Wednesday 24 February 2016

Obituary Don Sheward


As many Club members may have known Don has been in hospital for some time, however, it is with great sadness that I have to report that Don Sheward has passed away today after a short illness.

Don had been one of Coventry Chess Club's longest serving members and has been a regular club player for longer than I can remember. He played regularly in the F team and always supported the club in any way he could.

I know he loved his Chess and was happy playing whether it was a friendly match or a competitive league or cup game. Over the years I know most club members will have played Don and he was always a pleasure to play against, - he was a real gentleman

I know Don was extremely well respected and liked within the club, he will be sorely missed by us all.

On behalf of all Club members we would like to pass on our condolences to his family at this difficult time

Simon

Wednesday 6 January 2016

Rugby A v Coventry A

Last night, Coventry A traveled to Rugby to play a rearranged KO match. Despite always being very evenly matched, our last 3 matches v Rugby have seen very decisive results, two victories for Rugby, and one for us. Therefore we may have been due a good win, if patterns should exist.
Not that our captain, Ed, was optimistic about the team's chances. Missing two of our regular players, Ed mentioned to myself about the prospect of us playing in the plate competition this year, which would have been a first ever for Cov A. Fortunately for us, Rugby were also missing two of their regular players by coincidence, so fate seemed determined to even up the chances.
As it turned out, we won by a convincing score, 3.5-0.5, so continuing the recent trend where we either win heavily, or Rugby does ! A summary of the games follows, based on my fleeting glances at the boards.

Dave Filer v John Hall 1-0

Dave, playing White on board 3, out graded John Hall, (admittedly not a regular Rugby A player), by 20 points. Therefore Dave probably started the game as a reasonable favourite, as so it proved. Winning a pawn, Dave looked to have the more active pieces, as well as a generally secure looking position. After about two hours play, Dave duly secured the first win of the match.

Dave Ireland v Bob Wildig 1-0

Unusually for me this season, I had the White pieces. In reply to 1.e4, Bob slightly surprised me by playing the Caro-Kann, as opposed to the expected French defense. Some interesting king side play resulted, where I was pressing and Bob was defending stoutly, but he had to expend a lot of time in order to find the moves. On move 29, in a somewhat unappealing position, Bob's flag fell ,

John Cox v Ed Goodwin 0.5-0.5

Despite studying the Sicilian some time ago, Ed has never looked likely to desert his beloved French defense. Once again, he employed it last night, although John obtained active play for his pieces. However, Ed had a battery of bishop and queen aimed at White's g2, and he had a tactical resource potentially at his disposal, which I assume John was forced to lose a pawn in order to avoid. Although a pawn up, Ed agreed to a draw in order to secure the match for us.

Pierrick Schreiber v John Conway 0-1

This was the final game to finish, and it featured two players who were both new to the respective teams. With the match now won for Coventry, the result of the game mattered only to the players themselves. Mr Schreiber had obtained a winning position with the White pieces, with lots of wood aimed at John's kingside. In fact, John was forced to sac the exchange just to avoid immediate disaster, with an apparent loss still looming. However, a mistake by White allowed John to win a rook and resignation immediately followed.

So a comfortable win ensures we avoid the plate competition for another year, and hopefully the pattern of alternate Coventry/Rugby wins will be broken next time we meet them !.

Sunday 22 November 2015

Warwickshire Open Chess Championships


Dave Ireland and Ed Goodwin are organising the Warwickshire Open Chess Championships in 2016.

The Venue is Coventry Rugby Club Butts Park Arena.

Saturday 5th March and Sunday 6th March.

There are going to be 4 sections Open, Under 170, Under 145, and under 120 so there is plenty of sections for all grades.

If you are only going to play in one Tournament in 2016, then support your local Team/Club and enter this tournament - it promises to be a really exciting tournament with lots of prizes.

There are going to be five rounds spread over two days with the opportunity to have a bye in one round.


For more information contact Dave or Ed who I am sure will be delighted to tell you more or take a look here on the website for the Tournament :-

Warwickshire Chess Tournament

Saturday 24 October 2015

Monday Evening Practice/Friendly Session

Dave Ireland has kindly agreed to run a Monday evening session for Friendlies and anything related to Chess.

Proposed start time is approx 7.30-8pm. Starting this Monday 26th October.

This is something that many members have requested and provides an opportunity for members to play friendlies during the Season and also analyse games in a suitable environment without disturbing other players during their matches.

Unfortunately we can not hold these sessions in the Ball room, however Massey Ferguson have agreed that we can use the Bar area to play.


 
Simon


Monday 21 September 2015

New Season


Just a reminder for everyone that the New Season starts on Tuesday 29th September with Divisional Cup Matches.

You should by now know which Team you are playing for, as teams were formed last Tuesday and everyone as far as we know was informed.. If not, get in contact with Mike Johnson and he will be able to let you know which team you have been allocated.

Fixture cards are also now in and ready for collection.

All Teams have the same Captains as last year.

One early amendment to the Fixture card concerning the C Team:-

September 29th


Now 8 V 6 to even up home and away fixtures. Therefore Nuneaton C will
come over to Coventry C.


There is also a Brand New Chess Forum just started where Players can ask any questions they like


take a look here Chess Chat Forum

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Tournament in Coventry March 2016


A note for your diaries March 5th/6th 2016.

Tournament in Coventry at Coventry Rugby Club,The Butts, Coventry

This tournament is being organised by Ed Goodwin and Dave Ireland, so if you need any more details do get in contact with them and I am sure they will be pleased to hear from you.

I understand there is going to be an Open, U170, and U145 however these may change. More details to follow.

On another note, I am please to say that we now have the Fixture Cards for the New Season 2015/2016.  Please check with your Captains as there are a few amendments to one or two fixtures.
Please see Simon if you do not have your Fixture Card.

The first match's are September 29th. Divisional Cup match's. We have a new club joining the League this season - Kenilworth.

Just a reminder to any member that has not paid, membership fees are now due. 

I am also pleased to report that the D team are now fully equipped with their new digital clocks and ready to go!

Captains please note, we are going to have a meeting next week to finalise the teams for the New Season.

Simon