e2e4 Coventry Tournament, 23-26 August by Asen Assenov

27.8.13 - We went to the this e2e4 tournament with the idea that it will give Pavel a great challenge and the aim of not losing any games and possibly win one or two. Pavel started very well by winning his first game and managing a draw in his second.

 

Then the second day I was thinking if he could do the same that would be great but Pavel played very strongly that day and won both games (vs. 1896 and 1941 FIDE) so well done so far and big expectations for the last day.

 

If Pavel managed a win in his first game of the last day then he would be in a great position of attacking the top spot. He had a very interesting game against Nathaniel Paul (ECF 171) which Pavel managed to swing his way and there he was on the winning straight.

 

The last game was again very interesting but Pavel’s aim was first not to lose it and then if the opponent made any mistakes, try and win it. As it turned out his opponent tried to win it as he was in a position to fight for the first spot too but in the end it was a draw which both players agreed was the correct outcome.

 

So all in all great performance by Pavel – joint first and sharing a prize of £450 with Ivan David!

21st August 2013

Chess congress gives Witney club chance to shine

25.8.13 - THE organisers of Witney’s first weekend chess congress in October hope it will further help to put the town on the chess map and boost local businesses ...

 

Witney's Jake Holton in Gibraltar

25.8.13 - Jake took part in the Gibraltar Junior U12’s Tournament scoring a creditable 3½/6 (+3,=1,-2). He came 17= out of 60 players.

 

The Gibraltar Junior International took place 15-20 August. The venue was the Caleta Hotel and follows the successful pattern of the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival, offering some good and very competitive chess-playing opportunities with an equally strong social, fun and educational programme.

 

Official Website | 12 Results and Pairings |

 

 

 

 

Big Success for Marcus

18.8.13 - Many congratulations to Witney Chess Club's Marcus Harvey, this year's Chess Challenge Terafinal winner with 5½/6, including a fine draw with pre-tournament favourite International Master Yang-Fan Zhou (ECF grade 240) - Mike.

 

Reports and photos here

49th Berks & Bucks Congress

08.8.13 - This event takes place Sat 24th - Mon 26th August 2013 at Polehampton C of E Junior School, Kibblewhite Crescent, Twyford, Berkshire, RG10 9AX. A British Championship Qualifying Event.

Oxfordshire Chess in bygone days

 

28.7.13 - I saw this entry from March 1946 from 'CHESS' magazine about the Oxford and District Chess League, whose activities were suspended during the second word war.

 

"In Division 1, Charlbury, Morris Motors, Oxford University "Am," O.U. Polish Students Club, Pressed Steel, Oxford City, Thame and Osberton Radiators are taking part. In Division 2, Headington, Southfield School (the first school team to be a member of the League) and YMCA are competitors, together with the second teams of Oxford University, Oxford City, Pressed Steel, Charlbury and Morris Motors".

 

Other details include that "in the County Correspondence matches, Oxfordshire had fallen from second place to sixth; that Oxfordshire Chess Association had a satisfactory balance in hand, and that the Duke of Marlborough was elected President".

 

No sign of Witney at all in those days. Good to see that Oxford City and University had at least two teams even then - though notably so did tiny Charlbury. Also of interest are the numerous teams drawing from the motor industry - Morris, Pressed Steel, and Osberton Radiators (linked to the British Motor Corporation).

 

- Patrick

Witney Grades - July 2013

27.7.13 - The new club grades are published.

 

They are based on games played up to 30th June 2013.

 

For detailed guidance on using the list, see the new ECF Grading website.

 

 

 

Kingpin magazine

25.7.13 - A number of you will already know of Oxfordshire's very own Jon Manley's excellent chess magazine 'Kingpin', back copies of which are traditionally handed out at Witney Chess Club's Peter Wells evenings.

 

Jon has recently set up a new website at www.kingpinchess.net which you may find of interest. And no, I'm not on commission! - Mike.

