Suffolk Chess

After three weeks of League matches, only one team - Ipswich D (in Division 1) - is yet to play a match.

In Division 1, the three matches that have taken place to date have resulted in 2½-1½ scorelines.   With Ipswich sharing their strength across their four teams, the season promises to be a close one.

In Division 2, five teams have played twice, with the other two teams having one match each.   Both Bury St Edmunds A and Felixstowe A have won both matches.

In Division 3, all eight teams have played one match.   Both Manningtree teams (B & C) won 3½ - ½.   The only other winning team was Ipswich F.

To view the latest league tables, click on the division name.

Following the success of the Open Evening, held on 16 September (as reported here), numbers at the Bury Knights Junior Chess Club have held steady, with almost all the newcomers choosing the join the club.   Both this week and last week, 43 members attended.

The photo above shows the new Division 4, with Adam Leigh in charge.   This evening the Club used four classrooms, with Laurie Pott coaching the top division, and Mario Saenz de Villaverde helping out with the Novices.

The Suffolk Under 145 Cup was last competed for in 2013/14, when it was won by Ipswich.   They beat both Manningtree and Felixstowe in that season.

Four clubs have entered this year: the same three as in 2013/14, plus Bury St Edmunds.

It was originally planned for the Suffolk Cup & Plate tournament to replace the two graded cup competitions, but the clubs in Suffolk seem to enjoy the u125 and u145 events and they are both being played this season, alongside the Cup & Plate.

The first match took place this evening, with Manningtree scraping home against Bury St Edmunds by 2½-1½.   On paper the Manningtree team was very strong, averaging 136 grade, whilst Bury St Edmunds could only average 120.

The other two clubs, Ipswich and Felixstowe, play their first match on 8 November.

The Women's World Chess Championship will be held in Tehran, Iran, in February 2017.   The organisers are stating that all competitors must wear a hijab.   Some players are threatening a boycott.

As pointed out in this excellent BBC article, chess was banned in Iran for much of the 1980s, largely because of its pre-revolutionary association with gambling.   So hosting a women's chess championship is already a significant step forward.

What do Suffolk women players think about these dress regulations?

After four rounds of the Isle of Man International Masters tournament, Alan Merry is on 2½ points, having scored 1½/3 against GMs.   Tomorrow he faces yet another GM, Mihail Marin, who beat Adam Taylor in Round 2.

Both Adam and Ed Player are on one point.

Although there are 130+ entrants, there is only one player, GM Alexei Shiorov, on maxcimum four points.   He will be taking a bye tomorrow, so there is likely to be a bunch of players on 4½/5.

Results can be seen here and live games here.

Most clubs have new members who will be playing in League matches this season.   It would be good to see photographs of them so that everyone can get to know them, and to welcome them.

So for a start, here are a couple of new members of the Bury St Edmunds club:

Isuru (known as 'Sean') Wickrama (left) and Anthony Taylor.   Both have estimated grades of 140.

Please send photos to me, so that they can appear on this website.

As reported yesterday, Alan Merry (right) needed a win today against Indian GM Avarindh (2564) in the second round of the Isle of Man International tournament to achieve his International Master title.   Despite his opponent's +176 rating, it was Alan who prevailed in 48 moves.

Alan's two wins in this tournament take his 'live' rating to 2404.   Even if his rating subsequently drops below 2400, Alan's achievement will still stand.

Alan (now aged 19) is the third 'home-grown' Suffolk player to achieve International Master status.   Nicholas and Richard Pert, now aged 35, became IMs at 19 and 21 respectively, with Nick gaining the GM title a year later.

The photograph was taken a year ago at the same event.

This was the position after Black's 45th move, with Alan (White) to play:

The game continued:   46.   b6!   Ka5   47.   Nd5   Ka6   48.   f4!   1 - 0

For his efforts, Alan gets to play Black against second seed Wesley So (2794) in Round 3!   There are 15 players on maximum points - 14 GMs and Alan Merry.

As reported last week, three local players are in the Masters section of the Isle of Man International, which began today.   Alan Merry, needing just 12 rating points for his long-awaited IM title, had hoped to face top seed Fabiano Caruana (2813) in the first round.   Seeded in the middle of the draw, Alan missed out by just one place.   Instead of playing Caruana, he was paired against the lowest-rated player!   At least he plays a GM in Round 2 tomorrow, Indian GM Avarindh (2564).   If he could win this game (a big ask) Alan will instantly achieve his title.

Manningtree's Adam Taylor enjoyed a splendid win.   He was re-paired against floater IM Jack Rudd, whose erratic play has caused his rating to plummet in recent years.   Adam plays Roumanian GM and chess author Marin (2569) tomorrow.

Ed Player had a tough match, losing to GM Brunello.   Tomorrow he faces the second-lowest player in the draw.

Following the plea on this website a couple of weeks ago, a new captain has been found for the Suffolk First Team.   For this season only, John Peters (left) will be taking over the helm.

John will receive support from Ian Wallis, the outgoing captain, who will be providing contact details for team members.   And if John cannot play for any reason, Ian has said that he will do whatever is needed on the day.

After this season, Steve Ruthen will be taking over for 2017-18 and, hopefully, the foreseeable future.   Steve will be retiring next year and will have more time to concentrate on chess.

It is hoped that those who usually play in the First Team will give John their full support.

There will be at least four Suffolk-based teams playing in the 4NCL this season.

Anglian Avengers 1, following their second place in Division 2 last season, have been promoted to Division 1.   Their second team will play in Division 3 (South).

Iceni will again field two teams, one in Division 3 (South) and the other in Division 4.

Anyone interested in playing in the 4NCL should contact either (Anglian Avengers) or (Iceni).

The first matches in Division 1 will be played on 19/20 November at Wokefield Park, near Reading, whilst Divisions 3 and 4 will be at the same venue a week later, 26/27 November.   A year ago, part of the hotel was destroyed in a major fire - see here - but it has since re-opened.