Croydon CC Fixed Openings & Coaching 28 April - 26 May

[Watto]

WHAT: This year Croydon CC is running a Fixed Openings tournament for the first time and it is open to all club members (including those who join on the night! )

TIME: Starting time 7:45 pm for 5 Thursday evenings from the 28th April until the 26th May
Note: on the evening of the 7th April there will be a short lecture on the first opening - see below for more details*

FORMAT: Two games per night will be played with a preset starting position, one as White and one as Black. Both players will have 30 minutes for each game.

VENUE:
Croydon Chess Club
Croydon RSL
1 Civic Square
Croydon Vic 3136
near bottom of Main street

THE COACHING PART OF IT:
Croydon's vice president, IM Guy West, has devised the openings. Guy will conduct a half hour discussion on each opening the week before it is played after the games have finished. *Club member, FM Bill Jordan, will lead the discussion on the first opening, The Ruy Lopez - Marshall Gambit, on the 7th April as part of our 'Wine, Cheese, Chess & Chat' night which kicks off at 7:45 pm.

Each round of the tournament, Guy will also be on hand to discuss and analyse the games after they have finished. We are very fortunate Bill has agreed to assist with this as well so this is a great opportunity for participating players to learn a lot about these openings and chess in general.

THE OPENINGS:
In Guy's words: I’ve made them sharp and exciting because it’s more fun that way. If you’re going to be forced to play something you wouldn’t normally play, at least it should be entertaining. I also think that Croydon players in general are stronger positionally than tactically, so we need to work on our tactics and sharp play.

Name: Ruy Lopez. Marshall Gambit
Pre played moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5
The attacking genius Frank Marshall is said to have patiently waited many years after discovering this pawn sac idea, to spring it on the world’s numero uno player, Jose Capablanca. I won’t spoil your research by telling you the result of that game! It’s been called ‘the soundest gambit in chess’ and the debate has raged at the highest echelons for decades, with players of the calibre of Vishy Anand at the forefront of Marshall theory.

Name: Semi-Slav. Botvinnik system
Pre played moves: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 e6 5.Bg5 dxc4 6.e4 b5 7.e5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Nxg5
This super wild variation has been debated at the top level in some fantastic games, with the ball currently in Black’s court as to the viability of the line. One of the most tactical variations played at the top level and a great playground for the imagination.

Name: Sicilian. Dragon variation. Yugoslav attack
Pre played moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4 Bd7 10. 0-0-0
One of the most ‘beautiful’ variations found in top flight chess, where both sides can lay claim to exciting attacking chances. It is widely regarded as the critical test of the whole Dragon variation. There is a positional element to it as well, for those who prefer clarity.

Name: French. Winawer variation, main line
Pre played moves: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4 Qc7 8.Qxg7
An ugly but fascinating variation which is regarded as a serious test of the immensely popular Winawer variation of the French. The resulting tactical melee has been embraced by many great players over the years, on both sides of the argument. I’ve never played it personally because of my deep conviction that both sides are completely lost!

Name: Pirc Defence
Pre played moves: 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bc4 Bg7 5.Qe2 Nc6 6.e5 Nxd4 7.exf6 Nxe2 8.fxg7 Rg8 9.Ngxe2 Rxg7 10.Bh6 Rg8 11. 0-0-0.
I thought we should have one ‘pet variation’ which doesn’t have much theory on it, and this line is great fun. White sacs a Queen and two pawns for 3 minor pieces, open lines and attacking chances. It’s about as wildly imbalanced a position as you can get after 6 moves. Don’t be swayed by the computer assessment of Black being better, White’s chances are just fine with creative play.

CLUB MEMBERSHIP & ENTRY FEE: Our annual club membership is $60 for seniors, $40 for juniors. The Fixed Openings Tournament will be $10 to enter.

We look forward to seeing many of you at our club. If you have any questions or want to put down your name for this tournament, just let me know.

For more details about our club and a calendar of our forthcoming events see www.croydonchess.com

[Watto]

WHAT: This year Croydon CC is running a Fixed Openings tournament for the first time and it is open to all club members (including those who join on the night! )

Whilst the tournament itself runs from the 28th April until the 26th May, this is just a reminder that club member, FM Bill Jordan, will lead the discussion on the first opening, The Ruy Lopez - Marshall counter attack, this Thursday evening, the 7th April, as part of our 'Wine, Cheese, Chess & Chat' night which kicks off at 7:45 pm. We'll probably finish off with some social allegro games. For this evening, visitors who are non-members are welcome to join us for the cost of a gold coin donation.

