RIP David Watson (1944-2023)

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David Watson, a genial and devoted servant of Morpeth Chess Club and Northumberland Chess Association, has passed away in his sleep after a short illness. He was 79.

David held various posts for the Northumberland Chess Association, including Secretary, Congress Secretary and Trophy Secretary, before recently retiring after a total of 21 years of service on the county’s executive committee.

A bank manager in his professional life, David was always ready with a quiet chuckle and had the uncanny knack of being able to resolve any chess dispute amicably.

He was a stalwart official of Morpeth Chess Club for many years, usually the person who arrived first for club nights and put the equipment away diligently at the end of the evening.

Members of the club and county association were in mourning after the news broke of his passing, on Friday 29th December.

David’s many friends in the local chess community send their deepest condolences to his family.

Details of the funeral arrangements will be available in the near future.

North East clubs lead grassroots chess revival

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(Chronicle Chess 29th December 2023)

It’s been a good year for grassroots chess in the North East – a trend that looks set to continue in 2024.

The Northumbria League, which includes clubs from as far afield as Alnwick and Corbridge in Northumberland to South Shields, Gateshead and Leam Lane, is growing again, with a total of 38 teams of four players each competing in six divisions in the 2023-24 season.

This means the league has now fully recovered from Covid, which saw over-the-board chess cancelled for the 2020-21 season and take a long time to revive.

While the numbers of players are roughly the same as pre-pandemic levels, the makeup of clubs and teams are now different demographically. Many more young players, including more juniors and younger adults, are now playing club and league chess – replacing older players who have effectively retired from the scene. And these new players are not like new recruits to chess from decades ago: many newcomers are experienced at online chess, and have cut their teeth on YouTube instructional videos and streaming rather than traditional chess books.

The boom in online chess and the popularity of the TV series ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ have undoubtedly played a big part in bringing new people into the game, and this is filtering through into bigger attendances at some North East clubs. Gosforth is leading the way here, with nine league teams and more than 50 players meeting weekly at Gosforth Empire Club on Salters Road. Other clubs have also followed suit, with Alnwick, South Shields, Tynemouth and Newcastle University adding new league teams.

There is also a brand new city centre club, which formed in September 2023, entering two teams in the Northumbria League. Newcastle meets at the Tyneside Irish Centre, Gallowgate, on Monday evenings, 6:30pm-9:15pm, and also runs a Junior Club at Jesmond Library on Sundays from
2:30pm-4:30pm and a drop-in club for social chess on Saturdays, 11am-1pm, at Newcastle City Library.
The core of the new club is the 2022-23 Division 1-winning Forest Hall A team, whose members are geographically spread around the North East and therefore find travelling into Newcastle city centre easier. The new Newcastle club reties the knot of history, as previous incarnations of Newcastle Chess Club go back as far as 1842, according to newspaper archives.
Newcastle’s teams are leading Divisions 1 and 6 at the New Year mark, and could well end up winning both divisions by the end of March.
For more info about Newcastle’s weekly activities, tournaments and other events in 2024, go to: https://newcastlechessclub.com, email club secretary Tim Wall on timpeterwall@gmail or text 0750 372 2366.

Today’s puzzles are taken from this week’s FIDE World Rapidplay Championships in Samarkand, Uzbekistan:

Puzzle A: Sklokin-Murzin (Black to play)

Puzzle B: Petrov-Duda (Black to play)

Puzzle C: Radjabov-Ilyushenok (Black to play)

Puzzle D: Cheparinov-Rapport (White to play)

Answers:
A: 1…Bxd4+ 2 Qxd4 Qxc3! 0-1. If 3 Qxc3 Nxe2+ 4 Kf2 Nxc3.
B: 1…Qxh4+! 2 Kg1 (or 2 gxh4 Rxg2+ 3 Kh3 Nf2+) Rxg3 0-1.
C: 1…Bxa3! 2 bxa3 b4! 3 Bc5 Rc8 4 Bf1 Rxc5! 0-1.
D: 1 Re8! Rxe8 (if 1…Nxe8 2 f8(Q)+) 2 Qxf6+! 1-0. If 2…Rxf6
or 2…Kxf6, 3 fxe8 (N)+! forks king and queen.

