The new chess season and chess at Broadstairs Chess Club resumes on Monday 2^nd September (new members always welcome), following a three week break to accommodate the summer holidays, Folk week and the bank holiday.

Earlier in August the 2023/24 season concluded with the club’s AGM and the presentation of trophies (see photos below relating to the Hargreaves Shield, John Couzens Trophy, and the Mick Croft Cup).

It was a successful season with Broadstairs winning the Hargreaves Shield, the Thanet Shield and the Mick Croft Cup, the greatest achievement though took place in the club’s internal competition, namely the Goodall Cup.

The Goodall Cup itself, dates to 1950, although  Broadstairs Chess Club dates back to 1887.  The previous young winners had included Paul Carfrae (1997) and Ian Hames (1984), accordingly the previous youngest winner in the more modern times of the last 74 years had been in their mid- twenties. Samuel Marsden, the 2024 winner is almost certainly the youngest winner of the Club Championship in its 137 years history and certainly the youngest winner of the Goodall Cup in its 74 years history. At 14 years of age, he started the competition aged 13 and achieved the remarkable feat of winning the competition with the fantastic score of 91.18%, 15.5 points from a possible 17 points and games.

Such is Samuel’s chess ability he will be starting the new season as the club’s highest rated player and will playing on the club’s top board in Broadstairs league fixtures which start in a few weeks’ time with games against the University of Kent and then Sandwich.

 

 

 

 

Broadstairs Chess Club’s Thanet and East Kent League matches for the 2023/24 season came to a victorious end on Tuesday 18^th June 2024 with the Club winning the final of the Mick Croft Cup at and against Sandwich 3.5 to 1.5.

Congratulations to the team captain Paul Carfrae and to Manoj Natarajan, Chris Stampe, Samuel Marsden, and Paul Verrall. Broadstairs had played and knocked out Bridge and Margate in the earlier rounds with the help of Jasper Jeffs who wasn’t available for the final.

As we approach  the conclusion of various internal competitions and the club AGM next month (5.8.2024) which will bring to an end  the season, it becomes a time to reflect and of course to think about and plan for the 2024/25 season.

Overall, it was a successful season with the club fielding chess teams in the Miller Cup, Hargreaves Shield, Steele Cup, Walker Cup, and the  Mick Croft Cup. The Hargreaves Shield was again won by Broadstairs.

There is a lot to reflect on and to prepare for the AGM so more on that in a future website post.

Thursday’s away game at Margate saw Broadstairs playing their final Millar Cup match of the season. Circumstances conspired resulting in Broadstairs having to concede the bottom 1 boards and start the match 2 – 0 down against their local rivals Margate, who were firm favourites to clock up their first Millar Cup win of the season.

With lower overall ratings on 4 of the 5 boards, it would take something special for the Broadstairs team to achieve any kind of success.

The early signs were surprisingly promising for Broadstairs who quickly gained a pawn advantage on both Boards 4 and 5, Michael Jenkinson’s game on Board 5 was the first game to finish with an agreed draw. Although a pawn up with only the Kings and Pawns on the board, it was not possible for Michael to convert this advantage to a win. A draw against an opponent with almost 300 rating points higher was a great result in the circumstances.

Manoj (Board 1) and Samuel (Board 2) quickly secured wins to maintain their run of results with their respective and impressive success / win rates of 75% and 81%.

With the match all square at 2.5 points each, the most unlikely result of a Broadstairs win looked to be on the cards. Paul Verrall had a winning position and a clear time advantage against his experienced opponent Colin Gregory on Board 4 and Andrew Flood was hanging on to his position on Board 3, although a pawn dawn but with potential and drawing opportunities.

Then chess disaster struck for Broadstairs on Board 4 when, with only minutes left on his clock, Colin manoeuvred his Knight to check and fork his opponents King and Rook, to quickly change a lost game to a won game and secure a vital point for Margate. Board 3 was an agreed draw through perpetual check.

Although a Broadstairs 4 – 3 loss on the night, the closeness of the result will probably prove valuable in keeping Broadstairs of the bottom spot when all the teams have completed their games at the end of the season, and who would begrudge Margate their first win in an enjoyable and close match.