End of Season Round-up
Scarborough Chess Club has completed another season in the York and District Chess League. In the first division Acomb deservedly retained the championship title with the strength in depth. The draw which Scarborough made in the first match was one of only two matches in which they dropped points. Scarborough was able to retain its place in the first division thanks to the performance against the University.
In the Second Division the University was much stronger this season than the other teams with Scarborough finishing a clear second. A total of fourteen different players contributed to this performance and had experience of competitive chess for the club.
This was the first season after the Covid break and the flexibility of the league with the number of players helped greatly in allowing matches to take place rather than having defaults.
York University v Scarborough - Again
Scarborough played the return match against the University over six boards. Simon Dixon made a tactical change to the board order only to discover that the University had also made a change to their order. Scarborough got off to a flying start with wins by Malcolm Kirby and Colin Weller. This was followed by a win by Brian Stevens which guaranteed at least a draw in the match as Scarborough were under pressure on the other boards. Neil Pennock was facing a dominant Knight on d5 from a typical English structure but found a perpetual attack by his knight on a rook to gain the draw. The final result of three and a half points to two and a half should ensure the club's place in the first division for next season.
Match Report: York University v Scarborough
Scarborough Chess Club faced its first match of the season against the University which would be likely to go a long way to decide the regulation place in the first division. The match was played over five boards and Scarborough got off to an excellent start with a convincing win by Malcolm Kirby and a steady draw from Colin Weller. Neil Pennock's attempt for the brilliancy prize failed as it was only worth a draw but resulted in a pawn up endgame which was gave him an eventual win.
This gave Scarborough two and a half points and at least a draw in the match. Simon Dixon then made a tactical offer of a draw in a game to secure the match where his opponent had given up an exchange but with castling on opposite sides any result could happen. His opponent declined the draw and when all in for the win which resulted in him getting two connected pawns on the seventh rank but this was not enough to win as Simon found a mix of defensive and counter attacking moves and won. This gave the Club a win in the match with three and a half point out of five.
Reports from Scarborough's Match at Ye Olde Starre Inne
Scarborough travelled to York to play the return match against Ye Olde Starre Inne having lost the home match by a convincing score. The strength in depth of Ye Olde Starre has always proved a significant challenge to Scarborough and the team again faced an overall grading disadvantage.
The match was played over five boards. Scarborough prospects improved significantly when Brian Stevens produced a convincing early win with the black pieces on board four. Neil Pennock took advantage of a slight error from his opponent to offer a draw which was declined on the basis of the other games looking to be going to towards Scarborough, only for the draw to be offered back two moves later and accepted. Malcolm Kirby also obtained a draw against an opponent who had proved difficult in the previous two games between them played this season. Simon Dixon had one last trap left in the ending against the very experienced Tony Slinger had been avoiding for a number of moves. The match came down to the top board game where Paul Hutchinson was able to exchange queens into an ending where the bishop was able to demonstrate its strength against a poorly placed Knight with pawns been won and with them the game and match for Scarborough. Simon then resigned the last game to give a match result of three points to two points to Scarborough.
York League – First Team Opening Match
Scarborough Chess Club had a challenging start to the new season for the first team in the York and District Chess League with a home match against the reigning division one champions, Acomb.
The team had to play without its Captain and was significantly out graded on all the boards. The first game to finish was Neil Pennock when his opponent had a perpetual check. His opponent pointed out later that the computer gave a clearly winning line a few moves before the end but there was no way that Neil would have found this. A further draw was achieved by Brian Stevens when the position became completely blocked. On board three Simon Chester had lost a piece but had three not very dangerous pawns as compensation. With some deft manoeuvring and probably some help from his opponent a pawn was advanced to the sixth rank and then the seventh forcing the win of a piece and a won ending. Scarborough were now in the lead in the match, although it was not looking good on the other boards as all the Scarborough players were under pressure. Matt Conner, making his first appearance for the team, had won the exchange but his opponent had a powerful bishop for it and started to win pawns. Very short of time he lost the exchange and had to face an army of four space invader pawns moving down the board. The match was now level with both remaining games with players short of time. Paul Hutchinson gained a draw against Gavyn Cooper quickly followed by Malcolm Kirby 's opponent taking a draw by perpetual check with 15 seconds left on his clock. This left the match as a draw with the score three all.
Doug Rawlinson Trophy
The Scarborough Chess Club held the twentieth edition of the Doug Rawlinson Rapid Play Competition on the 27 September 2021. The clear winner was Colin Weller with four and a half points out of five and a whole point clear of the players in joint second place of Simon Dixon, Jon Ayres and Neil Pennock. This followed Colin Weller's three and a half points in the Minor at the Northumberland Minor which was half a point off the group winning the first prize.
Doug Rawlinson Trophy
The Scarborough Chess Club will be holding the Doug Rawlinson Rapid Play competition on Monday the 27 September commencing at 7.30 pm at the Roscoe Rooms, Roscoe Street, Scarborough. This gives players the opportunity to play five games in the evening against different opponents. You do not need to be a member of the club to attend but a fee of £3.00 is payable for the night by non members.
Scarborough Chess Club - Back in Action
The Scarborough Chess Club is back in action following the Covid restrictions and lock downs.
