From the desk of the President
Matthew Fanning (144) - CJ de Mooi (ug)
British Rapidplay Championships
In November, I was honoured to be
invited to the British Rapidplay
Championships held in Halifax. I had
played in the event on two occasions in
the mid 1990s but hadn't returned
since so it was an opportunity I wasn't
able to pass up.
21st November 2010
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. f3 e6 6.
Bd3 Nf6 7. Be3 Nbd7 8. Ne2 Bxe4 9. fxe4 c5 10. O-O
cxd4 11. Bxd4
I was delighted to find an extremely well set up and run
event and it was a pleasure to be in the hall with avid
chess fans and dedicated organisers, all determined to
provide and enjoy an excellent event. Having been very
much a non player for several years now, I had intended to merely spectate but a spare place in the
Intermediate section tempted me back to my perennial role of filler once again. After being mated in round
2 (despite being a rook and a handful of pawns up) I
realised that my disinterest had clearly weakened me
and I looked forward to my (not unfamiliar) role of
tournament bunny. However, after scoring 4.5 from
my next 5 games (the draw being against the eventual
winner) I felt very guilty and withdrew from the event
- I hadn't even paid to take part and it might have been
a tad suspicious had an invitee won a prize.
(I was expecting 11. Nxd4 when Bc5 could be
answered with 12. b4 as 12. c3 would allow e5) Bc5 12.
Bxc5 Nxc5 13. Ng3 Nxd3 14. cxd3 O-O 15. e5? Qd4+
16. Kh1 Qxe5 (16... Ng4! 17. Qe2 Nxe5 18. Rad1
Rad8) 17.d4 Qd6 18. Nh5 Nxh5 19. Qxh5 Rad8 20.
Rad1 Qd5 21. Qg4 Qxa2 22. Rf3 Qd5 23. Rg3 g6 24.
Kg1 Qf5 25. Qh4 Rd5 26. Rf1 Qh5 27. Qe7 Rf5 28.
Rgf3 Rxf3 29. Rxf3 Qd5 30. Qf6
However, although I really enjoyed playing, especially
my last game listed below which was a case of an early
advantage and then having to watch the nerves as an
attack and time trouble loomed, I still have no desire to
play again full time. In 1998 and 1999 I was the most
active player in the country (I was leading the Grand
Prix until I withdrew in protest over actions of the
sponsor) with 350+ longplay and 200+ rapidplay
games, all of which were rated. I think I've paid my
dues now and will retire (perhaps not so gracefully) to
the benches and continue my work for chess in a new
capacity now.
The perfect way to scare someone who's out of practice ... have I been too greedy? a5 31. h4 b5 32. g4 h5
33. Rg3 Rd8 34. gxh5 The simplification removes any
potential threats and nervousness Qxd4+ 35. Qxd4
Rxd4 36. hxg6 Rxh4 37. gxf7+ Kxf7 38. Kf2 Rh2+ 39.
Ke3 Rxb2+ and although the game continued, even a
patzer like me was able to hold out for the point 0-1
I was very pleased and humbled to be asked to present
the prizes at the end of the event and I must mention
the terrific results at both ends of the spectrum Kishan Pattni winning the Minor with 10/11 only to
be superseded by David Howell winning the Open
with half a point more. Two magnificent efforts which
along with Pierre Weller in the Major and Daniel Noel
in the Intermediate (both won with 9/11 and my draw
against Daniel will forever be a proud moment!)
crowned a superb weekend and I offer my congratulation and heartfelt thanks to all those involved.
- CJ de Mooi
2
CONTENTS
London Chess Classic 1,5
Presidential 2
Vacancies 3
Awards Notice 4
Junior 7
International 10
Results 11
ChEx Bookshelf 13
ChessPoints 15
Nigel Short 19
Book Reviews 20
Batsford, Grand Prix 21
Calendar 22