Update 1: 2nd June 2020
Due to Covid 19 social distancing restrictions rules it’s been nearly 10 weeks since the club last met for over the board matches and casual games at Merley or the Royal British Legion in central Wimborne.
There isn't much prospect of an early return to club matches in the foreseeable future as social distancing caused by Covid 19 are set to remain in place .
With that in mind the club has turned like many others to Internet Chess Forums
I have asked Graham Hillman and Phil Holden to look at what’s possible for the club to use in the way of online Platforms
There are 2 main sources of Internet Chess that most clubs have adopted as their chosen method to play . They have comparable functions.
1- www.chess.com
2- www.lichess.org
The main difference is that Lichess is open source and free to use . Chess.com is also free to use but is a monetised platform where you are encouraged to pay a subscription for higher functionality and you are also subjected to constant advertising . We are still looking at both but are predominantly using Lichess for Tournament and Club match participation .
The details of how to join and participate are contained in a new section of the club website called online games. http://www.wimbornechessclub.org.uk/online-games.html
I encourage you to join this activity and join with the many other members who are already playing
There are 2 scheduled activities per week: They have been up and running for 4 weeks.
Monday Blitz , 11-00 am , 5 minute games - 90 minutes in total
Wednesday Club night 7-30 pm All play all 10 minute games with 5 sec increments. 2 hours
We are now entering a phase where we are playing other clubs in the Arena or replicating Long Game formats as per the Bournemouth & Dorset Leagues . So we need more players !
Next Wimborne Club Match , Thursday 4th June against other Dorset Clubs, 5 minute 3 secs Blitz Tournament - All welcome 7-30 pm See how to Join Wimborne Wombats on the Chess club website
Due to Covid 19 social distancing restrictions rules it’s been nearly 10 weeks since the club last met for over the board matches and casual games at Merley or the Royal British Legion in central Wimborne.
There isn't much prospect of an early return to club matches in the foreseeable future as social distancing caused by Covid 19 are set to remain in place .
With that in mind the club has turned like many others to Internet Chess Forums
I have asked Graham Hillman and Phil Holden to look at what’s possible for the club to use in the way of online Platforms
There are 2 main sources of Internet Chess that most clubs have adopted as their chosen method to play . They have comparable functions.
1- www.chess.com
2- www.lichess.org
The main difference is that Lichess is open source and free to use . Chess.com is also free to use but is a monetised platform where you are encouraged to pay a subscription for higher functionality and you are also subjected to constant advertising . We are still looking at both but are predominantly using Lichess for Tournament and Club match participation .
The details of how to join and participate are contained in a new section of the club website called online games. http://www.wimbornechessclub.org.uk/online-games.html
I encourage you to join this activity and join with the many other members who are already playing
There are 2 scheduled activities per week: They have been up and running for 4 weeks.
Monday Blitz , 11-00 am , 5 minute games - 90 minutes in total
Wednesday Club night 7-30 pm All play all 10 minute games with 5 sec increments. 2 hours
We are now entering a phase where we are playing other clubs in the Arena or replicating Long Game formats as per the Bournemouth & Dorset Leagues . So we need more players !
Next Wimborne Club Match , Thursday 4th June against other Dorset Clubs, 5 minute 3 secs Blitz Tournament - All welcome 7-30 pm See how to Join Wimborne Wombats on the Chess club website
Wimborne Chess Club on the move.
Over Way back in ‘78 over coffee at St John’s Church a few young blokes mentioned that they used to play chess. Some are now old blokes moving the pieces around at Wimborne Chess. We met at my home to try to remember the moves. Jim Fox, an early joiner, remembers one of my daughters telling another one to be quiet as we were playing chess. She replied very loudly ‘it’s our home so we can do what we like’. Jim is still somewhat scared if he meets my family. We decided to form a club.
We had a first match against Ringwood and lost 6-0.
Dodd Caines, an inspirational West Indian, was a founder member. He had aspirations for the club. He became secretary and publicity officer. In his enthusiasm he wrote to the House of Lords and challenged them to a match. He also wrote the Russian Embassy challenging them to a match. Neither happened.
The Red Cross hall was out first venue when we joined the league. Early members included a young banker, Mike Davidson, who was promptly made treasurer. After a season or two he disappeared, returning about 30 years later to become the club chairman. Early members included George Dodman and Phil Wallace who is club secretary and local grading officer.
Venues included:-
The Allenbourne School. Had to leave - the chairs were too small.
The Allendale Centre. Had to leave -they closed too early.
The Kings Head. Had to leave. John Turnbull, the treasurer couldn’t find space for a game in the tiny room allocated. The enterprising duty manager suggested a bedroom. John accepted and the next person to turn up was a woman. John has the unusual claim to have played with a woman in the bedroom at the hotel. Moves of the game are not recorded but frequently recalled, especially by John.
Martyn Adams became a keen member and teaching at the local Queen Elizabeth School encouraged some excellent young players. He ran an evening club on Friday evenings. This was called the QE Chess Club, But open to Wimborne members. Later the two clubs united.
The Dormers Hotel (now he Olive Branch) was an ideal venue. They had plans to redecorate the upper room and we had to leave.
We moved to the Royal British Legion. The premises were suitable but the noise from the bar didn’t help. Many of us became members. We had to sign up and agree to keep the rules. They asked if we had served in the forces. Arvids, one of our members replied ‘yes but does it matter which side you were on?
We had to leave the Legion because of the noise from the bar and a particularly loud barmaid who clearly didn’t like us. The stories she told and the juicy gossip resounded round the hall and was far more exciting than the Queens Gambit. Graham Willetts joined us at this time and inspired us to move on and aim higher.
The next venue was the Conservative Club. This caused anguish and horror to some members who refused to pay homage to Maggie Thatcher. They sat with their backs to her photo. Then the Con Club closed.
At this time the excellent Oakdale Chess club decided to close and we welcomed some of their players including Ian Clark and Steve Culleton. Ianwith Martin Simons of Southbourne, continued to be the inspiration of Dorset Chess. Ian manages the top end of the club.
This time we went back to the Dormers. The management were very welcoming but if they got a better booking we were turned out into the restaurant, playing among the diners.
The next venue was the Coach and Horses. We played in the bowling Alley. But if they had a booking, we had to play in the pub a delightful place but without a section for serious chess. The log fire was a delight and some of us didn’t bother to play chess.
The Con Club had by now become a Weatherspoons pub, named ‘The Man in the Wall’. We were offered the first-floor room and we had a good season there. Then health and safety hit us. Weatherspoons decided we weren’t safe upstairs. We moved to the restaurant below and they saved us a small room. It wasn’t big enough and some of us had to play among the happy eaters and drinkers. Very jolly, but not chess, especially as happy drinkers would give us advice and move a piece or two for us.
We then tried the White Hart in the Cornmarket. Again, mixing with the happy customers didn’t please serious players.
So, we moved to the Coach and Horses again and played in the bowling Alley. A familiar problem arose. If they took a booking we were bowled out and had to play in the bar amongst the pool squad and diners. Serious chess players with no sense of humour didn’t like it.
The next venue was the Scout Hut. Did well for a while but not an ideal place.
So, we moved to the Football Club. At this time the club was probably had its largest membership, with 6 or 7 teams. We didn’t drink enough and we were gradually elbowed out.
At last we found our present premises at The Merley Social Club. Probably the best venue yet.
In between these wanderings, we had a spell at the Town Hall. However, the large rectangular table in the committee room meant that only those with long arms could administer a back-rank mate so we left.
In 2004, Phil Taylor (later to be Phil Taylor-Bowd) joined us and set up what we believe was the first club web site in Dorset.
A feature of the club over the years has been the excellent fund raising, especially by John George.
Another highlight is our annual Christmas dinner.
So, we’ve moved a lot, had a visit from the Mayor, raised over £1000 for Naomi’s House, played two simultaneous matches against top national players, tasted a lot of Merlot and enjoyed ourselves.
But we never played the House of Lords and are still waiting a reply from the Russian Embassy.
Over Way back in ‘78 over coffee at St John’s Church a few young blokes mentioned that they used to play chess. Some are now old blokes moving the pieces around at Wimborne Chess. We met at my home to try to remember the moves. Jim Fox, an early joiner, remembers one of my daughters telling another one to be quiet as we were playing chess. She replied very loudly ‘it’s our home so we can do what we like’. Jim is still somewhat scared if he meets my family. We decided to form a club.
We had a first match against Ringwood and lost 6-0.
Dodd Caines, an inspirational West Indian, was a founder member. He had aspirations for the club. He became secretary and publicity officer. In his enthusiasm he wrote to the House of Lords and challenged them to a match. He also wrote the Russian Embassy challenging them to a match. Neither happened.
The Red Cross hall was out first venue when we joined the league. Early members included a young banker, Mike Davidson, who was promptly made treasurer. After a season or two he disappeared, returning about 30 years later to become the club chairman. Early members included George Dodman and Phil Wallace who is club secretary and local grading officer.