After enjoying the hospitality of the North Riding Public House for over ten years the club has moved to the Roscoe Rooms on Roscoe Street, Scarborough. Club nights will be Mondays with games starting at 7.30 pm. Training evenings will be the first week of the month and the Club is anticipating playing again in the York and District League later in the year.
Sad News
The Scarborough Chess Club has lost one of its stalwart members when Malcolm Peart passed away on the 9 January 2021. Malcolm joined the club in the early 1980s and went on to win the Club Championship a total of thirteen times. The first was in 1991 and the last was in 2011. Over the years he also won all of the other competitions organised by the Club. It was his initiative for the Club to enter the National Club Championship. This resulted in the club winning the Intermediate Plate in 1987 and Malcolm winning the Best Game Prize in the Major Section and a prize of £50.
Over the years Malcolm carried out many roles for the Club starting as Team Captain and moving on to President before making the role of Publicity and Training Officer his own. He was always keen on giving players the opportunity to improve and felt handicap games could allow them to win some games and encourage them to improve further. He ran the club's time handicap and material handicap quick play competitions to complement his first Tuesday of the month training events for many years, which were very popular. Much to his consternation he went on to win the events despite the handicap applied on a number of occasions. He will be greatly missed by the members of the Club.
(Further information on Yorkshire Chess site)
Scarborough v Ye Olde Starre Inne
Scarborough Chess Club continued their quest for a first ever league title with a home match against Ye Olde Starre Inne. The visitors had been a bête noire for the Seasiders this season, beating them both in the reverse league fixture, and knocking them out of the cup. Revenge was definitely on the minds of the team.
The home team had their strongest side of the season available, with Jon Ayres coming in to replace captain Simon Dixon on bottom board. They held a rating advantage of 979-950, or only 5 points a board, so it looked like a tight struggle would ensue.
Jon Ayres, making his seasonal debut, got Scarborough off to a flying start with a nice positional squeeze. Paul Hutchinson then continued his good form with a win, shortly followed by top board John Jarmany making it 3-0 with some nice middle game tactics. Les Wells made sure both points were safe with a solid draw. Chris Dossett, (who was appropriately for Valentine’s Eve playing Mr Darling), poured on more misery for the visitors with a nice queen side attack after the kings had castles on opposite sides. Simon Chester then drew the final game after sacrificing a knight for two pawns, but not quite finding the winning line in a complicated endgame.
This was Scarborough's best win of the season and closes the gap on leaders Acomb.
Match Card
Scarborough next have an away game against Eagle and Child 2, who beat them in the reverse fixture in January. If they can reverse that result, a showdown with last year’s champions and current leaders Acomb, could decide the destiny of this year’s title.
League Table
Match Reports
Scarborough chess club have had a strange start to the second half of the season. Firstly, they entertained Eagle and Child 2, who were just behind them in the league standings. Unfortunately for the Seasiders two of the middle order were unavailable, but they still held a 953-917 rating advantage going into the match.
Super-sub Malcolm Kirby, playing his first game of the season started things off with a smooth victory on bottom board. Regrettably, for the home team, this turned out to be the high point of the match for them as Simon Dixon and Simon Chester both succumbed to the pressure and lost. John Jarmany and Neil Pennock kept the match alive with draws, but Paul Hutchinson, needing a win to tie the match, overpressed and lost.
Match Card
A home match with Cavaliers was next on the fixture list for Scarborough. Unfortunately, the Away team could not raise a team and defaulted the match 6-0 to Scarborough.
A trip to Eagle and Child 1 came next. The Seasiders had both Chris Dossett and Les Wells back in their lineup but were missing Neil Pennock. Despite this absence, Scarborough held a 966-900 edge on grades, or 11 points a board, so they started slight favourites .
First to finish was captain Simon Dixon, who won from a tricky position, despite being a pawn down, his active King being the deciding factor. John Jarmany then slipped to a rare defeat on top board when his attack fizzled out. Paul Hutchinson then restored the lead for the visitors with a smooth win. Simon Chester then drew, shortly followed by another draw from Chris Dossett, who could not convert his extra pawn into anything substantial. This left Les Wells needing at least a draw to secure both points. With both players in severe time trouble mistakes and illegal moves happened on both sides. The dispute could not be resolved and this game will have to be resolved by the league. Scarborough have at least a draw in the match, but are hoping to get both points after the stewards enquiry.
Match Card
This result may play a big part in who wins the league, as Scarborough dare second, a couple of points behind Acomb, who still have to visit the coast in what could be a title decider.
Scalby School Chess Tournament 2020.
Scalby School are running a chess tournament - details below.
Venue: Scalby School, Fieldstead Crescent, Scarborough YO12 6TH. Tel: 01723-362301-Neven Buric.
Date: Saturday 1st February 2020.
Times: 9.30-5.0
Rules of Competition: 6 Round Swiss with 20 minutes each on the clock. Where possible games to be scored.
Chess Experience: Suitable for any chess player ages 8-16.
Refreshments: Some available on site or can bring packed lunch.
Entry Fee: FREE ENTRY.
Prizes-To be presented at the end also medals and certificates.
Contact Neven Buric (details above) to enter or for more information.