The November ratings lists are out. Member’s ratings have been updated on this page.
Due to NCEA exams we will be in room C4 until the end of the year. Room C4 is located in the Hepburn building (not C block !!). See the map for the location of the Hepburn building.
Round four began with The Orang-Utan opening which starts out with the move b4. The name derives from the game Tartakower versus Maróczy, New York City 1924. Legend has it that the players had visited the zoo the previous day, and Tartakower had consulted an orangutan there about what move he should open with the next day. Prominent players have employed it on occasion (for example, Richard Réti against Abraham Speijer in Scheveningen 1923 and Boris Spassky against Vasily Smyslov in the 1960 Moscow–Leningrad match). The opening proved much more sedate than the Frankenstein monster of round 3, with 4 wins and a draw for white. Results for the A Division are updated here, and for the B division here. Next week the B division will complete the first round robin and start a second. Remember if we manage four juniors every night then the junior with the most cumulative points wins a book prize.
1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 f6 3. e4 Bxb4 4. Bc4 Ne7 5. f4 d5 6. exd5 exf4 7. Qf3 Bd6 *
Round three provoked howls with the fiendish Frankenstein–Dracula Variation, a branch of the Vienna Game. 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. Last night only Daniel managed to secure a win with black, so the conclusion based on club experience is that the opening favours white
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Nxe4 4. Qh5 Nd6 5. Bb3 Nc6 6. Nb5 g6 7. Qf3 f5
Grace Li has joined as our newest (and only female !!) member. We hope that she has started a trend in membership.
Due to NCEA exams we will be in room C4 until the end of the year. Room C4 is located in the Hepburn building (not C block !!). See the map for the location of the Hepburn building.
The second unusual opening selected initially wasn’t quite crazy enough and was voted down in favour of an obscure line of the Vienna Game refered to as Mlotkowskis variation. The Vienna Game is in fact the King’s Gambit delayed: White plays 2.Nc3 instead of the more popular 2.Nf3 in order to keep the f pawn ready to jump to f4 at the best possible moment. About 100 years ago the Vienna Game was as popular as the Ruy Lopez, but eventually went out of fashion and is almost forgotten today. Stasch Mlotkowski (1881 – 1943) was an American player whose greatest claim to fame appears to have been a win at the U.S. Open Chess Championship St. Louis 1904. Once again the first seven moves were played out on the board and the players were left to fend for themselves.
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Nf3 Bb4 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O Nc6 (diag.)
Shredder evaluates the position as 0.36 for white and suggests Na4 as the next move, although the accepted continuation is 8. Qe1 Bg4 9. d3 d4 10. dxe4 dxc3.
In the end Peter had a win as black and Stefan had a win as white in the A division (results here), while there were three black and one white win in the B grade (results here). Remember if anyone wants to join from next week they will retrospectively be given byes for rounds one and two
We had 12 for the first round of the Unusual Openings Tournament last night. Hilton, Stefan, Graham, Peter and William form the A grade and are taking part in a five night double round robin. The draw for the next five weeks is here. William took the bye for round one. In the B division we have 8 players that will run in two back to back five round Swiss System Tournaments. If anyone wants to join from next week they will retrospectively be given byes for rounds one and two. The B division crosstable is here.
The first Unusual Opening selected was the Fegatello Attack which Hilton correctly informed us also goes by the exotic name of the Fried Liver Opening. (The name derives from an Italian idiom meaning “dead as a piece of liver”). In the opening White sacrifices a knight for a superficially impressive attack on Black’s king. The first seven moves of the opening were played out on the board and then the players were left to fend for themselves
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. d4 Be6 7. Nxe6 fxe6 (diag.)
The Fried Liver has been known for many centuries, the first known game score being from Rome in 1610. Because defence is harder to play than attack in this variation when given short time limits, the Fried Liver is considered dangerous for Black if using a short time control. In games with longer time limits Black has a better opportunity to refute the White sacrifice. As it turned out in the B division there were four white victories. In the A grade Peter had a win as white, and Stefan had a win as black.
Ever wanted to play the Freiss Attack, or the Motzko variation of the Morphy Defence? How about the Quaade Gambit?
