Horsham Chess Club

Just a note to advise anyone visiting the website that due to the popularity of the junior chess club I have had to open a waiting list recently. If you wish your child's name to be added to the list please make a website enquiry using the Contact Us page. If your son/daughter is a teenager they may wish to attend the adult club directly for which there is no waiting list, please make an enquiry in the same way and I will provide details.

The first Horsham 1 match of the season was the dreaded away trip to Hastings. I left early (shortly after 4:30pm) to make sure I got there on time, but only just about made it, due to some congestion on the A27. The Horsham 1 was pretty strong, despite a number of people being unavailable. Hastings 1 had a familiar look to it, with several regular fixtures dating back to the Ark (or so it sometimes seems), and only one new face (to me at any rate) on bottom board.

There was another busy night of chess at the club last night. Alex Taylor beat Paul Taylor after a lively game while Lucy and Nick had a theoretical struggle in the accelerated dragon where Lucy played the Maroczy Bind. After an exciting game it was finally a draw. Ian was playing White against Anthony in the Knockout and reached a tricky position where Anthony had destroyed his Kingside. He finally managed to escape with a draw and the tussle can continue next week to reach a more decisive outcome!

27/10/17 - Updated to include club events and Rapidplay competition

Please see Julie Denning's full report below. She welcomes any feedback you may have so do feel free to feed it directly to her:

Dear All,

These meetings all duly took place as scheduled on 6th (SCCU) and 14th (ECF, BCF) of October. Herewith my report on the proceedings.

Any questions on any of this, please come back to me. I am happy for this report to be posted on websites such as SCCA and MSCL.

SCCU Executive Committee.

Horsham’s Mid Sussex League season kicked off on Tuesday night with the much awaited 2nd team versus 3rd team clash in Division 2. Both teams fielded strong sides and it was always going to be a close, tense affair. The 2nd team out-graded the 3rd team by an average of 12 points and being the away team had the benefit of three whites, but it was clear that each individual match would be closely fought!

The Southern Counties Chess Union recently celebrated its 125th anniversary. There was an amazing celebration of chess with a match of North of the river vs South of the river. An impressive 135 players took part in this historic occasion.Our own Julie Denning opened the proceedings as President of the SCCU and a full report can be found at:
https://sccu-chess.com/index.php/en/

There was some very interesting and combative chess in play last night and some old faces. Dave Britton popped in to confirm that he will be playing again this season despite a busy workload and children keeping him busy. He also brought the news that Gary Whitmore has moved up to Barnsley for work reasons. We will miss Gary's wit and wish him well up North.

Following the Quickplay last week,last night serious chess returned to the club with the first round of the Knockout.

Some of the winners included Chris Heath, Mick Harris , James Mansson, Richard Moorhouse and Ian Comley. Some of the greatest upsets came in the form of draws.

Lucy Bennet-Stevens held Anthony Higgs to a draw despite a 26 grade difference. On a neighbouring board Julie Denning drew with Paul Taylor overcoming an even more impressive 33 points!

A great start to the season for the ladies particularly as the all play alls begin next week.

Last night I presented trophies and shields to the winners in last season's junior competition...