Either Guy or Bill will lead discussions about each opening at least a week before we play them (I think Guy is taking three and Bill two from memory) to ensure that everyone has some understanding of it and has time to do their own study should they wish to -we want everyone to get as much as they can from this tournament and really enjoy it. Of course if you can't make it to the discussions for any reason, you can still play in the tournament.

For more details about Croydon Chess Club and a calendar of our forthcoming events see www.croydonchess.com

[Watto]

Whilst the tournament itself runs from the 28th April until the 26th May, this is just a reminder that club member, FM Bill Jordan, will lead the discussion on the first opening, The Ruy Lopez - Marshall counter attack, this Thursday evening, the 7th April, as part of our 'Wine, Cheese, Chess & Chat' night which kicks off at 7:45 pm.

A big thanks to Bill for sharing his knowledge and stories with us. It was an excellent lecture, both informative and entertaining. The wine and cheese wasn't bad either!

I'll be interested to see how we all go during the actual tournament.

[Watto]

A reminder that this tournament starts tomorrow evening! All details above.
[Note: After the games tomorrow evening, Guy will be leading a short discussion on the opening for next week - Semi-Slav. Botvinnik system ]

[Watto]

The first round began on Thursday evening. We had a number of new members turn up so that was great. In the first round all games went according to rating but that should change by next week I suspect. Guy didn't play but instead watched the games and was on hand afterwards with advice and a short lecture on next week's opening, the Semi-Slav Botvinnik System.

No Name           Loc   Result   Name               Loc 

 1 Ian Birchall   1911  2.0:0.0  Rodney Matthews    1166
 2 John M Fleming 1082  0.0:2.0  Stephen Frost      1656
 3 Jamie Cross    1646  2.0:0.0  Steve Scott        963 
 4 Pearl Yung     863   0.0:2.0  Christopher Potter 1560
 5 Kyle Gibson    1522  2.0:0.0  Antares Car        438 
 6 Frank Bangham        0.0:2.0  Jean Watson        1404
 7 Ion Kloprogge  1362  2.0:0.0  Para Kuhadas           
 8 Kenneth Minty        0.0:2.0  Cameron Yung       1213

[Watto]

Hi everyone. Round 2 pairings are now on our website.
http://www.croydonchess.com/Results/...S/Default.aspx

[Watto]

These are the results from Thursday evening - the opening was the Semi-Slav Botvinnik System. As predicted the games were more competitive this round although not mine, unfortunately!

No Name               Loc  Total  Result   Name          Loc  Total

 1 Ian Birchall       1911 [2.0]  2.0:0.0  Kyle Gibson   1522 [2.0]
 2 Stephen Frost      1656 [2.0]  2.0:0.0  Jean Watson   1404 [2.0]
 3 Jamie Cross        1646 [2.0]  2.0:0.0  Ion Kloprogge 1362 [2.0]
 4 Christopher Potter 1560 [2.0]  1.0:1.0  Cameron Yung  1213 [2.0]
 5 Rodney Matthews    1166 [0.0]  1.0:1.0  Antares Car   438  [0.0]
 6 John M Fleming     1082 [0.0]  2.0:0.0  Frank Bangham      [0.0]
 7 Steve Scott        963  [0.0]  2.0:0.0  Para Kuhadas       [0.0]
 8 Pearl Yung         863  [0.0]  1.0:1.0  Kenneth Minty      [0.0]

These are the provisional pairings for round 3 - the opening will be the Sicilian Dragon variation - Yugoslav attack. Must say I like the look of this opening much more than the Semi Slav Botvinnik from last Thursday (that one seemed a bit 'ugly' or something - this just makes more sense to me somehow.) Anyway, should be fun.