Daniel King – A Summer Simul in Hanwell - Report by Carl Portman

15.7.13 - It is not enough to get just any old grandmaster to give a simultaneous exhibition. Experience has taught me that engaging the right GM is crucial. One does not require taciturn introverts. What you need is a gregarious soul, willing to engage with players at club level; someone who will talk openly about chess and the broader issues of life.

Pavel at the UKCC Gigafinal

15.7.13 - Pavel competed in the UKCC Gigafinal, winning prizes.

 

See photos here.

 

The UK Chess Challenge is largest chess tournament in the world, beginning in 1996. Click the logo for more information.

 

 

Other successes: Marcus Harvey was first in the U17 group with 5/6, which got him the Ultimo award, and Jake Holton also got 3½/6 in the U12 group to qualify for the Plate competition. And also Freddie Beneat came 1st = with 5/6 in the U7 group, Maxim Dobrynin qualified for the Plate with 4½/6 in the U7 group and Benjamin Headlong came 3rd in the U9 group (behind the brilliantly named Vladimir Kalashnikov) - Mike.

 

In the U15 mixed section, Isabel Hauer finished on 2½ points, which was enough to place her joint 3rd for the girls. Marianne Hauer got 3½ points in the U12 girls competition and qualified for the Plate competition  -  Catriona.

Witney Summer Rapidplay - Rd 7 results

Bd	White	Rating	Score	Black	Rating	Score	Result
1	Alan Gentry	159	4	Mike Truran	189	5	½-½
2	Marianne Hauer	101 *	3½	Pavel Asenov	121 *	4½	0-1
3	Danny O'Byrne	154	4	Joseph Truran	92 *	3½	1-0
4	Ian Gilders	112	3	Roger Turner	126	3	1-0
5	Isabel Hauer	76 *	2½	Sofya Dobrynina	0 *	1	1-0
6	Maxim Dobrynin	26 *	½	Seb Watkins	77 *	2½	0-1

Cowley Summer Blitz 2013

29.6.13 - The 2013 Cowley Summer Blitz was held on Monday 24 June and attracted 60 players, including a strong contingent from Witney. Marcus Harvey was unable to extend his sequence of three successive Cowley Blitz wins (though he still took the junior with 7½/10), and this time the Oxford University player Jan Schmidt (a newcomer to the Cowley Blitz) took first place by a margin of 1½ points with 9½/10; in the last round he beat Rick Weston of Witney who had been clear leader after four rounds with 8/8. Nevertheless Rick's performance in a strong field was an excellent one, and he can be more than satisfied with taking second place.

 

Other Witney prizewinners in the Blitz were Jake Holton, whose score of 5/10 earned him the Best Under-10 prize, and Ian Gilders, who took the Best Slow Starter prize, finishing on 5½/10. Full details of the prizewinners can be viewed here.

 

The County Association's Prizegiving was held between Rounds 1 & 2 of the event, with OCA Chair Simon King making the presentations. Witney 1 captain, Mike Truran, was presented with both the Division One trophy and the Frank Wood Shield, and accepted on Tim Headlong's behalf (Tim unfortunately was unable to attend) the prize for the best performance in Division One.

 

- Gerard O'Reilly

Silver Plate South 2013

Achieving more than 3½/6 in the Delancey Chess Challenge allowed qualification to the UK Chess Academy Silver Plate. Success in the Silver Plate provides an opportunity to represent England at a World or European Chess competition in 2014. As it turned out it there was an excellent representation from Witney Chess Club.

 

Maxim Dobrynin and Bill Read were playing in the U9 Boys competition. Maxim managed a very creditable 3.5 from 6 with three victories. Bill ended up joint 2nd losing only to the winner. This was a thoroughly excellent performance given a difficult second round. 

 

The U13 competition had both boys and girls, with Marianne Hauer and Jake Holton representing Witney. Although Marianne had a couple of losses in the early rounds she rallied confidently and finished with 3/6, taking the U13 Girls Silver Plate, and the princely sum of £25. Jake had a very consistent tournament and finished unbeaten with 5½ out of 6, a tournament performance of 161, and the Silver Plate. This means Marianne and Jake can represent England for the second year in a row! Results. 

