Beckenham & Bromley Chess Club

May 2005

Trost Trophy

• Monday 23rd May, the Trost Trophy, a buzzer tournament in Crystal Palace / Sydenham. Contact

  South Norwood Friendly

• This was a great evening, with the chess taken seriously but not too much. Yildiz's gentlemanly offer to let his opponent take back a blunder was the decisive point, as the game ended in a draw and the match also. 5½-all. On grade we should have won, but what use is that?! Detailed Results.

  Semi Finals

• BUSTED: All four teams go out at semi-final stage. Inquest!
• Two matches ended up 3-3; but for us, Board Count as a way of setting a tie is like penalties for the England footie team.
• Ron Hale ended up playing for two team at the same time. Sadly, this brave exploit ended up in two zeroes.

  Bits and Pieces

• Bromley win the second Annual Beckenham - Bromley match, by 8½ - 2½. The score now stands 2-0 to Bromley. Detail Results
• London League: Seconds avoid relegation after last minute spurt.

  Web Resource

• http://www.chessebook.com Here you'll find lessons in chess tactics, thousands of chess combinations, chess openings and games database, lectures, some chess history and games of all World Championships. All information on our site is given in 3 Languages: English, German and Russian. You can coach yourself online!

March 2005

• Simon Webb (1949–2005). If Simon Webb, author of Chess for Tigers, is a name that you remember from long ago, then read this tragic tale of his demise.
• Kent Finals Day at Sevenoaks will be on Sunday 22nd May.
• Kent County Chess Association now have its own website with results, rules etc.
• Matthias Karkowski runs a correspondence chess server with many interesting and innovatively features and a fast growing number of members all over the world (it says here). I can't vouch for this of course, but if you like playing your chess in German, this may be the place.

  Bob Wade, The Novel

• is busy researching and preparing a book on the London Chess League's longest serving player - the remarkable and much loved Bob Wade - who Paul first believe played in LCL in 1952 - a wonderful 53 year record; writes Brian Smith. It would be very helpful if you could pass this note to any of your club members who might have anecdotes or even recorded games against Bob as Paul is busy trying to collect and co-ordinate all such info for the book.

  East Congress at Coulsdon

• Separate Long Play, Rapid Play and Blitz events pages. Check details and click the Chess link.

February 2005

Children's Chess, Third Thursday, 7-30 to 9-30 by arrangement

We have had a number of approaches from parents to provide chess opportunities for their children, but it has proved difficult to accommodate children in what is an adult environment.

To try to overcome this, the Club has decided to offer a children's evening, once a month, open to players of any level. They will be able to play chess under adult guidance, either against each other, or against an adult. The cost for the period to December will be £10.

Children will be welcome to join the adult club if the Committee decides that they are of a standard which enables them to play at the appropriate level.

Please contact

What could be more exciting than chess?

Some bits and pieces from two current and past members, and

Rob runs the London Marathon

I'm running in the 2005 London Marathon on 17 April and am looking for sponsorship donations. The charity that I'm running for is Access Sport. Please complete this form for Rob to pick up at the club next week

So why did I retire? ... writes Bob Kingdon

... Questions that have been on your mind for the past few years. Well, the reason was, 'Rock'N'Roll' called! Bob invites us to check this stuff out ... The Group or loads of strange songs... Click on 'lo-fi' and Vote Hot! ...or download the MP3....

Next season? If the record contract does not appear I WILL BE BACK. Regards to all

A small snafu

• OK, I admit it, there was an error. Matches now start at 7-30 pm, not 7-45.

January 2005

Bits & Pieces

• Lewisham Chess Club are now playing downstairs. Entry via the bar (door at the right hand side at the front). Start time is now 7-45pm.
• Stevenson Away against Dartford now 17th March
• Fixtures & Results as at 23rd January.

December 2004

• I'm doing a big tidy up of this site. If you find any broken links or other snafus,

  A really good place to play online correspondence-style chess is Chessworld.net, also known as

• You may like to look again at the pictures section, which includes a recent photo of Dave Smith, who died a few months back (thanks to Nigel Davies, a friend of his from outside chess).
• Please note that the Children's Chess evenings are by arrangement with

November 2004

• The last chess club meeting of the year will be 16th December. We open on 6th January 2005.

  Music and Chess

• If you've been a member of the club for four or five years then you will remember Bob Kingdon, who played for us up until a few year back. Well, the good news is that Bob's rejoining Beckenham this season, and I'm sure we'll all welcome him.
• During his absence however, Bob has been making music, and very effectively in my humble opinion. Listen here.
• BUT BEWARE! Peter Finch writes ... "I dont know if you or Bob are aware that the linked website when you click on "Listen Here" also downloads some significant spyware. I use "PestPatrol" and "Spysubtract" to keep this subversive privacy intrusion in check and both 'powered up' to let me know about the threat. In consequence I have deleted over 175 files from my computer ..."
• Thanks for the tip, Pete!

October 2004

"Easy" Blindfold Chess, by David Sandham

• Club member David Sandham challenges anyone to a game of "Easy" Blindfold chess. True blindfold chess is played with no board and no score. "Easy" Blindfold Chess is played with an empty board (no pieces).
• Rule 1. 20 mins per side for whole game. Both players keep score which they may read back to themselves at any time.
• Rule 2. Either player may at any time when it is his move, and at a penalty of 2 mins on his clock, set up the position from his score. He must take off all the pieces again before announcing his move and pressing the clock. (His opponent also gets sight of the set-up position.)
• Rule 3. If you believe your opponent has announced an illegal move you stop the clock and tell him. If you cannot agree the position is set up. If you are right he suffers 2 min time penalty. If you are wrong you suffer a 2 min time penalty.
• David hastens to add that he is not very good at blindfold chess and usually leaves something en prise!
• Anyone wishing to challenge David please email him at .

  Other News

• Grading list amendment sheet available from the BCF, though it doesn't effect anyone at Beckenham.

  Fixtures & Results Update

• Sidcup withdraw from Lewis Cup. See the revised Teams & Fixtures.
• Thanet are not now in the Kent County Cup for reasons of geography.
• All Kings Head matches at Exmouth Arms start at 7:00pm

  New Fixture List

• The new fixture list for the season is (finally) ready.
• And do remember, that all matches at Beckenham now start at 7-30 pm, 'cos the bar closes at 10pm and we must be out the door by 10-30.