Venues included:-
The Allenbourne School. Had to leave - the chairs were too small.
The Allendale Centre. Had to leave -they closed too early.
The Kings Head. Had to leave. John Turnbull, the treasurer couldn’t find space for a game in the tiny room allocated. The enterprising duty manager suggested a bedroom. John accepted and the next person to turn up was a woman. John has the unusual claim to have played with a woman in the bedroom at the hotel. Moves of the game are not recorded but frequently recalled, especially by John.
Martyn Adams became a keen member and teaching at the local Queen Elizabeth School encouraged some excellent young players. He ran an evening club on Friday evenings. This was called the QE Chess Club, But open to Wimborne members. Later the two clubs united.
The Dormers Hotel (now he Olive Branch) was an ideal venue. They had plans to redecorate the upper room and we had to leave.
We moved to the Royal British Legion. The premises were suitable but the noise from the bar didn’t help. Many of us became members. We had to sign up and agree to keep the rules. They asked if we had served in the forces. Arvids, one of our members replied ‘yes but does it matter which side you were on?
We had to leave the Legion because of the noise from the bar and a particularly loud barmaid who clearly didn’t like us. The stories she told and the juicy gossip resounded round the hall and was far more exciting than the Queens Gambit. Graham Willetts joined us at this time and inspired us to move on and aim higher.
The next venue was the Conservative Club. This caused anguish and horror to some members who refused to pay homage to Maggie Thatcher. They sat with their backs to her photo. Then the Con Club closed.
At this time the excellent Oakdale Chess club decided to close and we welcomed some of their players including Ian Clark and Steve Culleton. Ianwith Martin Simons of Southbourne, continued to be the inspiration of Dorset Chess. Ian manages the top end of the club.
This time we went back to the Dormers. The management were very welcoming but if they got a better booking we were turned out into the restaurant, playing among the diners.
The next venue was the Coach and Horses. We played in the bowling Alley. But if they had a booking, we had to play in the pub a delightful place but without a section for serious chess. The log fire was a delight and some of us didn’t bother to play chess.
The Con Club had by now become a Weatherspoons pub, named ‘The Man in the Wall’. We were offered the first-floor room and we had a good season there. Then health and safety hit us. Weatherspoons decided we weren’t safe upstairs. We moved to the restaurant below and they saved us a small room. It wasn’t big enough and some of us had to play among the happy eaters and drinkers. Very jolly, but not chess, especially as happy drinkers would give us advice and move a piece or two for us.
We then tried the White Hart in the Cornmarket. Again, mixing with the happy customers didn’t please serious players.
So, we moved to the Coach and Horses again and played in the bowling Alley. A familiar problem arose. If they took a booking we were bowled out and had to play in the bar amongst the pool squad and diners. Serious chess players with no sense of humour didn’t like it.
The next venue was the Scout Hut. Did well for a while but not an ideal place.
So, we moved to the Football Club. At this time the club was probably had its largest membership, with 6 or 7 teams. We didn’t drink enough and we were gradually elbowed out.
At last we found our present premises at The Merley Social Club. Probably the best venue yet.
In between these wanderings, we had a spell at the Town Hall. However, the large rectangular table in the committee room meant that only those with long arms could administer a back-rank mate so we left.
In 2004, Phil Taylor (later to be Phil Taylor-Bowd) joined us and set up what we believe was the first club web site in Dorset.
A feature of the club over the years has been the excellent fund raising, especially by John George.
Another highlight is our annual Christmas dinner.
So, we’ve moved a lot, had a visit from the Mayor, raised over £1000 for Naomi’s House, played two simultaneous matches against top national players, tasted a lot of Merlot and enjoyed ourselves.
But we never played the House of Lords and are still waiting a reply from the Russian Embassy.
Purbeck v Wimborne E Wednesday 26th February 2020: 1.5-2.5
E Team win return match with Purbeck
Our team played Purbeck at home last Wednesday. On boards one and two we had two contrasting results.
Simon on board two [ in his own words] had a shocker and lost quickly whilst Phil on Board had an easy win.
My game was very tight against our old friend Chris Frost [Frosty] who regularly comes to our Friday sessions .We eventually agreed a draw.
The most dramatic game was on board four where J.I.T. [just in time ] Jimbo [ one minute man] . This lasted the full time limit .Jim only had one minute left on his clock when his opponent resigned.
We won 2.5 / 1.5 and are now second in Division 4.
Mike D (Team Captain)
Wimborne Away Team Success! Saturday 22nd February
Wimborne Chess Club sent a raiding party to Devon for their Blitz and Quick play Tournaments, held at America Hall, De La Rue Way, Pinhoe, Exeter.
The Wimborne Team consisted of , Eddie Barker 173 , Tim Joyce 137 , Joergen H Nielsen 135 , and Graham Hillman 131 ( Captain ) The total team grade was 576.
The Blitz Tournament 4m + 3 sec increments was the time control . The highlight of the entire day for me was playing the Devon Blitz champion Jos Haynes , a 186 Blitz grade . My heart sunk when I knew I had drawn him in the last round , he was 5.5 from 6 and nailed on to win. However he opted to play a line I knew very well out of the Bb5 version of the Nimzovitch -Rosolimo of the Sicilian defence . My luck was in and I prosecuted a fierce K-Side attack to mate him , thus finishing on 4 from 7 and very happy .
The Team event with 4 players per Team and the time control was 10 minutes with 3 second increments. There were 7 rounds played, Swiss based format.
Round 1 was great 4-0 , Round wasn't so great 0-4 . But things settled down to the last round where it looked as though we were out of the silverware and going home empty handed as we only had 11 points . There followed a team talk in the Car Park with the "special one Jose " being invoked , hey presto 4-0 win and 15 points and outright winners of the U-600 grading Prize the Hodge Cup - see picture.
A great day out was completed on the way back via The Duchess of Cornwall Pub in Poundbury where a Victory pint was had .
Highly recommended as future Diary event
E Team win return match with Purbeck
Our team played Purbeck at home last Wednesday. On boards one and two we had two contrasting results.
Simon on board two [ in his own words] had a shocker and lost quickly whilst Phil on Board had an easy win.
My game was very tight against our old friend Chris Frost [Frosty] who regularly comes to our Friday sessions .We eventually agreed a draw.
The most dramatic game was on board four where J.I.T. [just in time ] Jimbo [ one minute man] . This lasted the full time limit .Jim only had one minute left on his clock when his opponent resigned.
We won 2.5 / 1.5 and are now second in Division 4.
Mike D (Team Captain)
Wimborne Away Team Success! Saturday 22nd February
Wimborne Chess Club sent a raiding party to Devon for their Blitz and Quick play Tournaments, held at America Hall, De La Rue Way, Pinhoe, Exeter.
The Wimborne Team consisted of , Eddie Barker 173 , Tim Joyce 137 , Joergen H Nielsen 135 , and Graham Hillman 131 ( Captain ) The total team grade was 576.
The Blitz Tournament 4m + 3 sec increments was the time control . The highlight of the entire day for me was playing the Devon Blitz champion Jos Haynes , a 186 Blitz grade . My heart sunk when I knew I had drawn him in the last round , he was 5.5 from 6 and nailed on to win. However he opted to play a line I knew very well out of the Bb5 version of the Nimzovitch -Rosolimo of the Sicilian defence . My luck was in and I prosecuted a fierce K-Side attack to mate him , thus finishing on 4 from 7 and very happy .
The Team event with 4 players per Team and the time control was 10 minutes with 3 second increments. There were 7 rounds played, Swiss based format.
Round 1 was great 4-0 , Round wasn't so great 0-4 . But things settled down to the last round where it looked as though we were out of the silverware and going home empty handed as we only had 11 points . There followed a team talk in the Car Park with the "special one Jose " being invoked , hey presto 4-0 win and 15 points and outright winners of the U-600 grading Prize the Hodge Cup - see picture.
A great day out was completed on the way back via The Duchess of Cornwall Pub in Poundbury where a Victory pint was had .
Highly recommended as future Diary event
Wimborne F v New Milton C 15th January 2020 2.5-1.5:
New Milton came to the match a player short which got us off to a good start. David Lane on board 2 then kept up his winning streak and put us a comfortable 2 points ahead. Sam on board 3 is still to get back to his winning form, and gave New Milton their first point.
What can I say about David Lewis on board 1? I've come to the conclusion that he must like giving himself difficult endgames. With his opponent two unconnected passed pawns up, things looked bleak for him, but after a period of prolonged manoeuvring, he had won the passed pawns, and material was now even. The end of the game was unfortunately somewhat marred by clock problems and controversy over David's correctly called two minute draw claim. Eventually conceding that he couldn't win the position, a draw was accepted.
With our second win in a row, we are now a very respectable third in the league. Well done team.
