Robert Isted Finished

Due to absences teh tournaments were drawn out, however the final game in the RI Champs, between father and son (Russell vsVincent) was an important medal decider! A win by myself would earn a bronze under the BCC rules - give out as many medals as possible! It would also ensure Phil and Vincent joint first place and David second. I approached the game with plenty of optimism, knowing the opening lines which woudl be followed. For 35 moves I was better and Vincent was on the receiving end. Slowly the tide turned, black pieces gained better placement and a mire of tactics emerged for both sides. Here I fell foul and all it took was the loss of a tempi. Vincent 1st 8.5, Phil 2nd 7.5 and David 3rd 7.

The reserves were marred by absenteeism but Anthony 1st, Mitchell 2nd and Cohen 3rd.

BCC Calendar

October 28 Wed Wisdom vs Youth. Wisdom captain is David and Youth Captain is Kevin H. 3 games against different opponents: 20 +10; 15'; 5'. Can Wisdom hold the trophy?

Lesson by Vincent at 6:45pm.

November 4th Chess 960 or Fischer Random. 5 games at 10' Swiss

November 11, 18, 25 and ? BCC Allegro Championships 15 round Swiss or RR at 15'.

Blog is back old and recent news

After a few busy weeks with work, chess and running I have some catch up news. See below for Burnie Shines, Robert Isted - BCC, BCC Calendar, Tas Junior
Burnie Shines - Weekender Yuglibar(?) and Think Big Grand Prix Today.

A small field of 20 contested the 6 round event with David H capably performing DOP and struggling to beat players over 1900 but still giving tehm a run for their money! Top seed Tony D went undefeated with 4 wins and two draws to tie for first with Alastair D. Marcus B was going well on day 1 with his opponents losing games for him inlcuidng second seed Kevin B. Jackson J returned to competitive chess and scored an early upset over Dallas F. Mason C gave the "Oh no" look and I walked straight into a free pawn lose a piece tactic. Dragan R also returned with typical unorthodx gritiness to have 3.5 on day 1. Mason notched up a solid Q, R, and 5p end-game win over Phil. Vincent H played a fun attack against Peter L's Sicilian to be 2 R vs K & B and then Peter's pawns started to roll! Tactics from both players saw a 65 move marathon swing both ways before the last tactic gave Vincent 3 points to finish Day 1.

On Day 2 the oldest competitor, Dragan, played Mason (64 years junior) and after a lot of holding on, and pawn blockages, Dragan was unable to stem the tsunami. Tony S played an entertaining Grob and caused me a lot of trouble to vindicate his most improved rating listing. Tony D outplayed Vincent and drew with Kevin to finish equal first. Alastair and Marcus played out a lot of exchanges into a draw.

Placings
1st Alastair D and Tony D 5/6

3rd and U12 Mason C 4.5/6

U1700 Russell H 4/6; U1400 Carey K

U18 Marcus B; 2nd U18 Vincent H and Lawrence B.

Toilet cleaning prize! pictured (my unfortunate job last year!)

Go Gemma & Game for History

It was wonderful to have so many people playing this evening.
Gemma played well to score two wins as black against Cohen and as White against Anthony. Cohen redeemed himself with a win over Mitchell to reverse the results of earlier games between the pair.
Game for History Vincent (possible leader) and David (leader on paper) entertaining game. "Vincent's game with David Hughes was quite simply hair raising. Can you imagine a position where both players seemed to have and seemed to NEED a draw by perpetual check. Vincent allowed this by responding immediately and his 11 seconds left turned into a fat comfortable two minutes. Almost beyond belief David checked Vincent's King so far across the chessboard that Vincent's King played a vital role when David was subsequently checkmated. So, short of time Vincent quite rightly stopped recording his moves... I found as a spectator that the game was so exciting and so unusual that I would like to include it in my next "Chess - Tasmanian Records"... David...was a most gracious loser" said Neville.

Neville v. Andrew according to Neville, "I made a complete mess of the opening but somehow got equality later and we were both happy with my offer of a draw. "
Phil was pleased the rub went his way after being in so many winning positions and g/drawing he was in a worse position but managed a win over Russell. Russell effectively changed plans to remove Phil's good bishop and won a pawn, then mixed up a tactic to be even, but squandered valuable time working out a the end game.
Peter beat Nigel.
Charlie has withdrawn.

See last week's post for the draw.

Meanwhile Juniors are off to Hobart for the Tas Jnr Championships.

Late news for Robert Isted

Kevin's lesson about a recent online game with some entertaining tactics.
David continued his form with an impressive win against Carey. Dylan finished his tournament with a win over Andrew. Neville wasn't sure of his rook sacrifice and went in all or nothing to score a perpetual check and half a point against Phil. Russell spent too much time looking at a possible kingside attack before going into an endgame, impossibly low on time against Reg's solid endgame. Vincent had Nigel tied down and walked a pawn to High St. Kevin defeated Charlie in another good attacking game.
Lenard defeated Zen, Anthony df Lenard, Anthony df Cohen.

Draw for last few weeks
Oct 7 Andrew vs Neville; Vincent vs David; Russell vs Phil; Charlie vs Reg; Nigel vs Peter
Oct 14 Charlie vs Carey; Reg vs Vincent; Phil vs Andrew; Peter vs David
Oct 21 Kevin vs Andrew; Charlie vs Nigel; Russell vs Vincent
Oct 28 Youth vs Wisdom
Reserves
Gemma vs Mitchell; Cohen vs Mitchell; Gemma vs Anthony;
Mitchell vs Cohen; Anthony vs Mitchell; Anthony vs Gemma
Mitchell vs Anthony; Cohen vs Gemma