Hamilton Chess Club

Gary, Gerri, Richard, and Graham ran a very successful regional school’s competition on Sunday to find the local Waikato representatives to go to the Nationals in Auckland later this year. Each of the three divisions was run in round robin style. In the High School division there were 2 teams each from Hamilton Boy’s, St Paul’s, and Putaruru. Hamilton Boys-1 came first on 19 points, followed by St Pauls-1 on 16.5. The Intermediate division had 8 teams from Fairfield (2 teams), Maeroa (2 teams), Southwell (2 teams), Marian, and Peachgrove. Southwell-1 came first on 22 points, Maeroa1 were a close second on 21. The primary division also had eight teams competing (2 each from Hukanui, Hilltop, and Southwell, one each from Marian and Tamahere.) Honours went to Hukanui-1 on an impressive 27 out of a possible 28 points, with Southwell-1 second on 19.5. Three of the four players in Hukanui-1 are club regulars. We wish each of the three teams good fortune for the National competition. Some photos from the weekends event are here.

Last night we had the Cambridge Springs Defense, a variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined that begins with the moves:

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. Nf3 c6 6. e3 Qa5

Black breaks the pin on the h4–d8 diagonal and forms a pin of his own on the c3 knight (exploiting the absence of the White’s queen bishop from the queenside). If Black later plays dxc4, there may be threats against the g5-bishop. Graham now leads on 4 points, followed by Daniel and Richard Dare on 3, then Richard Jackson on 2.5. The crosstable has been updated. Matt has volunteered to bring along an opening for next week.

Rounds one and two of the openings tournament used the fiendish Frankenstein–Dracula Variation, a branch of the Vienna Game. (1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Nxe4 4. Qh5 Nd6 5. Bb3 Nc6 6. Nb5 g6 7. Qf3 f5). The opening involves many complications, however with accurate play the opening is very playable for both sides. The variation was given its name by Tim Harding in his 1975 book on the Vienna Game, in which he said that the bloodthirstiness of the character of play was such that “a game between Dracula and the Frankenstein Monster would not seem out of place.” The line is seen extremely infrequently in top-level play, mainly because the Vienna Game is seen so little at top-level play. Ivanchuk used the opening against Anand in Roquebrune in 1992 in a game that ended as a draw. The crosstable so far is here

Next week Graham will bring along the opening that will be used in rounds 3 and 4

For the next four weeks we will have a novelty tournament involving prespecified openings. The first 7 moves will be played out on the board, and then you are on your own. Each night there will be two games at time control 25 + 0. The same opening will be used in each game, so you will get to play one game as white, and one as black.

The cumulative points table for Club Blitz has been updated after round 4 last night. Once again Richard Dare leads the open division on 21.5. Round 5 will be played in August. Openings tournament next week.

For those of you keen to relive the memories here are a few more photos of the Waikato Open courtesy of Simon Lyall

The cumulative points table for Club Blitz has been updated after round 3 last night. Richard Dare leads the open division on 15.5 followed by Ian and Milton on 12. The reserve board division has Richard Jackson in a narrow lead over Sivoram. (The highest scoring player overall will be awarded the title of Club Blitz Champion. The title of Club Blitz Champion (reserve board) will be awarded to the highest scoring player whose club ranking was pawn, knight, or bishop at the start of the tournament. ) Round 4 next week.

If you have been thinking about coming along for a look then next week 08/07/14 at 7pm is a good place to start. We will be playing 6 blitz games at short time control of five minutes per game plus 3 seconds per move. New members are always welcome. Come along and join in the fun.

We will have the club blitz championship rounds 3 and 4 over the next two weeks. Guests are welcome to play. Remember that the title of club blitz champion will be awarded in August following round 6. There are a maximum of 6 points each night, so the champion will have the best score out of 36. Currently Richard is a clear lead on 10.5 points, followed by Milton on 9. Cumulative scores so far can be found here. There is also a reserve board competition running for those members ranked as pawn knight or bishop at the commencement of the tournament.

The final two rounds of the Winter cup produced a five way tie with Daniel, Richard, Eddie, Hilton, and Sivoram each on4.5 points. Tie break scores gave Daniel first place, followed by Richard second and Eddie third. We will run the spring cup using the same format of two 25 + 0 games a night in October. The final crosstable is posted here, and club ratings have been updated.