Greg Webb (Team Captain)
Wimborne F v Highcliffe E Wednesday 8th January 2.5-1.5
Our home return match with Highcliffe saw David Pawley get his revenge on Sam on board 4 who lost an en prise piece and missed a back rank mate to boot. To make up for this, on board 2 Mike Tew had good winning endgame chances against David Lane, until Mike kindly offered him his rook for free, and immediately resigned in disgust.
On board 3 I had a fairly easy ride, though not a short one, against, I guess, a somewhat inexperienced Andy Hopwood, who eventually lost on time stuck for most of the game in a defensive, passive position.
So the final outcome of the match now depended on the result of board 1. When I'd had a chance to look at it during my game, the position was most interesting: David Lewis had three pieces and three pawns against Roger Howell's two pieces and seven pawns. On paper, that looked like a win to Roger if he knew what he was about. Later, as their game progressed, I noticed it had by now attracted quite a band of spectators, and by the time my game had finished, I was just in time to see Roger queen a pawn, which was taken with a bishop, which was taken with a pawn = queen again, taken by king, and king took David's remaining pawn: just kings left on the board - remarkable.
So thanks to David's extraordinary endgame skills, the game was unexpectedly drawn, and that was all we needed to win the match.
Greg Webb (Team Captain)
Dear all,
This is to ask if you could kindly help promote this special 25th Dorset Rapidplay please. It is again at Greyfriars, Ringwood, and on Sunday, 15 March ‘20 with quite a few exciting things planned to make it a very special celebratory event. But especially, there will be £1000 in cash prizes aimed at creating as many prize winners as possible. Not to mention the hot and cold food, and free drinks all day.
I have attached the entry form which also has details. The link to the website is:
https://www.dorsetchess.co.uk/rapidplay-2020/
We obviously want to get as many Dorset players entering as possible – so with this in mind, it would be much appreciated if you could publicise it within your club, importantly including on your website.
Very many thanks and sincere best wishes for 2020.
County Division 2: Dorchester B v Wimborne B Thursday 12th December 1.5 - 2.5:
As the exit poll was announced at 10.00 p.m. there was considerably more doubt about the outcome of this match than the General Election. We held a 2-1 advantage, thanks to wins by Mark Littleton and John Bowley on the top and bottom boards respectively. I had kept Dorchester's hopes alive by generously offering up my queen.
All attention turned to the deciding game in which Stephen Appleby was under considerable pressure from a seventh row pawn supported by queen and two rooks. With great ingenuity he managed to induce a queen, rook and pawn exchange which removed the threatening pawn in the process. However he was still a pawn down in the end game against an opponent, Nick Pool, who knew he had to win. With careful manoeuvring Stephen ensured he kept his rook alive and protective, while Nick slipped more and more into potential time trouble seeking a path through. So concentrated became Nick's thoughts that his clock counted down to precisely one second remaining before he thrust his hand across to stop it. Unfortunately in his desperate haste Nick had forgotten the rather essential protocol of making his move before doing so. The game was technically won but in a mark of respect for his opponent's play Stephen, in a wonderful sporting gesture, offered a draw.
This win leaves us on the shoulders of the leaders in Division 2, one point behind Weymouth B and Highcliffe B with a match in hand. It continues to be an exciting division with all six teams still in contention at roughly the halfway point.
Colin Wilson
(Team Captain)
Wimborne A v Ringwood A Wednesday 4th December 3.5-0.5:
We welcomed Ringwood last night and all matches were hard fought.
On board 4 Mark had an early advantage with black being tied down. Pieces were swapped off with Mark keeping control and eventually managed to win the exchange and the game.
On my board seemed not much happening until Martin Clancy tried a knight manoeuvre which looked good but fell into a trap where I did not recapture a piece but left 2 pieces en pris and came out of sequence 2 passed pawns up and eventually won.
On Board 3 Niall had control of the game and looked like was going to win but Eddie just managed to hang on and a draw was agreed.
Top board was exciting with Peter A realising his team needed a win went for it by sacrificing material but Allan was able to keep the material and eventually blunt Peters attack and win the game.
The win temporarily puts Wimborne top of league.
Ian Clark (Team Captain)
Highcliffe E v Wimborne F Monday 2nd December 1.5-2.5:
Congratulations team on our first win of the season!
I can't give a too detailed account of my fellow players games because I had to concentrate on two boards play as my opponent was visually impaired on board 3. I did, however, get one brief chance to take a look at the other games, with David Lewis on board 1 a pawn up and offering a queen exchange. David explained afterwards that he thought if he could get all the remaining pieces off the board, he was fairly confident he could win with the extra pawn - and with his near faultless endgame technique, that is exactly what he did.
Next to him on board 2, David lane had lost a piece, and later went on to lose the game as well.
Sitting back down to my game, which ended in a draw, I could occasionally glance at Sam's game next to me on board 4, which, like David Lewis' went to a Kings and pawns endgame, where Sam had a 3-2 pawn majority on the queenside, and made no mistake in converting his advantage into the full point.
So, well done to David and Sam. With this win, we have also leapt with a single bound from bottom of our league to 4th.
Greg Webb (Team Captain)
County Division 3: Wimborne D v Highcliffe C Wednesday 6th November 2019 4 - 0:
We had a formidable grade advantage on the top three boards but Highcliffe's players all acquitted themselves well.
I was too engrossed in my own game, in which Sue Kageler had much the better of the opening sequences, to give any meaningful comment on the other games. Fortunately for me Sue just slightly misjudged a very dangerous looking double knight and bishop attack to allow me back onto the front foot.
The last game to finish was on board 3 and that went the full distance before Alan Tyler's pawn strengths finally prevailed against Roger Howell. Earlier Mike Jackson and Phil Holden had recorded wins on the top and bottom boards respectively. Well done to Phil particularly, as he was the only one of us playing a higher graded opponent.
Ominously, at the other side of the room, the formidable Poole B team players were flexing their intellectual muscles against our C Team to keep their 100% record intact; they will take some stopping in this division.
Colin Wilson (Team Captain)
Highcliffe C. v Wimborne D. Monday 4th November 2.5-1.5:
On an dark and windy night a successful loss for Wimborne.
On board 1 John played a careful and thoughtful game. So did his opponent and a draw was agreed.
On board 2 I played a lad about 65 years younger than me. It showed. I played a classical Dutch and reached a Classical Dutch position. Oddly in the middle game I came across a stray Bishop and took it. However in the endgame as sleep overtook me my Bishop vanished and youth showed as his passed pawn moved silently towards the finishing post. It didn’t need to get there. All the spectators could see that the lad had a checkmate next move. I don’t . He did. End of game.
On board 3. Phil played a solid game with opportunities but a draw was agreed.
On board 4 Mike had a fascinating game as his King led the attack racing over the halfway line. However there were pawns and pieces all over the place. No one could see what to do next and a draw was agreed.
Thanks to Phil and Mike for stepping in as reserves.
Tony (Team Captain)
County Division 2: Wimborne B v Highcliffe B Wednesday 27th November 2019 3 - 1:
Two wins with white and two draws with black saw Wimborne B safely home to their first victory of the season in a well contested match. Special mention to opposition players Richard Ursell and Rob Halse who completed their own mini chessathon, this being their third league match on consecutive nights this week. Richard played well to secure his draw on the top board against Mark Littleton, while Rob went the full distance against Stephen Appleby on board 2 in an interesting knights and pawns finish where Steve's passed pawn on the rook file and better placed knights proved decisive. In the other games Pete Donaldson and myself agreed an early draw and Tim Joyce prevailed for Wimborne on board 4.
Dorset County League 2. Play. Won. Draw. Lost. F. A Points
Purbeck A 4. 1 2 1 8 8 4
Weymouth B. 4 1 2 1 8 8 4
Highcliffe B 4 1 2 1 7½ 8½ 4
Wimborne B 3 1 1 1 6½ 5½ 3
Dorchester B 3 1 1 1 5½ 6½ 3
Dorchester C 2 1 0 1 4½ 3½ 2
I wouldn't normally attach a league table at this stage of the season but it fascinates me that all six teams currently have exactly the same number of points as matches played. All six sides remain firmly in contention, not least ourselves.
Colin Wilson (Team Captain)
Wimborne C v Southbourne B Wednesday 20th November 2019 1.5 - 2.5:
We maintained our 100% record this season, albeit not in a good way! Jorgen fought hard for his draw on board 1 in the first game to finish and Tim gave us some consolation at the end of the evening with a good win on the bottom board but the damage was done in between with successes for Southbourne on the middle boards. In our defence we were out graded on all four boards, as is becoming customary for us in this division, but our visitors deserved their win in what was, despite the adverse result, an enjoyable evening's chess.
Alarmingly our B and C teams have accumulated just a single point between them after four matches each in Division 2. At least that will soon have to change as we play each other "home and away" in our next two matches, before and after Christmas. Whatever the outcome it is unfortunately now looking odds on that we shall lose one of our teams from this division at the end of the season.
