ECF Logo
English Chess Federation
Get Adobe Reader to open 'pdf' files
Please forward all contributions to webmaster@englishchess.org.uk
News Archives:
20072006200520042003

Last update: Friday August 8, 2008 12:46

Chess News

Click here to go to the Articles page

National News
International News

KJCA Grand Prix Final, 29 June 2008 [11/7/08]

4NCL Rapidplay, 28-29 June 2008 [11/7/08]

KJCA Sutton Valence Junior Rapidplay, 1 June 2008 [11/7/08]

Former Chess Correspondent Elected President of Midlands Chess [11/7/08]

Obituary: Wilfred (Tom) Widdows [11/7/08]

Everybody will have learnt about the two French students who were horrifically knifed to death on Sunday and then their flat set light to. They were Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez both 23 year old biochemistry graduate students at Imperial College. Laurent was a chessplayer. He had an online rating of about 1600. They had only been in London for a few weeks and intended to stay for a three month contract.
Stewart Reuben [4/7/08]

Grand Prix Sponsorship: We are extremely grateful to John and Christine Constable for their generosity in donating the trophies for the 5 categories of the Grand Prix. These handsome presentation trophies should be presented to the winners of the sections at the players’ local club or at a congress which they attend.
We are also very grateful for the help John and Christine have given the ECF with the purchase of the Miles Memorial trophy which will be held for a year by the highest placed English player in the British Championships.
This will perpetuate the memory of one of the finest chess players ever to come from England, at an event which he graced often. [30/6/08]

New Sponsor for National Schools Championship [27/6/08]

York Celebration of Chess: held outside in Parliament Street with prizes donated by the Council.
Under 11: 1st Cameron Blair Dunnington; 2nd Joshua Levine, Talbot Road Leeds; 3rd Louis Romer Sherburn in Elmet; 4th Chris De- Planta,Stockton on Forest; 5th James Nelson, Bootham Junior School; 6th David Noyvert, Saint Lawrence.
Merit awards to Matthew Paw, Hempland and Sarah Woodmansey, Heworth Green, best girl
Under 18: 1st Yasmin Niksaz, Wetherby; 2nd Joe Towse, Millthorpe; 3rd Amand Hipshon. Harrogate Ladies College; 4th James Knighton, Archbishop Holgate; 5th Peter Hornsby, Ampleforth; 6th Ewan Miller, Hempland; 7th= Andrew Barns, Millthorpe and Andrew Woodmansey, Archbishop Holgate [26/6/08]

SHIPWRECKED: BATTLE OF THE ISLANDS

IS BACK FOR ANOTHER SERIES!

DO YOU WANT TO BE

SHIPWRECKED ON A BEAUTIFUL DESERT ISLAND IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC?

RDF Television is looking for gifted and talented chess players over 18 to take part in Channel 4’s hottest show…

If you want to have the time of your life please email
Closing date for applicants is July 31st 2008.

By popular demand, Wellington College, Crowthorne will be hosting another course for Chess Arbiters 14th/15th June 2008: We have been able to secure the services of ECF Chief Arbiter, David Welch to run the course.
If you are interested in what the Arbiter role encompasses, are a match captain for a team and want to understand your role as captain (for Surrey Border and Berkshire Leagues, captains may act in the capacity of an arbiter) , organise tournaments/matches at any level, or just need a refresher on the latest developments in the Laws of Chess, this course will be of interest.
The course cost is £20 and includes an optional exam at the end.
If you are interested to join or need further details then please contact Ken Coates, 01252 683554,
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come - first served basis. [4/6/08]

Leonard Barden: An important milestone was passed on Monday 19 May. Leonard's chess column in the London Evening Standard became the longest-running ever in the world. He has beaten George Koltanowski's record in San Francisco.
The Monday to Friday column is a model of its type. There is always a chess diagram and a story about it. The solution to the puzzle is given at the bottom of the page. He often publicises forthcoming events. In 1972 the Evening Standard became sponsors of the Islington Congress of which I was the director. There were 1508 players in 1973. This was the first sponsorship of chess in this country after Council support of Hastings and the Sunday Times National Schools Championship. The Grand Prix was my idea, but it was he who sold it to Cutty Sark and administered it until Leigh Industries withdrew. Later he and I collaborated on the Lloyds Bank Masters. He also has columns in the Guardian and the Financial Times.
He is a past British Champion. Also his work for junior chess was hugely valuable and many of our leading players owe him an immense debt of gratitude. For example, he would update the grades of juniors every week. This was a cornerstone of encouraging them to play.
It is so satisfying to be able to highlight the work of chess administrators who are still with us. Let us hope Leonard continues with his column for such a long time that his record becomes completely unassailable.
Stewart Reuben [29/5/08]

Patrick Taylor: It is with great sadness that we report that Patrick Taylor of Monarch Assurance, an Honorary Life Member of the ECF, died in hospital on the Isle of Man on Friday 23rd May. He was 74. A tribute by John Saunders is available on the BCM blog. [28/5/08]

PRESS RELEASE: It was announced today the 95th British Chess Championships celebrating the contribution by Mike O’Hara to British chess administration will take place in St George’s Hall, Liverpool Sunday 27 July to Saturday 9 August. The showpiece of this event, which will attract about 900 entries, is the British Championship. The English Chess Federation has decided to make funds available for start money for the leading players ... [16/5/08]

Our Congratulations: Ting Ting, the wife of international master Richard Pert, has just given birth to a girl. The mother and baby are well.
Stewart Reuben [15/5/08]

A rare opportunity for players in the South East to have a chance to play the UK's number one Grand Master Michael Adams in a Simul display in Dover on Saturday July 19th 2008 in the afternoon.
This event can be enjoyed at the Junior Chess Event taking place at the Dover Grammar School as part of the Dover Festival Year. So if you have a junior member of the family who wishes to play on the day for one of the £100 first prizes then perhaps mum or dad could play the Simul at the ame time. Details on the calendar or go to www.thoughtsport.co.uk. Chief Arbiter Dave Welch controlling.
David Bentley [12/5/08]

Chess Organisations Applying for Charitable Status: Under new legislation chess organisations, e.g. chess clubs, may now qualify for charitable status ... [7/5/08]

Direct Member Representatives: Nominations are invited for Direct Member Representatives to take office for a period of one year after the end of the Annual General Meeting to be held on 18 October 2008 [2/5/08]

4NCL Live Games this weekend, via the ECF sensory boards [30/4/08]

National Club Handicap Rapidplay, 20 April 2008 [29/4/08]

ECF Directors: Following the April Council meeting on Saturday the following Directors have tendered their resignation effect 31 May 2008: Martin Regan (Chief Executive), Peter Sowray (International), Claire Summerscale (Junior Chess & Education; Women's Chess) and Mike Truran (Non-Executive Director).
Anyone who is interested in helping the Federation by serving as a Director until the October Council elections are invited to contact the ECF office. Click here for the Directors responsibilities. [28/4/08]

Are you a hidden maths genius - click here to find out!