Starting tomorrow night the theme is going to be “Unusual Openings”
There will be two parallel competitions running. The aristocracy (William, Hilton, Stefan, Graham, and Peter) are going to play a double round robin over five weeks.
Depending on numbers the rest of us will play off in a couple of Swiss System Tournaments back to back. As an incentive if there are four or more Juniors involved for each of the next five nights there will be a book prize for first and second Junior based on cumulative points. (No prizes if we don’t manage that many Juniors numbers due to exams).
There will be two games per night with a different unusual opening (selected from Modern Chess Openings by one of the Juniors, with the first seven moves for each side played out on the board) for each. Time control will be 20 + 3.
So .. perhaps it is to be Von Gottschall’s Attack in the Scotch Game, or maybe the Siesta Variation of the Steinitz Defence: Come along to find out
Graham looked to be the odds on favourite as we went into the final round of the blitz last night with his nearest rival Stefan needing to make up a full 2 points to equalize. The tension was high with everything riding on the final game of the last round. In the end a strong showing by Stefan, and Graham dropping a point in the final round to Hilton, meant that Stefan streaked home on 23 points to take the title of Club Blitz Champion for 2012. Blitz cross tables have been updated, and the final points tally appears below
| Round | Cumulative | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||
| 1 | Stefan Wagner | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 6 | 5.5 | 23 |
| 2 | Graham Nolan | 5.5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 22.5 |
| 3 | William Lynn | 3.5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 18.5 |
| 4 | Ian Kennedy | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 16 |
| 5 | Christopher Symon | 3 | 3.5 | 3 | 2 | 3.5 | 15 |
| 6 | Daniel Davis | 3 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 14 |
| 7 | Richard Jackson | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | – | 13 |
| 8 | Daniel Ng | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 13 |
| 9 | Richard Dare | 5 | 5 | 1 | – | – | 11 |
| 10 | Gary Judkins | – | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 10.5 |
| 11 | Benjamin Symon | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | – | 10 |
| 12 | Murray Tuatini | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | – | 9.5 |
| 13 | Craig Scott | – | 2 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 7 | |
| 14 | Peter Hulshof | – | – | 6 | – | – | 6 |
| 15 | Hilton Bennett | – | – | – | – | 5 | 5 |
| 16 | Emi Ng | – | 1 | 1 | 2.5 | – | 4.5 |
| 17 | Grace Li | – | – | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
We welcome Daniel Ng as our newest member. Daniel has been putting in a solid effort in the middle of the pack in the blitz tournament over the last several weeks and we look forward to his continued participation.
We had 13 for the blitz last night. Stefan cleaned up with 6 out of 6. The crosstables are here. Cumulative points so far are below. If Stefan can manage another 6 next week, and Graham gets a 4 as he did last night, then final scores will be tied. If scores are tied at the end of five weeks individual results between the tied players to decide a winner; if still inconclusive the title of Club Blitz Champion to be shared. Currently it is running 3:1 between Graham and Stefan, so Graham would still take it out. But who knows: Be there for the thrilling final installment.
| Round | Cumulative | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 1 | Graham Nolan | 5.5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 19.5 |
| 2 | Stefan Wagner | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 6 | 17.5 |
| 3 | William Lynn | 3.5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 15.5 |
| 4 | Richard Dare | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 | |
| 5 | Richard Jackson | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 13 |
| 6 | Christopher Symon | 3 | 3.5 | 3 | 2 | 11.5 |
| 7 | Ian Kennedy | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 13 |
| 8 | Daniel Ng | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
| 9 | Daniel Davis | 3 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 10.5 |
| 10 | Murray Tuatini | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 9.5 |
| 11 | Benjamin Symon | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 |
| 12 | Peter Hulshof | – | – | 6 | 6 | |
| 13 | Gary Judkins | – | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| 14 | Craig Scott | – | 2 | 1.5 | 3.5 | |
| 15 | Grace Li | – | – | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 16 | Emi Ng | – | 1 | 1 | 2.5 | 4.5 |
We had a record 16 for the third round of the Blitz Championship this week. Peter returns after an interval and managed a clean sweep of 6 from 6. Graham continues to rate highly with a score of five. Two more rounds to decide the Blitz Champ for the year. Graham has a healthy lead on the cumulative points table listed below. Full crosstables have been posted here. Remember anyone can turn up and play but only financial members can take out the Title.