Colin Wilson
(C Team Captain)
Wimborne F V Poole E Wednesday 13th November 2019 1-3:
Board 4 saw Sam paired (unfortunately?!) with Jamie Doyle, and the result was yet another quick victory for the enfant terrible. Next to them on board 3, George didn't fair any better against Mike Minvalla, a player I've not come across before, and soon followed Sam.
David Lewis v Joe Wood, another Poole player I've not seen before, on board 2 was a much more balanced game, and the eventual agreed draw seemed a fair result with neither player being able to gain any meaningful advantage.
The last game to finish was the epic on board 1. By late middle-game, the experienced Christine Roberts had very good winning chances being a significant number of pawns up, one already on the seventh, and David at that point stuck to defence. Unfortunately she missed a free rook on her 33rd move, which would have virtually guaranteed her win, and from then Christine appeared to lose her way and allowed David back into the game with a vengeance. Having eliminated all her pawns advantage, and everything else on the board, the eventual end came down to a King and pawn (Christine) v king end game. The problem was, her King was behind the pawn, and David made no mistake in his somewhat unconventional defence. The final result after all that effort, a draw.
In conclusion, after 3 league games played to date, our strategy of staying at the bottom of Division 5 to avoid any chance of promotion next season appears to be working!
Greg Webb (Team Captain)
Wimborne C v New Milton A Wednesday 13th November 2019 0.5 - 3.5:
It was top versus bottom in this one and that's the way it stayed after a resounding win for our visitors. Making the most of their grade advantage on the top two boards, they quickly eased into a 2-0 lead. Joergen (welcome back!) had misplayed a move sequence on the top board, while I had carelessly lost a pawn and a knight in an exchange of pieces when I really ought only to have given up a pawn. Grades were identical on boards 3 and 4 where there were two much closer games.
Alan Tyler agreed an honourable draw on board 3, while Tim Joyce went the distance as he so often does. After Tim overlooked a great opportunity to win a queen, an opportunity that his controlled attack had earned, his opponent rallied and launched a forceful counter attack of his own to secure a mate. New Milton are looking strong promotion contenders as Division 2 begins to take shape. Conversely we are looking early favourites to move in the opposite direction with no points after our opening three matches.
Colin Wilson (Team Captain)
County Division 3: Wimborne D v Highcliffe C Wednesday 6th November 2019 4 - 0:
We had a formidable grade advantage on the top three boards but Highcliffe's players all acquitted themselves well. I was too engrossed in my own game, in which Sue Kageler had much the better of the opening sequences, to give any meaningful comment on the other games. Fortunately for me Sue just slightly misjudged a very dangerous looking double knight and bishop attack to allow me back onto the front foot.
The last game to finish was on board 3 and that went the full distance before Alan Tyler's pawn strengths finally prevailed against Roger Howell. Earlier Mike Jackson and Phil Holden had recorded wins on the top and bottom boards respectively. Well done to Phil particularly, as he was the only one of us playing a higher graded opponent.
Ominously, at the other side of the room, the formidable Poole B team players were flexing their intellectual muscles against our C Team to keep their 100% record intact; they will take some stopping in this division.
Colin Wilson (Team Captain)
Highcliffe C. v Wimborne D Monday 4th November: 2.5-1.5:
On an dark and windy night a successful loss for Wimborne. On board 1 John played a careful and thoughtful game. So did his opponent and a draw was agreed.
On board 2 I played a lad about 65 years younger than me. It showed. I played a classical Dutch and reached a Classical Dutch position. Oddly in the middle game I came across a stray Bishop and took it. However in the endgame as sleep overtook me my Bishop vanished and youth showed as his passed pawn moved silently towards the finishing post. It didn’t need to get there. All the spectators could see that the lad had a checkmate next move. I don’t. He did. End of game.
On board 3. Phil played a solid game with opportunities but a draw was agreed.
On board 4 Mike had a fascinating game as his King led the attack racing over the halfway line. However there were pawns and pieces all over the place. No one could see what to do next and a draw was agreed.
Thanks to Phil and Mike for stepping in as reserves.
Tony (Team Captain)
Wimborne E v Poole D Wednesday 31st October: 1-3:
E team's first loss of the season! Our team was Phil Wallace on 1, Jim Fox on 2 , me on 3 and Jim Newman on 4.
I had one of those moments when I played the Buckfield stone wall attack with the right moves in my head but they came out in the wrong order!! 1-0 down.
Jim Fox played a long game well but at the end it was King and pawns end game. Jim’s pawns were not well situated and his very strong opponent snatched them. 2-0 down.
Jim Newman managed a rook/ knight swap but could not hold onto his better position. Draw agreed 2.5-0.5.
Phil was last to finish with an interesting position but drawish. The new fangled clock seemed to work in favour of the Poole Board 1, adding 15 minutes every move! He valiantly offered a draw.
Final result 1-3.
Mike D (Team Captain)
Highcliffe C v Wimborne C (Dorset) Monday 21st October: 1.5-2.5:
Our team was Graham, Phil, David Lane and myself.
Highcliffe were our opponents and were graded much lower than us [ over 100 grades]. Despite this they put up a good fight .
The first board to complete was Phil against a lady called Sue Kageler . She was stern opposition for Phil and despite Phil hiding his king behind his pawns , Sue managed a good win.
Graham and I had good wins , but we had to wait until David Lane completed his game . Both players had little time left but David was Rook to a knight up . Eventually a draw was agreed giving us a 2.5/1.5 win and we remain unbeaten!
Mike D (Team Captain)
Southbourne C v Wimborne D. On a cold and windy night 25th October: 0.5-3.5:
Whilst Leicester were scoring 9 goals against Southampton, Wimborne notched up their first win of the season. Southbourne C 0.5. Wimborne D 3.5
I finished first. My long term friend John Harris and I played our umpteenth game. We exchanged the heavy pieces off as soon as possible to make life less complex. I won a pawn and survived till a pawn of mine reached the other end and became a queen with a check.
Jim Newman making his debut appearance for the D team played a careful game and found himself a pawn down in the endgame with only a few bits hanging around. Jim, an endgame wizard, won a pawn and got his King in just the right place to gobble up his opponents pawns. Good one Jim.
Graham Hillman outplayed his opponent on the top board and at the end was pieces and position up. And time on the clock. A fine win for Graham
Phil Wallace looked as if he had a superior position on board 3 till tea break. The chocolate biscuits may have been Southbourne’s secret weapon. From then on it all became more complex with chances for both players. After an exhausting game both players were relieved to agree a draw.
Tony (Team Captain)
Wimborne F v Bournemouth C Wednesday 23rd October 2-2:
David Lane was the first to finish on board 2 with a win in an astonishingly quick time against new 'hopeful' for Bournemouth, Satindar Bedi. David's own verdict was, 'it was embarrassingly quick'. George Dodman finished his game on 4 shortly after this with another win in record time. George, however, was more modest about his victory. Suffice to say about my loss on 3 that if David's game was 'embarrassingly quick', mine was just 'embarrassing'. David Lewis on 1 was the last to finish, but the seasoned veteran had been outplayed in a long game and resigned in a hopeless endgame.
Greg Webb (Team Captain)
Wimborne C v Highcliffe B Wednesday 23rd October 2019 1.5-2.5:
Richard Ursell struck first for Highcliffe, playing what seemed to me to be an audacious attacking move from which there was no escape. Later analysis did reveal a possible escape route but it passed me by completely at the time and the game was over. Richard was a worthy and gracious winner. Alan Tyler hit back for Wimborne with an impressive win on Board 2, having secured an overload of pawns on both flanks. At this point the match could have gone either way with John Bowley launching a typically formidable Queen's side attack on Board 4. However, Andrew Manson defended resolutely and time pressure began to tell to the extent that John played one of the last moves of the game with literally just one second left. What was meant to be pawn to h6 to avert a potential counter attack mate actually became pawn to the floor with John's arm sweeping it from the board as he lunged desperately for the clock! A few moves later Andrew offered what was by this time a magnanimous draw and John accepted with some relief. All now hinged on the final game on Board 3. At first glance I wondered why they were still playing as Tim Joyce looked to be a queen down, only for me to discover her highness was tucked well away on h8, surrounded by many other pieces and hidden from my eyes by Tim's elbow! This game became more and more interesting as Neil Salinger kept probing dangerously, while both players were down to just over a minute each on the clock. This is where time increments can really make a difference and, whereas under the old time system a draw might have been agreed, both players were brave enough to slug it out to the finish. And what a clever finish it was, with Neil playing a queen sacrifice to force a mate and clinch the match for Highcliffe. An entertaining contest overall, played in an excellent spirit throughout.