 

Very well done to all participants, junior chess at Witney looks in good shape. Special thanks to Tim and Alan for showing great endurance on club nights on Mondays.

 

Results: Silver Plate South 2013: U9 Boys | Silver Plate South 2013: U13 Boys & Girls |

 

- David Holton

e2e4 Coventry Tournament, 23-26 August by Asen Assenov

27.8.13 - We went to the this e2e4 tournament with the idea that it will give Pavel a great challenge and the aim of not losing any games and possibly win one or two. Pavel started very well by winning his first game and managing a draw in his second.

 

Then the second day I was thinking if he could do the same that would be great but Pavel played very strongly that day and won both games (vs. 1896 and 1941 FIDE) so well done so far and big expectations for the last day.

 

If Pavel managed a win in his first game of the last day then he would be in a great position of attacking the top spot. He had a very interesting game against Nathaniel Paul (ECF 171) which Pavel managed to swing his way and there he was on the winning straight.

 

The last game was again very interesting but Pavel’s aim was first not to lose it and then if the opponent made any mistakes, try and win it. As it turned out his opponent tried to win it as he was in a position to fight for the first spot too but in the end it was a draw which both players agreed was the correct outcome.

 

So all in all great performance by Pavel – joint first and sharing a prize of £450 with Ivan David!

Big Success for Marcus

18.8.13 - Many congratulations to Witney Chess Club's Marcus Harvey, this year's Chess Challenge Terafinal winner with 5½/6, including a fine draw with pre-tournament favourite International Master Yang-Fan Zhou (ECF grade 240) - Mike.

 

Pictorial report from Asen Assenov

 

Saturday was a bit windy and cloudy in Loughborough but Marcus started nice and steady winning all his games. Then the next day the weather was looking much better and Marcus was in a winning mood again until he played IM Yang-Fan Zhou. That game finished drawn and it was all left to the remaining games and I think everybody was buzzing as there was great expectation for a playoff between them. That didn't happen as Yang-Fan Zhou drew his last game and Marcus was the outright WINNER!

 

Congratulations Marcus!

 

Another little note: Pavel took part in the Terafinal Challengers tournament this year - taking place alongside the Terafinal. Pavel started really well winning his first two games and only losing by playing the wrong move order in the end game against Michael Ashworth, a very strong player.

 

The second day started with a win but Pavel only managed two draws - a little bit unlucky with the pairings because he had to play 4 out of the 6 games with black. Overall I think he did well - 4/6 winning 3, drawing 2, and only losing one.

 

Well done Pavel!

 

 

Summary by Marcus Harvey

 

This year's Terafinal was as competitive as it has ever been as there were 5 players graded above 200. Also, there are lots of seriously underrated younger juniors which makes the tournament that bit tougher. I was the 2nd seed in the tournament behind IM Yang-Fan Zhou (240) who has almost 2500 fide!

 

Round 1: I was paired black against a 10 year old called Max Turner (143) who gave a good account of himself but played a bit too passively.

 

Round 2: I played Callum Brewer (162) with the white pieces. He played very valiantly until he got into time trouble - where he blundered by giving me a pawn and consequently the game.

 

Round 3: My first real test was against Akshaya Kalaiyalahan, who is 12 years old but has an ecf of 178! She is one of the best Under 12 girls in the world and she made me work very hard for the victory. After eventually winning a pawn, we reached an ending in which I had a rook, Knight and 4 pawns vs a Rook, Knight and 3 pawns - with all of the pawns being on the kingside. I gradually created more weaknesses until her position collapsed into a losing king and pawn ending.

 

Round 4: With the competition really heating up, I was playing my good friend Jean-Luc Weller graded 202 but he is definitely at least 215 in my eyes. He played a very unusual line in which his Knight on g8 re-rooted to e6 very early in the opening. After some very interesting Knight manouvres we reached a very complex position. Jean-Luc decided to be greedy and grab a pawn but I had so much compensation that I received it back with interest! This led to an ending where I had a pawn advantage but we each had a rook and opposite coloured bishops. He got in serious time trouble and made a few inaccuracies to hand me the points.

