Snodland's 5th Anniversary

On Thursday the 18th of December Snodland celebrated its 5th year as a chess club. To celebrate we had Steve Giddins come down to do some coaching to an eager audience. Before starting Steve very kindly presented some awards for everybody that participated in the success of winning the Harvey Cup last season.



Steve showed us some fantastic games with the Kings Gambit (one memorable game with Shirov at a very young age smashing his opponent as white with the gambit). He mentioned it was an opening that is do or die, as it can become very promising but very exposing. Also mentioning that Mark Hebdon is a fantastic expert of the Kings Gambit and can demonstrate just how lethal it can be.

After some examples he then moved on to some puzzles etc where the audience could chip in, in what they were thinking. Overall it was a fantastic night, well celebrated and with the success the club is having of late, we hope next years anniversary will celebrate even more successfull aspects of the season.

A bit of good luck cancels out a bit of bad luck

Snodlands team 2 travelled to far away Thanet yesterday and came away with a 3-3 draw in which considering the circumstances must fill Snodland with some breathing space.

Many events made availability for the match very difficult and could muster just 5 players available to travel to the sea-side club. Thanet having won both there 1st two matches (one notable result being a 5-1 smashing over Hastings) meant that they were looking in great shape and very strong indeed.

Having won the toss Snodland chose to have white on odd boards (sensible as there was no board 6) and played some fantastic chess.

Chris Marshalls game with Keith Findley finished 1st with a draw. Same grade, same board, same strength, meant it was a respectable result.

Len Hammond played a well faught battle who looked winning to begin with but unfortunatly lost when his opponent gradually took the upper hand, but a great effort

Matthew Bunn won a very complicated game against Bob Pooley on board one, full of mind numbing variations and did well to win, both having very little time making the match 2.5 - 1.5 (to Thanet)

David Fowler reached a position in the endgame where he had the extra pawn in a 6 v 7 pawns, 2 rooks and a king endgame. It looked very cramped up at the end and as well having little time agreed a draw which was a fair result Making the match 3-2 to Thanet

Last game to finish Tyrone Jefferies winning eventually on time with an inferior position however in the game it was said he was on top for a majority and might just have made up for the bad luck we had before the game.

However Snodland as the "current reigning champions" of the Harvey cup have started the season with a result that the team is happy with considering only having 5 players. Imagine what we will accomplish with 6.

Below as requested is board one's game Matthew Bunn's (118) game versus Bob Pooley (127)

Results

A number of En Passant matches have already been played, and for the clubs 1st season in the En Passant competition we have battled and come away with good results. More details to follow.

Below is an excellent win from Snodlands David Nicholls on board one against Folkestones John Atherton.




Impressive win David! David has been in very good form this season marking some fantastic wins against his higher rated opponents. Other players have achieved some steady and reliable results Chris Marshall and David Fowler just to name a few. Nick Allen has continued his good string of results, keen and determinated he is and hence the reason he is putting in some good performances. I'm sure if this commitment from the members of the club continues, we can achieve many more things to come.

More details of all matches to come shortly

Recent Progress

The A-league has been running well with some interesting results and games. Matthew Bunn and David Fowler still unbeaten while Chris leads the A-league having played 7 of his 10 games. All to play for still and despite who wins, there will be a new champion come the end of the season.

A LEAGUE P W D L Pts
1 Chris Marshall 7 3 2 2 4
2= Tyrone Jefferies6 3 1 2 3.5
2= David Fowler 4 3 1 0 3.5
4= David Lettington5 2 2 1 3
4= Matthew Bunn 3 3 0 0 3
6= Bob Fenn 4 1 1 2 1.5
6= Nick Allen 4 1 1 2 1.5
6= Len Hammond 3 1 1 1 1.5
6= Matt Gazes 4 1 1 2 1.5
10 Doug Smith 4 1 0 3 1
11= John Simons 4 0 0 4 0

Sad News

A very close friend of Snodland Chess Club and of the entire nation of chess has very sadly passed away. IM Bob Wade was a credit to British Chess, a true talent, and a fantastic coach to say the least. He had an outstanding and devoted commitment to chess and that passion inspired many alike. I for one say and I believe I speak for everyone that he will be sorely missed.



Rest In Peace
IM Bob Wade

Find the right Solution

The Caterham Congress 2008 was held last weekend (24th/25th/26th of October). One member of Snodland (Matthew Bunn) entered the Major section and scored well with 3 out of 5! In one of his games against Nigel Colter he completely dominates the game but fails to find the right continuation on move 26 to finish the game off. In the end a draw was agreed but can you find the right continuation after 25...g5??



White to move, how can white continue?

This is the full game below. Matt plays 26.Qd2 which is weak

A League so far...

The A-league has got off to a kicking start with interesting games and plenty of opportunity. Here are the standings after 6 weeks:

A LEAGUE P W D L Pts
1= Tyrone Jefferies 4 2 1 1 2.5
1= David Fowler 3 2 1 0 2.5
3= Chris Marshall 4 1 2 1 2
3= Matthew Bunn 2 2 0 0 2
3= David Lettington 4 1 2 1 2
6= Nick Allen 3 1 1 1 1.5
6= Len Hammond 2 1 1 0 1.5
8 Doug Smith 3 1 0 1 1
9= Matt Gazes 2 0 1 1 0.5
9= Bob Fenn 2 0 1 1 0.5
11= John Simons 3 0 0 3 0
11= Henry Williams 0 0 0 0 0


So with plenty of games to go Tyrone and David Fowler lead the A league with games and points adrift.