Are You a Hidden Maths Genius?

We are looking for people who have a natural talent for maths to take part in a Channel 4 documentary.

You don't need a degree or any qualifications at all - just raw ability.
So, if you've got a knack with numbers... It could be you.

Take our short online test and find out
www.mi-id.com/hiddengenius

CSSC Eastern Region, Northern Zone, 21 April 2008: 1st Andrew Brocklehurst 170, 2½/3; 2nd Francis Bowers 145, 2/3; 3rd Graham Lawrence 134, 1/3; 4th Mark Ashkettle 121, ½/3 [23/4/08]

KJCA Tonbridge Junior Rapidplay, 12 April 2008 [22/4/08]

It was good to see the return of the Channel 4 show Child Genius, which followed Peter Williams on his journey to the European Youth Chess Championships in Croatia. Click here to view clips etc

York Railway Museum Chess Event, 13 April 2008 [16/4/08]

Fight to the finish at Braille Chess Association (BCA) Congress [15/4/08]

Stobb-Bland Trophy, 12 April 2008 [15/4/08]

Former World Chess Champions To Visit Wales: Former World Chess Champions Gary Kasparov and Boris Spassky are to give talks at this year’s literary festival at Hay-on-Wye, Powys (22nd May - 1st June). Spassky will appear on 26th May at 14:30 and Kasparov is scheduled for 20:30 on May 31st. Other guests include ex US President Jimmy Carter, Salman Rushdie, Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson, playwright Alan Bennett and many more. BBC Hay-on-Wye.
It is true this is not in England, but passports are not yet required to visit Hay-on-Wye.
Stewart Reuben [15/4/08]

Book of the Year 2007 Presentation - click for larger imageThe Book of the Year 2007 presentation was made on 14 April 2008 at BCM's Chess Shop, Baker Street.
Left to right, it shows Julian Farrand, Igor Nor and Ray Edwards. Julian and Ray are two of the award judges (David Friedgood is the other - he was unable to attend). Igor Nor is one of the two co-authors of the winning book, San Luis 2005, published by Quality Chess.
Photograph by John Saunders. [15/4/08]

Obituary: Victor John Dunleavy, by Robert Jones [14/4/08]

KJCA Megafinal Qualifier, 6 April 2008 [14/4/08]

Tate Modern are holding an exhibition until 26 May that has connections with chess. The exhibition displays the works of Marcel Duchamp, Man Ray and Picabia. The first two named played a large number of games against each other. Duchamp was a strong chessplayer and he used chess imagery in his work on occasions. From 1923 he chose to concentrate on chess and represented France in the Olympiads and came 6th in the 1925 French Championship. Duchamp is regarded as one of the most influential 20th century artists. His inverted urinal, signed R. Mutt, was rejected for exhibition in 1917, but received a Turner Prize in 2004 as the most influential work of the 20th century. His turning his back on art for chess may well have been an artistic statement. I did get to meet him in Manhattan in 1964 but had no idea then of his significance.
Stewart Reuben [14/4/08]

Sad News: It is with great sadness that we report that John Dunleavy has passed away. Our condolences to his family. [11/4/08]

Another TV programme that has some chess interest is on Sunday 13 April on ITV. Foyle's War, a drama series based in war time Hastings, includes Foyle being taught chess.
Stewart Reuben [10/4/08]

Maurice Brown Rapidplay, 6 April 2008 [10/4/08]

Wednesday 9 April from 9 to 10:35pm on TV Channel More4 there will be repeat of the first episode of 'Child Genius'. The series continues with new material from Wednesday 16 April on Channel 4. Peter Willaims appears in the series. The programme makers followed his chess career intently for some months. I am sure I am not alone in disliking labelling children with the title 'genius' is undesirable.
Nigel Short when a chess prodigy featured in a series called 'Your Exceptional Child' which was a much more reaonable title. 'Pushy Parents' more recently featured Sue Hale and her four children. They provided chess with a very good image indeed. Most of the other parents lived up to the title of the programme.
Stewart Reuben [4/4/08]

Message from the Director of Home Chess - David Welch:
I wish to inform you that I will be unavailable until Tuesday 15 April. I apologise for any inconvenience and for any emails that have not yet been answered. [7/4/08]

Staunton Memorial 2008: Bob Wade OBE breaks World Record for oldest ever chess player to compete at Grandmaster level [7/4/08]

I.A.P.S. National Chess Championships 2008 [7/4/08]

Can you help?
Dear Chess Friends,
Blind players love chess. We meet sighted opponents on level terms - thanks to special boards, our opponents announcing their moves and transferring our moves to their boards.
You do have one big advantage, access to the data in books, magazines and newspapers. For blind British players, volunteers have been reading material on to tape so we can keep up to date. Currently, this band of valued friends has shrunk and we need further assistance. If you regularly read a chess column and have the time to put the articles on to tape, you could help compile a talking chess newspaper for our members who would be very grateful. If you could take on a larger project such as a magazine (or even a short book) your help would be appreciated even more.
In either case (or if you just want more info) we'd like to hear from you. Please contact Mark Kirkham, the audio librarian for the BCA, Tel: 0114 2304066, Email: [4/4/08]

Chess for Schools – Claire Summerscale: I have always loved chess. From the first moment I started to play. People talk of football as the beautiful game, but its how I think of chess. Chess cuts across barriers of age, sex, race and class. It’s a universal sport, a game for all ... [3/4/08]

Junior Squad 2008 [3/4/08]

Chess Sets for Schools Presentation: The first 10 chess sets of the 250,000 were presented to Helenswood Lower School, East Sussex on Monday 31 March 2008. Photographs from the event are available here. [2/4/08]

Book of the Year Presentation 2007: This will take place at 4:00 pm on Monday 14th April at the British Chess Magazine, 44 Baker Street, London. One of the authors of San Luis 2005, Igor Nor will be present together with the publisher and British Champion GM Jacob Aagaard. After the presentation by the Book of the Year judges, both recipients will be happy to answer questions and sign copies etc. Further details of the book can be found on the judges award. [2/4/08]