 

Round 5: There were only 2 players on maximum points, so it was my time to play IM Yang-Fan Zhou with black. We both seemed happy to enter a double Rook endgame after just 20 moves! I was then forced to lose a pawn but I had 2 advanced pawns on g4 and h4 which made it very risky for both sides. After mistakes from both sides we arrived in a much simpler ending, a Rook and 3 pawns vs a Rook and 2 pawns. My rook was very active and a draw was shortly agreed.

 

Round 6: Going into the final round, me, Yang-Fan and Andy Horton were in the lead with 13 points - but there were lots of players just behind on 12 or 11 points. I was paired against Andy Horton (209) whilst Yang-Fan was playing William Foo (206). Knowing that I had to win, I perhaps played the worst opening choice I have ever played, as I found myself slightly worse approaching the middlegame. However, Andy started a Kingside attack which was too ambitious as it allowed me play on the queenside. Just as the game was swinging in my favour, he blundered a piece and then resigned! As relieved as I was, I was now ready for a play-off with Yang-Fan for the title as he had a very promising endgame position. William played the endgame absolutely perfectly and after 102 moves Yang-Fan finally offered a draw. Much to the audience's disappointment, there was no play-off and I had pocketed the 2,000 pounds!

 

I now am the STRAT of the 2013 UK Delancey Land Chess Challenge!

 

Thank you Witney Chess Club

28.6.13 - In September I will be moving away from Witney for the foreseeable future, starting with an adventure kayaking in the Himalayas!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for letting me be a part of such an awesome club over the years. Its a joy to see the club now thriving in the juniors as well as being socially and competitively strong throughout the rest of the club.

I remember my first nights in a noisy Langdale Hall as a budding junior aged 14, playing too quickly! Now soon to be 30, I'm proud to turn up to a packed, bustling with enthusiasm Ducklington Hall with numerous teams playing away and I try to remember what Mike Truran wants my opening to look like and will I lose before my Dad does.

As a club, you welcome, involve and challenge all, whatever ability, showing you care about the people behind the pieces. I wish you well in defending your season's successes and striving to achieve new triumphs.

Kind regards, Jonny Kennedy

 

 

Cowley Blitz 2013

05.6.13 - Cowley Chess Club invites you to their 2013 Summer Blitz Tournament, to be held on Monday 24 June at Rose Hill Methodist Church in the Main Hall downstairs. Round 1 will begin at 7.15 pm. All chess players are welcome. During the evening we shall also be hosting the presentation of the 2012/13 season's OCA team trophies and the individual medals for the best league performances.

 

Entry fee: £3.00 to be paid on arrival. We will also be glad to receive additional donations for the Lester Millin Memorial Fund, which supports Cowley junior players.

 

To help us make a prompt start, please register your entry in advance if possible by sending an email to blitz@cheekychess.org.uk.

 

Further details and history about the Cowley Blitz.

 

- Gerard O'Reilly

Witney Summer Rapidplay - Round 4

Bd	White	Rating	Score	Black	Rating	Score	Result
1	Danny O'Byrne	154	2½	Pavel Asenov	121*	3	½-½
2	Alan Gentry	159	2	Joseph Truran	92*	2	1-0
3	Richard Weston	138	2	Tony Heslop	0	2	1-0
4	Derek Edwards	135	2	Isabel Hauer	76 *	1½	1-0
5	Seb Watkins	77*	1	Roger Turner	126	1½	½-½
6	Bob Kilbride-Newman	118	1	Sofya Dobrynin	0*	1	1-0
7	John Luke	63	½	Jake Holton	108*	½	0-1
8	Marianne Hauer	101*	½	Maxim Dobrynin	26*	½	1-0
0	Tim Partridge		1½				½ bye
0	Mike Truran		3				½ bye

Round 5: Monday June 10, 7.30pm.

World School Chess Championships 2013 - Report

21.5.13 - The World School Chess Championship was held in Porto Carras, Greece from 7th - 14th May. 9 rounds of chess in 8 days - no day off, and a double round day on the Friday! Around 600 players from around the world - but mostly from Eastern Europe, Asia and South America. For those interested further information can be found here.

