FINAL WEEK 19 JULY 2025

T shirts and shorts the order of a beautiful summer day and we welcomed 25 students to come and play chess, I think the beach was on the agenda for most after the club.

We welcomed Bharani for the 1^st time and hope he will continue and enjoyed the session.

Tony gave a Simul to 6 players in the short time available and ran round the boards in record time. Congratulations to Nicolas for winning and Rafan/Peter and Lathujan who had drawn positions when we had to finish.

Many thanks to Tony for managing the advanced group with his variety of puzzles and improving the players during all the sessions.

We welcomed back Steve (guest appearance) to give his best with the beginners in both sessions and we wish him well for all his activities in the summer. Today he managed Kit/Nilay/Mariella/Manvik and Holly over both sessions.

Deep concentration 1st session players

1st session games in progress

2nd session with Zayaan & Nicholas fighting it out for top prize

Paul and Zayaan playing the Queen’s Gambit declined against Martin and Nicholas.

Eric went through openings and middle games with newcomer Bhirani.

Martin took the advanced through puzzles and a game on the demonstration board – https://xco.ysa.mybluehost.me/website_cb3a4304/games/ and we hope they all took on the main lines of progress through their own games.

Puzzle 1 – Black to play and mate

Puzzle 2 – Black to play and mate

Puzzle 3 – White to play and mate

Eric showed Koko how to finish off games with major pieces and it was very pleasing to see him put this into practice in his game which he managed to win.

Results from today

1^st session – Peter 0 Nicolas 1, Lathujan 0 Rafan 1, Pavina 1 Nirvan 0, Markas 0 Harvey 1, Jacob1 Sarah 0, Katum ½ Coach ½, Kit 1 Bharani 0.

2^nd session – Nicholas 0 Zayaan 1, Hektor 0 Arthur1, Andrew 1 Oakley 0, Holly ½ Manvik ½, Koko 1 Nilay 0, Mariella 0 Rowley 1.

Ladder Board Tables

Congratulations to Nicolas for winning 1^st prize

Intermediates

Congratulations to Pavina and Harvey for equally winning 1^st prize

Beginners

Congratulations to Kit for winning 1st prize

2^nd session Intermediates

Congratulations to Zayaan for winning 1^st prize

Beginners

Congratulations to Mariella and Koko for equally winning 1^st prize.

So, onto next Saturday which is our Final one of the season and we look forward to 25 players plus in an all play all competition which will be a Major and a Minor with prizes for the winners.

Light refreshments will be provided and we remind all to arrive at 9.45 for registration so we can start on time at 10am. We plan to have 6 rounds. See you all next week.

Just to advise all, we will be starting again at the Library on the 13/9/25.

Many thanks to Steve/Paul/Tony and Martin for coming along and supporting the session.

Eric Sachs

Puzzle Solutions

Puzzle 1 – 1… Qxg2+!! 2. Kxg2 Rxf2+ 3. Kg1 Rb1 mate

Puzzle 2 – 1… Qg3+!! 2. fxg3 Re1+ 3. Kf2 R8e2 mate

Puzzle 3 – 1. Bxh6! Bxh6 2. Rg7+ Kh8 3. Rxh6 mate