NSDCA Santa Handicap
4 Fenton players took part in last night's handicap tournament at Crewe - myself, Stuart, Kasian and Brian. Kasian and Brian ended up in joint 2nd place with 5 points, while myself and Stuart finished way down the list with 3 and 2.5 points respectively. Click here to see the full table of results.
The Headmaster's Half Term Report
This year's half term report comes from Ray Hyde :
A more succinct report than
members have become accustomed to perhaps. This is the result of relying on a
fledgling editor who has also been absent for all but 2 of the fixtures of the
first half of this season. Here goes:
The 2014/2015 season culminated
with significant successes for our club, with the A and B Teams topping
Divisions 3 and 4 respectively. Less happy were our C and D Teams who struggled
in Division 5. As things stand at this point in the 2015/2016 season there are
fewer reasons to be cheerful.
The A Team said goodbye to
Division 3 and boldly entered Division 2. This was always going to be a tough
challenge but with our two highest graded players missing for most of the early
fixtures it has proved doubly difficult. Unless there is a dramatic turnaround
in the next 3 or 4 matches a return to Division 3 beckons next year. We currently prop up
the Division 2 table as does our C Team in Division 4. In contrast our B Team are
joint leaders in Division 4 whilst our D Team sits proudly, with Cheddleton G,
atop Division 5.
As regards Cup competitions, after
6 consecutive wins in the South Potteries Chess Challenge Cup we finally lost,
going down 5-3 in our annual tussle with Meir. Perhaps not unexpected with two
of our key players missing. Elsewhere, we reached the finals of, but did not
win, the Gothard Cup and the Perry Trophy and lost in the semi-final of the
Withnall Trophy.
Fenton players participated in a
number of events throughout the year. Rob Taylor and Steve Emmerton
participated in the British Championship sections and performed very
creditably. We entered 2 teams in the Newcastle Rapidplay Jamboree where Robert
West scored 100%. We also entered 3 teams in the NSDCA Doubles with
some success: Stuart Hull and Mike Smith winning the Minor section and Fenton
teams finishing second and third in the Major section.
It was a year for first-time
events. Firstly the South Potteries Rapidplay Championship, won by Jacob
Boswell (Cheddleton) and superbly run by arbiter Matthew Carr. The intention is
to make this an annual event.
Secondly, we organised a
simultaneous exhibition by GM Keith Arkell. He came, he saw, he conquered. GM
Arkell played 28 boards and conceded only 4 draws, including our own Glyn
Valentine, our newest member, whom we are delighted to welcome. Many thanks to
Steven Walley for his generous sponsorship.
We will attempt to provide a GM event next year though sponsorship may
be difficult to obtain next time.
Rob Taylor, not for the first
time, won the Club Championship and Ray Hyde the Rapidplay Championship.
No Christmas Dinner this year
although Steve Emmerton and Vanda laid on a superb buffet. Excellent food but
poorly attended by only 9 members. Disappointingly, several members had said
they would be attending but failed to turn up, without letting anybody know.
Finally it only remains to give thanks to Steve Emmerton for
his industry and imagination as the factotum of the Club, to Stuart Hull for
keeping us solvent, to the team captains for making the fixtures take place and
to everyone for participating.
Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year
We have now concluded all of our fixtures for 2015 and our next match will be on Monday 4th January. Can I take this opportunity to thank everybody for their support this season and to wish you and all of your families a Very Happy Christmas and New Year.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Christmas Buffet at the Club on Monday.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Christmas Buffet at the Club on Monday.
Close But No Cigar
It was another close run thing for the 'A' team last night against Newcastle 'C' but, once again, we ended up on the losing side, this time going down by 3-2. Glyn got us off to a great start with a win on board 4, followed shortly afterwards by a draw on board 5 for Neal. The 3 top boards all looked to have at least equal positions, with Kas actually being 2 pawns up. However, my attack began to peter out on board 3 and, with both of us in time trouble, a draw was agreed. Kas was also in time trouble on board 2 and, despite being 2 pawns up, his pieces were badly placed and he succumbed under the pressure. Rob looked to be in a good position on board 1 and should surely have drawn but he went wrong somewhere and blundered it away. This result leaves us stuck at the bottom of the Division 2 table and we need to quickly reverse our fortunes in the New Year if we are to finish in a respectable position. Click here to view last night's match score card.
First Point Of Season For 'C' Team
The 'C' team got their first point of the season last night with a 2-2 draw against Newcastle 'E'. Unfortunately, they still remain bottom of the league. Wins for Kasian and Mike on boards 1 and 2 gave us a share of the points. Click here to view the match score card.
Rearranged Match
The postponed Division 4 match between Fenton 'C' and Alsager 'B' has been rearranged for Monday 15th February.
Club Championship
There were 2 matches played in the Club Championship last night, with Rob beating Chris and Mike beating Joe.
'B' Team Suffer First Defeat
The 'B' team lost their first game of the season last night, going down by 3-1 at Meir 'B'. A disappointing night, which could have seen us go 2 points clear at the top of the table, ended with just draws for myself and Ernie to show for our efforts. Click here to view the match score card.
They Are The Champions !!
Congratulations to Stuart and Mike on winning the North Staffs 230 Doubles title at Holmes Chapel yesterday, with a score of 7/10, to give them a winning margin of 1.5 points. Stuart had an excellent day with 3 wins and 2 draws from his 5 matches, while Mike had 3 wins and 2 losses.
In the 320 Section, myself and Alex were defending our title and were leading by half a point going into the last round. However, I let the side down and lost my match, meaning that we finished second on 6 points. I'd like to say that I made a meaningful contribution to our total but, unless you consider 1 point to be meaningful, I failed miserably on the day. Rob and Ray finished joint 3rd with 5.5/10.
Click here to view the results and final table.
In the 320 Section, myself and Alex were defending our title and were leading by half a point going into the last round. However, I let the side down and lost my match, meaning that we finished second on 6 points. I'd like to say that I made a meaningful contribution to our total but, unless you consider 1 point to be meaningful, I failed miserably on the day. Rob and Ray finished joint 3rd with 5.5/10.
Click here to view the results and final table.
'B' Team Top Of The Table
The 'B' team have moved to joint top of the Division 4 table following a 3-1 win at Crewe 'C' last night. There wins for myself, Glyn and Derek on the top 3 boards. Unfortunately, Ernie disgraced himself yet again on board 4, losing against a player with an estimated grade of 60, which probably means he learnt the moves of the game last week !! Click here to view the match score card.
Club Championship
The first match in this season's Club Championship took place last night, with Kasian beating Ernie.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)