kd2 { I prefer this move, (so does the engine interestingly). Kxc2 pins the c pawn and allows checks. Why murky the water? } 26... Re6 27. Rb8 { Black resigns. After Ree8, a7! and you can't stop promotion. This is currently my highest-rated win ever! } 1-0

Marc holds firm

Marc faces the might of Gary Kenworthy and almost scores the full point.

  [Event "Leighton Buzzard A v Bedford B"] [Site "Leighton Buzzard"] [Date "2022.05.03"] [White "Marc Obi"] [Black "Gary Kenworthy"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Title "Marc Obi vs. Gary Kenworthy"]     [Event "Leighton Buzzard A v Bedford B"] [Site "Leighton Buzzard"] [Date "2022.05.03"] [White "Marc Obi"] [Black "Gary Kenworthy"] [Result "1/2-1/2"]   e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O b5 8. Bb3 Nge7 9. Qe2 Ng6 Rd1 Bc5 11. Bg5 f6 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Qxe3 Qe7 14. Rac1 O-O 15. Nd4 Na5 {A losing move by Black} 16. Nd5 Qf7 {Black cannot take the Knight as white will not only recover his pawn but will win the exchange against the rook on a8} 17. Nb6 {A good move, but the best move was 17. Nf5!! since 17…Nxb3 can be met by 18. Nd6 trapping the queen; 17…exf5 is met by 18. Nxf6+ winning the queen and 17…Ne5 while creating breathing room for the queen, loses the bishop to 18. Nd6 Qh5 19. Nb6. I drained so much of my time and found the first two variations but didn’t see the 3rd variation where black loses his bishop} 17… Nxb3 18. Nxb3 Rb8 19. Rc7 Ne5 20. Na5 Qh5 21. f3 d5 22. exd5 22. exd5 23. Nxd5 Kh8 24. Qa7 Bf5 25. Rdc1 Qg5 {my engine really likes 25...Nxf3+ but it's too subtle for me - Ed} 26. Qe3 Qxe3+ 27. Nxe3 Be6 28. Nc6 Rbc8 29. Nxe5 fxe5 30. Rxc8 Rxc8 31. Rxc8+ Bxc8 32. b4 Kg8 33. Kf2 Kf7 34. Nd1 Ke6 35. Nc3 Bb7 1/2-1/2

Toby at the EACU Championships

Toby beats an IM and makes Chess Magazine’s “Find the Winning Move”.

   [Event "EACU Closed champs 2022"] [Site "Newmarket"] [Date "2022.01.08"] [Round "2"] [White "Cox, Toby"] [Black "Bradbury, Neil"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B13"] [WhiteElo "2100"] [BlackElo "2310"] [PlyCount "75"] [EventDate "2021.??.??"] [SourceVersionDate "2022.01.13"]   {[%evp 0,69,19,29,65,74,74,51,37,15,32,5,0,20,26,2,1,-6,-29,-27,-27,-27,-27, -51,-31,-31,-27,-26,-3,-83,-83,-83,-10,-30,-27,-60,-66,-42,-47,-63,-28,-27,-27, -68,-15,-62,3,-15,39,30,61,59,62,62,63,63,71,-11,48,39,73,73,223,245,168,232, 367,0,0,0,637,637]} 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 Be6 7. a3 g6 8. c5 Bg7 9. Bb5 O-O 10. Bxc6 {It's maybe a bit premature to take this, although I don't think it does much harm.} bxc6 11. Nf3 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3   Qxf3 Qb8 14. Qe2 {I think this was just a poor move, it removes the queen from attacking the knight, and doesn't do much else. I should've just castled.} Re8 15. O-O Nh5 16. Qd2 e5 17. g4 Nf6 18. dxe5 Qxe5 19. Rae1 Qc7 20. b4 Nd7 21. Ne2 Re4 22. f3 {I have a dark-square bishop that seems to do the job with plugging the holes on the kingside.} Re6 23. Bf4 Be5 24. Bxe5 Nxe5 25. Nd4 Re7 f4 Nc4 27. Rxe7 Qxe7 28. Qf2 Qd7 {They've played a slow move, it seems like go time.} 29. f5 Re8 30. f6 {I don't see any real benefits to opening the f file, so I might as well push.} Re4 31. Qh4 h5 32. Qg5 Qc7 33. Nf5 Re2 34. Ne7+ (34. Rf4 {This is maybe the only move that prevents the perpetual for black in a couple of moves, while still keeping me in control of the game.}) 34… Kf8 (34… Rxe7 35. fxe7 Qg3+ {I shouldn't have allowed this.}) 35. Nxg6+ fxg6 (35… Ke8 36. Nf4) 36. Qh6+ Ke8 37. f7+ Kd7 38. Qf4 1-0

