Summer Cup off to a flying start

(Newcastle Chronicle, 12 April 2024)

The North East’s new team chess competition, the World Cup-format Summer Cup, got off to a flying start this week with 10 matches played at the competition’s three hubs: Gosforth, Morpeth and Newcastle.

At the biggest gathering, at Gosforth Empire Club, a total of 42 players were in action in the event, which brings together teams from as far afield as Alnwick and South Shields.

Round 1 saw the event’s first Minor v Major giant-killing acts, with Gateshead (a Minor team) beating Leam Lane (a Major team) and Forest Hall Badgers (Minor) beating Newcastle University (Major).

The revamped Northumberland Chess Association Summer Cup and Plate (to use its full name) retains its ratings handicap system, which gives lower rated teams extra game points, depending on the difference between the two sides.

Previously, all rounds were knockout, but this year, for the first time, teams play in World Cup-style all-play-all groups to qualify for the semi-finals and finals in September. Placings are decided by match points, with the lower rated team going though in the event of a tie.

The winner of each group goes through to the Cup Semi-Finals, while the group runner up qualifies for the Plate Semi-Finals. This format gives clubs more team matches through the summer months, while also giving players a break during the peak holiday season of late July and August.

In Group A, hosted by Gosforth Chess Club on Monday, Gosforth Empire beat Gosforth Regents 4-2.5, Forest Hall Magpies beat Gosforth Jedis 3-2.5 and Jesmond beat Newcastle C 3-2.5.

In Group B, also at Gosforth, Forest Hall Badgers beat Newcastle University 5.5-1 and Newcastle A beat Gosforth Hawthorns 4-3.5.

Group C, hosted by Morpeth Chess Club on Wednesday, saw Morpeth A beat Morpeth B 4-2.5.

And in Group D, hosted by Newcastle Chess Club on Tuesday, Gateshead beat Leam Lane 4-2.5, South Shields beat Newcastle 3.5-2 and Gosforth Centurions beat Tynedale 4-1.5.

The two remaining Round 1 matches (Tynemouth v Alnwick and Gosforth Salters v Gosforth Ivy) will be played next week.

Here are the group standings so far:

Group A
1-3 Gosforth Empire, Jesmond, Forest Hall Magpies 2;
4-6 Gosforth Regents, Gosforth Jedis, Newcastle C 0.

Group B
1-2 Forest Hall Badgers, Newcastle A 2;
3-6 Gosforth Hawthorns, Newcastle University, Gosforth Salters, Gosforth Ivy 0.

Group C
1 Morpeth A 2;
2-4 Morpeth B, Tynemouth, Alnwick 0.

Group D
1-3 Gateshead, Gosforth Centurions, South Shields 2;
4-6 Leam Lane, Newcastle B, Tynedale 0.

Round 2 of the Summer Cup will be held in the week starting May 13 at the same venues.

puzzles

This week’s puzzles are from games and variations in the current World Candidates tournaments in Toronto, Canada.

Puzzle A: Vidit (White) to play and win:

Puzzle B: Gukesh (White) to play and win:

Puzzle C: Tan (White) to play and win:

Puzzle D: Tan (White) to play and win:

Answers:

A: 1 Nxg7+! Bxg7 2 Qh5+ Kf8 3 Qf7 checkmate.
B: 1 Bxe5 dxe5 2 Bxb5+ Ke7 3 Qb4+ Qd6 4 Qxd6 checkmate.
C: 1 Nf6! gxf6 2 Ng6+ Kg7 3 Nxe7 Qxe7 4 gxf6+ wins.
D: 1 Qf7+ 1-0. If 1…Qxf7 2 exf7 and the pawn queens.