Hamilton Chess Club

A one night blitz tournament of six rounds next week. If we can attract 20 again as we did this week it will be a great night. Games start 7:20 sharp so dont be late.

We are pleased to announce that the Club has successfully bid for the North Island Rapid Champs for 2013. Dates and details to follow. The event will attract a strong field and will be a do-not-miss opportunity for club members (who will receive concessional entry rates).

Your subs can be paid in cash on club nights or by bank transfer into the club account. The account number is:

12-3454-0017302-00          (Reference — “Subs” & your name)

Subscriptions have been reduced for this year —  $40 for adults and $20 for juniors. Remember that club members get concessional entry rates for our major tournaments also. You can find out when your current subs expire by looking here

We had 20 competitors for the Autumn Cup last night. Going in to the final round Eddie was half a point up on Hilton and the two faced each other off in the final round. The struggle was tense and very even. With less than a minute on the clock for both, Eddie queened his passed pawn first  — but then Hilton was able to Queen on the next move with a check. Eddies king was on the same file as his new queen and he had to concede defeat. Hilton takes out the title of Autumn Cup champion 2013 on 5 points. Eddie came second with 4.5. As a new member of the club he is clearly going to be a force. There followed a four way tie for third. Pleasing to see Sirivan, a new Junior member, amongst those tied for third place — indeed on tie break score he was the strongest of  those taking third place so well done. Unfortunately I forgot to bring the USB stick home so you will need to wait until next week to view the entire crosstable.

We had an excellent turnout with 17 players in the Autumn Cup last night. Welcome to Damian Eades who has come to us from Tauranga. Damian is a strong player and will be a valuable addition to the club. Currently Eddie is leading on 3.5 points.

The final two rounds are next week and the draw is going to produce some tough fought games so dont miss out — and yes, you can still come along and join the tournament at this late stage. Games start 7:20 sharp. The crosstable is here

We had a great start for the Autumn Cup last night with 14 players turning out. Welcome to Sirivan who at 13 years of age gave a couple of the older players a tough game — he looks to be a great addition to the club. The upset of the night was Christopher Symon taking a game off Hilton. In club terms we might consider this the first of his GM norms. Christopher is clearly growing in strength and might get his second club GM norm in the club champs later in the year! Well done. Unfortunately I didnt copy the folders to my USB stick so cant post the crosstable this week.

It is not too late to turn out for the tournament next week if you missed this Tuesday — extra players welcome

To start the years calendar we are going to have 6 rounds of 20 + 5, 2 rounds per night, over 3 weeks beginning from next week. Games need to be underway by 7:20 pm to meet our 9:30 close, so dont be late.

We had 15 returning members for the first night of the year. We also welcome Eddie Tan. Eddie has emigrated from the UK and attended as a prospective new member. The year kicked off with a favourite of Richard — 3 + 2 blitz, in a tournament of eight rounds. Hilton missed round one but still managed to come out on top with a score of 7. Crosstable is below

Good news! Membership dues for 2013 have been set at $40 for adults and $20 for juniors. Remember that club members get concessional entry rates for our major tournaments also.

Club nights resume this coming Tuesday, 5/2/13, at 7pm. See you there!!

Seven stalwarts turned up for the final night of the year. A five + oh blitz of seven rounds.

The club is in recess now for the Summer, we will resume again on February 5 at 7pm in room G1.

Next week will be the last club night of the year. We will finish with a 5 + 0 blitz of six or seven rounds so dont miss out. The first club night for 2013 will be February 5.

Round 10 was the Benko Gambit

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. e4 Bxf1

The original name of the opening was the Volga Gambit, named after the Volga River because of an article about 3…b5!? published  in the USSR in 1946. The term is still widely used in Russian literature. Beginning in the late 1960s, this opening idea was also promoted by Pal Benko, a Hungarian-American Grandmaster, who provided many new suggestions and published his book The Benko Gambit in 1974. The name Benko Gambit stuck and is particularly used in English-speaking countries. Though “Volga Gambit” originally referred solely to the move 3…b5 (sometimes followed by an early …e6), while Benko himself analyzed in his Batsford treatise solely what is now the main line, 3…b5 4.cxb5 a6, both the terms Benko Gambit and Volga Gambit are now used interchangeably or concurrently (for example, Volga–Benko Gambit).

Final results for the A Division are updated here, and for the B division here. Peter took out the A division with a score of 7.5 out of a possible 8, dropping a half point to Stefan as white with the Urusov gambit. Ian Managed 7 out of 10 in the B division, while Daniel Davis was rewarded with “50 Chess Lessons” as a book prize for being the best Club Junior on 6.5.