No Name               Loc  Total  Result   Name            Loc  Total

 1 Stephen Frost      1656 [4.0]     :     Ian Birchall    1911 [4.0]
 2 Christopher Potter 1560 [3.0]     :     Jamie Cross     1646 [4.0]
 3 Cameron Yung       1213 [3.0]     :     Kyle Gibson     1522 [2.0]
 4 Jean Watson        1404 [2.0]     :     John M Fleming  1082 [2.0]
 5 Ion Kloprogge      1362 [2.0]     :     Steve Scott     963  [2.0]
 6 Kenneth Minty           [1.0]     :     Rodney Matthews 1166 [1.0]
 7 Antares Car        438  [1.0]     :     Pearl Yung      863  [1.0]
 8 Frank Bangham           [0.0]  2.0:0.0  BYE

All the results and moves for each opening are on our website at www.croydonchess.com

[Watto]

Here are the results of the Sicilian Dragon variation, Yugoslav Attack played last Thursday.

No Name               Loc  Total  Result   Name            Loc  Total

 1 Stephen Frost      1656 [4.0]  1.0:1.0  Ian Birchall    1911 [4.0]
 2 Christopher Potter 1560 [3.0]  0.0:2.0  Jamie Cross     1646 [4.0]
 3 Cameron Yung       1213 [3.0]  0.0:2.0  Kyle Gibson     1522 [2.0]
 4 Jean Watson        1404 [2.0]  1.0:1.0  John M Fleming  1082 [2.0]
 5 Ion Kloprogge      1362 [2.0]  1.0:1.0  Steve Scott     963  [2.0]
 6 Kenneth Minty           [1.0]  1.5:.5   Rodney Matthews 1166 [1.0]
 7 Antares Car        438  [1.0]  0.0:2.0  Pearl Yung      863  [1.0]
 8 Frank Bangham           [0.0]  2.0:0.0  BYE

Next round is the French Winawer, main line. Pairings have yet to be worked out. All the results and moves for each opening are on our website at www.croydonchess.com

[Rincewind]

Hi Watto. Looks like an interesting tournament and it is good to see Frosty punch above his weight in the last week's tie. Just to clarify it looks like the last results you posted don't have the totals updated with the results of that last round.

[Watto]

Hi Watto. Looks like an interesting tournament and it is good to see Frosty punch above his weight in the last week's tie. Just to clarify it looks like the last results you posted don't have the totals updated with the results of that last round.

Yes, it's been a very interesting tournament so far.
Perhaps Frosty could post his game against Ian as it was a nice win...

The totals don't get updated until the round 4 pairings are produced I think. Unless I'm missing what you mean?

[Rincewind]

The totals don't get updated until the round 4 pairings are produced I think. Unless I'm missing what you mean?

I think we are talking about the same thing. That could be the case, but if it is then it is still slightly odd.

To test that theory: in post #5 you post the results of round 1 but not the pairing (the pairings are announced in the next post a few days later). Do you know if the pairing for round 2 were done at the time those results were produced?

[Spiny Norman]

This is my first game against Ian ... its a bit flawed, but was certainly exciting play:

PGN Viewer

 

20...Rfe8 would have won for Black.
22.Rxh6+ was a mistake by me; 22.Bxh6 wins
24...Kxh6 was the 'last mistake' which cost Ian the game; 24...Kh8 should win

In our 2nd game, Ian got caught with a tactic and lost a piece early for a couple of pawns, but I was unable to free my position. Towards the end I had a knight-fork tactic that should have won (32...Nxd6), but didn't see the follow-up moves (if 33.exd6 Rcd7 wins as the Rd1 is en prise), misplayed it, and Ian checkmated me in the middle of the board a few moves later.

PGN Viewer

 

I don't have the moves after White's 33rd as we were both very short on time.

Standings in the tournament after 3 rounds:

Place Name Feder Rtg Loc Score M-Buch. Buch. Progr.

  1   Cross, Jamie        VIC       1646 6         3.0   9.0   12.0
 2-3  Birchall, Ian       VIC       1911 5         4.0  10.5   11.0
      Frost, Stephen      VIC       1656 5         3.0  11.0   11.0
  4   Gibson, Kyle        VIC       1522 4         3.0   9.0    8.0
5-11  Potter, Christopher VIC       1560 3         3.0  12.0    8.0
      Kloprogge, Ion      VIC       1362 3         3.0  10.0    7.0
      Scott, Steve        VIC       963  3         3.0  10.0    5.0
      Yung, Cameron       VIC       1213 3         3.0   9.5    8.0
      Watson, Jean        VIC       1404 3         3.0   9.0    7.0
      Fleming, John M     VIC       1082 3         3.0   9.0    5.0
      Yung, Pearl         VIC       863  3         2.5   6.5    4.0
 12   Minty, Kenneth      VIC            2.5       3.0   7.5    3.5
 13   Bangham, Frank      VIC            2         3.0   9.0    2.0
 14   Matthews, Rodney    VIC       1166 1.5       2.5   8.5    2.5
 15   Car, Antares        VIC       438  1         3.0   8.5    2.0
 16   Kuhadas, Para       VIC            0         6.0   6.0    0.0