76th Richmond Rapidplay, 30 March 2008 [1/4/08]

It's always excellent to see chess players shine. Here we see a great report for the BBC South Today program featuring our top graded under 12 player Felix Ynojosa and his coach GM Nick Pert. [28/3/08]

Southend Easter Congress - Jack Speigel Memorial, 20-24 March 2008 [28/3/08]

Surrey Easter Congress, 21-24 March 2008 [27/3/08]

KJCA Dulwich Junior Rapidplay, 9 March 2008 [27/3/08]

Midlands Junior Chess League [27/3/08]

U18 & U13 County Championships: We are pleased to announce the dates and venue for the U18 & U13 County Championships. We hope to see all counties represented at this event. Please pass it onto your junior county organisers [18/3/08]

Mindsports - epetition reply:
Details of Petition: "The mind sports, such as Chess and Go deserve equal status with the physical sports, which would provide easier access to funding. Mind sports bring great benefits in terms of personal development, social interaction and improved attitudes to learning, and are accessible to all members of society. This petition seeks to improve their status by requiring all Government departments to treat mental and physical sports on an equal basis."
The Government's response: The Government recognises the important role that mind sports play in the lives of many people, and appreciates they help to combat social exclusion. However, it remains that decisions on whether particular activities and pastimes should be recognised as sports for official and funding purposes are made by unanimous agreement between the home country sports councils. As such it would be inappropriate for Government to intervene.
Read the petition | Petitions home page [14/3/08]

33rd East Devon Congress, 29 February - 2 March 2008 [12/3/08]

31st Cottesmore Congress, 4 March 2008 [11/3/08]

Chess and the City - Manchester Rapidplay, 2 March 2008 [11/3/08]

English Chess Federation Joins BingoLotto: The English Chess Federation is delighted to announce it will be amongst the beneficiaries of BingoLotto - a new TV game which will raise money for sport and the voluntary sector [3/3/08]

16th Doncaster Congress, 22-24 February 2008 [29/2/08]

Wiltshire & West of England Junior Open Congress, 23-24 February 2008 [27/2/08] - update photos now added (11/3/08)

2nd Brentwood International Chess Congress, 16-17 February 2008 [27/2/08]

KJCA Gravesend Junior Rapidplay, 9 February 2008 [27/2/08]

Stockport Rapidplay, 3 February 2008 [27/2/08]

Kidlington Congress, 2-3 February 2008 [27/2/08]

KJCA Beckenham Junior Rapidplay, 26 January 2008 [27/2/08]

On 13th April at The National Railway Museum 120 chess players under 18 will meet to celebrate chess. The entry fee is £4 and some places are still available. Prizes are awarded with some certificates.
For stronger players an Under 18 championship with competitors from all over the UK.
For other children an opportunity to receive coaching from WFM Sabrina Chevannes AND ECF Coach Peter Cloudsdale and others.
Gerry Walsh will open proceedings at 10:30.
Alongside this event will be the Bridge Association and other board games from Mind Sports.
The overall event will have a Chinese flavour as it is the year of the Olympics. [27/2/08]

4NCL Live Games will be broadcast here via the ECF sensory boards this weekend. [26/2/08]

Leeds Junior Congress [26/2/08]

Frodsham Congress, 8-10 February 2008 [25/2/08]

The ECF Online Chess Club is still rapidly increasing in size.
Over 800 members are now signed up.
The facilities are improving all the time and a recording studio has now been set up in Engalnd for live broadcasts/lessons/lectures/shows etc
There will be a premium service coming online in the not too distant future for which there will be a charge. Naturally all the basic facilities remain free.
Come and join the fun at ecfclub.chesscube.com. We look forward to meeting you online!
Andrew Martin [22/2/08]

BWCA National Girls' Championships & Women's Rapidplay 2008 [21/2/08]

Winton Capital British Chess Solving Championship 2007-2008 [20/2/08]

Sabrina Chevannes Chess Tour: Sabrina Chevannes, our leading under 21 girl player, will be touring the secondary schools of the Home Counties and London taking on up to 25 players at the same time. The schools will be competing amongst themselves, winning a trophy and a fabulous wooden chess set, for the highest score against Sabrina.
The first event is on Wednesday, 20th February at Honywood Community Science College in Essex.
Mike Basman
UK Chess Challenge [20/2/08]

16th Aldro Inter Schools Chess Tournament, February 2008 [20/2/08]

Chess meets Shogi event on 29th Feb at SOAS 6:30pm: We are organising a event for Chess players titled " Chess meets Shogi" on 29th February at SOAS from 6:30pm
Shogi is a Japanese chess and the Chess Grandmaster Jonathan Tisdall recommends that Chess player adopt tactical ideas from SHOGI such as Brink mate into their chess arsenal in his book" Improve your chess now "
Garry Kasparov player SHOGI as well.
I am attaching flyer and hope your member are coming to this special free event led by professional SHOGI player, Hiroshi Honma ( 6th grade)and member of British Shogi Federation.
! IMPROVE YOUR CHESS adopting SHOGI tactics!
This event is supported by Japan Shogi Association, Japanese Embassy, Agency for Culturla Affair,
Sincerely yours,
Akiko Yanagisawa
Mu:Arts
07782343632 [19/2/08]

Free Chess Sets - Fantastic Response: In 2 days the ECF have received over 230 requests from schools for these chess sets. Holloid Plastics who are supplying the sets estimate that the first batch will be ready for delivery in early April. To find out more about this generous sponsor please click here.
Negotiations are well under way for free delivery of these sets.
Michael Foster MP for Hastings & Rye has done a superb job in contacting all of the MP's for England in the House of Commons, (as reported in the January/February issue of ChessMoves) to come on board and contact the schools in their constituency. Our thanks go to those MP's who have already done so. [15/2/08]

10th York Rapidplay, 26 January 2008 [6/2/08]

75th Richmond Rapidplay, 20 January 2008 [17/4/08]

International Selection: Claire Summerscale, Director of Junior Chess & Education would like to remind all juniors who wish to be considered for International Selection that they must submit their long-play results since June 2007 in a grading database and their 10 most recent games in a chessbase format by the deadline of 1st March 2008. You can find more details here.
ALL junior players who wish to be considered for international selection (for events including World and European Youth Championships) must submit this data by 1st March 2008. No information will be accepted after this date. This selection criteria applies with no exceptions. [5/2/08]

1st English Senior Chess Championship: The list of prize winners, crosstable and more photographs are now online [5/2/08]