The "Olympic Hall" was quite comfortable but hot in the first few rounds and also had hoards of parents watching from the aisles, chatting and even taking phone calls (despite warnings of "hidden scanners" in the room) - not ideal conditions. It did improve as the event progressed however, and controllers got stricter. It was certaintly a serious event with some opponents hardly even making eye contact, but as the competition progressed the atmosphere relaxed a bit, smiles and occasionally email addresses were exchanged and Marianne even went swimming with one of her opponents. We were encouraged to bring some small gifts to exchange before the matches, however the only gift Jake managed to off-load was to a fellow England player. Perhaps if anyone is short of an Oxford rulers and pencil please drop us a line.

 

We soon found a routine. Mornings included training with expert coaches - Jake had IM Tom Rendle, Izzie had WGM Meri Grigoryan and Marianne had IM Jonathan Hawkins. All of them got on well with their assigned coach, who helped them research their opponent's opening and playing style and prepare their defences, and also provided post-match analysis. Even after some mammoth matches (Jake 4 1/2 hours, Marianne 4 hours) the players put analysis ahead of food - a sign of how much they valued the feedback and support they got. After lunch some R&R and then off to the hall for the 4pm match. Nerves were high until all got off the mark with points, and the last round was probably the worst as all were desperate to top up their totals. In the end Jake finished on 4 points, Izzie and Marianne on 3.5 - beating our expectations and having learned a lot.

 

And how to relax at the end of a long week of chess? More chess of course! A riotous England team blitz tournament with the kids taking on the coaches as well as each other rounded off the experience. Oh, and we all did get a bit of a tan, but honestly, it was mostly hard work and tactical training!

 

John Higgs (England Head of Delegation) did an absolutely great job with the organisation of the England team.

 

ps. We may have missed the Witney Chess Club dinner but we had our own evening's fun as the overseas delegation!

 

- David Holton and Catriona Hauer

Witney Summer Rapidplay - Round 3

20.5.13 - Here are the latest results. Lots of hard fought and good quality chess in evidence! Well done all. Just a gentle reminder if I may. If you aren't able to play, could you please do your best to try to let me know in good time - Mike.

Bd	White	Rating	Score	Black	Rating	Score	Result
1	Mike Truran	189	2	Derek Edwards	135	2	1-0
2	Pavel Asenov	121 *	2	Richard Weston	138	2	1-0
3	Danny O'Byrne	154	1½	Tim Partridge	94	1½	1-0
4	Ian Gilders	112	1	Alan Gentry	159	1	0-1
5	Tony Heslop	0	1	Bob Kilbride-Newman	118	1	1-0
6	Joseph Truran	92 *	1	Marianne Hauer	101 *	½	1-0
7	Maxim Dobrynin	26 *	½	Roger Turner	126	½	0-1
8	Jake Holton	108 *	½	Isabel Hauer	76 *	½	0-1
9	Sofya Dobrynina	0 *	0	John Luke	63	½	1-0
0	Jenni Manning		1				½ bye
0	Charlie Manning		1				½ bye
0	Andy Manning		½				½ bye

Round 4: Monday June 3 (please note that Monday 27 May is a bank holiday).

Grandmaster Simul 2013

16.5.13 - GM Danny King has kindly agreed to give a 20-board simultaneous display, organised by Carl Portman of Banbury Chess Club. It will take place on Sunday 14 July at Hanwell Village Hall, Oxfordshire, starting at 2pm. Light refreshments will be on sale.

When at his most active as a player of the game, Danny made solid progress, picking up the International Master title in 1982 and the Grandmaster title in 1989. He is a well-respected trainer and a coach to many of the UK's brightest chess prospects. An author of more than 15 chess books, his subject matter has ranged from the preparatory Winning with the Najdorf to the self-tutoring How Good is your Chess and Test Your Chess.

 

Read more ...

Photo: Chessbase

 

Club Dinner 2013

1½.13 - Our well attended, annual chess club dinner was held at Hackett's on Friday 10 May.

 

Many thanks to Asen for providing some nice photos.