Try our Christmas Chess Quiz!

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(Chronicle Chess 22nd December 2023)

Try our Christmas Chess Quiz:

1) Christmas Tree: White to play & mate in 3:

2) Silent Knight: Black to play & mate in 5:

3) Christmas Castle: White to play & mate in 3:

4) Santa’s Chimney: White to play and win:

5) How many moves does it take a knight to go from a1 to h8?
a) 4
b) 5
c) 6
d) 7

6) Where did the rook get its name?
a) The New Castle
b) Rooks in the Tower of London
c) Rukh the Arabic word for chariot
d) The Eiffel Tower

7) Who scored the best female performance at the 2023 European Blitz Championship?
a) Judit Polgar
b) Beth Harmon
c) Jovanka Houska
d) Bodhana Sivanandan

8) Who won these tournaments in 2023: World Over 50s, London Classic, British Championship & English Championship?
a) John Nunn
b) Michael Adams
c) Nigel Short
d) Howard Staunton

9) Which world champion appeared as himself in the Russian film ‘Chess Fever’?
a) Jose Capablanca
b) Mikhail Tal
c) Boris Spassky
d) Bobby Fischer

10) Which chess club, formed in 1842, now meets at the Tyneside Irish Centre?
a) Jesmond
b) King’s
c) Gosforth
d) Newcastle

11) Which politician officially opened the 2023 Northumbria Masters Chess Congress?
a) Chi Onwurah
b) Jamie Driscoll
c) T Dan Smith
d) Tony Blair

12) Who played 40 games simultaneously in Newcastle in 1919?
a) Emanuel Lasker
b) Jose Capablanca
c) Alexander Alekhine
d) Max Euwe

13) Which opening was invented by a Newcastle-born chess player?
a) Ruy Lopez
b) St. George’s Defence
c) Caro-Kann
d) The Sniper

14) Which North East player won the British Championship in 2014 & 2015?
a) Charlie Storey
b) Jonathan Hawkins
c) Danny Gormally
d) David Eggleston

15) Who has won the most Northumberland Chess Championships?
a) Peter Oakley
b) David Mooney
c) Louis Zollner
d) Tim Wall

16) Which form of chess gives each player 60 seconds for all their moves?
a) Rapidplay
b) Lightning
c) Armageddon
d) Bullet

17) Where was a chess tournament held in the 1970s & 80s?
a) Baltic Art Gallery
b) Vindolanda Roman Fort
c) Alnwick Castle
d) St James’ Park

18) Which death metal band was named after a world chess champion?
a) Morphy’s Addiction
b) Alekhine’s Gun
c) Oh Capablanca
d) Kasparov’s Kalashnikov

19) Where is the UK government installing chess tables?
a) Prisons
b) School playgrounds
c) Trafalgar Square
d) Parks

20) Which North East musician played against Garry Kasparov?
a) Sting
b) Eric Burdon
c) Sam Fender
d) Chris Rea

Answers:
1. 1 Re3! fxe3 2 g3 e2 3 f4 checkmate, or 1…dxe3 2 c3 e2 3 d4 checkmate
2. 1…Qh4+ 2 Kd1 Nf2+ 3 Ke1 Nd3+ 4 Kd1 Qe1+! 5 Rxe1 Nf2 checkmate
3. 1 Rf4 Kxg3 2 0-0! Kh3 3 R1f3 checkmate
4. 1 Qg4! Qb5 2 Qc4! Qd7 3 Qc7! Qb5 4 a4! Qxa4 5 Re4! Qb5 6 Qxb7! 1-0
5. C
6. C
7. D
8. B
9. A
10. D
11. B
12. B
13. C
14. B
15. A
16. D
17. C
18. B
19. D
20. A.

