14 JUNE 2025

Another excellent turnout of 22 juniors of all ages to learn and play chess.

• Tony took the Advanced group through some schematic end game positions which was quite interesting and most of the group did really well and followed the tactics to reach the right result.
• Steve went through some basics with Kit and Liam in the 1^st session & Nilay, Manvik, Koko & Mariella in the 2^nd sess on. All are doing well and slowly progressing, there is much to learn. Enjoyment and winning always helps.
• Eric reviewed the Q’s pawn opening with Nirvan and Harvey in the 1^st session and showed some tactics to Hektor in the 2^nd session
• Paul went through a game with Pavina, Markas and Kautum followed by a game with Nicholas in the 2^nd session and its great to see Nicholas progressing so well.

Martin took the 2^nd session senior group through the puzzles below and a short internet game – https://xco.ysa.mybluehost.me/website_cb3a4304/games/

Position 1 – White to play, mate in 4.

Position 2 – White to play, mate in 4.

Position 3 – White to play and win

Ladder Board Matches Results

1st session Advanced and Intermediates

• Lathujan ½ ½ Tristan, Peter 10 Nicholas, Nathanial 1 0 Coach.
• Markas 0 1 Harvey, Coach ½ ½ Pavina, Liam 0 1 Kit, Kautum 0 Nirvan 1

2^nd Session Advanced and Intermediates

• Nicholas 1 0 Arthur, Mariella 0 1 Andrew, Nilay 0 1 Koko, Zayaan 1 0 Hektor, Manvik 0 1 Alfie.

Nathanial has taken the lead on 5 points with a fine game against a coach and Peter trapped Nicolas’s Q to win his game and start the catch- up chase, it is going to be interesting over the next few weeks. Lathujan gained his first score with a good draw against Tristan who was on the back foot.

Harvey took the lead with a fine win against Markas but its very close. Pavina is only ½ point behind so all to play for.

In the 2^nd session 4 players are equal with 3 points – Zayaan, Alfie, Koko and Hektor so the key is to keep the attendance up and win the remaining games. There are others on 2.5 so again all to play for.

A reminder we have just 4 weeks to complete the ladder board competition followed on the 19/7 which will be our Final session for the season with an all play all competition. Please keep this date free so we can have a good competitive day with all levels available. Matches will be 10 minutes each and we hope to have 6/7 rounds. It starts at 10 am and will finish by 12pm – followed by prizes for as many as possible and certificates for all.

Many thanks to our full compliment of coaches yesterday – Steve, Paul, Tony, Martin for coming along and supporting junior chess.

See you next Saturday, Eric.

Puzzle Solutions

Position 1 – 1. Qxg7+ Rxg7 2. Nh6+ Kh8 3. Rxf8+ Rg8 4. Rxg8 mate.

Position 2 – 1. Nf8+ Kh8 2. Ng6++ Kh7 3. Rh8+ Kxg6 4. Ne7 mate.

Position 3 – 1. Rxe6+ Qxe6 2. Qxe6+ dxe6 3. Rd8 mate.