Colin Wilson (Team Captain)
County Division 2: Purbeck A v Wimborne B Monday 21st October 2019 2-2:
We picked up our first point of the season in an honourable draw at Purbeck. The teams were very evenly matched and this was reflected in the closeness of the games and the final result. Steve Appleby was the first to finish, agreeing a draw in double quick time on Board 2 - the final position was fairly balanced but Steve was wary of a solid and cautious opponent, whom he had not encountered before. On the top board a double rook end game was reached but with only one pair of pawns exchanged and no open lines, Steve Peirson offered a draw which Mark Littleton initially turned down but reciprocated a couple of moves further on. At this point, with the match tied at 1-1, we were a pawn up on board 4 but a pawn down on board 3. A neat combination by Tim Joyce on the bottom board netted another pawn and his opponent resigned soon after. This meant my opponent now had to win to salvage something for Purbeck which was bad news for me as my single pawn deficit and poor pawn structure meant I was under intensifying pressure. In the end my opponent was able to force me to swap off both pairs of rooks, leaving my King too far detached from the remaining pawn action.
Colin Wilson
(Team Captain)
Wimborne D v New MIlton B Wednesday 16th October 2019 0.5-2.5:
Not quite the victory we had hoped for.
Graham played well on board 1 and agreed a draw. Looking at it afterwards he believed he had a win. John played into a good position but in time trouble missed a winning move and the game. Simon played well but for the first time learned what it feels like to not win.
Both teams defaulted on board 4 to enable the match to be played.
Tony Buckfield (Team Captain)
County Division 2: Wimborne B v Weymouth B Wednesday 9th October 2019 1.5-2.5:
A close match to begin the campaign which didn't quite pan out in our favour. Mike Jackson, Alan Tyler and myself all played out hard fought draws but the decisive outcome was on the top board where Pete tells me he could never quite extricate himself from a troublesome opening. The season is young, so onward and upward!
Colin Wilson (B Team captain)
Wimborne E v Bournemouth B Wednesday 9th October 2019 2.5-1.5:
We won 2.5 / 1.5. We were out graded on all boards!
My game finished fairly quickly with a tame draw. Simon Young , our new star, won handsomely against a very experienced player Paul Errington. Then Jim Fox rescued a draw having lost a pawn early on. Finally Phil Wallace was not optimistic about his game but grabbed a draw , hence giving us a win ! Still unbeaten after 2 games
Mike D (Team Captain)
Southbourne A v Wimborne A 4th October 2019 2-2:
Our second match away to Southbourne A ended up with a drawn match so 1 point from first 2 matches.
It was a close match. I just had time to look at other games and saw that Mark was defending a storming attack by Jon and was just able to avoid being mated and then had a couple of extra pieces and game was over. Martin seemed to be concentrating more on the top board and in his eagerness to watch managed to flood half my board with his water! I wanted to claim rain stopped play but had to carry on. I was under considerable time pressure ( I ended up with 3 minutes where as Declan still had his hour left ! ) and perhaps unwisely opened up the game but despite some exciting moves ended up with a king surrounded by to many pieces and had to resign. By this time Martin and Allan had drawn a fairly quiet game and the final match between Eddie and Russell was looking drawn and this indeed was the result.
Ian Clark (Team Captain)
Southbourne E v Wimborne F Div 5 4th October 2019 3 - 1:
A not too successful first match of the new season for us, with George on board 2 falling first. By the middle game George's position was cramped and under pressure with an impressive phalanx of his opponent's pawns steadily advancing on the queen side and his king side under attack as well. Eventually he was 3 or 4 pawns down and despite a valiant effort to complicate things, Mark kept control to win the first point for Southbourne.
Sam's game on board 4 against Nigel looked pretty much even on the occasions I had a chance to glance at it despite Sam's 16 point grading deficit. Looking at it again later, Sam had somehow in the meantime gone the exchange and a pawn down, not necessarily disastrous in itself, but not helpful either. But the end came unexpectedly rather swiftly for Sam when he fell foul of the 'touch-and-move' rule which I heard his opponent enforce on him, and Sam accept with good grace - unlucky Sam. Second point to the home side.
My game on board 3 against Terry was a classic Queen's Gambit declined exchange variation which, unfortunately, at a 14 point grading deficit my opponent wasn't up to the fundamental strategy of, and he didn't even make it to the time control. First point to Wimborne.
How David's game on top board progressed I could not really see, but later on during Southbourne's welcomed and appreciated customary 9 am 'tea break', I looked at his position and he was 2 or 3 pawns down, but a reasonable position otherwise, and a lack of pawns has usually never bothered him! But after my game had finished, I could watch his, and his position had disastrously deteriorated in the meantime, and to try to prevent mate he sacrificed his queen! only to be mated anyway a couple of moves later. Final tally 3 - 1 to Southbourne.
Still, chin up team. This was only the first game of the season. There's still all to play for!
Greg Webb (Team Captain)
County Division 3: Wimborne D v Poole B Wednesday 2nd October 2019 1.5-2.5:
Poole B got their County Division 3 campaign off to a winning start, with wins on the top two boards the foundation of their success. Mike Jackson seemed to have promising early play in his match against John Weatherlake (170!) but couldn't sustain it, while Dragi Popovic took full advantage of my generosity in surrendering two central pawns in early play. The decisive result was the highly commendable draw achieved by Poole's young star, Jamie Doyle, on Board 3 against our experienced John Bowley. The one solace for Wimborne came courtesy of Phil Holden on the bottom board in an entertaining game that was last to finish. Poole B narrowly missed out on the title last season and, even at this early stage, look a good bet to finish one place higher this time around.
Colin Wilson (D Team captain)
Bournemouth A v Wimborne C Tuesday 1st October 3-1:
This was a closer match than the scoreline might suggest with Alan and John both drawing games in which they had the edge and winning chances, while Tim lost a close match in which he too may feel he could have had at least a draw. Meanwhile the captain, heavily outgraded, capitulated early, falling victim to the same trap twice in the space of six moves to surrender both centre pawns. I suspect it is going to be a tough season for us in Division 2 but I have no doubt that we shall give it our best throughout.
Colin Wilson (C Team captain)
Poole C v Wimborne D. Thursday 26th September 3-1:
A successful loss for our D team. Poole outgraded us by at least 10 points on each board and they look like a good bet to be promoted at the end of the season.
Cornelius lost a piece quickly on board 4 and went home to pack for his pending trip to India (have a good time C).
Graham then lost on board 1 against a young vibrant Poole player.
I erred in the endgame and only drew an endgame with a piece and two pawns up. No one could believe it. But I did.
John fought on effectively for a draw on board 2.
Tony (Team Captain)
Wimborne v Dorchester 26th Sep. 2019 D 3-1:
First club match win by our C team in Dorset league 3.
We played Dorchester D in the Dorset league division 3 last Thursday ,
We were weakened by not having our top two players. However Graham White agreed to play at the last minute. David Lane , Phil Wallace and I all played higher graded players .
David on 4 and myself on 3 both achieved creditable draws and then Phil’s opponent allowed a simple mate, so with Phil’s win and our draws gave us 2 points. The final game on the top board was close but Graham’s skill won through .
So we won 3/1.
Mike D (Team Captain)
Wimborne A v Poole A 18th Sept. 2019 1.5-2.5:
Our opening match against Poole A saw us lose 2.5 to 1.5. On board 2 I had a quick although interesting draw against Machecek. I should really have played on but thought was a good result for the team at the time !
On board 4 Mark was struggling against Richie Smith and could only hang on for a draw. The match on 3 was decisive with Steve struggling to get his pices into the game and John with more aggresive pieces were to well placed and he won. On board 1 Allan seemed to have a good ending but could not find the correct moves in a rook and pawns ending and despite a good try had to accept a draw.
Ian Clark (Team Captain)
FIXTURES
Fixtures for the 2019-20 season can now be found by clicking on the Calendar tab at the top of this page. Bacchus fixtures should be added soon.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Calendar page if you wish to find an individual team's fixtures collated.
We have six teams in the Bournemouth and District League, one in each of the five divisions plus an extra one for luck in Division 2.
In the Dorset County League our A team is in Division 1, a newly admitted B team is in Division 2 and we have two teams, C and D, in Division 3.
New players of all ability levels are always welcome, even when the season is under way (see our Home page for details).
Clocks
How to set digital clocks for Bournemouth & District League Divisions 1 and 2. We now have time increments in both divisions this coming year.
The setting are as follows :
DGT 2010 clock is the main one to be used and we have 8 of these clocks.
Setting is number 18
The clock should show 1 hour for whole game plus 30 seconds per move.
The first part of setting shows the 1 Hour and second part shows the 30 second increment
When starting the game the arm should be raised on the white side and the middle button should be pressed to start the game. If wish to stop the clock during the game the middle button should be pressed.
Remember that moves must be recorded for all moves during the game.
DGT 2000 setting will be number 23 with same way to set.
New Milton came to the match a player short which got us off to a good start. David Lane on board 2 then kept up his winning streak and put us a comfortable 2 points ahead. Sam on board 3 is still to get back to his winning form, and gave New Milton their first point.