Christmas party time at Newcastle clubs

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(Chronicle Chess 15 December 2023)

Newcastle and Gosforth Chess Clubs are celebrating the holiday season in style this year, with both holding Christmas party blitz tournaments with food, drink and festivities.

With the league season pausing for the New Year break, both clubs are taking the opportunity to let their hair down with fun events on Monday 18 December.

Newcastle Chess Club’s Christmas Party Blitz at Tyneside Irish Centre will feature snacks, music and games from 7:15-9:15pm. Anyone can turn up and play – no need to book ahead. Festive prizes will be on offer, and entry is £5 on the night.
Contact: timpeterwall@gmail.com or 0750 372 2366 for more details.

Gosforth’s Christmas Party (also from 7:15pm, tickets £5) at Gosforth Empire Club features a Fischer Random tournament and a buffet. Numbers limited, so contact enquires@gosforthchessclub.co.uk to book a place.

Newcastle City Library Chess Club’s drop-in sessions (Level 2, Saturdays 11am-1pm) go ahead on 16 and 23 December, with only 30 December off while the library is closed.

As the Northumbria League season nears its halfway mark, clear leaders are emerging. Division 1 leaders are Newcastle A on 8/8, followed by South Shields on 6/8 and Leam Lane on 5/10.

Newcastle University A have edged in front in Division 2, leading with 8/10 ahead of Gosforth Salters (7/8) and Gosforth Regents (7/10).

Tynemouth B lead Division 3 on 9/10, ahead of Gosforth Centurions on 8/10 and Alnwick A on 6/10.

Leam Lane Bullets are ahead in Division 4 with 10/12, followed by Gateshead A on 8/12 and Gosforth Hawthorns and Gosforth Woodbines on 7/12.

Division 5 leaders are Newcastle University B with 10/10. In their wake are Gosforth Jedis on 6/10 and South Shields C on 5/8.

In Division 6, Newcastle B are runaway leaders on 10/10. In a distant joint second place are Tynedale (4/8), Gosforth Otterburns (4/10) and Newcastle University C (4/10).

With two rounds of the Northumberland Individual completed, Tim Wall (Newcastle) and Andy Trevelyan (Jesmond) are joint leaders of the Zollner (Open) with 2/2.

In the Sell (Under 1900) event, James Ross and Mick Riding (both Gosforth) are on 2/2.

And in the Gilroy (Under 1650), there is a four-way tie for the lead. Dave Peardon (South Shields), Jeff Baird (Forest Hall), David Pritchard (Gosforth) and David Simm (Morpeth) are on 2/2.

This week’s puzzles:

Puzzle A: Mark McKay (Gosforth, White) to play and win:

Puzzle B: Didrik Leivdal (Newcastle, White) to play and win:

Puzzle C: Otto Nemeth (Newcastle, Black) to play and draw:

Puzzle D: Tim Wall (Newcastle, Black) to play and win:

Answers:
A: 1 Rxd6! Qxd6 2 Bf4 wins a piece.
B: 1 Na4! wins. If 1…Ne4 2 Nxb6 Nxd2 3 Rxd2 Nxc4 4 Nc7
checkmate.
C: 1…Rh6! (1…Rxc6! 2 Rxc6 Qh4 should also draw) 2 Nxd8
Bd6+ 3 Kg1 Bh2+ is perpetual check.
D: 1…Bb6! wins. If 2 Rxd8 Qb5+! 3 Kg1 Bxf2+! wins the queen;
2 Rd7 Rxd7 3 Qxd7 Qb5+ 4 Kg1 Qxb2! 5 Qxc6 Bxf2+ 6 Kf1
Be3!; or 2 Qxc6 Rxd1+ 3 Ke2 Rd8! 4 Qxb6 Qd5!

The perfect Christmas chess presents

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(Chronicle Chess 8 December 2023)

What should I get young Beth or Uncle Harry for a Christmas present?

If you have friends and/or family who you think would enjoy playing chess, you can do a lot worse than buy them a set of pieces and board.