| Round | Cumulative | ||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| 1 | Graham Nolan | 5.5 | 5 | 5 | 15.5 |
| 2 | Stefan Wagner | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 11.5 |
| 3 | William Lynn | 3.5 | 5 | 3 | 11.5 |
| 4 | Richard Dare | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 |
| 5 | Richard Jackson | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
| 6 | Christopher Symon | 3 | 3.5 | 3 | 9.5 |
| 7 | Ian Kennedy | 2 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
| 8 | Daniel Ng | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| 9 | Daniel Davis | 3 | 2 | 2.5 | 7.5 |
| 10 | Murray Tuatini | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 11 | Benjamin Symon | 4 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 12 | Peter Hulshof | – | – | 6 | 6 |
| 13 | Gary Judkins | – | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 14 | Craig Scott | – | 2 | 1.5 | 3.5 |
| 15 | Grace Li | – | – | 2 | 2 |
| 16 | Emi Ng | – | 1 | 1 | 2 |
The club welcomes Christopher Symon as its newest member. Christoper has put in a solid effort in the last three Blitz evenings and we look forward to his further participation.
We had 14 this week for the blitz. Graham William and Richard Dare all high scored on 5 points which means Graham retains the lead on 10.5 followed closely by Richard on 10. Full listings will have to wait until next week as the tournament didnt copy onto my flash drive correctly.
Round 1 of the club blitz championship saw 11 players competing. Graham has the lead in the cumulative points tally so far with 5.5. There are four more rounds to go so dont miss the opportunity to get “runs on the board” this coming Tuesday. Cumulative points so far are listed below, and the crosstable for last Tuesday’s games are here.
| 1 | Graham Nolan | 5.5 |
| 2 | (Richard Dare) | 5.0 |
| 3 | Stefan Wagner | 4.0 |
| 4 | Benjamin Symon | 4.0 |
| 5 | William Lynn | 3.5 |
| 6 | Richard Jackson | 3.0 |
| 7 | (Chrisopher Symon) | 3.0 |
| 8 | Daniel Davis | 3.0 |
| 9 | Ian Kennedy | 2.0 |
| 10 | (Daniel Ng) | 2.0 |
| 11 | Murray Tuatini | 1.0 |
“…winning is no trick at all if you can intimidate the opponent with dire menaces before the game. An even simpler way would be to shoot him and win by default. It is clear then that there is not much scope left for psychology, if our only weapons are to be moves.”
Over the next five club nights we will have the inaugural October Club Blitz Championship.
Format
Six Round Swiss Tournament starting at 7:20pm sharp each Tuesday in October. Time control to be 5 + 3
Each tournament open to anyone turning up on the night (members and non members) but title of club champion only available to club members
Points aggregated from week to week (so maximum score would be 5 x 6 = 30 points over the five weeks). If you miss a week (or turn up after the tournament kicks off) then no points for that week. If insufficient numbers for six rounds on a night then a four or five round tournament
If scores are tied at the end of five weeks individual results between the tied players to decide a winner; if still inconclusive the title of Club Blitz Champion to be shared. Winners name to be immortalized on the website as Club Blitz Champion 2012
The following blitz rule to apply:
“An illegal move is completed once the opponent’s clock has been started. The opponent is entitled to claim a win before he has made his own move. However, if the opponent cannot checkmate the player’s king by any possible series of legal moves, then the claimant is entitled to claim a draw before he has made his own move. Once the opponent has made his own move, an illegal move cannot be corrected unless mutually agreed without intervention of an arbiter.” – so don’t leave your king in check!
Eleven for last nights blitz — Peter first with a perfect score.
Posted: 19/09/2012 by Ian in Club NewsWe had eleven for last nights blitz with the same 5 + 3 format as last week. Peter took out first place with a perfect 6 out of 6. The crosstable is here.
Last nights blitz proved popular with the eight participants. The time control of 5 + 3 for six rounds worked well and produced some tense and exciting battles. Graham took out first spot on 5.5 out of 6. The full crosstable is here. We will have another blitz next week.
Hamilton Chess Club 