Intrepid chess player and global traveller Bob Kane recently competed in the 2nd Torquay Riviera Tournament, U1900 section, and scored 3.5/5, finishing in a tie for second place.  He sent us this report:

It’s an 8-hour train journey from Edinburgh—or in my case, 5 episodes of Netflix series “the Bear” —but it was worth traveling to visit the picturesque harbours, steam railways, quaint pubs, and more.

In my first-round game, the position was looking pretty drawish even, with Rc7 being threatened, which would lead to an exchange of major pieces. I played Kf2—how does this trappy move stop 24..Rc7?  The answer is : ..24..Rc7? 25 Qxd6 ..Rc2+ 26Rxc2 ..Qxd6 27 Rc8+ ..Kh7 28 Rh8+ ..Kxh8 28 Nf7+ resigns.  [tip : alway look one move further particularly for forcing moves]

Please don’t publish the whole game as its very boring!

Best Regards
Robert

Club member Allan Buchan has progressed beyond the award of his recent CCE title and now achieved his first Correspondence Chess Master (CCM) norm whilst participating in the British Correspondence Chess Candidates A section.

Allan reached the qualifying standard of 7 points by drawing his last game in the event.

Congratulations to Allan!

[SCCA News, 25/3/21]

Congratulation to club member Allan who has achieved his second Correspondence Chess Expert (CCE) norm whilst participating in the Mike L. Nicholson Memorial.   Allan reached the qualifying standard of 6½ points with 1 game still to complete.  With his second norm Allan achieves the CCE Title.

Congratulations to Allan!

SCCA News, 10/12/20

Despite the imminent arrival of Storm Ciara a squadron of members migrated north for the Perth Congress last weekend.

A well-attended congress, with over 130 chess-players, in the pleasant surroundings of the Salutation Hotel, it was extremely well managed by the organising team of Andy Howie, John McNicol, David Congleton et al. Technology reigned with the top boards from each tournament being shown live online (games from the top boards in each tournament round-by-round are here)

There were three Swiss tournaments in the congress: an Open (with 46 players including 4 titled players), Major (U1800 with 51 players) and Minor (U1400 with 43 players), together with an evening’s social Blitz organised for those staying over on the Saturday.

       

Winner of the Open was FM Abdulla Murad with a 100% score of 5/5 ahead of the club’s CM Andrew Green on 4/5. Father and son team Mike and Ben Ridge were competing head-to-head throughout the Open before Mike finally drew ahead in the final rounds.

Despite bids by both Calum McGillivray and Keith Aitchison on the two top boards in the final round, the Major was won by Stephen Robinson with a score of 4.5/5.

The Minor was won jointly by Freel Lawrence and our own David Cubitt (who was leading all the way before agreeing a draw in the final round) each on 4.5/5.

Club performance were (and apologies for any omissions/errors):

Open

CM Andrew Green (4/5)
Mike Ridge (3/5)
Ben Ridge (2.5/5)
William Rutherford (0.5/5)

Major

Calum McGillivray (3.5/5)
Keith Aitchison (3/5)
Ian Whittaker (3/5)
Robert Kane (3/5)
Allan Buchan (1/5)

Minor
David Cubitt (4.5/5) 1=

Full results can be found here and on the Chess Scotland web-site.

[Report and photos by Ian Whittaker}