County action

James represents the county against Cambridgeshire with distinction.

   [Event "County Match"] [Site "Newmarket"] [Date "2022.03.15"] [Round "2"] [White "Norman Hutchinson"] [Black "James Gardner"] [Result "0-1"]   1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 (5... Be7 {main line, botched my opening order again $1}) 6. Bb3 Be7 7. d4 {this is the problem with the opening order mess, now d6  is forced with a miserable queenless middlegame to follow} 7... exd4 $2 (7... d6 8. dxe5 dxe5 9. Qxd8+ Bxd8 $14) 8. e5 $1 Ne4 9. Bd5 Nc5 10. Nxd4 Bb7 11. Nxc6 $2 {throws away all advantage} (11. Nf5 $1 O-O $16 {just a huge initiative for white, computer gives +2 already}) 11... dxc6 {important to gain a tempo on the bishop and open the d file} 12. Bf3 Ne6 {seeking to prevent Qe2 and Rd1, because of Nd4 threat} (12... Qxd1 13. Rxd1 Nd7 14. Re1 O-O-O $15 {best line, so logical when you see it}) 13. Nc3 {too casual, Nd2 much better plan for white} (13. Nd2 O-O 14. Nb3 a5 15. Qxd8 Rfxd8 16. a4 $14) 13... O-O 14. a4 b4 (14... Qd4 {stronger response}) 15. Ne4 $2 {Ne2 better, the knight stands in the way of the bishop now} 15... Qc8 $2 {again Qd4 was better, this was wrong plan, too focussed on playing c5 $1} 16. c3 (16. Bg4 c5 17. Nf6+ Bxf6 (17... gxf6 18. Bf5 $1) 18. exf6 Rd8 $14) 16... c5 17. Qc2 Rd8 18. Be3 Rd5 {a good move in all lines I looked at except in the line Nd2 $1} 19. Ng5 $4 (19. Nd2 Rd8 20. Bxb7 Qxb7 21. f4 $16) 19... Nxg5 20. Bxd5 Bxd5 21. Qd2 $4 {Qd2 hits two pieces at once but sets up a nice winning tactic. Even without the tactics though, black still stands a fair bit better after Qd8} ({had been calculating these f4 lines and looks scary although actually black is significantly better with a few careful steps} 21. Bxg5 Bxg5 22. f4 Be7 23. f5 c4 24. f6 gxf6 25. exf6 Bc5+ 26. Kh1 Qh3 $19) 21... Nf3+ $1 22. gxf3 Bxf3 {mate is unstoppable $1} *

Black to decline a draw and lose

Mr Ledger plays in the London League …

When I first craned my neck over my captain’s shoulder to see who I was playing I thought his name was Dimitri thus, instantly, adding 100 points to his playing strength. I was quite relieved to see it was actually Dimitrios, which sounded Greek to me, so I settled down at
the board to spend 5 minutes trying to mentally subtract 700 from 2066 and divide by 7.5 to work out his proper grade and then try to recall my record against Greeks. A strange calm came over me as I settled on “about 180” and decided I’d beaten a Greek at Hastings in the mid 1990’s and so was somehow destined to win (am I the only one who thinks such irrational thoughts ?).