[Watto]

Here are the results of the fourth round games - the opening was the main line French Winawer. Jamie Cross remains the sole leader on 7 out of 8 with Ian Birchall and Stephen Frost on 6 followed by Kyle Gibson and John Fleming on 5.

No Name            Loc  Total  Result   Name               Loc  Total

 1 Jamie Cross     1646 [6.0]  1.0:1.0  Ian Birchall       1911 [5.0]
 2 Kyle Gibson     1522 [4.0]  1.0:1.0  Stephen Frost      1656 [5.0]
 3 Ion Kloprogge   1362 [3.0]   .5:1.5  Christopher Potter 1560 [3.0]
 4 Steve Scott     963  [3.0]   .5:1.5  Jean Watson        1404 [3.0]
 5 Rodney Matthews 1166 [1.5]  0.0:2.0  John M Fleming     1082 [3.0]
 6 Cameron Yung    1213 [3.0]  1.0:0.0  BYE                          
 7 Pearl Yung      863  [3.0]  1.0:0.0  BYE                          
 8 Antares Car     438  [1.0]  1.0:0.0  BYE                          
 9 Kenneth Minty        [2.5]  1.0:0.0  BYE

I'll post the final round pairings for next Thursday's games soon. The opening will be the Pirc Defence.
Pre played moves: 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bc4 Bg7 5.Qe2 Nc6 6.e5 Nxd4 7.exf6 Nxe2 8.fxg7 Rg8 9.Ngxe2 Rxg7 10.Bh6 Rg8 11. 0-0-0.
In Guy's words: I thought we should have one ‘pet variation’ which doesn’t have much theory on it, and this line is great fun. White sacs a Queen and two pawns for 3 minor pieces, open lines and attacking chances. It’s about as wildly imbalanced a position as you can get after 6 moves. Don’t be swayed by the computer assessment of Black being better, White’s chances are just fine with creative play.

[Watto]

I'll post the final round pairings for next Thursday's games soon. The opening will be the Pirc Defence.
Pre played moves: 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bc4 Bg7 5.Qe2 Nc6 6.e5 Nxd4 7.exf6 Nxe2 8.fxg7 Rg8 9.Ngxe2 Rxg7 10.Bh6 Rg8 11. 0-0-0.
In Guy's words: I thought we should have one ‘pet variation’ which doesn’t have much theory on it, and this line is great fun. White sacs a Queen and two pawns for 3 minor pieces, open lines and attacking chances. It’s about as wildly imbalanced a position as you can get after 6 moves. Don’t be swayed by the computer assessment of Black being better, White’s chances are just fine with creative play.

Okay, here are the pairings as promised. (For the benefit of anyone who saw them, the ones I posted earlier and removed were wrong.)

No Name            Loc  Total  Result   Name               Loc  Total

 1 Stephen Frost   1656 [6.0]     :     Jamie Cross        1646 [7.0]
 2 Ian Birchall    1911 [6.0]     :     John M Fleming     1082 [5.0]
 3 Jean Watson     1404 [4.5]     :     Christopher Potter 1560 [4.5]
 4 Pearl Yung      863  [4.0]     :     Cameron Yung       1213 [4.0]
 5 Kenneth Minty        [3.5]     :     Ion Kloprogge      1362 [3.5]
 6 Antares Car     438  [2.0]     :     Steve Scott        963  [3.5]
 7 Rodney Matthews 1166 [1.5]  2.0:0.0  BYE                          
 8 Kyle Gibson     1522 [5.0]  1.0:0.0  BYE

[Rincewind]

Standings are interesting with Jamie, Frosty and Ian all in the running for outright first. Should be an exciting last round. Good luck to everyone.