Horsham Chess Club

The 2nd team made the long journey to Hastings last night but it was worthwhile as we secured a 4-1 win against Hastings 3rd team, which moved us to the top of Division 2.
First to win was Anthony on Board 1 – he faced an Albin Counter Gambit in which Black also castled on the queenside. Anthony was able to force open the ‘a’ file and after playing Ra8+ got his opponent in all sorts of problems!

Lucy Bennet-Stevens was very successful in Hastings Open weekend tournament scoring 3 out of 5 coming 4th and winning a grading prize.

The top two places were GMs and she beat a number of stronger players so well done!

Quite a quiet night last night as we returned from the festive season and some are playing at Hastings.

In the plate, Paul Richardson and Richard Barrowclough had already drawn twice and now reached 30 minutes each. It was a typically close and combative affair but Paul managed to break through to face Nick Warren in the next round.

Wishing you all a happy new year - see at the club on Tuesday!

As Santa gets a final game of chess before his annual saga we wish you all a Merry Christmas!

We had a very busy night of quick play last night.

In the main Quick play Knockout James Mansson and Paul Taylor played out the semi final. Paul won the first game with a typical sharp attack when James had seem better out of the opening. But in the second game James won pretty securely so it all hinged on game three where James played very accurately to secure the win.James is through to the final of the Quickplay awaiting the outcome of Brian vs Anthony.

I look forward to seeing you all tonight for the final chess night before Christmas.

There are a number of quick play games in store as well as some classical games.If you don't have a game why not come and watch.

The 2nd team welcomed Division 2 league leaders, Crowborough 1, on Tuesday 5th December. Horsham lead 2½-1½ with one game being sent for adjudication, in which we are claiming a win and they are claiming a draw, so a 3-2 win is at least guaranteed, in what was a tight match.
Phil was the first to win on Board 4 – playing the Blumenfeld Attack in the Scotch Opening – a line he was very familiar with having won previously with the following sequence of moves!!

I was busy playing a fascinating Rook game against Nick on Tuesday. We had a good strategic struggle where I went a pawn down but we ended in a draw.It was a fascinating game so feel free to correct me if I report wrongly on your game!