 

By the way, I'd like to reassure all club members that it's most unlike me to be caught with a glass of wine in my hand - MT.

 

The photos are also available here in our Gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berkshire Megafinal

1½.13 - Twelve Abingdon players travelled to the Licensed Victuallers' School, Ascot to compete in the county stage of the UK Chess Challenge, and seven - an unprecedented number - qualified for the Southern Gigafinal in July.

 

Ray Ren (5½/6) was Abingdon's top performer, winning the U14 category ahead of Jeff Abraham (5/6) and Witney Chess Club's Joseph Truran (4½/6). James Murray came home with the U18 trophy (2½/6).

 

The other qualifiers were Edward Reynolds (4/6) in the U16 category and Richard Oh (4/6) and Seamus Ramsey (4/6) in the U12 category. Also competing were Rafi'i al-Akiti (3½/6), who only just missed out on qualification in the tough U15 category, Alex Churchman-Davies (2/6), Daniel Lawson (3/6), Ben Massey-Leahy (2/6) and Brian Shi (3/6).

 

Pictured: Abingdon's 12 players resting between rounds and sporting their trophies, rosettes and book prizes.

Witney Juniors at the Oxfordshire Megafinal

07.5.13 - Witney juniors all did well at the Oxfordshire Megafinal yesterday - full results are on  the Oxfordshire Chess Association site here.

I'm pretty sure everyone qualified for Gigafinals, though not sure about Joshua as I didn't spot him at the end, but he was doing well mid-afternoon. Saw most of the others being called up as 4+ points. We also got 4 trophies - Marcus (Supremo 6/6 of course!), Izzie (U15 Suprema - 3½/6), Pav (U12 Supremo 5/6) and Marianne (U12 Suprema 4/6).

 

I'm sure you could get a compiled report from various of the others. For my two the highlights were Izzie beating Maria Wang in round 1 and then drawing with Chantelle Foster in round 2 - so in round 3 she found herself on board one against Marcus (when her good luck obviously ran out!). Marianne had 3 wins, 2 draws and only lost to friend and rival Zoe Varney as the U12 girls were mixed into the U13 mixed section - Catriona.

 

Updates: Just to let you know, Josh didn't qualify for the Gigafinals - he finished with 2/6, losing the last two games which he probably should have won. However he still enjoyed the day - Claire.

 

Pav's section was probably one of the hardest. One can tell by looking at how many came = 2nd. Here he is (left) proudly receiving his prizes ... on his birthday! - Asen.

Oxfordshire FIDE tournament

01.5.13 - The latest results and tables are now online following the completion of round 5. 

Witney at the London Rapidplay

30.4.13 - Witney Chess Club players did very well at the London Rapidplay held on Saturday 20th April. Maxim Dobrynin won the U8, Sofya Dobrynin the U12 and Pav Asenov (pictured left) the best U1700 prize. Well done to them!

Witney Dinner 2013

28.4.13 - The annual chess club dinner will as usual be held at Hacketts in Witney on Friday 10 May (7.00ish arrival for 7.30 sit-down). Mr K has volunteered (been volunteered?) to be master of ceremonies as usual.

Witney 4 vs. Cumnor 2

26.4.13 - A splendid result for our final League match. We had agreed with Cumnor that we would each field 6 juniors and both teams fielded a youngster making their debut in League chess.

 

The first two games to finish were Ben, who won on his debut and Andy who recorded his first league win of the season.

 

The Oxford Times

26.4.13 - Matt Rose writes about Witney's league and cup double.

Bank Holiday Monday

24.4.13 - Just a reminder that the club will be shut as usual on bank holiday Monday 6 May. But of course before that on Monday 29 April it's round 1 of the summer tournament! Please let me know ASAP if you would like to play as the draw will be made shortly - MT.

Summer Tournament

23.4.13 - I need to do the first round draw for this fairly soon, so if there is anybody who would like to play but hasn't told me yet, could they do so in the next day or so please?

 

We currently have 18 entries, so it looks like it's going to be another well attended event. Thank you all for your support.

