17 January 2026

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We welcomed another newcomer yesterday Atlos and was pleased to see Esila and Jake return as regulars. Our hardcore of regulars were keen and enthusiastic as ever and both sessions were enjoyable and some good chess was played.

Highlights

• 22 Juniors in total
• Tony went through a series of end games puzzles with the advanced players
• All were encouraged to enter into the Dorset chess event next Saturday in the under 1600 section
• Graham reviewed a game and technique of creating the open file by Aaron Nimzowitch — see details of game and report by Graham. This was very well received.

Photo Gallery

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Game Report: Aron Nimzowitsch – “Take the Open File!”

Graham reviewed a game and technique of creating the open file by Aron Nimzowitsch. This was very well received by our advanced players.

About Aron Nimzowitsch

Full name: Aron Nimzowitsch
Life: November 7, 1886 – March 16, 1935 (age 48)
Place of birth: Riga, Russian Empire (now Latvia), lived in Denmark

Aron Nimzowitsch was a Latvian-Danish chess player best known for his 1925 book, My System, which features his approach to chess that became part of a philosophy known as hypermodernism. Nimzowitsch was one of the best players of any style in the 1920s and early 1930s.

Nimzowitsch is best remembered for having created a new vocabulary for chess that made the strategy of the masters more intelligible. He also developed several theories of play, including the Nimzowitsch-Indian defense.

About “My System”

Aron Nimzowitsch’s book My System was a very influential book regarding how to play chess. It set out many principles that are still followed today and is understood to be a classic of its time. The book is still a valuable tool for anybody wishing to develop and improve their chess skills.

Resources:

• Free online copy: Internet Archive
• Purchase updated version: Amazon UK

The Principle: “Take the Open File!”

One of Nimzowitsch’s key strategic principles is to control open files with your rooks. Below is a demonstration game where he used this principle to devastating effect.

Nimzowitsch vs Duhm – Demonstrating Open File Control

Move	White (Nimzowitsch)	Black (Duhm)
1	c4	e6
2	e4	c5
3	Nc3	Nc6
4	f4	d6
5	Nf3	g6
6	d4	Bg7
7	dxc5	dxc5
8	Qxd8+	Kxd8
9	e5	h5
10	Be3	b6
11	O-O-O+	Ke7
12	Bf2	Nh6
13	Bh4+	Kf8
14	Bd3	Bb7
15	Be4	Na5
16	Bxb7	Nxb7
17	Rd7	Rb8
18	Rhd1	Kg8
19	Be7	Nf5
20	Ng5	Re8
21	Bf6	Bxf6
22	exf6	Na5
23	Rd8	Kf8
24	R1d7	Nh6
25	Nce4	Nc6
26	Rxf7+	Nxf7
27	Nxe6	Kg8
28	Rxe8	Kh7
29	N4g5+	Nxg5
30	Nxg5+	Kh6
31	Rxh8#	1-0

Key moments: Notice how Nimzowitsch seized control of the d-file after the queen trade (move 11 O-O-O+, move 18 Rhd1), then used this dominance to invade Black’s position. His rooks on the 7th and 8th ranks (Rd7, Rd8) became overwhelming, demonstrating the power of controlling open files.

Ladder Board Competition

We started the 1st week of the Ladder Board games which were played on a time control of 15 minutes each and all players were encouraged to notate their games. All did well.

1st Session – Advanced

Name	Played	Won	Draw	Loss	Total
Peter	1	1	0	0	1
Nicolas	1	1	0	0	1
Nicholas Mitze	1	1	0	0	1
Harvey	1	0	0	1	0
Kautum	1	0	0	1	0
Neil	1	0	0	1	0
Nathanial	0	0	0	0	0
Rafan	0	0	0	0	0

Results: Harvey 0 Nicolas 1, Nicholas Mitze 1 Neil 0, Kautum 0 Peter 1

1st Session – Intermediate

Name	Played	Won	Draw	Loss	Total
Kit	1	1	0	0	1
Pavina	1	0	1	0	0.5
JH	1	0	1	0	0.5
Nirvan	1	0	0	1	0
Markas	0	0	0	0	0
Sarah	0	0	0	0	0
Liam M	0	0	0	0	0
Liam	0	0	0	0	0

Results: Kit 1 Nirvan 0, Pavina ½ JH ½

2nd Session – Intermediate & Beginners

Name	Played	Won	Draw	Loss	Total
Nilay	1	1	0	0	1
Andres (Beginner)	1	1	0	0	1
Teo	1	1	0	0	1
Hektor	1	1	0	0	1
Jake	1	0	0	1	0
Manvik	1	0	0	1	0
Sepanta (Beginner)	1	0	0	1	0
Koko	0	0	0	0	0

Results: Hektor 1 Coach 0, Jake 0 Nilay 0, Manvik 0 Teo 1, Andreas 1 Sepanta 0

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Note: Ladder Board scoring – 1 point for a win, 0.5 for a draw, 0 for a loss

Well done to all participants! See you next week!