A fancy wooden set costs from £60, but a simple set of plastic pieces and rollup board is as little as £15. A good place for Christmas deliveries is Chess & Bridge (go to https://chess.co.uk or call 020 7486 7015).

Many expert players prefer standard sets, as they are easier to carry and don’t cause major trauma when one of the pieces goes AWOL or gets mauled by the family cat. Get a set with the algebraic coordinates (a-h and 1-8) marked around the board, as this helps you record the moves of the game. You can then review the game afterwards to see how you could play better next time.

OK, so you’ve got your playing kit, what’s next?

The are many resources to help you get better at chess. Go to lichess.org (everything’s free), chess.com (partly free) or YouTube (free but of varying quality) and you’ll find tournaments, tutorials and tactics trainers, covering from basic checkmates to advanced strategies.

Chess books are a great stocking filler for any budding Magnus Carlsen or Beth Harmon.

Good improvement books are “Comprehensive Chess Course 1 & 2” by Alburt & Pelts, which take the newcomer from beginner to tournament player; “Logical Chess: Move By Move” by Chernev; and Nunn’s “1001 Deadly Checkmates” and “Learn Chess Tactics.” For serious players, “Bobby Fischer’s 60 Memorable Games” and “The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal” are inspiring. For sheer fun, beg, borrow or steal two out-of-print gems, the cunning “Chess for Tigers” by Simon Webb, and the hilarious “How to Cheat at Chess” by William Hartston.

Books to avoid are those promising a “killer” or “winning” opening repertoire. No such silver bullet exists. Just get good at tactics and endgames, and remember to develop your pieces in the opening and castle.

The next step is to find some flesh-and-blood opponents. Go to northumberlandchess.com and you’ll find a club near you. Most meet on weekday evenings, while there are also chess clubs in libraries and schools (check out: https://www.chessinschools.co.uk/ for more info).

And don’t worry: Chess is not just for Christmas. You can enjoy mastering its secrets over a lifetime.

NCC News Update – Monday 4 December 2023: Exciting December events from Newcastle Chess Club

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Hi everyone,

Lots of exciting and fun events are coming up this month (you can also read it on our new website, going live this week: https://newcastlechessclub.com)
1) Our victorious Newcastle B team play at home at the Irish Centre on Monday 4th December – come along & support the team!
2) Our Newcastle A team are in action twice in the next week: travelling to Tynemouth on Tuesday 5th December, and home v Leam Lane on Monday 11 December.
We hope to go top of Division 1 if we have some good results:) Spectators are very welcome!
3) Our Christmas Party Blitz & AGM are set for Monday 18th December, 6:45-9:15pm.
Tickets are £5 on the door for the Blitz (7:15pm-9:15pm), there will be party food and music, drinks from the bar.
The AGM (6:45pm-7:15pm) is important to elect club officials and make plans for this season, so please come along and take part!
4) Our next venture – Newcastle City Library Chess Club – starts meeting weekly for friendly games this next Saturday, 11am-1pm.
The club is being run jointly by Newcastle Chess Club and the City Library.
Attendance is free, so come along and enjoy a social game, a tea or coffee and a chat.
5) The NCC Junior Club will also be holding its Christmas Party on Sunday 17 December, 2:30-4:30pm at Jesmond Library, St George’s Terrace, Jesmond NE2 2DL.
Juniors and parents welcome – there will be party food and games galore!
After the Christmas parties on December 17 and 18, we close down for our Xmas & New Year break.
We restart:
City Library Club on Saturday 6 January;
Junior Club at Jesmond Library on Sunday 7 January; and
NCC club nights at Tyneside Irish Centre on Monday 8 January.
Hope to see you soon!
Best seasonal greetings,
Tim Wall
Tel/WhatsApp: 0750 372 2366

B Team goes top of the league

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Newcastle Chess Club’s B team is leading Division 6 of the Northumbria Chess League, winning all four of its matches so far!

