round 10

round 10

Report on Aus Juniors 2010

Alastair's game against Alistair was a ripper in round 10. From move 30 there was some tense heavy piece moving. From being equal at move 33 things changed quickly to be winning for black (Alastair), and reversed a few moves later and reversed again. Check this game and several others at www.chesstasmania.org.au/AJCC. Alastair had 5/6 when he met 2009 World U12 Champion, Bobby Cheng on board 1. Then followed IM James Morris on the rebound! Alastair played some ripper games but it was round 11 before he was rewarded with some points.

Charlie had a solid tournament (4 points) with a major upset (500 points) in round 1 over Michael Chan. Andrew played some good chess and long games without much reward until the later part of the tournament (4.5). Mitchell Reid slowed down hi splay and improved considerably and was pleased with his win over Brett D. Vincent had a slow start to the tournament losing some easy (?) matches before coming home on fire with a great game over Seb J in round 11, to finish tied for third place in U14 on 6 points.

Kevin gave away too many pawns for nothing and then fought back amazingly in many entertaining games to finish on 5.5. His games are worth looking at.

Other Tasmanians who featured were Harry and Mason in U12. Both on 6.5 to be equal 8th.

In the lightning Vincent scored well despite a non-functioning clock to win a silver in U14 Open with 6/10.

Players and adults were treated to a simul with GM Ian Rogers. Nigel F playing next to me had an interesting game while I plodded through a Slav (surely not possible). Ian 25 - Challengers 0!

Welcome 2010

Officials for Burnie Chess Club

President: Carey, Sec/Tres: Neville, Vice Pres: Nigel, Director of Play: David, Auditor: Dylan.

Play starts Feb 3rd.

Calendar

Feb 3rd- May: Club Championships 75'+30" and Reserve Championships. Rules 3 weeks of postponements allowed. 1 week break following Easter.

June - July: Lindsay Atkinson 25'+10"

June 12-14: Tas Open Weekender

July: Youth vs Wisdom

August -Oct: Robert Isted 60'+10"

October 23 -24: Weekender 60'+10"

November: Allegro

December: Lightning

Alastair plays world champion

Today Alastair played Bobby Cheng the 2009 U12 World Champion on Board 1.

Alastair was in 2nd position in the U18 Open Australian Junior Championships with 5/6. With white Alastair faced a French (not his favoured option for the mire of tactics he enjoys). By about move 20 teh queens were off and the position equal. Alastair kept seeing tactics that didn't work and defending aginast these his pieces became awkward and he then lost to a rook trapping tactic. He now heads into round 8 with 5/7.

Other Bunrie players had a better day, Andrew scored his second win (3/7), Charlie and Kevin drew agaunst each other, Mitchell yet to win a game is now playing solidly and not leaving pieces en prise, Vincent scored a win (3.5/7).

Burnie AGM

Wednesday 28th January for a casual night of chess and a brief meeting.
The following week the club championships will commence.
This week the Australian Junior Championships starts in Hobart. Burnie club players to keep an eye on are Alastair, Kevin, Vincent, Andrew, Charlie and Mitchell. Visit the TCA website for further information.

The final night of 2009 ended with a 5 round Swiss playing the following openings: Bishop, Elephant Gambit, Monkey's Bum Gambit, Latvian Gambit, Blackburne Shilling Gambit.

Allegro for Alastair at Last

Alastair won his first BCC Allegro with 15.5 points with one loss to Nigel, a draw and 15 wins! Nigel had his best tournament of 2009 as desperately unlucky not to finish in the medals. A win against an out of form Carey on the last night was all that was needed. Carey didn't oblige and Nigel was lucky to force a draw in losing position with 3x repetition.
As usual, the final night of Allegro (quick play 15 minutes/player) produced its run of escapologists and could have beens! Kevin was winner on the board against Neville who managed a perpetual check with seconds remaining. Sewer Rat (David) traded off all pawns to leave Neville to check mate him with Knight and Bishop in 3 minutes- DRAW!! Kevin losing 5 pawns down, boxed his king in and tried to give his rook away for a draw against Russell, but missed once to narrowly lose on time. David missed an in between move on a sacrifice against Russell to lose a piece and later an exchange to be looking sad until Russell traded a Rook for a pawn to everyone's amazement. Some scrambling form Russell scored a draw. Dylan got caught up worrying time away about possible attack and wen into a pawn and bishop ending without enough time to get checkmate after queening.
Meanwhile Reg was using his wisdom to quietly move through the field.
Final draft standings from 17 games - David hopefully will update.
Alastair 15.5, Vincent 14, Reg 13, Nigel 12.5, Russell 11.5.

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.