I had much the better of a draw against a Mongolian IM, again at Hastings in the mid 1990’s, and duffed up a Mexican 200 at the 4NCL a few years back so am desperate to play a compatriot of either, conversely I think I’m 0 from 2 against Albanians and so dread facing one ever again ). Anyway, some chess ….

  [Event "London League"] [Date "2022.02.22"] [White "Ledger"] [Black "Kolomvas"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D00"] [PlyCount "75"] [SourceDate "2022.02.24"] [SourceVersionDate "2022.02.24"]   d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 d5 {One reason I like the London League is because team compositions change regularly, team lists get exchanged 5 minutes before the start and the captains then toss for colours. thus rendering preparation near impossible. These days, however, having taken an 18 month hiatus from chess I struggle to remember what I play let alone what my opponent may play. Anyway, I think I concluded 2 or 3 years back that there's no point playing a Tromp if you don't take the horse on f6 when given the chance to double his pawans. So . ..} 3. Bxf6 exf6 4. e3 Bd6 5. c4 dxc4 6. Bxc4 O-O 7. Nc3 f5 8. Nf3 {Standard stuff so far. Usually black goes for c6 then Nd7, Nf6 and eyes Ne4 at some point. Something different now though.} a6 9. Qc2 b5 10. Bb3 g6 {I decided now that if black could get in Bb7, Nd7 and c5 then I didn't much like my position so I better get on and do something myself.} 11. h4 h5 12. Ne5 {Quite liked this move, threatens Nxg6 so black either has to give up the bishop pair or play something like Kg7 when I must have gained something.} Bxe5 13. dxe5 Bb7 Rd1 Qe7 15. f4 c5 {Thought this was a mistake and the metal monster agrees. I'm plannijg to put something on d5 next move anyway.} 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. Bxd5 Ra7 18. Kf2 {Played pretty quickly as connecting up the rooks, defending e3 etc seemed like a good idea but Stockfish seems to think g4 pretty much wins and it may have a point …. g4 hg h5 seems pretty strong and some idiot hasn't blocked qh2 with his king.} Nd7 19. e4 fxe4 20. Qxe4 Kg7 {OK, time to go for it now, London League is 75 mins plus 15 secs for all the moves and I was down to about 3 mins to his 8.} 21. g4 hxg4 22. h5 {After playing h5 I suddenly got concerned that he had f5 cos after ef he has Q takes and is on the f pawn. However, luckily I then realised I had f5 hg ! …. so fxe4 is met by rh7+ when black can't go Kxg3 cos of Bxe4} c4 (22… f5 23. hxg6 fxe4 24. Rh7+ Kxg6 25. Bxe4+) 23. e6 Qc5+ {Think I got a bit carried away with e6 so time to bale for an endgame.} 24. Qd4+ Qxd4+ 25. Rxd4 Nf6 26. hxg6 fxe6 27. Bxe6 Kxg6 28. Rg1 Rh8 29. Bxg4 {Accompanied by a draw offer. I'm down to 1 minute and a bit to his 5 minutes.Hard to call the ending with my supported passed pawn versus his Q-Side potential.} Rh2+ 30. Kf3 {"Draw?" …. "No Thank You" … "Very well, we shall play on and I shall beat you" Bobby Fisher wasn't it ? Maybe the psychology of the draw offer worked as black plays a terrible move now.} Rxb2 31. Be6+ {and suddenly I'm +4. The black rooks are horribly offside, I reckon at least the knight is dropping which might not be so bad Vs 3 connected pawns but I suspect a mate is lurking as well.} Kh6 32. Bf5 Ne8 {Generously accompanied by a return draw offer. i think not.} 33. Rh1+ Kg7 34. Rh7+ Kf6 35. Rxa7 Kxf5 36. Rxa6 Nf6 37. Rdd6 Ne8 38. Rd5# 1-0

Short and sweet

Here’s a vignette from Ramsey (sorry George).

