2020-21 Season

David Fryer runs a blitz tournament on the last Thursday of the month on LiChess, which is open to all teams in the Mid-Sussex league. Horsham has been competing in these tournaments since they started at the start of lockdown. Every Horsham player is welcome to play, the more the merrier.
At the end of August we didn't really realise the tournament was running and with only two players - Chris and Marian - Horsham managed a very creditable 3rd.

Last Tuesday in the 4NCL there was some close matches, back-and-forth games, and plenty of surprises.
The 1st team were up against Chessmates, who we strongly outgraded. Things appeared to be going smoothly with Nick and I wrapping up quick wins on the bottom boards, only for the top two to go down in tricky, time-pressured, tactical positions to leave us with a 2-2 draw.

As we approach the midway point, Division 3 was starting to look hopeful for Horsham 1, with three wins & a draw so far.
This week we took on Streatham B which looked like a match that we should win based on the average grades.

I was first to finish with the black pieces, my opponent started with the English. I quickly managed to get in an early pounce and prevent the white king from castling and then built a solid attack, white soon after resigned.

Every other Tuesday Horsham Chess Club is running a blitz tournament on LiChess.org. The time control is 5minutes + 5seconds increment and they run 7:30-9:30pm. If you are interested you will need to join LiChess.org and then join the Horsham Team: https://lichess.org/team/horsham-chess-club. The tournaments are listed on the Team page.

Horsham 1 were up against Celtic Tigers, who are easily the highest rated team in the group. The top three games were close and Nick won a cracking game on board 4 for it to end up as a 2-2 draw.

Horsham 2 were outgraded against Braunstone (average grade difference of 33 ECF). In the end all 4 white players won, particularly impressive was Guy's queen sac and Marian's smooth victory. The other two games were close, so Horsham 2 were unlucky to only draw 2-2.

Horsham 3 scored an astonishing victory. Heavily outgraded on every board Andrew, Charlie, and Alex won and Harry completed a mammoth 108-move draw.

Horsham 2 lost against a very strong team that would give the 1st team a challenge with their IM on board 1. Nonetheless, Guy had a great win on board 4, turning down a draw offer which meant a couple of pawn sacs, then finishing with a nice attack.

Horsham 1 took on Wimbledon 2. Horsham looked hot favourites with a 70-point average grade advantage.

With Horsham having had just one team in the inaugural (I think?) 4NCL online league season recently concluded (as previously reported) the new online season has begun with three teams entered.

Horsham's first team remained where they were previously (division 3) whilst teams 2 and 3 have been placed in the new division 6 where the sheer number of teams indicates the interest that this has generated in the absence of 'normal' chess.

With apologies for using the club website for a plug for the ECF, but I'd like to ensure this reaches as many people as possible over the next few days.

On behalf of the whole club I would like to extend birthday congratulations to our Chairman John Cannon.

John has given the most exceptional service to the club for decades and his service is unsurpassed.

Hoping John enjoys a very happy birthday and enjoys his many celebrations!