The main line of the Urusov Gambit is reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nf3.  Documented by Ponziani in the 18th century, the gambit was first analyzed in 1857 by Prince Sergei Urusov, friend of Tolstoy and one of the best Russian players of the mid-nineteenth century after Petrov.

The Urusov has been popular among attacking players for nearly 150 years. Adopted by, Schlechter, Tartakower, Caro, and Mieses, the opening claimed victims among the best defenders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including Steinitz and Lasker. By 1924 there was enough interest in the line that a thematic tournament was organized in New York featuring Marshall, Torre, and Santasiere known as the Dimock Theme Tournament. With that the opening fell into disfavor at the highest levels of master competition, and today it is mostly seen in club play, where it racks up quick scores against inexperienced or unprepared opponents.

The line for round nine’s game was taken from Schlechter v Neustadtl & Tietz, consultation game, Carlsbad 1901

1 e4 e5 2 Bc4 Nf6 3 d4 exd4 4 Nf3 Nxe4 5 Qxd4 Nf6 6 Nc3 Be7 7 Bg5 c6

Perreux Variation of the Two Knights Defense

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Ng5 Ne5 6.Qxd4 Nxc4 7.Qxc4 d5

The Perreux Variation of the Two Knights Defense typically arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Ng5. Its name probably derives from the chess club of Perreux-sur-Marne (cercle du Perreux), just outside Paris, where it first became popular in the 19th century. Its sharp tactical themes are easy to grasp and make it attractive to beginning players, but it has also been played by masters who like that many lines lead to interesting endgame positions where good technique can win. As a forcing line, the Perreux Variation also has the advantage of limiting the number of subvariations, so the amount of opening theory is not large. Black is immediately forced to defend his f-pawn by either 5….Ne5 or 5….d5. The resulting positions generally favor White slightly and create interesting games with chances for both sides.

As usual results for the A Division are updated here, and for the B division here. Final two Rounds next week — dont miss out. And feel free to participate in the B division tournament even if you havent done so to date. Remember if we get four Juniors along next week there will be a book prize for the junior with the most points over the two tournaments. In the case of a tie, it will come down to the individual result between the players, and if still tied a special tie break on the last club night of the year.

Round 6 was Birds Opening, Kings Fianchetto Defence

1. f4 Nf6 2. e3 g6 3. b3 Bg7 4. Bb2 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. O-O c5

The Bird’s opening has great surprise value! It was popularised by the English master Henry E. Bird towards the end of the 19th century. It has not enjoyed the same popularity as 1.d4 and 1.e4 because it is generally regarded as non developing, does not secure a lasting hold on the centre, and slightly weakens the kings position.  It can however lead to very interesting positions when Black plays a gambit variation (The From gambit) against it with 1. f4 e5 2. fxe5 d6.

It is with extreme sadness that the club acknowledges the untimely death of Michael who has been a loyal member of the club since its early days. Our condolences are extended to his family and loved ones. We remember Michael for his smile and sportsmanship.

Round 6 saw the B division commence another five game Swiss system tournament with the Hedgehog. The Hedgehog is an extremely resilient opening but it is also quite difficult to handle, whether you are playing against it or with it. Black’s plan in the Hedgehog is to shuffle his pieces usefully, preparing the breaks with b5 and d5 as well as generating pressure on the e4 and c4 pawns while ensuring that white cannot break through. White’s task is just as difficult, he must restrain the d5 and b5 breaks as well as countering the threats against his c4 and e4 pawns while trying to find some way to make progress. It is very easy for white to overpress and find himself worse. On the other hand, it is also very easy for black to run out of useful moves and begin to drift, which is not advisable. The key to playing either side of the Hedgehog is an understanding of piece manoeuvring. As ususal results for the A Division are updated here, and for the B division here. More fun and games next week — dont miss out. And feel free to participate in the B division tournament even if you havent done so to date.

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 b6 4.Bg2 Bb7 5.Nc3 e6 6.0-0 Be7 7.d4 cxd4 8.Qxd4 d6.

First up last night was a a continuation of the Paulsen variation of the Sicilian defence, variously known as the Szen variation, Dely-Kasparov gambit, or sometimes just the Gary Gambit. The line is characterized by the move 8. d5 for black. The continuation leaves excellent opportunities for both sides for further play. Kasparov used this it to great effect during his world championship match with Karpov in 1985. Last night Gary (Judkins that is, not Kasparov) used it to good effect scoring a win as well.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nb5 d6 6.c4 Nf6 7.N1c3 a6 8.Na3 d5