250,000 Free Chess Sets for Schools in England: Just once in a lifetime, if you are very fortunate, something happens which is bigger than anything you ever imagined. To say that I am delighted to be actively involved with a chess opportunity which has arisen over the past 7 months or so would be an understatement ... [4/2/08]

Chess In the House: The report is now online [4/2/08]

Monroi Personal Chess Manager - Electronic Notation Device
It is my view that the Monroi system is a direct substitution for a scorebook, with the advantage that pages cannot accidentally be turned over during a game to reveal a previous game. The Monroi system is endorsed by FIDE and the Monroi devices are used at many prestigious international tournaments. 
It is my recommendation that they should be permitted to be used in any event where scorebooks are allowed or where the controller does not need a paper copy of the game score. I would discourage arbiters from preventing a player using a Monroi device, however, it remains the Arbiter's right to request/insist that the official tournament scoresheets are used.
David Welch
English Chess Federation Chief Arbiter [31/1/08]

Press Release - Chess Success for New Tournament: The 1st English Senior Chess Championship has been declared a success even before a move has been made at the board [23/1/08]

Bobby Fischer: Click here to read an article by Stewart Reuben [22/1/08]

5th Yorkshire Girls Open Championships [17/1/08]

13th Bury Rapidplay, 9 December 2007 [14/1/08]

Royal Beacon Seniors Congress, 19-23 November 2007 [14/1/08]

KJCA West Kent Junior Rapidplay, 11 November 2007 [14/1/08]

ECF & Chess Cube Online Chess Club: Membership has soared over the 550 mark and is rising steadily.Thanks to all who have joined. Please encourage your firends to join us.
Many, many improvements will be introduced over the coming months and it will not be long before we have a premium membership whicb will include online coaching and live broadcasts from big tournaments as well as regular radio shows from prominent players. All existing basic members will be receiving a free online chess club monthly newsletter pdf from February onwards.
The front page at ecfclub.chesscube.com now includes regular news items with up to the minute game annotations from Andrew Martin as an additional free service. [11/1/08]

Fulprint 21st York Chess Congress, 4-6 January 2008 [08/1/08]

National Prep School Rapidplay, 15 December 2007 [08/1/08]

English Junior Rapidplay, 3 November 2007 [08/1/08]

Congress of the Year 2008: ECF launch a new award this year for Chess Congresses or Chess Events. Open to Congresses/Events that are affiliated to the ECF, either individually or through another body, and held in the period 1st July 2007 to 30th June 2008 ... [07/1/08]

ECF Award Nominations for 2008: Nominations are now invited for the various ECF Awards, including the new Congress Award ... [07/1/08]

Hastings International Congress: Congratulations to Simon Williams on achieving his Grandmaster title in the 8th round of the Celebration 83rd Hastings International Chess Congress ... [07/1/08]

ECF & Chess Cube Online Chess Club: I am very pleased to say that over 500 members have now joined the ECF Online Chess Club before even the first month is up A community is building and there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to make this club even better than it already is! Thanks for signing up and encourage others to do so. Go to ecfclub.chesscube.com and get involved!
Andrew Martin [03/1/08]

26th Andorra Open 19-27 July 179 players. 1st David Howell 8/9. Other English people who played included Callum Kilpatrick, Keith Richardson, Julian Farrand, Ray Edwards, Philip Taylor-Bowd, Daniel Hunt. But I have been unable to find out their results.

31st Taminoc Open Ghent 19-23 July 315 players.
6.5/9 11-29=. Chris Ward (2431) TPR 2393. Peter Sowray (2317) 2380. Graham Lee (226() 2334. Tom Farrand (2266) 2164. 6/9 30-54=. A Stone (2226) 2158. A> Perar (1879) 1876. Tom Wiley (2299) 2259. 4.5/9. 132-181 H Jones (1552) 1922. 4/9 182-222= R Balatoni (1528) 1712. R Halala (1480) 1669. Brian Smith (1803) 1705.
3/9 P. Grant-Ross (1536) 1609. 2/9 257-283= R Blackman (-) 1194. The lower ratings given are clearly not FIDE ones. [5/8/08]

Czech Open, Pardubice, 18-26 July:
A section: 339 players
Adam Ashton 2303 5/9 TPR 2434 a strong showing from Adam who just missed out on an IM norm.
Lorin D'Costa 2414 5.5/9 TPR 2507
David Spence 2221 3.5/9 TPR 2184
Alan Walton 2220 2.5/9 TPR 2071
B section: 385 players
Donny Muter 2200 5.5/9 TPR 2142
Ben Purton 2092 5/9 TPR 2055
Sarah Hegarty 1966 5/9 TPR 2166 A great result for Sarah who performed 200 elo above her rating.
Sebastian Pozzo 1980 4/9 TPR 1996
C section: 262 players
Richard Almond 2146 6/9 TPR 2080
Dominic Pozzo 1550 3/9 TPR 1670
Lorin D'Costa [28/7/08]

Details of the Commonwealth Chess Championship, Nagpur India 27 September to 6 October 2008 can be found on
www.fide.com/component/content/article/4-tournaments/3002-commonwealth-chess-championship-2008-in-india
Free accommodation and food are offered for representatives in several catgeories, from Under 8 to Senior male and female.
Anybody interested in competing should contact [25/7/08]

The athletes taking part in the World Mind Sports Games in Beiijing in October are: Women's Individual Jovanka Houska; Mixed pairs team Jovanka + Andrew Greet; Men's Team Andrew, Lawrence Cooper, Rafe Martyn, Mark Lyell, Stewart Reuben. Women's team Jovanka, Meri Grigoryan-Lyell, Kanwal Bhatia, Hannah Dale. Each team event is four players plus one optional reserve.
The four events are all first of all blitz and then rapidplay. Athletes? Yes, that is the description. There will presumably be dope testing.
Stewart Reuben [19/7/08]

Irish Championhip Dublin 5-13 July. As last year, several foreigners played hors concours for the actual title. The same happened with the Scottish Championship. Mark Hebden (2520) 6.5/9 3rd. TPR 2471. Stuart Conquest (2536) 4.5/9 TPR 2245.
15th Jean-Claude Loubatiere Festival Montpellir France 5-13 July. Tony Kosten (now registered for France) (2507) 6.5/9 3-10=. TPR 2514. Glenn Flear (still England, but resident in France) (2493) 6/9 11-17= TPR 2472.
Dortmund A Tournament 28 June-6 July. Laurence Webb 7/9 1-4=. An excellent result, the players with whom he ties are all IMs. [15/7/08]