  [Event "Bedford Division 3"] [Date "2022.02.10"] [White "Ramsey Dairi"] [Black "George Griffiths"] [Result "1-0"]   e4 c6 2. Nf3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} d5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 3. Nc3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} dxe4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 4. Nxe4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 5. Qe2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nxe4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 6. Qxe4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nd7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 7. Bc4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 8. Ne5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nxe4?? (..e6 {looks fine}) {[%clk 0:00:00]} 9. Bxf7# {[%clk 0:00:00]} 1-0

Bashing the Benko

Evan show the importance of knowing sharp openings thoroughly!

  [Event "Bedford D v OU"] [Site "Bedford"] [Date "2021.12.10"] [White "Evan Lewis"] [Black "Steve Wayne"] [Result "1-0"]   d4 Nf6 2. c4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} c5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 3. d5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} b5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 4. cxb5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} e6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 5. Nc3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} g6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 6. Bg5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bg7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 7. e4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} e5 $2 {Black was already in trouble but this looks highly questionable[%clk 0:00:00]} 8. d6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qb6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 9. a4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} a5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 10. Nf3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nh5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 11. Nd5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qb7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 12. Be7 {why wouldn't you![%clk 0:00:00]} f6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 13. Nc7+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Kf7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 14. Bc4+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qd5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 15. Qxd5# {[%clk 0:00:00]} 1-0

Age is no barrier

Ramsey’s first over the board game at the club goes well…

  [Event "Bedford Division 3"] [Site "Bedford"] [Date "2021.12.02"] [Round "1"] [White "Ramsey Dairi"] [Black "Andy Evans"] [Result "1-0"] [Title "Ramsey, Dairi vs. Andy, Evans (1577)"] [BlackElo "1577"]     e4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} e5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 2. Bc4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 3. Nc3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} d6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 4. h3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 5. d3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Be7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 6. Nf3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} h6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 7. Be3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} O-O {[%clk 0:00:00]} 8. O-O {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bd7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 9. Qd2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Na5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 10. Bb3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nxb3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 11. axb3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bc6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 12. Ne2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} a6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 13. Ng3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bd7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 14. d4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} exd4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 15. Bxd4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qc8 {so far, so good on both sides but I think this and Black's next queen move may be inaccurate[%clk 0:00:00]} 16. Rfe1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Be6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 17. Rac1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} (17. Nh4 {looks promising}) 17… Re8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 18. c4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} b6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 19. b4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} a5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 20. c5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qa6 {Black's king starts to look a little lonely[%clk 0:00:00]} 21. cxb6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} cxb6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} (21… c5 {to mix things up a bit might be a better shot}) 22. Rc6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} (22. Rc7 {with the idea of choping on e7 and f6 and going for the King is the computer's favourite but Ramsey's approach makes sense}) 22… Rab8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 23. e5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} dxe5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 24. Rxe5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bxb4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 25. Qe3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nd7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} (25… Nd5 {and it's probably Black that's winning!}) 26. Re4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} (26. Rexe6 $1 fxe6 27. Bxg7 $1 Kxg7 28. Nf5+ $1 {looks a lot of fun but not too sure how many players are finding that!}) 26… Bc5 $2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} (26… Bf8 {perhaps, to try to bolster the kingside is a better try; the move played drops a piece due to the pinned b pawn}) 27. Bxc5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nxc5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 28. Qxc5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} bxc5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 29. Rxa6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rxb2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 30. Rxa5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rc8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 31. Re5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rb1+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} 32. Kh2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rc1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 33. Ne4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} c4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 34. Nd4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} c3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 35. Rac5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rxc5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 36. Rxc5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} c2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 37. Rxc2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rxc2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 38. Nxc2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bf5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 39. f3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} f6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 40. Ne3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bxe4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 41. fxe4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Kf7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 42. Kg3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Ke6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 43. Kf4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} g5+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} 44. Kf3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} h5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 45. g3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Ke5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 46. Nf5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} g4+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} 47. hxg4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} hxg4+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} 48. Kxg4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Kxe4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 49. Ng7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Ke5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 50. Ne8 {Ramsey converts the piece to the full point with great efficiency[%clk 0:00:00]} 1-0

Fun with the Morra

This top board encounter from the CvD derby displays plenty of early season post-lockdown blunders!

