Game of the Week

I have already mentioned the fantastic London Chess Festival, held last weekend in glorious sunshine. One of the highlights was a Blitz challenge match between chess prodigies 12 year old Shreyas Royal, playing in Trafalgar Square and 10 year old Tani Adewumi playing from his home in New York

Both players were fantastic, Shreyas undoubtedly had more pressure, with a noisy crowd urging him on, in fact he declined a draw by repetition to give the thousands watching a more exciting game

Here is our Game of the Week

 White:  Royal, Shreyas      Black:  Adewumi, Tani

UK v USA Blitz Challenge – Trafalgar Square 18th July

Puzzle no. 21

Our last puzzle was played well over 100 years ago, to bring us bang up to date here is a puzzle from a game played this week.

Playing White was young local talent Eli Gallamoy: with his Queen under attack how does the 11 year old continue the game?

White to Play

Puzzle no. 20 Solution

Did you find the superb combination?

White to play

Using forcing moves we saw the brilliant

  1. Bh6+ Ke7  2. Nd5+ Ke6  3. Bf7+ Kxe5  4. c3!

and whatever Black plays next White will play Bf4 mate

Chess Festival turns up the Heat

Over 6000 people attended the brilliant Chess Festival held last weekend in Trafalgar Square. The weather was scorching (32c) and everyone there, including yours truly, had a magnificent day.

It was wonderful to see many families at the event. With plenty of chess orientated things to do, from watching theatrical re-enactments of classic historical games to playing blitz against other chess fans and for those lucky enough, a chance to play in a simul against a host of GMs including Michael Adams and Gawain Jones

All in all a fabulous day and one I hope will herald the return to over the board chess for us all

Game of the Week

Great News! ‘Real’ Chess is back

I know we have been treated to hours of online events during the pandemic, but most of us enjoy playing over the board and face to face more than anything. Elite players have had this luxury for a while. However the ordinary rank and file players are now able to play in congresses and at those clubs willing to open their doors.

To celebrate this, my Game of the Week was played in the 25th 4NCL FIDE rated congress held over last weekend in Leamington Spa

Playing White is local player George Hollands ( Bridge ) and with the Black pieces Vivien Webster ( Halifax )

In fact George played superbly throughout the event winning 3 games and drawing 2 to finish 2nd in a very strong field

 White:  Hollands, George       Black:  Webster, Vivien

25th 4NCL FIDE Rated Congress (Leamington)