5th South Wales International, Glamorgan University, 5-10 July. 46 played.
1-2= Stewart Haslinger 7.5/9 Rating gain 1.46, with Normund Miezis.
3-4= James Cobb (WLS), David Eggleston 6.5/9 + 1.17. Both gained IM norms.
6-14= Andrew Dunn +0.29, Stephen Gregory (qualifying for the British Championship ) + 0.39, Jack Rudd 0.04, Charles Story -0.25, Michael White -0.68 all scoring 5.5/9.
15-18= Jeremy Menadue 5/9 -0.30
19-24= David Collier -0.31, John Hickman 1.19, Ernest White 0.44 all 4.5/9.
25-33= John Wakefield -1.15 4/9.
34-37 Brian Gosling -0.59, 3.5/9
40-44= Guy Wagner 2.5, but only 0.5/4 against rated and thus did not get a rating performance.
The Welsh are to be congratulated on this valuable International Swiss.
The Rating gain deserves explanation. It is the number of points gained (or lost) on a player's FIDE Rating before multiplying by his k factor. For Stewart and James k=10 as they are both 2400 or over. Thus Stewart gained 14.6 points, quite a substantial leap forward. All the other English players have a k=15, apart from somebody who has played less than 30 games. In that case it is 25. This is complex by comparison with the English System, but one becomes used to it. You can readily see that Stewart clearly outperformed his Rating better than any other English player. His Tournament Performance Rating was 2651, which is the other way I often quote these results.
Stewart's field was 2378. Had it been 2651, then he would have had to have scored only 4.5/9 for the same rating result. Would it be truly comparable? That is very hard to say. It is very difficult for an English player to get into a tournament where he plays such a strong field, Yet that is one of the best ways to improve. That is why we need such events in England and the only one that comes close is currently the Staunton Memorial in August.
Stewart Reuben [11/7/08]

It may amuse some to view the following debate. http://chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=4734. When Nigel Short raises this for the third time, or his crtics respond, I understand he or they will be entitled to claim a draw by repetition.
Stewart Reuben [11/7/08]

The 1 July FIDE Rating List came out on 30 June. Admirable promptness, but should it not have awaited the following day in case of late reports?
England have 36 GMs; this is 7th on that method of ranking behind Russia, Ukraine, USA, Hungary, Germany and Serbia. Of course a large number of our GMs have been inactive for many years. The current leading English players who have had some activity in the past 3 months are:
Michael Adams 2735, Nigel Short 2655, Luke McShane 2596, David Howell 2561, Gawain Jones 2549, Nicholas Pert 2547, Jonathan Parker 2538, Stuart Conquest 2536, Peter Wells 2526, Jon Speelman 2524, Mark Hebden 2520, Daniel King 2518, Stewart Haslinger 2511, Keith Arkell 2506, Daniel Gormally 2504, Simon Williams 2496, Glenn Flear 2493, Matthew Turner 2493, John Emms 2489, Jim Plaskett 2488, Nigel Davies 2478, Lawrence Trent 2470, Richard Pert 2468, Aaron Summerscale 2467, Harriet Hunt 2462...Jovanka Houska 2405, Dagne Ciuksyte 2363, Susan Lalic 2344.

FIDE Rating - 600 divided by 8 equates to ECF Grade. A difference of 36 points signifies expected score 55-45. 72 points 60-40. 110 65-35. 149 70-30. 193 75-25. 240 80-20. 296 85-15. 366 90-10. The biggest difference in the two systems is that FIDE is non-linear. The ECF System based on 50 points difference is linear. It has the advantage of simplicity. It has been said that a linear relationship is statistically more accurate, which Elo could not have known when he devised his system. Thus Sir Richard Clarke had it right all those years ago. Once the corrections to the ECF system have been brought in, our system should be better. Unfortunately the four figure numbers have swept all aside except England. Thus there is an argument that come July 2009 the rest of the world will be out of step with us. But the FIDE System has the advantage of the list coming out every three months. In my opinion, if we did the same there would be a rise in competitive chess activity of about 10% compared with our experience elsewhere.
Stewart Reuben [5/7/08]

Svein Johanssen Memorial International Open 27 June-1 July. Mark Hebden 6.5/9 3-4=.
Brno Festival 27 June - 6 July. Graham Bolt (2118) 1.5/11 in this round robin 1988 TPR.
Kiev Rapidplay Match 3-7 July. Nigel Short 2.5-7.5. When I wished Nigel luck before the event he told me it was originally intended to be a standard play event. This means I'll get crushed, but at least I'm being be well-paid! [11/7/08]

Kaupthing Open, Differdange, Luxembourg 9-17 May Lorin D'Costa (2410) 5.5/9 18th place from 85 players. TPR 2427 gaining 1.9 Rating Points.
This was the first of Lorin's series of events where he is being supported by the Friends of Chess. [10/7/08]

European Amateur Championships 16-27 July Pardubice , Czech Republic. Three rating sections, FIDE under 2200, under 2000 and under 1800, if without a FIDE Rating the last would be restricted to ECF Grade under 150. Contact .

9-15 June Karen Asrian Memorial Rapidplay, Armenia. Michael Adams 6/14 7th in this 8 player very strong rapidplay. Sadly Karen died during the event so that the name was changed from Yerevan Chess Kings to commemorate the fine young player.
1st Saturday Budapest is still in progress this month. Terence Chapman has 5 and Mark Lyell 4.5 each out of 9. there are four rounds to go.

First Saturday, Budapest 7-19 June: IM tournament Mark Lyell (2237) 7/13 6-7= TPR 2319 Terry Chapman (2263) 6/13 9-10= TPR 2259. 14 played.
FMB Diana Mihjalova 1/10 -1.36 6 player double round [25/6/08]

ENCI Limburg (Nethrerlands) Open 9-12 May: 1-4= Gawain Jones (2522) for a 2598 Tournament Rating Performance in this strong, presumably rapidplay event.
It would help if people playing abroad could alert stewartreuben@aol.com to their results. [11/7/08]

Barbados Heroes Day Cup 25 April to 2 May: Category 5,average rating 2354
1 GM Julio Beccera USA 8.5/9
2 GM K.Arkell ENG 7.5/9
3 IM Moran ECU 6/9 [26/6/08]

There is an opportunity for English players to play and promote chess in South Africa and enjoy a holiday which includes a safari, wine tour and other activities! The tour is planned from 6th-21st Dec 2008 (departure from Heathrow with KLM via Amsterdam to Cape Town). Accommodation will be provided by the South African chess friends, however the cost of the flight will be paid by the players themselves. Please contact Meri at for more details [4/6/08]