What can I say about David Lewis on board 1? I've come to the conclusion that he must like giving himself difficult endgames. With his opponent two unconnected passed pawns up, things looked bleak for him, but after a period of prolonged manoeuvring, he had won the passed pawns, and material was now even. The end of the game was unfortunately somewhat marred by clock problems and controversy over David's correctly called two minute draw claim. Eventually conceding that he couldn't win the position, a draw was accepted.
With our second win in a row, we are now a very respectable third in the league. Well done team.
Greg Webb (Team Captain)
Wimborne F v Highcliffe E Wednesday 8th January 2.5-1.5
Our home return match with Highcliffe saw David Pawley get his revenge on Sam on board 4 who lost an en prise piece and missed a back rank mate to boot. To make up for this, on board 2 Mike Tew had good winning endgame chances against David Lane, until Mike kindly offered him his rook for free, and immediately resigned in disgust.
On board 3 I had a fairly easy ride, though not a short one, against, I guess, a somewhat inexperienced Andy Hopwood, who eventually lost on time stuck for most of the game in a defensive, passive position.
So the final outcome of the match now depended on the result of board 1. When I'd had a chance to look at it during my game, the position was most interesting: David Lewis had three pieces and three pawns against Roger Howell's two pieces and seven pawns. On paper, that looked like a win to Roger if he knew what he was about. Later, as their game progressed, I noticed it had by now attracted quite a band of spectators, and by the time my game had finished, I was just in time to see Roger queen a pawn, which was taken with a bishop, which was taken with a pawn = queen again, taken by king, and king took David's remaining pawn: just kings left on the board - remarkable.
So thanks to David's extraordinary endgame skills, the game was unexpectedly drawn, and that was all we needed to win the match.
Greg Webb (Team Captain)
Dear all,
This is to ask if you could kindly help promote this special 25th Dorset Rapidplay please. It is again at Greyfriars, Ringwood, and on Sunday, 15 March ‘20 with quite a few exciting things planned to make it a very special celebratory event. But especially, there will be £1000 in cash prizes aimed at creating as many prize winners as possible. Not to mention the hot and cold food, and free drinks all day.
I have attached the entry form which also has details. The link to the website is:
https://www.dorsetchess.co.uk/rapidplay-2020/
We obviously want to get as many Dorset players entering as possible – so with this in mind, it would be much appreciated if you could publicise it within your club, importantly including on your website.
Very many thanks and sincere best wishes for 2020.
County Division 2: Dorchester B v Wimborne B Thursday 12th December 1.5 - 2.5:
As the exit poll was announced at 10.00 p.m. there was considerably more doubt about the outcome of this match than the General Election. We held a 2-1 advantage, thanks to wins by Mark Littleton and John Bowley on the top and bottom boards respectively. I had kept Dorchester's hopes alive by generously offering up my queen.
All attention turned to the deciding game in which Stephen Appleby was under considerable pressure from a seventh row pawn supported by queen and two rooks. With great ingenuity he managed to induce a queen, rook and pawn exchange which removed the threatening pawn in the process. However he was still a pawn down in the end game against an opponent, Nick Pool, who knew he had to win. With careful manoeuvring Stephen ensured he kept his rook alive and protective, while Nick slipped more and more into potential time trouble seeking a path through. So concentrated became Nick's thoughts that his clock counted down to precisely one second remaining before he thrust his hand across to stop it. Unfortunately in his desperate haste Nick had forgotten the rather essential protocol of making his move before doing so. The game was technically won but in a mark of respect for his opponent's play Stephen, in a wonderful sporting gesture, offered a draw.
This win leaves us on the shoulders of the leaders in Division 2, one point behind Weymouth B and Highcliffe B with a match in hand. It continues to be an exciting division with all six teams still in contention at roughly the halfway point.
Colin Wilson
(Team Captain)
Wimborne A v Ringwood A Wednesday 4th December 3.5-0.5:
We welcomed Ringwood last night and all matches were hard fought.
On board 4 Mark had an early advantage with black being tied down. Pieces were swapped off with Mark keeping control and eventually managed to win the exchange and the game.
On my board seemed not much happening until Martin Clancy tried a knight manoeuvre which looked good but fell into a trap where I did not recapture a piece but left 2 pieces en pris and came out of sequence 2 passed pawns up and eventually won.
On Board 3 Niall had control of the game and looked like was going to win but Eddie just managed to hang on and a draw was agreed.
Top board was exciting with Peter A realising his team needed a win went for it by sacrificing material but Allan was able to keep the material and eventually blunt Peters attack and win the game.
The win temporarily puts Wimborne top of league.
Ian Clark (Team Captain)
Highcliffe E v Wimborne F Monday 2nd December 1.5-2.5:
Congratulations team on our first win of the season!
I can't give a too detailed account of my fellow players games because I had to concentrate on two boards play as my opponent was visually impaired on board 3. I did, however, get one brief chance to take a look at the other games, with David Lewis on board 1 a pawn up and offering a queen exchange. David explained afterwards that he thought if he could get all the remaining pieces off the board, he was fairly confident he could win with the extra pawn - and with his near faultless endgame technique, that is exactly what he did.
Next to him on board 2, David lane had lost a piece, and later went on to lose the game as well.
Sitting back down to my game, which ended in a draw, I could occasionally glance at Sam's game next to me on board 4, which, like David Lewis' went to a Kings and pawns endgame, where Sam had a 3-2 pawn majority on the queenside, and made no mistake in converting his advantage into the full point.
So, well done to David and Sam. With this win, we have also leapt with a single bound from bottom of our league to 4th.
Greg Webb (Team Captain)
County Division 3: Wimborne D v Highcliffe C Wednesday 6th November 2019 4 - 0:
We had a formidable grade advantage on the top three boards but Highcliffe's players all acquitted themselves well.
I was too engrossed in my own game, in which Sue Kageler had much the better of the opening sequences, to give any meaningful comment on the other games. Fortunately for me Sue just slightly misjudged a very dangerous looking double knight and bishop attack to allow me back onto the front foot.
The last game to finish was on board 3 and that went the full distance before Alan Tyler's pawn strengths finally prevailed against Roger Howell. Earlier Mike Jackson and Phil Holden had recorded wins on the top and bottom boards respectively. Well done to Phil particularly, as he was the only one of us playing a higher graded opponent.
Ominously, at the other side of the room, the formidable Poole B team players were flexing their intellectual muscles against our C Team to keep their 100% record intact; they will take some stopping in this division.
Colin Wilson (Team Captain)
Highcliffe C. v Wimborne D. Monday 4th November 2.5-1.5:
On an dark and windy night a successful loss for Wimborne.
On board 1 John played a careful and thoughtful game. So did his opponent and a draw was agreed.
On board 2 I played a lad about 65 years younger than me. It showed. I played a classical Dutch and reached a Classical Dutch position. Oddly in the middle game I came across a stray Bishop and took it. However in the endgame as sleep overtook me my Bishop vanished and youth showed as his passed pawn moved silently towards the finishing post. It didn’t need to get there. All the spectators could see that the lad had a checkmate next move. I don’t . He did. End of game.
On board 3. Phil played a solid game with opportunities but a draw was agreed.
On board 4 Mike had a fascinating game as his King led the attack racing over the halfway line. However there were pawns and pieces all over the place. No one could see what to do next and a draw was agreed.
Thanks to Phil and Mike for stepping in as reserves.
Tony (Team Captain)
County Division 2: Wimborne B v Highcliffe B Wednesday 27th November 2019 3 - 1:
Two wins with white and two draws with black saw Wimborne B safely home to their first victory of the season in a well contested match. Special mention to opposition players Richard Ursell and Rob Halse who completed their own mini chessathon, this being their third league match on consecutive nights this week. Richard played well to secure his draw on the top board against Mark Littleton, while Rob went the full distance against Stephen Appleby on board 2 in an interesting knights and pawns finish where Steve's passed pawn on the rook file and better placed knights proved decisive. In the other games Pete Donaldson and myself agreed an early draw and Tim Joyce prevailed for Wimborne on board 4.
Dorset County League 2. Play. Won. Draw. Lost. F. A Points
Purbeck A 4. 1 2 1 8 8 4
Weymouth B. 4 1 2 1 8 8 4
Highcliffe B 4 1 2 1 7½ 8½ 4
Wimborne B 3 1 1 1 6½ 5½ 3
Dorchester B 3 1 1 1 5½ 6½ 3
Dorchester C 2 1 0 1 4½ 3½ 2
I wouldn't normally attach a league table at this stage of the season but it fascinates me that all six teams currently have exactly the same number of points as matches played. All six sides remain firmly in contention, not least ourselves.
Colin Wilson (Team Captain)
Wimborne C v Southbourne B Wednesday 20th November 2019 1.5 - 2.5:
We maintained our 100% record this season, albeit not in a good way! Jorgen fought hard for his draw on board 1 in the first game to finish and Tim gave us some consolation at the end of the evening with a good win on the bottom board but the damage was done in between with successes for Southbourne on the middle boards. In our defence we were out graded on all four boards, as is becoming customary for us in this division, but our visitors deserved their win in what was, despite the adverse result, an enjoyable evening's chess.
