5 way tie for Launceston Rapid

Tony D, Marcus B, Alastair D, Kevin B and surprise packet Owen S shared first prize in round 3 of the Tas rapid Series. Plenty of juniors took part 14 and 10 oldies. Three of the top five were juniors! Not surprising given they usually love quick play against the grey brigade.
The 3 event series for U18 juniors was won by Marcus B, second went to Lawrence (?) and third to Alastair D. U12 mason C first, Lenard 2nd.
Highlights of the event were the addition of new players from Launceston and some extra juniors.

World Chess Federation - FIDE

World Chess Federation - FIDE: "7.4a.If during a game it is found that an illegal move, including failing to meet the requirements of the promotion of a pawn or capturing the opponent’s king, has been completed, the position immediately before the irregularity shall be reinstated. If the position immediately before the irregularity cannot be determined the game shall continue from the last identifiable position prior to the irregularity. The clocks shall be adjusted according to Article 6.13. The Articles 4.3 and 4.6 apply to the move replacing the illegal move. The game shall then continue from this re-instated position.
b.After the action taken under Article 7.4.a, for the first two illegal moves by a player the arbiter shall give two minutes extra time to his opponent in each instance; for a third illegal move by the same player, the arbiter shall declare the game lost by this player. However, the game is drawn if the position is such that the opponent cannot checkmate the player’s king by any possible series of legal moves."

World Chess Federation - FIDE

World Chess Federation - FIDE: "A player may stop the clocks only in order to seek the arbiter’s assistance, for example when promotion has taken place and the piece required is not available.
c.The arbiter shall decide when the game is to be restarted in either case.
d.If a player stops the clocks in order to seek the arbiter’s assistance, the arbiter shall determine if the player had any valid reason for doing so. If it is obvious that the player had no valid reason for stopping the clocks, the player shall be penalised according to Article 13.4.
6.13If an irregularity occurs and/or the pieces have to be restored to a previous position, the arbiter shall use his best judgement to determine the times to be shown on the clocks. He shall also, if necessary, adjust the clock’s move counter."

World Chess Federation - FIDE

World Chess Federation - FIDE: "During the game each player, having made his move on the chessboard, shall stop his own clock and start his opponent’s clock. A player must always be allowed to stop hisclock. His move is not considered to have been completed until he has done so, unless the move that was made ends the game. (See the Articles 5.1.a, 5.2.a, 5.2.b, 5.2.c and 9.6)
The time between making the move on the chessboard and stopping his own clock and starting his opponent‘s clock is regarded as part of the time allotted to the player.
b.A player must stop his clock with the same hand as that with which he made his move. It is forbidden for a player to keep his finger on the button or to ‘hover’ over it.
c.The players must handle the chess clock properly. It is forbidden to punch it forcibly, to pick it up or to knock it over. Improper clock handling shall be penalised in accordance with Article 13.4."

World Chess Federation - FIDE

World Chess Federation - FIDE: "A player forfeits his right to a claim against his opponent’s violation of Article 4 once he deliberately touches a piece."

Mitchell stuns older players

Mitchell managed three wins from his four games against Carey, Dylan and Neville!
Vincent was a piece up in a time scramble with Phil and called out illegal move but didn't know the rules! On the second illegal move he paused the clock and none of us were too clear on the exact rule. See FIDE notes located here.
More fun this week. Gemma away.

Alastair's Allegro Hunt Begins

Alastair has won each of the BCC's regular events except the Allegro. He had a great start Wednesday night with 4 wins against some of the top players in the field Vincent, Phil and Reg. This event is a round robin with 18 players and continues for the next 3 weeks.

What are the favourite TV shows of old chess players? The Eagle, Unit 1, Spiral...

Early Bird entry closes at the end of the month for Australian Junior Championships - 81 players have currently entered.

Saturday 28 Nov is the event in the Rapid Series: Launceston 11-5pm.

Picket Fence in Burnie Lightning

Vincent scored a remarkable and possible record 11 straight wins with a bit of luck and some manners. At least four opponents were better over the board at some stage in their games against him but he was able to move quickly, recover time, pressure and score a few wins on illegal moves. Against Russell he won a quick exchange, then lost to a neat tactic, went into a lost endgame with 20 seconds/13 secs and the pressure saw Russell move into check. Against Phil he lost a piece, won it back, won an exchange before Phil also moved illegally. For those opponents where he thought they had outplayed him he generously apologised, "Sorry about that."
Other games also saw a comedy of unusual errors: Neville's Super Bishop; Gemma claiming a win on time after her clock had flagged; Russell thinking he had checkmate and claiming an incorrect win; Andrew upsetting/outplaying many; Dragan unable to manage the time; Mitchell playing his best tournament; Dragan missing a free queen...
Phil vs Vincent
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cd 4. Nd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be2 o-o 9. o-o b5 10. f4 Be6 11. f5 Ba3 12. ab3 Nc6 13. Qd2 b4 14. Nd5 Nxe4 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Qd5 Nf6?? (Nd4 = 17. Bxd4 Nf6 18. Qf3 exd4 19. Bxa6) 17. Qxc6 Rfc8 18. Qb6? (18. Rxa6!! +-) Nd5 19. Qa5 Nxe3 20. Rfc1 Qa7 21. Bxa6 Nxc2+ (here white didn't notice teh discovered check and moved his queen to d5 automatically losing and black also has forced mate 21... Nd1+ 22. Kh1 Nf2+ 23. Kg1 Nh3+ 24. Kh1 Qg1 25 Rxg1 Nf2#

Scores 11 games Vincent 11, Phil 8.5, Andrew 7.5, Nigel 7, Dylan 7, Russell 6.5, Kevin 6.5, reg 6, Carey 6, Neville 5.5, David 5, Mitchell 5, Dragan 4, Anthony 2, Gemma 1.5, Zen 1, Lenard 1.

Next week Allegro - no late entries

Calendar

BCC Lightning Tournament - Nov 11

BCC Allegro - Nov 18. Entries on the night. Continues for Nov 25, Dec 2, Dec 9 and Dec 16 if needed.

Launceston Rapid Nov 28 - new date

Chess Camp - Fri Dec 11 - Sun Dec 13, $50, Lea Scout Camp

Burnie holds Fischer Chess

Burnie Chess Club held a Fischer Random tournament lats week. Queens and bishops in the corners dominated four of the five positions selected. In most games players struggled to build a centre. The value of pieces was vastly different as it was difficult to get some into action early and trade downs were sometimes better especially with 10 minute time controls. Reg took out 3rd with 3.5/5, while David and Russell tied for first with 4/5. There were plenty of Bronze medals given out for 3/5.