Cao d'Orso Open Porto Mannu Palau Italy. 17-24 May, 164 played. Stewart Haslinger 6.5/9 2-10=. It is good to see this young GM so active. Alan Byron 5.5/9 22-41=.
King's Tournament Bozna 24 May to 4 June. Nigel Short 7/10 without loss first with a TPR of 2713. There is still one round to go for the other 10 players. No matter, Nigel is two points ahead of the field anyway. This was an event featuring mainly people of mature years who had done well in the World Championship cycle in earlier years.
French Team Championship 29 May to 1 June. Glenn Flear, playing for Montpellier scored 1/4 playing between boards 4 to 7. [3/6/08]

Each year a number of people decide to take a gap year after A Levels at least partly to advance their chess. Currently there is a larger group of like-minded players also doing a congress circuit. they include Stewart Haslinger, Gawain Jones, David Howell, Jovanka Houska, Stephen Gordon, Thomas Rendle, Lawrence Trent, Lorin D'Costa, Mark Lyell, Meri Grigoryan Lyell.
Anybody interested in joining such a group should contact . He made be able to help in recommending events, helping with invitations and there is even the possibility this year of acting as a coach/captain at the Chess Olympiads in Dresden in November. [28/5/08]

26th Festival Lacona Isola d'Elba 10-18 May. Andrew Horton-Kitchlew 5/9 10-15=
President's Cup Baku 11-21 May 179 played. Nigel Short 7/9 2-9=.
Bednidorm Stewart Haslinger 8/10 1-4=
Sardinia Stewart Haslinger 6.5/9 2-10= [28/5/08]

1st World Mind Sports Games which will be held in Beijing, China from October 3rd to 18th 2008 - click here for more details ... [28/5/08]

10-18 May 26th Festival Lacona Isola d'Elba. Andrew Horton-Kitchlew 5/9.
President's Cup Baku 11-21 May 179 players. After 7y rounds Nigel Short 5/7 14-28=. [20/5/08]

World Youth Chess Championships 2012: Ever since the Olympic Games have been announced for London there has been the idea of organising a major chess event in London in 2012 ... [12/5/08]

FIDE Grand Prix 21 April to 5 May Michael Adams (2729) 6.5/13 TPR 2716.
European Championship 20 April to 1 May: Gawain Jones 6/13 gaining 8.3 Rating Points; Peter Wells 5.5/13 breaking level on rating. Women's Jovanka Houska 7/13 +15.5; Dagne Ciskyte 6 -6.5; Daiana Mihajlova 1/13 -54.5.
Stewart Reuben [6/5/08]

Baku FIDE Grand Prix - 6 May Michael Adams 5/9 4-7=
European Championship Plovdiv 331 players Peter Wells 5/8 45-84=, Gawain Jones 4 85-148=. Women's Championship 159 players Jovanka Houska 5.5/8 8-21=, Dagne Ciuksyte 4.5 45-69=, Diana Mihajlova 1/8 157th.
21st Benidorm Open Stewart Haslinger 4.5/6 3-26=
The only event to have finished featuring English players is La Laguna, Tenerife 142 players Stuart Conquest 6.5/9 2-15=, Mark Lyell 5.5 25-41=.
Stewart Reuben [1/5/08]

International Tournament in Hungary: An opportunity has arisen to take part in a junior team international tournament in Hungary. The tournament takes place in the Balatom Lake area and is for 5 children, to minimally include at least one girl. The age restrictions are:
Player 1 Born after 01-01-1989
Player 2 Born after 01-01-1992
Player 3 Born after 01-01-1994
Player 4 Born after 01-01-1997
Player 5 Born after 01-01-1989 (female player)
Competitors arrive afternoon of 22nd May and depart 26th May.
Accommodation is offered on:
a free exchange basis (like a school exchange trip)
or hotel accom basis – 16 euros per night, plus 12 euros for food.
Please contact the ECF office by 3RD MAY if you are interested in competing. [29/4/08]

8-16 April Gausdal, Norway GMB 58 players. John Cox (2380) 5.5/9 8-19= with a Rating Performance of 2448.
The Grand Prix in Azerbaijan started 20 April and continues to 6 May. Michael Adams drew his first game with Black against Radjabov. http://baku2008.fide.com.
The European Championships started 21 April in Plovdiv There are 322 players in the Championship and 159 in the Women's Championship. http://www.eicc2008.com.
Stewart Reuben [21/4/08]

9th European Individual Chess Championships & 9th European Individual Women's Chess Championships: 20 April - 4 May, Plovidiv, Bulgaria. Play commences 12:30 with 40 games live on the internet [21/4/08]

4-11 April Merida, Spain. 2nd Ruy Lopez International Michael Adams (2726) 5.5/7 without loss. 1st with a TPR of 2826. Open 12-13 April he scored 7 points and finished 2-4=.
French League for rounds were players 10-13 April. Glenn Flear won 2 and drew 2 for Montpellier and Stuart Conquest won 2, drew 1 and lost 1 for the same team. Tony Kosten, who has been registered for France for a very long time, played for Marseille Duchamps. He drdew 3 and lost 1.
Stewart Reuben [15/4/08]

Adams to a Passage of Victory [11/4/08]

FIDE has set aside 4000 Euro in 2008 to help organizers develop new, possibly radical, ventures. This might be put towards a new event or experimental tournament activity. For further details, or to make a bid for this money, please contact Chairman of the FIDE Organizer`s Committee, Stewart Reuben by 15 April 2008. A decision about which event(s) will be awarded this seeding money will be made by 30 April. [4/4/08]

News from the FIDE Computer & Internet Chess Committee [4/4/08]

20-24 March Doeberl Cup Australia. Gawain Jones 6.5/9 2-8= 82 played.
25-29 March Sydney Open Gawain Jones 7/9 1-4= gain ing 4.6 Rating points. Murray Chandler 6/9 13-18= losing 7.3 points. These two events were exceptionally strong.
21-24 March Jack Spiegel Memorial Southend. David Howell took tiome off from his A Level studies to win this 8 player round robin where 7 of the 8 players were English GMs. He scored 6/7 for a tournament Performance Rating of 2784.
21-24 March Welsh Closed Michael White (England) 4/9 6-12=
French League 21-24 March, neither Glenn flear nor Tony Kosten got off to a good start, each scored 0.5/3.
21-29 March 24th Budapest Spring Festival Mark Lyell (2221) scored 5.5/9 for a 2204 TPR.
The 1 April FIDE Rating List has Michael Adams at number 14 at 2729. Nigel Short is 57-58= on 2660. Other leading English players who had rating performances in this period are Nicholas Pert 2545; David Howell 2533; Jonathan Parker 2533; Stuart Conquest 2530; Jon Speelman 2523; Gawain Jones 2522; Peter Wells 2521; Daniel King 2518; Glenn Flear, Stephen Gordon, Danny Gormally all 2508; John Emms 2503; Stewart Haslinger 2500; Keith Arkell 2495; Jim Plaskett 2493; Simon Williams 2492; Matthew Turner 2486.
Stewart Reuben [4/4/08]