Alarmingly our B and C teams have accumulated just a single point between them after four matches each in Division 2. At least that will soon have to change as we play each other "home and away" in our next two matches, before and after Christmas. Whatever the outcome it is unfortunately now looking odds on that we shall lose one of our teams from this division at the end of the season.
Colin Wilson
(C Team Captain)
Wimborne F V Poole E Wednesday 13th November 2019 1-3:
Board 4 saw Sam paired (unfortunately?!) with Jamie Doyle, and the result was yet another quick victory for the enfant terrible. Next to them on board 3, George didn't fair any better against Mike Minvalla, a player I've not come across before, and soon followed Sam.
David Lewis v Joe Wood, another Poole player I've not seen before, on board 2 was a much more balanced game, and the eventual agreed draw seemed a fair result with neither player being able to gain any meaningful advantage.
The last game to finish was the epic on board 1. By late middle-game, the experienced Christine Roberts had very good winning chances being a significant number of pawns up, one already on the seventh, and David at that point stuck to defence. Unfortunately she missed a free rook on her 33rd move, which would have virtually guaranteed her win, and from then Christine appeared to lose her way and allowed David back into the game with a vengeance. Having eliminated all her pawns advantage, and everything else on the board, the eventual end came down to a King and pawn (Christine) v king end game. The problem was, her King was behind the pawn, and David made no mistake in his somewhat unconventional defence. The final result after all that effort, a draw.
In conclusion, after 3 league games played to date, our strategy of staying at the bottom of Division 5 to avoid any chance of promotion next season appears to be working!
Greg Webb (Team Captain)
Wimborne C v New Milton A Wednesday 13th November 2019 0.5 - 3.5:
It was top versus bottom in this one and that's the way it stayed after a resounding win for our visitors. Making the most of their grade advantage on the top two boards, they quickly eased into a 2-0 lead. Joergen (welcome back!) had misplayed a move sequence on the top board, while I had carelessly lost a pawn and a knight in an exchange of pieces when I really ought only to have given up a pawn. Grades were identical on boards 3 and 4 where there were two much closer games.
Alan Tyler agreed an honourable draw on board 3, while Tim Joyce went the distance as he so often does. After Tim overlooked a great opportunity to win a queen, an opportunity that his controlled attack had earned, his opponent rallied and launched a forceful counter attack of his own to secure a mate. New Milton are looking strong promotion contenders as Division 2 begins to take shape. Conversely we are looking early favourites to move in the opposite direction with no points after our opening three matches.
Colin Wilson (Team Captain)
County Division 3: Wimborne D v Highcliffe C Wednesday 6th November 2019 4 - 0:
We had a formidable grade advantage on the top three boards but Highcliffe's players all acquitted themselves well. I was too engrossed in my own game, in which Sue Kageler had much the better of the opening sequences, to give any meaningful comment on the other games. Fortunately for me Sue just slightly misjudged a very dangerous looking double knight and bishop attack to allow me back onto the front foot.
The last game to finish was on board 3 and that went the full distance before Alan Tyler's pawn strengths finally prevailed against Roger Howell. Earlier Mike Jackson and Phil Holden had recorded wins on the top and bottom boards respectively. Well done to Phil particularly, as he was the only one of us playing a higher graded opponent.
Ominously, at the other side of the room, the formidable Poole B team players were flexing their intellectual muscles against our C Team to keep their 100% record intact; they will take some stopping in this division.
Colin Wilson (Team Captain)
Highcliffe C. v Wimborne D Monday 4th November: 2.5-1.5:
On an dark and windy night a successful loss for Wimborne. On board 1 John played a careful and thoughtful game. So did his opponent and a draw was agreed.
On board 2 I played a lad about 65 years younger than me. It showed. I played a classical Dutch and reached a Classical Dutch position. Oddly in the middle game I came across a stray Bishop and took it. However in the endgame as sleep overtook me my Bishop vanished and youth showed as his passed pawn moved silently towards the finishing post. It didn’t need to get there. All the spectators could see that the lad had a checkmate next move. I don’t. He did. End of game.
On board 3. Phil played a solid game with opportunities but a draw was agreed.
On board 4 Mike had a fascinating game as his King led the attack racing over the halfway line. However there were pawns and pieces all over the place. No one could see what to do next and a draw was agreed.
Thanks to Phil and Mike for stepping in as reserves.
Tony (Team Captain)
Wimborne E v Poole D Wednesday 31st October: 1-3:
E team's first loss of the season! Our team was Phil Wallace on 1, Jim Fox on 2 , me on 3 and Jim Newman on 4.
I had one of those moments when I played the Buckfield stone wall attack with the right moves in my head but they came out in the wrong order!! 1-0 down.
Jim Fox played a long game well but at the end it was King and pawns end game. Jim’s pawns were not well situated and his very strong opponent snatched them. 2-0 down.
Jim Newman managed a rook/ knight swap but could not hold onto his better position. Draw agreed 2.5-0.5.
Phil was last to finish with an interesting position but drawish. The new fangled clock seemed to work in favour of the Poole Board 1, adding 15 minutes every move! He valiantly offered a draw.
Final result 1-3.
Mike D (Team Captain)
Highcliffe C v Wimborne C (Dorset) Monday 21st October: 1.5-2.5:
Our team was Graham, Phil, David Lane and myself.
Highcliffe were our opponents and were graded much lower than us [ over 100 grades]. Despite this they put up a good fight .
The first board to complete was Phil against a lady called Sue Kageler . She was stern opposition for Phil and despite Phil hiding his king behind his pawns , Sue managed a good win.
Graham and I had good wins , but we had to wait until David Lane completed his game . Both players had little time left but David was Rook to a knight up . Eventually a draw was agreed giving us a 2.5/1.5 win and we remain unbeaten!
Mike D (Team Captain)
Southbourne C v Wimborne D. On a cold and windy night 25th October: 0.5-3.5:
Whilst Leicester were scoring 9 goals against Southampton, Wimborne notched up their first win of the season. Southbourne C 0.5. Wimborne D 3.5
I finished first. My long term friend John Harris and I played our umpteenth game. We exchanged the heavy pieces off as soon as possible to make life less complex. I won a pawn and survived till a pawn of mine reached the other end and became a queen with a check.
Jim Newman making his debut appearance for the D team played a careful game and found himself a pawn down in the endgame with only a few bits hanging around. Jim, an endgame wizard, won a pawn and got his King in just the right place to gobble up his opponents pawns. Good one Jim.
Graham Hillman outplayed his opponent on the top board and at the end was pieces and position up. And time on the clock. A fine win for Graham
Phil Wallace looked as if he had a superior position on board 3 till tea break. The chocolate biscuits may have been Southbourne’s secret weapon. From then on it all became more complex with chances for both players. After an exhausting game both players were relieved to agree a draw.
Tony (Team Captain)
Wimborne F v Bournemouth C Wednesday 23rd October 2-2:
David Lane was the first to finish on board 2 with a win in an astonishingly quick time against new 'hopeful' for Bournemouth, Satindar Bedi. David's own verdict was, 'it was embarrassingly quick'. George Dodman finished his game on 4 shortly after this with another win in record time. George, however, was more modest about his victory. Suffice to say about my loss on 3 that if David's game was 'embarrassingly quick', mine was just 'embarrassing'. David Lewis on 1 was the last to finish, but the seasoned veteran had been outplayed in a long game and resigned in a hopeless endgame.
Greg Webb (Team Captain)
Wimborne C v Highcliffe B Wednesday 23rd October 2019 1.5-2.5:
Richard Ursell struck first for Highcliffe, playing what seemed to me to be an audacious attacking move from which there was no escape. Later analysis did reveal a possible escape route but it passed me by completely at the time and the game was over. Richard was a worthy and gracious winner. Alan Tyler hit back for Wimborne with an impressive win on Board 2, having secured an overload of pawns on both flanks. At this point the match could have gone either way with John Bowley launching a typically formidable Queen's side attack on Board 4. However, Andrew Manson defended resolutely and time pressure began to tell to the extent that John played one of the last moves of the game with literally just one second left. What was meant to be pawn to h6 to avert a potential counter attack mate actually became pawn to the floor with John's arm sweeping it from the board as he lunged desperately for the clock! A few moves later Andrew offered what was by this time a magnanimous draw and John accepted with some relief. All now hinged on the final game on Board 3. At first glance I wondered why they were still playing as Tim Joyce looked to be a queen down, only for me to discover her highness was tucked well away on h8, surrounded by many other pieces and hidden from my eyes by Tim's elbow! This game became more and more interesting as Neil Salinger kept probing dangerously, while both players were down to just over a minute each on the clock. This is where time increments can really make a difference and, whereas under the old time system a draw might have been agreed, both players were brave enough to slug it out to the finish. And what a clever finish it was, with Neil playing a queen sacrifice to force a mate and clinch the match for Highcliffe. An entertaining contest overall, played in an excellent spirit throughout.
