League Victories & A Ballroom Blitz
The Newcastle Dragons have been breathing fire this past week. In a high-stakes, must-win clash, they delivered a masterclass in determination, toppling former league leaders Gosforth Empire on their home turf with a gripping 2.5-1.5 victory.
The ever-resilient Zheming Zhang struck first, landing a decisive win against NM Roger Coathup. Then came “The Streetfighter,” FM Andy Burnett, who tore through David Armbruster with an unconventional yet deadly variation of the Reti Opening. Revenge was sweet for Andy, who had meticulously prepared his own weapon after a previous loss to David. His insights, always a treat, are included in the attached annotated game for your learning pleasure.
My own battle on Board 4 ended in heartbreak as I faltered against James Ross, struggling to navigate the chaos after allowing an exchange sacrifice on f3. But thankfully, “The Mighty Wall” held firm, securing a crucial draw against Gosforth’s eternal Board 1, Leon Gustavo Cazares. With this electrifying victory, we are perfectly positioned to seize the Division 1 title! Our final challenge awaits: Gosforth Salters on April 21 at Gosforth Empire Club.
Meanwhile, our Jesters stand poised for glory in Division 4. They just need a win or a draw in their final showdown against Tynedale on Monday, 14 April. Their promotion is already secured!
The Cavaliers, too, have punched their ticket to the next tier, rising from Division 6. With an extra match in hand, they’re just 2 points shy of the top spot, chasing Gosforth Siths for ultimate supremacy.
Away from league intensity, last night’s FIDE & ECF-rated blitz event was a spectacle of wit and warrior spirit! Fourteen players stepped into the fray, competing across four electrifying categories.
With a mix of luck and resilience, I managed to clinch the Open title, tying with Krithik Shai. One of the closest calls came against Alan Welsh, the longtime master of the Stonewall Dutch Defence – an opening he’s wielded to perfection for what feels like centuries. His kingside assault was relentless, a wave of pressure that had me teetering on the edge. But with the clock ticking dangerously low, the position grew treacherous, forcing him to settle for a draw – a dramatic escape that had my nerves on fire!
Equally intense were my battles against “The Streetfighter” and Aanuolowapo (John) Awesome, two games that defined the tournament’s final standings. The games were pure combat – every decision, a test of nerves.
Long after the event had ended, adrenaline still coursed through me, refusing to let the games fade into memory. On the bus ride home, I found myself reconstructing the games from memory as game were not recorded – a mental replay of the struggles, the breakthroughs, and the near-misses. I’ve included them for those who want to relive the wild chess theatrics!
Meanwhile, Alan Welsh & Thomas Huxtable shared victory in the U-1800 category, while Olga Pinchuk made a triumphant return to competitive chess, securing 1st place in U-1600, with Thomas Chazelle right behind in 2nd place. A casual chat with Olga revealed that she hadn’t played a tournament in ages – making her dominant performance all the more impressive!
In the Unrated section, Billy Ness clinched victory, with Adam Graham settling into second. The event was flawlessly organized, creating an atmosphere of excitement and camaraderie. A huge shoutout to Tim for making it all happen!
We now turn our eyes toward the final league battles and the thrilling events ahead.
Enjoy the weekend, and dive into the games!
The Beast of Newcastle 😎