Club Champion Finalised

Phil's notes in Black. My comments in Blue.
After last week's Benoni (Debacle var.) against Russell blew up in my face I reverted to the more reliable KI against Dylan's 1.d4.
Dylan didn't get the usual white counterplay on the Q side allowing black the unusual situation of having iniative on both wings.
In the middle game the position got very tactical with both players missing many best lines before Black was able to liquidate into a winning R+B+extraP v R+N.
Short of time Black's play was not accurate and white missed at least one clear chance to equalise this ending but ultimately black was able to sac a B to force a pawn through to Queen.

I didn't see the end of the other games but I thought that Andrew's KI looked a bit dubious when he had to retreat his N to b8 but he seemed OK against you after that later in the game.  This line is known but e6 is more usual than e5 to which dxe gives white a better position than the way the game turned out.  With Andrew making backward development I considered a K-side pawn storm but opted for a slower Q side advance.  I had a slight advantage and an easy plan but then Andrew came up with a surprising move (or one I had overlooked) whereby I lost a pawn but gained e4 for a mighty Knight.  Andrew's King was more exposed and I thought I had a way to break through with several weak points to attack  - unfortunately I was now running out of time and had lost my 20 minute advantage.  The game then descended into a time scramble which was unfortunate given the possibilities for both sides.  Andrew made it easy with a bad mistake under time pressure to lose a very even game.

Carey had Kevin absolutely on the ropes but Kevin some how survived and when I left Carey was lost.  Kevin managed to exchange pieces and slowly get out of danger.

Reg was the exchange up for a couple of pawns against Peter. I thought Peter had good chances to draw this one.  Reg went out for a smoke and Peter thought he coudl get some time back and so he moved quickly only to lose teh exchnage.  Reg then later gave away a piece and the game.

My tally for the tournament placings is
Phil Club Champion 8/10
Kevin 2nd 7.5/10
Russell and Andrew =3rd 6.5/10.
David to confirm final standings.

Quick games

This week 3 of the four games were quickly completed, much to the surprise of everyone.  Neville returned to the club after his knee operation and played some casual games against Carey.
Despite 75'+30" three games finished by 8:15pm.
Peter played a QGD against David.  Peter created many threats - if David dared to capture on d4 with the simple Bxh7+.  David was left with little chance and succumbed to losing a piece or mate.  This game marks a turning point in Peter's play with a return good form.
Kevin had Dylan's king under pressure early and his pieces combined well down the e-file and on f7.  Late in the opening, a pawn fork on d5 won a piece and the attack intensified.  A quick result between two evenly matched players.
I played Phil and played slightly offbeat/dodgy Benoni line, holding back my e-pawn to gain a move and create pressure on d6.  Phil's error saw the early loss of two pawns and a stranded king.  White soon rounded up a piece and swapped queens.  Despite this loss Phil is still ensured of 1st place.  His next game and the results of Kevin and Andrew will determine who shares with him.
In the final game Nigel had an opprtunity to swap into an even ending N+B+ an extra pawn vs B+B but he continued to fight for more.  Nigel eventually lost a piece and the game.

Remaining Draw

April 20
Russell vs Phil
Andrew vs Carey
Peter vs david
Kevin vs Dylan
Nigle vs Reg

April 27
Russell vs Andrew
Reg vs Peter
Kevin vs carey
Dylan vs Phil

May 5
Dylan vs Fred
Peter vs Carey or Nigel.

Phil edges closer to title

Phil's win over Kevin has virtually sealed the result of the club championships and it looks as though he will finally see his name engraved alone on the coveted sheild. (A previous joint champion, he is now looking at outright first.)  In the game, Kevin as black was bogged down, badly constricted with his Queen isolated on the far wing and his major pieces in hiding on the second and first rank.  Despite this material winning position, Phil found the best move by threatening mate with a Queen sacrifice - "Ah, I see", murmered Kevin.  The White Bishop on f7 was dominant.  While defending this threat he was unable to protect f6 and an eventual mate allowing Phil a masterful finish to the game.
Andrew now remains the only player with a faint hope of reaching Phil and he scored a win over Carey.  Carey was 2 pawns down and looking into the eyes of a pawn march, but found some counter play to force Andrew into defence.  Andrew quickly readjusted and swapped off material to go into the ending with winning pawns.
David defeated Reg playing the Vienna.
Nigel played without error and beat myslef.
Peter as black defeated Fred.

Easter BCC results and catch up

Easter Results
Nigel lost to Phil and Fred lost to Carey.
Catch-Up
Some time ago I may have misreported some games.  Today I found the following comments.
Kevin's Sicilian defeated Fred, "I lost!", seemed to indicate it was one way for Kevin.
Peter vs Carey provides an interesting commentary - "On move 7 we had several exchanges and then after I castled on move 16, I realsied something was not right!"  Indeed, Carey discovered he was a Knight down.  (Two years ago, late at night, this bemusing phenomenon happened between Carey and myself, with Carey the beneficiary.)
David snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, a pawn up and an attack, but in going for checkmate,opened his king up to find himself lost.  - Please edit and include your opponent.

2010 TCA Calendar

Tas Champs: 6-8 Mar Hobart (Princes St Primary) confirmed
Rapid Series I: 17 Apr Hobart (Princes St Primary)
Rapid Series II: Late May Ulverstone (TBA)
Tas Open: 12-14 June Burnie (Havenview Primary)
Rapid Series III: July Launceston (to be confirmed)
Hobart Weekender: 14-15 August Hobart (Migrant Resource Centre)
Tas Junior Champs: 4-5 Sept Launceston (TBA)
Burnie Shines: 23-24 Oct Burnie (Havenview)

2010 Tasmanian Rapid Chess Series

Tournament 1 Hobart
Hosted by the Hobart International Junior Chess Club for the TCA

This series of 3 tournaments was introduced in 2009 to encourage competition between adult and junior players. Each of the zones, South, North and North West will host a tournament throughout the year.

Date : April 17th 1pm – 7pm
Venue : Princes Street Primary School, Randall St, Sandy Bay.
Format : 5 rounds. 25 minutes + 5 seconds per move.
Cost : $30 Adults, $25 Concession, $15 Juniors.
Prizes : to be determined on the day. Prizes will include Open, u18, u12 and girls divisions, subject to at least three entries per division

All games will be rapid rated.
Entries will be taken on the day by 12.30pm.

Enquiries : Nigel Frame Ph 042183052 framebna@hotmail.com

Kevin making a claim on BCC title

Kevin racked up another win over Dylan by winning a pawn early, dominating with his pieces, winning a second pawn and rolling through the game. He now sits on top of the leader board with only one loss and one draw. Phil has a similar points loss but has several more games to play - their clash in Round 10 will likely decide the BCC Champion.
Meanwhile I had an interesting battle with Reg's Colle system. Reg launched a premature King-side attack and I accpeted control of the d file. There was no easy way for either player to break through. Reg launched a typical g4 thrust and teh game see-sawed with good possibilities for both players. Unfortunately Reg made a serious mistake late in the game to end the even tussle.
Carey, David, Fred and Andrew all played but I'm not sure of teh results.
April 7th teh club will be open and Nigel and Fred play. Otehr catch up games can also be arranged. Round 10 proper commences on April 14.