The match results have been:

Round 1 – Newcastle B: 3-1 (away) v Gosforth Otterburns, Monday October 12

Round 2 – Newcastle B 2.5-1.5 (home) v South Shields D, Monday November 6

Round 3 – Newcastle B 2.5-1.5 (at Morpeth) v Alnwick C, Wednesday November 22

Round 4 – Newcastle B 4-0 (away) v Newcastle University C, Thursday November 30

This means we are runaway leaders of the division, with 8/8. In equal second place are Tynedale (4/6) and Gosforth Otterburns (4/10).

Here’s the Division 6 table, from the ECF’s League Management System: CLICK HERE

Round 1

In Round 1, Newcastle B defeated Gosforth Otterburns 3-1 on Monday October 12 after some exciting games.

Scores:
1. Daniel Atcheson 1-0 Alex Baggaley
2. Bill Penny 1-0 Alex Piercy
3. Didrik Levidal 1-0 Andrew Brown
4. Otto Nemeth 0-1 Steve Armstrong

The most surprising results were Bill’s and Didrik’s, as both players luckily managed to turn around big disadvantages to win against the run of play. Bill was queen for rook down when his opponent allowed a shock back-rank checkmate, while Didrik was two bishops down in an endgame when his opponent missed a trick that allowed Didrik to queen a pawn.

Round 2

In Round 2, on November 6, the B team beat South Shields D by the narrow margin of 2.5-1.5.

Scores:
1. Keith Marshall ½ Alan Johnson
2. Daniel Atcheson 1-0 Steven Nesworthy
3. Bill Penny 0-1 Alan Blackburn
4. Didrik Levidal 1-0 Alan Smith

Round 3

In the next round, the B team travelled as far as Morpeth to play against Alnwick C. Even though the match was billed as a home one, all Alnwick matches (home and away) are played at Morpeth Rugby Football Club, due to the long distances between Alnwick and Tyneside clubs.

The match was another cliffhanger, with the B team eventually winning 2.5-1.5, despite Matthew Heslop losing his first-ever league game on Board 4.
On Board 2, Didrik Levidal won a spectacular miniature, trapping his opponent’s queen in the opening, and then on Board 3, Otto Nemeth played an amazing perpetual check that involved sacrificing his own queen.
It all came down to Danny’s game on Board 1, and after some endgame adventures he eventually won, leaving us the narrow winners.

Scores:
1. Daniel Atcheson 1-0 Daniel Birt
2. Didrik Levidal 1-0 Charles Greer
3. Otto Nemeth ½ Andrew Hardy
4. Matthew Heslop 0-1 Ben Borthwick

Round 4

Round 4 saw our best result of the season so far, with a 4-0 clean sweep over Newcastle University C.

This match saw the debuts for Newcastle of George Gazis on Board 1, and James Phillips on Board 4.
James’s win was particularly well deserved, as he turned the tables tactically on his older opponent after being under severe pressure earlier in the game.

Scores:
1. George Gazis 1-0 Dominic Swan
2. Bill Penny 1-0 Viktorija Bezganovic
3. Didrik Leivdal 1-0 Ryan Fallon
4. James Phillips 1-0 Igor Skapski

The top individual scorers so far for the B team are Didrik Leivdal, with 4 wins out of 4, and Danny Atcheson with 3/3.

What’s next?

Our fifth round match takes place at the Tyneside Irish Centre at 6:45pm on Monday 4th December. All team members and spectators are welcome!

We hope to continue our fine run of form as the season continues, and to give as many club members as possible the chance to play league matches.

We are offering opposing teams the option of playing extra boards for rating, to give our new and upcoming players a chance to try league chess.

If you would like to play some games for the B team, just drop a line to: timpeterwall@gmail.com or text/WhatsApp: 0750 372 2366 and we will make it happen.

Saturday drop-in club restarts at Newcastle City Library

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From Saturday December 9, Newcastle Chess Club is joining together with Newcastle City Library to restart a weekly Saturday lunchtime drop-in club from 11am-1pm.

The casual drop-in chess club is free and open to everyone to take part in. Sets and boards are provided, and you can play at Newcastle City Library, 33 New Bridge Street, Newcastle NE1 8AX, either on Level 6 or on Level 2, depending on the availability of space in the Library on particular Saturdays.