Colin Wilson (Team Captain)
County Division 2: Purbeck A v Wimborne B Monday 21st October 2019 2-2:
We picked up our first point of the season in an honourable draw at Purbeck. The teams were very evenly matched and this was reflected in the closeness of the games and the final result. Steve Appleby was the first to finish, agreeing a draw in double quick time on Board 2 - the final position was fairly balanced but Steve was wary of a solid and cautious opponent, whom he had not encountered before. On the top board a double rook end game was reached but with only one pair of pawns exchanged and no open lines, Steve Peirson offered a draw which Mark Littleton initially turned down but reciprocated a couple of moves further on. At this point, with the match tied at 1-1, we were a pawn up on board 4 but a pawn down on board 3. A neat combination by Tim Joyce on the bottom board netted another pawn and his opponent resigned soon after. This meant my opponent now had to win to salvage something for Purbeck which was bad news for me as my single pawn deficit and poor pawn structure meant I was under intensifying pressure. In the end my opponent was able to force me to swap off both pairs of rooks, leaving my King too far detached from the remaining pawn action.
Colin Wilson
(Team Captain)
Wimborne D v New MIlton B Wednesday 16th October 2019 0.5-2.5:
Not quite the victory we had hoped for.
Graham played well on board 1 and agreed a draw. Looking at it afterwards he believed he had a win. John played into a good position but in time trouble missed a winning move and the game. Simon played well but for the first time learned what it feels like to not win.
Both teams defaulted on board 4 to enable the match to be played.
Tony Buckfield (Team Captain)
County Division 2: Wimborne B v Weymouth B Wednesday 9th October 2019 1.5-2.5:
A close match to begin the campaign which didn't quite pan out in our favour. Mike Jackson, Alan Tyler and myself all played out hard fought draws but the decisive outcome was on the top board where Pete tells me he could never quite extricate himself from a troublesome opening. The season is young, so onward and upward!
Colin Wilson (B Team captain)
Wimborne E v Bournemouth B Wednesday 9th October 2019 2.5-1.5:
We won 2.5 / 1.5. We were out graded on all boards!
My game finished fairly quickly with a tame draw. Simon Young , our new star, won handsomely against a very experienced player Paul Errington. Then Jim Fox rescued a draw having lost a pawn early on. Finally Phil Wallace was not optimistic about his game but grabbed a draw , hence giving us a win ! Still unbeaten after 2 games
Mike D (Team Captain)
Southbourne A v Wimborne A 4th October 2019 2-2:
Our second match away to Southbourne A ended up with a drawn match so 1 point from first 2 matches.
It was a close match. I just had time to look at other games and saw that Mark was defending a storming attack by Jon and was just able to avoid being mated and then had a couple of extra pieces and game was over. Martin seemed to be concentrating more on the top board and in his eagerness to watch managed to flood half my board with his water! I wanted to claim rain stopped play but had to carry on. I was under considerable time pressure ( I ended up with 3 minutes where as Declan still had his hour left ! ) and perhaps unwisely opened up the game but despite some exciting moves ended up with a king surrounded by to many pieces and had to resign. By this time Martin and Allan had drawn a fairly quiet game and the final match between Eddie and Russell was looking drawn and this indeed was the result.
Ian Clark (Team Captain)
Southbourne E v Wimborne F Div 5 4th October 2019 3 - 1:
A not too successful first match of the new season for us, with George on board 2 falling first. By the middle game George's position was cramped and under pressure with an impressive phalanx of his opponent's pawns steadily advancing on the queen side and his king side under attack as well. Eventually he was 3 or 4 pawns down and despite a valiant effort to complicate things, Mark kept control to win the first point for Southbourne.
Sam's game on board 4 against Nigel looked pretty much even on the occasions I had a chance to glance at it despite Sam's 16 point grading deficit. Looking at it again later, Sam had somehow in the meantime gone the exchange and a pawn down, not necessarily disastrous in itself, but not helpful either. But the end came unexpectedly rather swiftly for Sam when he fell foul of the 'touch-and-move' rule which I heard his opponent enforce on him, and Sam accept with good grace - unlucky Sam. Second point to the home side.
My game on board 3 against Terry was a classic Queen's Gambit declined exchange variation which, unfortunately, at a 14 point grading deficit my opponent wasn't up to the fundamental strategy of, and he didn't even make it to the time control. First point to Wimborne.
How David's game on top board progressed I could not really see, but later on during Southbourne's welcomed and appreciated customary 9 am 'tea break', I looked at his position and he was 2 or 3 pawns down, but a reasonable position otherwise, and a lack of pawns has usually never bothered him! But after my game had finished, I could watch his, and his position had disastrously deteriorated in the meantime, and to try to prevent mate he sacrificed his queen! only to be mated anyway a couple of moves later. Final tally 3 - 1 to Southbourne.
Still, chin up team. This was only the first game of the season. There's still all to play for!
Greg Webb (Team Captain)
County Division 3: Wimborne D v Poole B Wednesday 2nd October 2019 1.5-2.5:
Poole B got their County Division 3 campaign off to a winning start, with wins on the top two boards the foundation of their success. Mike Jackson seemed to have promising early play in his match against John Weatherlake (170!) but couldn't sustain it, while Dragi Popovic took full advantage of my generosity in surrendering two central pawns in early play. The decisive result was the highly commendable draw achieved by Poole's young star, Jamie Doyle, on Board 3 against our experienced John Bowley. The one solace for Wimborne came courtesy of Phil Holden on the bottom board in an entertaining game that was last to finish. Poole B narrowly missed out on the title last season and, even at this early stage, look a good bet to finish one place higher this time around.
Colin Wilson (D Team captain)
Bournemouth A v Wimborne C Tuesday 1st October 3-1:
This was a closer match than the scoreline might suggest with Alan and John both drawing games in which they had the edge and winning chances, while Tim lost a close match in which he too may feel he could have had at least a draw. Meanwhile the captain, heavily outgraded, capitulated early, falling victim to the same trap twice in the space of six moves to surrender both centre pawns. I suspect it is going to be a tough season for us in Division 2 but I have no doubt that we shall give it our best throughout.
Colin Wilson (C Team captain)
Poole C v Wimborne D. Thursday 26th September 3-1:
A successful loss for our D team. Poole outgraded us by at least 10 points on each board and they look like a good bet to be promoted at the end of the season.
Cornelius lost a piece quickly on board 4 and went home to pack for his pending trip to India (have a good time C).
Graham then lost on board 1 against a young vibrant Poole player.
I erred in the endgame and only drew an endgame with a piece and two pawns up. No one could believe it. But I did.
John fought on effectively for a draw on board 2.
Tony (Team Captain)
Wimborne v Dorchester 26th Sep. 2019 D 3-1:
First club match win by our C team in Dorset league 3.
We played Dorchester D in the Dorset league division 3 last Thursday ,
We were weakened by not having our top two players. However Graham White agreed to play at the last minute. David Lane , Phil Wallace and I all played higher graded players .
David on 4 and myself on 3 both achieved creditable draws and then Phil’s opponent allowed a simple mate, so with Phil’s win and our draws gave us 2 points. The final game on the top board was close but Graham’s skill won through .
So we won 3/1.
Mike D (Team Captain)
Wimborne A v Poole A 18th Sept. 2019 1.5-2.5:
Our opening match against Poole A saw us lose 2.5 to 1.5. On board 2 I had a quick although interesting draw against Machecek. I should really have played on but thought was a good result for the team at the time !
On board 4 Mark was struggling against Richie Smith and could only hang on for a draw. The match on 3 was decisive with Steve struggling to get his pices into the game and John with more aggresive pieces were to well placed and he won. On board 1 Allan seemed to have a good ending but could not find the correct moves in a rook and pawns ending and despite a good try had to accept a draw.
Ian Clark (Team Captain)
FIXTURES
Fixtures for the 2019-20 season can now be found by clicking on the Calendar tab at the top of this page. Bacchus fixtures should be added soon.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Calendar page if you wish to find an individual team's fixtures collated.
We have six teams in the Bournemouth and District League, one in each of the five divisions plus an extra one for luck in Division 2.
In the Dorset County League our A team is in Division 1, a newly admitted B team is in Division 2 and we have two teams, C and D, in Division 3.
New players of all ability levels are always welcome, even when the season is under way (see our Home page for details).
Clocks
How to set digital clocks for Bournemouth & District League Divisions 1 and 2. We now have time increments in both divisions this coming year.
The setting are as follows :
DGT 2010 clock is the main one to be used and we have 8 of these clocks.
Setting is number 18
The clock should show 1 hour for whole game plus 30 seconds per move.
The first part of setting shows the 1 Hour and second part shows the 30 second increment
When starting the game the arm should be raised on the white side and the middle button should be pressed to start the game. If wish to stop the clock during the game the middle button should be pressed.
Remember that moves must be recorded for all moves during the game.
DGT 2000 setting will be number 23 with same way to set.