There are one or two places available for GM / IM norm seekers at the April First Saturday tournaments in Budapest. The tournaments are all-play-alls and take place from 5th to 17th April.
Anyone interested should contact the event organiser, Laszlo Nagy, via the web site www.firstsaturday.hu or at [26/3/08]

Foxwood Open (USA) 19-22 March Keith Arkell 6/9 9-17=
Stockholm Ladies Open 20-25 March, an enormously strong event in which there were 126 players. Harriet Hunt 6.5/9 4-9=. Dagne Ciuksyte 5/9 37-48=.
Stewart Reuben [26/3/08]

40th Belgrade Women's International 3-11 March. Jovanka Houska (2393) scored 5.5/9 to finish 2-4= in this prestigious event with a Tournament Performance Rating of 2412.
I met up with Lyndon Bouah Tuesday 18 March. He is a previous President of CHESSA (the South African Chess Association). We first came into contact 20 years ago when he was 15. He, and 3 other teenagers wrote to me asking for help with their chess. This was because, at the time, I used to write a column for BCM called 'Viewpoint' and South Africa was totally isolated in chess at that time. The other 3 eventually gave up playing, but Lyndon has persisted. We first met face to face in Manila in 1992. By then apartheid had been dismantled and South Africa played in the Chess Olympiads once again. Lyndon was second reserve. Meeting him in the hotel was a little like, 'Dr Livingstone, I presume?'
Since then, in a manner similar to many chess friends, we have met up in Moscow, Armenia, Bled and Cape Town.
Last night he and I had dinner with Brian Smith (Secretary of the London Chess League and Team Manager of Wood Green). We had far-ranging discussions, often about wine or why we didn't particular enjoy the Henry Moore sculptures being displayed at Kew.
The most interesting initiative to come out of the discussions was concerning the idea of a team of players from Britain touring South Africa, possibly next December. The biggest cost we would have is the travel. If you should be interested, please contact me . I will let you know in due course whether this was anything more than just a conversation after an enjoyable meal.
Stewart Reuben [19/3/08]

The FIDE Grand Prix Circuit is a fine series of elitist events taking place over the next two years. Michael Adams was originally first reserve for this event. A number of players have failed to sign up so that he is now in the list.
Stewart Reuben [14/3/08]

The Heroes Day Cup will take place in Barbados 26 April to 1 May 2008. It will consist of two nine round events: the first for title norms will probably be a 10 player round robin. The second a 30 player Swiss. This is an opportunity to play chess and visit a delightful part of the Caribbean. Further details: Allan Herbert
Stewart Reuben [12/3/08]

22 February to 1 March Breiz Masters. Glenn Flear 2-2= 5.5/9 gaining 2.69 rating points.
8-9 March German Bundeliga. Luke McShane as usual played board 1 for hi club Werder Bremen. He lost to Eljanov and drew with Stellwagen. His team won both matches and still lie third in the league.
6 March I gave what is being to be my regular simul against 12 local players in Barbados. I won 10, drew won and lost 1. I also spent a week in St Lucia, but their chess is still only just starting off.
Stewart Reuben [11/3/08]

23 February to 1 March 11th Malaga Open 161 played. Gary Quillan 5.5/9 28-48=
Stewart Reuben [4/3/08]

English players were extremely active in this period.
16-23 February Capelle Le Grand. Oddly there are 9 rounds in 8 days for this traditional event in which there were 612 players.
79-151 5.5/9: Terence Chapman 2219, TPR 2420!; Mark Hebden 2530, 2426; Mark Devereaux 2348, 2385
152-259 5/9: Mark Lyell 2221, 2340; Callum Kilpatrick 2201, 2266; George O'Toole 1985, 2229; Jos Woolley 2098, 2067
260-353 4.5: Samuel Franklin 2001, 2213; Daniel Hunt 1872, 2033; Meri Lyell 2036, 1955
456-519 3.5: Joseph Quinn 1750, 1861; Anton Muller 1875, 1786
520-574 3: Gerald Parfett 1648, 1513
Bunratty 22-24 February 48 played in this 5 round Swiss
3-6 Nick Pert 4.5; 7-10 Gawain Jones, Gavin Wall 4; 11-17 Lawrence Cooper 3.5; 18-29 Simon Williams 3; 30-39 Alexandra Wilson 2.5; 40-44 Malcolm armstrong 2; 45-47 Martin Crichton 1.5.
Stewart Reuben [29/2/08]

10th European Senior Team Championship [27/2/08]

First Saturday Tournament Budapest 2-12 February. Diana Mihajlova , England played in the double round 6 player event. She scored 2.5/9 for a new Rating in April of 1623. The tournament was a b itg messy due to withdrawals.
Bundesliga 8-10 February. Luke McShane played for his team Weder Bremen against Ivanchuk and Kasimdzhanov. He lost the first game against Ivanchuk, but won the second against Kasimdzhanov.
Bermuda Open 8-10 February. 4-7= Lawrence Cooper 3.5/5.
Stewart Reuben [21/2/08]

England came second behind Sweden in the Four Nations Chess Challenge, which took place over the weekend.
Following defeat to the eventual winners on day 1, England recovered with victories against Latvia and Norway to take clear second place. Congratulations to Kanwal Bhatia, who made the best score on board 8 on her England debut, and also to David Howell, Simon Williams, Stewart Haslinger and Harriet Hunt, who all made plus scores.Full details of the event can be found on the official web site:- http://www.bergensjakk.no/four_nations_2008/ [19/2/08]

Harriet Hunt v Pia Cramling Four Nations England Team Four Nations Chess Challenge - click for larger images. Photographs by Brian Smith.