The club is restarting on a weekly basis for the first time since the Covid pandemic. Starting in 2017, the club ran successfully at the City Library and regularly attracted 15-20 people each week.

The drop-in club will be run by Newcastle Chess Club’s Tim Wall and the City Library’s Richard Hodges, and all you have to do is turn up to enjoy a friendly game.

Players of all ages and levels are welcome, and Tim and Richard will be happy to offer tips for beginners.

To let us know you are attending, or for more information, you can write to: timpeterwall@gmail.com or text/WhatsApp 0750 372 2366.

We look forward to seeing you at Newcastle City Library for a friendly game and a chat!

Newcastle Chess Club AGM: Mon 18 December

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Hi everyone,

You are warmly invited to attend the inaugural Newcastle Chess Club Annual General Meeting from 6:45-7:15pm on Monday 18 December.

It takes place at Newcastle Chess Club’s usual venue: Room 1, Floor 2, Tyneside Irish Centre, 44 Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4SG.

The meeting is open both to full club members (anyone who intends to play for Newcastle Chess Club in league and other events) plus associate members (anyone who wants to take part in club evenings and internal club tournaments, but plays for another club in competitions and/or just wants to come along and enjoy a social game of chess).

We plan to keep the meeting pretty brief and informal, so that we can enjoy the Christmas Party Blitz later in the evening.

The Agenda will be:
1. Election of a chair for the meeting
2. Attendance and apologies for absence
3. Adoption of Club Constitution (copies of the draft Constitution will be available online and at the meeting)
4. Proposed Membership Fees for 2023-24: £20 adult waged, £10 unwaged/junior/retired/associate member; £2 cover charge for attending the Monday club evenings; £4 to attend Junior Club sessions (at Jesmond Library on Sundays, 2:30pm-4:30pm)
5. Reports about club activities:
A) League matches
B) Junior Club (at Jesmond Library)
C) City Library social chess drop-in (Saturdays, 11am-1pm)
D) Club tournaments
6. Election of officers (Volunteers very welcome!):
A) Secretary
B) Chair
C) Treasurer
D) Team Captains
E) Tournaments Organiser
F) Social Events Manager
G) Website and Social Media Manager
H) Safeguarding Officer
I) Women’s Recruitment Officer
J) Junior Recruitment Officer
7. Any Other Business

You are very welcome to come along and support Newcastle Chess Club as we get established and grow in the future!

Do RSVP to confirm your attendance or give your apologies to: timpeterwall@gmail.com or text/WhatsApp to: 0750 372 2366.

We look forward to seeing you there!

All Aboard for the Christmas Party Blitz!

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The Newcastle Chess Club Christmas Party Blitz will be held on Monday 18 December, at the club’s regular venue: Room 1, Floor 2, Tyneside Irish Centre, 44 Gallowgate, Newcastle NE1 4SG.

The Blitz tournament starts at 7:15pm – straight after the club’s inaugural AGM, which will be held from 6:45-7:15pm.

There will be seven rounds of blitz, at a time control of 5 minutes plus 3 seconds per player, and the tournament will finish by 9:15pm.

The Christmas Blitz Party will include Christmas party music, fancy dress (encouraged but not obligatory!) and the consumption of Christmas food and drinks.

The games in the Christmas Party Blitz will NOT be rated by the ECF, FIDE (or anyone else). The purpose of the event is simple: just FUN!

Attendance at the Christmas Party Blitz costs £5 per person, and includes entry to the blitz and food (drinks at your own expenses from the bar downstairs).

There will be various prizes for the blitz, including for best junior, rating prizes, brilliancy prize and best swindle!

The Christmas Party Blitz is open to everyone, whether you are a member of Newcastle Chess Club, any other chess club, or no club.

To book your place for the Christmas Party Blitz, simply contact Tim Wall on: timpeterwall@gmail.com or send a text or WhatsApp message to: 0750 372 2366. Please pay cash on the night when you arrive.