 

- Mike

City 1 vs. Witney 1

23.4.13 - Not with a bang but a whimper ...

British Blitz Championship

21.4.13 - Witney top junior Marcus Harvey had an excellent result, coming =3rd at yesterday's British Blitz Championship.

 

More here including a full table of results.

 

National Junior Squad Championships

19.4.13 - At the recent National Chess Junior Squad Championships U10 tourney played alongside the Junior 4NCL at Puma Daventry Court, Benjamin Headlong (pictured left), son of long term Witney and Brown Jack CC stalwarts Tim and Fenella, recovered from a shaky start in round 1 to race to 4/4.

 

His opponent in the last round was the experienced Ollie Howell who had conceded a draw in round 3 which meant that a draw would win first prize for Benjamin.

 

After winning material in the early middlegame Benjamin converted his advantage and managed to score 5/5 - so another success story for a Witney junior! - MT.

 

 

ECF Membership Scheme

Adolf Hitler (Bruno Ganz) reacts to the new ECF membership scheme introduced in 2012 - http://meemsy.com/v/8557

World School Chess Championships 2013

Witney Chess Club juniors will proudly represent England at the World School Chess Championships in Greece, 6th-15th May.

 

Club regulars Isabel Hauer (U15 Girls), Jake Holton (U13 Open) and Marianne Hauer (U13 Girls) will be joined by Benjamin Headlong (U9 Open) who's Dad, Tim, is a Witney player.

 

| Meet the Team | Official Website |

 

 

FWS, Witney 2 vs. Witney 1 (Final)

09.4.13 - This was the first time since 1993 since Witney had both teams in the final. Four players from the 1993 match played in this year's final (Mike Truran, Tim Headlong, Howard Searle and Derek Edwards), with Danny O'Byrne (who also played in the 1993 match) making an appearance as a very welcome spectator. Read more ...

Secret Film of Witney 1 and 2's Training Methods

04.4.13 - After Patrick's great preview of the Frank Wood Shield Final, a mole can reveal film of the secret training methods of the 2 captains. Read more ...

Oxfordshire FIDE tournament

03.4.13 - The latest results and links to games are now online for round 4. 

Success in Southend

02.4.13 - We've just returned victorious from the Southend-on-sea Congress (Minor). With a score of 5/5 and a performance grade of 152, Jake (pictured left) is naturally very contented, especially with the £200.

 

His last round game was fairly gruelling, lasting 4½ hours! His preparation for playing for England in Greece in May is therefore going well - all done under his own steam.

 

He sees his England coach for the first time on Tuesday, IM Tom Rendle. I thought I'd keep you informed of how he's doing.

 

- David

 

 

 

 

Witney 2 vs. Bicester 1

27.3.13 - Another narrow win for the 2nd Team keeps us in the hunt for promotion(?!). Howard and Derek played games in which small advantages waxed and waned for both sides, both ending in creditable draws.

Cowley 2 vs. Witney 1

21.3.13 - Avid readers of the intrepid Witney 1 correspondents' reports from far-flung climes (oh all right then, Banbury and Didcot) will know that in our last missive we exuberantly claimed the Division 1 title. As it turns out, the reversal of one of City 1's two match point defaults (for reasons unknown, but I suspect an Oxfordshire Chess Association website software error) cast us all into a slough of despond for a couple of weeks as we realised we not only had to not lose to Cowley 2 but also avoid losing to City 1 by 5½-½ in the final match of the season.

Witney 4 vs. Cowley 4

21.3.13 - Another fine win reversing the result of our away match with Cowley 4. First to finish was Seb who was still recovering from jet lag. Bob finished next and recorded a good win where his attack was more successful than his opponent’s. Jake then accepted a draw in a very even position so the match was still evenly poised.

Bicester 2 vs. Witney 3

21.3.13 - Finally I get round to writing up one of our matches. After a blazing start to 2013 which has seen Witney 3 first avoid the relegation battle and then guarantee 4th place with a win over Oxford Uni and a hard earned draw against Didcot 2 we went away to Bicester to continue pressuring the top three teams.

Peter Wells Evenings