 

3rd Calcutta Open, GM Swiss playing dates 24 March to 2 April 10 rounds. This is similar to other events run at the Alekhine Chess Club in the past. For further details please click here.
Stewart Reuben

Four Nations Chess Challenge, between Norway, Sweden, England and Latvia, Oslo - Norway, 15 - 17 February 2008 [6/2/08]

The big English event just passed was the Gibtelecom Chess Festival in Gibraltar 22-31 January. English, well yes, in a certain sense. It is run, like the Monarch Assurance Isle of Man Congress under the umbrella of the ECF. Neither area is part of the UK, nor can they be separately affiliated to FIDE. Full details can be found on www.gibraltarchesscongress.com.
Leading English scores in the 205 player Masters were, all on 6.5/10 21-36=, Maxim Devereaux (2348) with a TPR of 2491; Gary Quillan (2362) TPR 2354; Jon Speelman (2491) TPR 2690!
CONGRATULATIONS to Maxim on achieving his final International Master Norm. He previously exceeded 2400 and thus should receive the title in a few months. Jon Speelman made a most welcome return to form.
6/10 37-55= Robert Bellin (2385) TPR 2570; Mark Hebden (2530) TPR 2530; Gawain Jones (2562) TPR 2398; Mark Lyell (2221) TPR 22296.
CONGRATULATIONS to Robert on achieving his first-ever Grandmaster norm after 9 rounds and, like Jon winning a £2000 Rating Prize. Although Robert won the British Championship in 1979, this is his first-ever GM norm.
Challengers 1 (players rated under 2250) 65 players Mark Lyell 4.5/5 winning £750.
Challengers 2 71 players. There were no outstanding English results but Caspar Bates and Adeoye Dasaolu shared the unrated players prize with 3.5 and 3 points in each section. This netted them each £500.
Amateur 1 50 players 4/5 4-5= Robert France, Peter Horlock £100 each.
Amateur 2 39 players Geoffrey Bishop 5/5 £1000, Chris Booth 4.5 £600.
The first Masters in 2003 had just 60 players. The prize money available to players under certain ratings is the highest in the world, this is the only event where a player rated under 2600 can win a rating prize. A player under 2250 could pick up £6000, but he would have to play 20 games in 10 days - as some do.
Some of you have read my saga of getting a young Azerbaijani to Hastings. History repeated itself in Gibraltar, but this time it only took 3 hours. On the third day, a Serbian Milan Kandic attempted to cross the border without a visa. Gibraltar is very small and it helps to be on speaking terms with the officials. Eventually they confiscated his passport and allowed me to escort him into Gibraltar. Of course he wanted to play his third round game, his first in the event, and, of course, I obliged. This time I drew and managed to gain a couple of rating points.
Stewart Reuben [6/2/08]

GM Tournament in Rijeka, 14-21 December 2008 [6/2/08]

Corus, Wijk an Zee in the Netherlands, 12-27 January.
A section Michael Adams (2726) 6.5/13 7-8=. TPR 2743.
B section Nigel Short (2645) 8.5/13 2-3=. TPR 2726. An excellent result for Nigel. You may have read about the controversy concerning his opponent not shaking hands with Nigel. Having seen the video on youtube of the incident, there is no doubt in my mind that Nigel was absolutely in the right. The Appeal Committee ruled that the game must be played, provided the Bulgarian apologised. That, too was a good decision. Nigel reluctantly played the game and won. His comment. "This proves there is a God and he isn't Bulgarian."
New Zealand championship 15-25 January. Auckland. Murray Chandler (2540) 9/11. TPR 2544. You can see Murray had to make that score in order not to lose rating points. He has transferred his allegiance back to New Zealand after being registered for England for many years.
Stewart Reuben [28/1/08]

Press Release - England Accepts the Nordic Challenge!: Ten of England’s top chess players will represent the country against teams from Norway, Sweden and Latvia in a competition to take place in Oslo from 15th to 17th February [22/1/08]

Former World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer has died aged 64: Various reports can be found at: BBC News, Independent, Guardian. [21/1/08]

The new FIDE Rating List came out 1 January. There was not much change among the leading English players. Listing those who had some activity in the 3 months up to 30 November:
Michael Adams 2726 15-16=, Nigel Short 2645 70-72=, Luke McShane 2592, Gawain Jones 2562, Stuart Conquest 2539, Jonathan Parker 2535, Mark Hebden 2530, David Howell 2528, Peter Wells 2520, Daniel King 2510, John Emms 2502, Stephen Gordon 2501, Danny Gormally and Stewart Haslinger 2495, Glenn Flear 2493, Jon Speelman 2491, Jim Plaskett 2490, Keith Arkell 2489.
Both Michael and Nigel are playing in the great Corus Chess Festival in the Netherlands. This overlaps with the GibTelecom Festival in Gibraltar 22-31 January. it is the 6th edition of this event and the numbers for the Masters are currently 199, by comparison with the first year in 2003 of 60. The event comes under the umbrella of the ECF as Gibraltar is not a separate federation in FIDE. Anyway, the prize money is in pound sterling and the total is £80,000. The event is possibly the richest in the world at which some players receive hospitality and where the play is just one round per day. Look at www.gibraltarchesscongress.com, if only to admire the work of John Saunders as webmaster. Most players are listed with a photo and also a short biography.
Stewart Reuben [17/1/08]

Jeff Horner has finally been awarded his International Master title. FIDE do well when ratifying titles when the circumstances are simple. The red tape they introduced concerning Jeff was tangled by the fact that the saga of his gaining the title stretched over three decades. Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS, Jeff!
You might have expected all internationally-minded English players to have been active in Hastings. Far from it.
26-30 December 28th Bethune (France) Open. Tom Wiley (2332) 5.5./9 for a TPR of 2274. There were 106 players.
2-6 January 19th Villa de Roquetas (Apian) 93 players. James Simpson, Colin Walton 5.5/9. 93 players.
Stewart Reuben [11/1/08]

Scandinavian Ladies Open, 20-25 March 2008: The tournament is ELO registered and IM categorized with 9 rounds monrad, full program with details can be found at SCT homepage. General conditions: (W)GM,(W)IM players enjoy free entry fee, (W)FM reduced fee 250 SEK and untitled players 500 SEK. Special conditions: GM+WGM – free stay with breakfast and 3000 SEK in travel allowance. IM+WIM – free stay with breakfast and 2000 SEK in travel allowance. Accommodation will be booked at Täby Park Hotel, single, double and triple rooms, depending of the amount of players and availability of rooms. (Email: ) [08/1/08]

1st World Mind Sports Games which will be held in Beijing, China from October 3rd to 18th 2008 - click here for more details ... [08/1/08]

European Individual Chess Championships 2008: The official website of the 9th EICC is now online - www.eicc2008.com. Please click here to view the invitation document. [03/1/08]