Hamilton Chess Club

It came down to the last game to decide Club Champion 2016. Richard had the white pieces and needed to play for a win. In the  end Hilton had queen rook and knight against queen and two rooks and conceded defeat. Richard is therefore Club Champion 2016, meaning he is Club Champ for the second year in a row.  Hilton and Milton were second equal half a point behind.The title of club Junior champion goes to Sivaram this year, with Joel in second place. Sivaram receives a book prize for his efforts. The final cross table is here, and the roll of honour has been updated here.

Club ratings have been updated for the five rounds of the club champs so far. Four club members have achieved new personal bests.

The draw for next week is below. Remember no byes allowed in the final two rounds, so if you cant make it you will forfeit the point, unless you can arrange to play your opponent prior, for instance on the weekend. Let me know if you cant be there, so that we can save your opponent coming in unnecessarily, and so that I can  see what can be arranged in terms of a make-up game.

Standings at round 5 below

The draw for round 5 is below. Clocks will be started at 7:15 or as soon as possible thereafter. Don’t be late.

The draw for round 4 is below. Clocks will be started at 7:15 or as soon as possible thereafter. Don’t be late.

Please email Richard Jackson if you wish to take a half point bye in the next two rounds of the club champs as I will be out of town.

So far we have byes awarded for Ian and Murray for round 4

The draw for round 3 is below. Clocks will be started at 7:15 or as soon as possible thereafter. Dont be late.

All club ratings, graphs and crosstables have been updated

The club welcomes Lara Heppenstall as its newest member. Lara is a seasoned player having competed in tournaments in her native British Columbia. She is a strong player and came very close to victory against Graham in round one of the club champs. Welcome Lara.

Club champs round one last night. Twenty seven players turned out, a few less than 2015 when we had 31  and a definite improvement on 2014 (23) and 2013 (19). Two games went down to the wire: Murray v Hilton, and Graham v Lara. Round 2 next week. Remember that clocks will be started as soon as I do the draw, whether you are there or not. Also, let Ian know if you are not going to be there as you will be awarded a bye. Crosstable so far is below. Club ratings have been updated.

Eight club players turned out for the recent BOP rapid. Richard, Prashant, and Hilton all managed a credible 3 points in the tough field of the  open division. The results are notable for  including an impressive draw by Richard against FIDE International Master Paul Garbett, rated 2284. Richard will pick up significant NZCF rating points as a consequence. In the same division Graham scored 2 and Chirag 1.5. In the B division Milton, Gary, and Murray managed  4, 3 and 2 points respectively.

The club champs kick off next week. The draw will be based on club rating so in some games there will be the inevitable mismatch of ability that occurs in the first few rounds. Don’t despair as within a round or two you will be have opponents closer to your own level. As this is serious chess please remember to keep the noise down.  Although Hamilton Chess Club Special Rules do not call for game forfeit if your mobile goes off please be considerate and set your phone to silent. See you next week. Remember no  entries after week 1, so if you want to be in but cant make it on the first night let Ian know so you can have a bye.

The club now has in excess of 40 members and continues to go from strength to strength. The next seven weeks are members only nights for the club champs, but if you are a prospective member you are welcome to come along and see how we operate, and you may be able to pick up a casual game or two once members have completed their scheduled games.

The club is pleased to welcome Finlay Buckell as its newest member. Finlay had accumulated a few club games earlier in the piece and enters the ratings table with 36 ratable games so far, and a club rating of 1427. Dave Whiting and Milton Severinsen have both returned as fully paid up members last night after an absence. They are both strong players and we are pleased to see their return, especially with the club champs commencing next week