Suffolk Chess

At the AGM on 3 September it was agreed that Fischer timing could be used in standard-play games this season, provided both players agree to its use (and of course appropriate digital clocks are available).   In brief, this means starting out with and hour and a quarter on the clock, but instead of a quickplay finish after 30 moves, 10 seconds is added each move from the first move.   Thus, a game of 90 moves moves would last three hours.

Whilst this was approved at the AGM, other methods were also suggested.   Stowmarket's Vicky Allen wondered why we shouldn't simply play for 90 minutes each, with no quickplay finish.   This was supported in a comment to a previous article on the subject, when Clacton's Melvin Steele commented, at some length, "Many of the advantages you quote for Fischer timing could also be gained by simply adopting a single, non-incremental, time control of all moves in 90 minutes... So isn't it a good time to consider that too - because that has similar appeal AND can be equally applied to digital and analogue clocks (rather than being a separate digital option)?

"On analogue clocks, this of course also gets rid of the breaking off to 'fiddle about'.   On electronic clocks it additionally avoids the situation that can occur if players omit pressing the clock for one or more moves, or if players give an extra press, such as an initial 'check it works', or to take back an illegal move.

"By mis-counting the 30 moves in the dual time control, this can cause the move-number-triggered type of digital clock to prematurely flash and stop, falsely indicating that the game is over because the first time control was not met, then needing an 'expert' to do the resetting.   Displayed time with a single Fischer increment would also be affected, and not so easy to reset.

"A final consideration for clubs investing in digital clocks - are 34 modes needed when at least 30 will be unused?  
Some cheaper models are quite adequate for both Fischer and single time controls - but some do not support the present double time control.   So a decision to keep/drop the present time control could determine how many clocks a fixed club budget might buy!"

It's certainly something to consider for a future AGM, but doesn't a single time control (all moves in 90 minutes) take some fun out of the game?

As most Suffolk players will be aware, the county fields teams in the EACU Open and Under 160 sections.   Both Norfolk and Cambridgeshire also have Under 100 teams, and Suffolk has been asked if we could also have a team.   To achieve that, we first need to find someone who will act as captain.   Teams consist of just 8 players, so it shouldn't be too difficult to find a full team.

Here is a list of all Suffolk players graded 99 and below.

If there someone in this list who is prepared to put their hand up?   If so, please contact as soon as possible.

The Bury Area Chess League traditionally starts the season with a 'Jamboree', when many of the affiliated clubs' members come to the Bury St Edmunds club to play three Rapidplay games (25 minutes each) against members of other clubs.   This year the Jamboree is being held on Thursday 19 September.

If any Suffolk League players would like to join together to form a team (or teams) of four, they will be most welcome.   There's a small fee of £4.00 per team (£1.00 each) to cover the cost of the venue and refreshments (usually coffee, tea, biscuits).

It's certainly an opportunity to play against people you don't normally get to meet.   It's all conducted in a friendly, sociable atmosphere.

If anyone from the Suffolk League would like to come along, please let know.   If you're on your own, I'll help you to be part of a team.   Ideally, of course, form a team and come over to Bury together.

The fixtures for the coming season have now been published on Dave Wild's grading website.   The first matches will take place in week commencing 16 September:

Division 1

Tuesday 17 September - Ipswich B v Bury St Edmunds B
Wednesday 18 September - Manningtree A v Ipswich A

Division 2

Tuesday 17 September - Stowmarket A v Bury St Edmunds C

Division 3

Tuesday 17 September - Felixstowe v Stowmarket Rooks;   Ipswich E v Saxmundham B

This season, Woodbridge School will not be playing in the league; they are only entering the cup competitions.   Clacton will only be fielding one team, in Division 3.

Manningtree will have an extra (second) team in Division 3, whilst Bury St Edmunds will have an extra (fourth) team, also in Division 3.

When Competitions Secretary Mike McNaughton returns from holiday in a few days' time, he will issue lists of nominated teams as well as team captains' contact details.

In just four weeks' time, the Bury St Edmunds Congress takes place.   Entries now stand at 53, which is a record.   Even in 2010, when we had our highest-ever entry of 173, there had only been 45 entries at this stage.   Of the 53 entries received so far, only 22 played last year.

If you're planning to play, please don't leave your entry to the last minute.

Go to the Congress website and click on 'Register online'.   All the instructions are there and it's easy to pay online if you prefer (it saves postage!)

The Bury Knights Junior Chess Club, formed over 20 years ago, is the last remaining junior club in the county.   Several years ago there were four or five junior clubs, but Stowmarket, Newmarket and finally Ipswich have all folded.   On Friday this week the Bury Knights re-opens after the summer break and expects some 30 members to turn up.

Why, we should ask, have these other clubs been unable to continue?

The answer is simple - continuity is vital.   When parents run junior chess clubs, they eventually have to leave when their children decide they've had enough, or they age out.   What is needed is permanent helpers - adult chess players who have no children of their own to worry about.

So this is an appeal to Suffolk chess players.   One of the most satisfying aspects of our game is helping others to improve.   Children are sponges, and soak up information at an amazing pace.   Volunteer to help, and let's get at least the Ipswich Junior Club re-started.   Ipswich has a population some four times larger than Bury St Edmunds, so there's no doubt that there will be enough interest from children who live in the town.   Let's hear from you!

17 members attended last evening's Annual General Meeting of the Suffolk County Chess Association.   President Colin Roberts thanked the Ipswich Chess Club for hosting the meeting and for providing refreshments.

The Agenda was completed by 9.45 pm (an hour earlier than last year!)

The Minutes of the meeting will be published on this website as soon as they have been prepared and approved by the President.   A number of officer posts have yet to be filled.   If anyone would like to consider applying for any of the following posts, they should contact :

*    Vice-President
*    Junior Organiser
*    First Team Captain
*    Under 100 Team Captain

In addition, Competitions Secretary Mike McNaughton would dearly love to hand over his job to a successor.   He has done the hard work for the season - compiling the fixture list.   So if anyone would like to take over this important role, again they should contact me.

From Bob Jones:

Entries are rolling in for the 31st Bury St Edmunds Chess Congress, which is being held at the Apex in the town centre, on 5 & 6 October.   You can enter (and pay) online if you prefer, or simply download the entry form and post it with a cheque.

All the information you need can be seen on the Congress website.

As of today the number of entries stands at 44.   This is the highest it has ever been, 4½ weeks before the event.   Even in 2010, when we had a record total entry of 173, only 37 had entered at this stage.

Now is a good time to get your entry in.   It makes my life a lot easier if you don't leave things to the last minute!

At the Riga Open in Latvia, between 5 and 11 August, Alan Merry scored 5½ points out of nine, gaining 24 rating points to take his Elo to 2310.   He has now gained the FM (FIDE Master) title, at the tender age of 16.

But he is not the only youngster in Suffolk to have an FM title.   Nor is he the highest-rated junior in the county....

Justin Tan, from Australia, is starting this term at Woodbridge School under Adam Hunt's tutelage.   He already has a rating of 2333 and is four months younger than Alan!

Alan's ECF grade is 227, whilst Justin is 229.   Suffolk has never seen such talent at this age.

Just a quick reminder that the Suffolk County Chess Association AGM will take place this Tuesday (3 September) at Ipswich Chess Club, starting at 7.30 pm.

Everyone who attends gets a vote, so please come along if you can.   You don't have to be a club official; any member of an affiliated club may attend.

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This is the first posting of the new season 2013-14.   Keep checking this page, or bookmark it, because it is planned to update it every day!.