The British Chess Federation (BCF), founded in 1904, is the organisation that controls, directs and promotes the playing of chess in England. It is recognised as such by the UK government as well as the World Chess Federation (FIDE). Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands have their own federations.®

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Click here for details on the match between David Howell & Sergei Karjakin at Somerset House

Last update: Tuesday December 2, 2003 12:51

A Shot Rings Around the Chess World

David Howell’s remarkable victory over Grandmaster Jon Speelman has sent shock waves reverberating throughout the English chess scene. The two players met in a 30 minutes match at Regents Place, Euston, London.

David Howell, 12 years old, was facing 47 year old Jonathan Speelman, three times British Champion, World Championship semi-finalist with a victory over Gary Kasparov to his credit. Few gave David much chance in this encounter, as Speelman, although not as strong a player as he was 10 years ago, still commands a regular place in the powerful English Olympic team.

The reality was different. After an equal opening, Speelman played a natural looking move which turned out to be a tactical blunder. David spotted his opportunity immediately, won two pawns and gave Speelman absolutely no chance to wriggle out in the remainder of the game.

This result, coming on the heels of his recent international master result in Budapest, will make even the strongest players in England sit up and take notice of Britain’s Brilliant Prodigy David Howell. If one of the leading, most experienced Grandmasters in the country can be demolished so easily, who any more is safe?

 

White: David Howell Black: Jon Speelman
Regents Place, 25th June, 2003

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 c4 Nf6 5 Nc3 e6 6 Nf3 Bb4 7 cxd5 Nxd5 8 Qc2 Nd7 9 Be2 N7f6 10 0-0 0-0 11 Bg5 h6 12 Bh4 Nf4 13 Bc4 Ng6 14 Bg3 Nh5 15 a3 Bxc3 16 bxc3 Bd7 17 Rfe1 Rc8 18 Ba2 Bc6

19 Bxe6! fxe6 20 Qxg6 Nxg3 21 Qxe6+ Kh7 22 hxg3 Bd5 23 Qe3 Qc7 24 Qd3+ Kg8 25 Re3! Qf7 26 Rae1 Rc7 27 Qd2 Bxf3 28 Rxf3 Qd5 29 Rxf8+ Kxf8 30 Qf4+ Qf7 31 Qe5 Kg8 32 d5 Rc5 33 Rd1 b6 34 Qd4 Qd7 35 d6 Rf5 36 Qc4+ Rf7 37 Re1 Kh7 38 Qe4+ Kg8 39 Qd5 Kh7 40 c4 Rf6 41 Qe4+ Rg6 42 Rd1 h5 43 Rd5 Kh6 44 Rxh5+! Kxh5 45 Qh4++

For further information contact Mike Basman on 07715 041320 or Claudine Khatchik on 07736 483455

The display was sponsored by The British Land Company Plc.