   [Event "Bedford C v Bedford D"] [Site "Bedford"] [Date "18/11/2021"] [White "Steve Pike"] [Black "Robert Walker"] [Result "1-0"]   e4 c5 2. d4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} cxd4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 3. c3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} dxc3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 4. Nxc3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} d6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 5. Bc4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 6. Nf3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} e6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 7. O-O {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 8. Qe2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} a6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rd1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bd7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 10. Bf4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} e5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 11. Bg5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} (11. Ng5 $6 {a bit early in the season for this sort of madness}) 11… Be7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 12. Rac1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} O-O {[%clk 0:00:00]} 13. Bxf6 {could have done this last move but definitely now[%clk 0:00:00]} Bxf6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} (13… gxf6 14. Nh4 Kh8 15. Qh5 {looks compelling …}) 14. Rxd6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qe7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 15. Rdd1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Bg4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 16. Nd5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qd8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 17. Ne3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qc8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} (17… Bxf3 18. Bxf7+ $1) 18. Nxg4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qxg4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 19. h3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qg6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 20. Rd7 {this is ok but it's the start of some unnecessarily flashy moves[%clk 0:00:00]} (20. Bd5 {cements the advantage without risk}) 20… Na5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 21. Bd5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Rab8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 22. Rcc7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Kh8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 23. Bxf7 {still winning but making it hard now[%clk 0:00:00]} (23. Rxf7 {obviously better}) 23… Qh6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 24. b4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 25. Rxb7 {The season is 2 hours old so time for White to mess up[%clk 0:00:00]} (25. Bb3 Nxb4 26. Qc4 {and Black can head to the bar}) 25… Rxb7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 26. Rxb7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nd8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 27. Bd5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Nxb7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 28. Bxb7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qc1+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} 29. Kh2 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qa3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 30. Qc4 {Black is probably winning now but it's not easy to demonstrate[%clk 0:00:00]} Qa4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 31. Bxa6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qd1 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 32. b5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qd7 {Black's last three moves haven't been the best[%clk 0:00:00]} 33. a4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} g5 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 34. b6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} g4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 35. Qc7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qe6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 36. b7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qg8 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 37. Bc4 {[%clk 0:00:00]} Qg7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 38. b8=Q {surely that's enough![%clk 0:00:00]} gxf3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 39. Qxg7+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Kxg7 {[%clk 0:00:00]} 40. Qc7+ {[%clk 0:00:00]} Kg6 {[%clk 0:00:00]} g3 {[%clk 0:00:00]} *

Paul at the British Over 65

A convincing victory from Paul’s successful British campaign.

   [Event "British O-65 Championship"]   [Date "2021.10.09"]   [Round "6"]   [White "Habershon, Paul"]   [Black "Taylor, Robert K"]   [Result "1-0"]   [PlyCount "85"]   1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8.   c4 Qb4+ 9. Nd2 Nf4 10. Qe4 Ne6 11. Be2 Bb7 12. O-O c5 13. Qe3 Nd4 14. Bd3 Qb6   15. b3 Be7 16. Bb2 O-O 17. Qh3 h6 18. Bxd4 cxd4 19. Qf5 g6 20. Qxd7 Qc5 21.   Rae1 Bc8 22. Qd5 Be6 23. Qxc5 Bxc5 24. Ne4 Bb4 25. Rc1 a5 26. Nf6+ Kg7 27. Be4   Rab8 28. Nd5 Ba3 29. Rc2 c5 30. f4 Rfe8 31. Nc7 Red8 32. Rd1 Bg4 33. Rd3 Bd7   34. Rf2 Rb6 35. Nd5 Ra6 36. f5 Rf8 37. Rg3 Bc1 38. fxg6 Bg5 39. gxf7 {   threatening h4 winning the bishop.} Kh8 40. Nf6 Rxf6 41. exf6 Be3 42. Rg7 Bxf2+   43. Kxf2 {Black has to give up the rook to avoid immediate mate.} 1-0