Ulster Chess Union News: April 1998

Chess Ireland web site http://ireland.iol.ie/~jghurley

Results

MCB Active, 7th March 1998. Senior: A Pinkerton 4; D Mooreland, B Giles 3.5; R Proctor 3; R Henderson, P McLoughlin, A Burns 2; C Dunleavy 0. Intermediate: J Mc Cann 4; D Truesdale, M Kane 3.5; G Bigley 3; N Cooper, J Waddell 2.5; P Wilson, G Rogan 2; M McKimm 1.5; J Clarke 1. Junior: P Morrison, J McPartlan, E Nesbitt 4; K Howley, W Storey 3; P Maguire, Gerry Collins 2.5; S Mallon, J Simpson, J Cahoon 2; P Duncan 1; C McCafferty 0.

Ulster Bank Chess Tournament, 21st-22nd March 1998. The senior and intermediate tournament sections were run together in one pool. Senior: C Daly 5; M Orr IM, K Greer, S Scannell, G Heathwood 4; T Clarke, D Mallaghan (Intermediate 1st prize winner) 4; A Pinkerton, R Henderson, S McCann (R Henderson and S McCann share Intermediate 2nd prize) 3.5; M Holmes, P McLoughlin, G Pollock, B O'Neill, J McLean, D Barlow 3; J Strawbridge 2.5; W McGrattan, S Moore, A Burns, R Proctor, A Cootes 2; B Jamison, N Fisher 1. Junior: D Truesdale 5.5; T Parker, N Troughton (1st rating prize), J Clarke 4.5; M Kane 4; W Storey, J Canning 3.5; L Holmes (2nd rating prize), F Marlow, A Beckett, S Lynn, D Magrath 3; A Wilson 2.5; S Elliott, J Cahoon 2; P McGee, A Yim, E Tan 1.

Bunratty Chess Festival, 20th-22nd February 1998. Masters: Jt 1st L.McShane (Eng - winner on tiebreak) IM, J. Nunn (Eng) GM 5/6, Jt 3rd J. Speelman (Eng) GM, A.Baburin (Rus/Irl) GM 4.5/6. Best Irish: M.O’Cinneide, S.Brady 4/6. Grading Prize: S. Connolly 3/6. Major: 1st-4th B.Thee (winner on tiebreak), F.Noonan, S.Collins, C.Hussey 5/6. GPs G.Freeman, T.Hunter, S.McCabe. Minor: Jt 1st C.Jackson (winner on tiebreak), W.Batt 5.5/6, 3rd D.Smith 5. GPs D.O'Shaughnessy, W.Fitzgibbon, B.Austin, G.Gunning, D.Oguz.

League Tables


Division 1     P  W  D  L Pts   Division 2   P  W  D  L Pts    Division 3    P  W  D  L Pts
----------                      ----------                     ----------
N Belfast A    9  8  0  1 46.5  Shorts A    10  8  0  2 46.5   Shorts B     10  8  0  2 52
Malachians     8  6  0  2 38    Bangor A    10  6  1  3 41.5   Fisherwick C 12  7  1  4 48.5
Fisherwick A  10  4  1  5 35    Nortel       9  5  2  2 41.5   Post Office  10  5  2  3 37
N'Ards        11  3  3  5 34.5  Fisherwick B 9  5  1  3 35     Carrick      11  4  0  7 31
N Belfast B    9  4  1  4 32.5  Bangor B     9  2  2  5 26     St Agnes B   10  3  1  6 29.5
Civil Service 10  2  0  8 22    Magherafelt  9  1  3  5 23     Bangor C     10  4  2  4 31
CIYMS A        9  2  1  6 20.5  St Agnes A  10  1  1  8 17.5   CIYMS B       9  2  0  7 23

AGM and prize-giving

The AGM of the Ulster Chess Union will be held at 7.45pm on Wednesday 3rd June 1998 at the Maynard Sinclair Pavillion, Stormont. On the same night league prizes will be presented. All players are welcome.

This is an appeal... At every UCU Committee meeting we discuss things that need done. There are plenty of ideas but we are continually frustrated by lack of hands to carry them through. There is so much that could be done, so many ideas and also recognition that we would like to improve in many areas. If you think there's a way chess in Ulster needs improved it's highly likely we have discussed it but we need your help to carry it out. I know a lot of people help out already. Every team has a captain. Every club has a secretary and several clubs organise competitions. Captain and secretary posts alone account for 34 positions. All of them take up a lot of time and that is really appreciated, maybe silently but appreciated all the same. However the weight of work on UCU Committee members is just too much. We need more members on the Committee. If you could help in any way don't be bashful. Make it known that you would stand for election to the Committee. The election process is simple - come to the AGM get nominated and get seconded. That's more or less it.

Magherafelt Active

Magherafelt Chess Club have done a tremendous job in organising and getting sponsorship for their Active Tournament to be held at the end of April. The sponsorship has ensured a very healthy prize fund (100 pounds first prize for example). This is sure to attract a good entry. If you don't have transport do not be deterred. Contact the organisers as they may be able to put you in contact with somebody travelling from your direction. If you have transport and would be willing to give others a lift please let the organisors know. Contact details in calendar.

St Agnes Tournament at Royal Victoria Hospital

If you're quick there may still be places available on teams for the St Agnes tournament being held at the Royal Victoria Hospital. This event is for teams made up of residents of North, South, East and West Belfast. The interpretation of "Belfast" is quite/very liberal so if you're not sure about eligibility don't worry! Contact details in the calendar.

Willamson Shield - Scannell v's Clarke

This game was crucial in deciding the outcome of January's Williamson Shield. I thought you may be interested in a home-grown top-class game. Commentary is by Steve Scannell.

1998 Williamson Shield Round 5, Board 1 Steve Scannell - Tom Clarke French Defence - Advance Variation (6.Be2) 1. d4 e6 2. e4 The main alternative is 2. c4, staying with a d-pawn opening. Anyone with a database out there willing to see which is more popular at White's second turn? 2...d5 French Defense. 3. e5 Advance Variation. 3...c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Be2 (the alternatives are 6. Bd3 6. a3) 6...Nh6 (or 6...cxd4 7. cxd4 Nh6 transposes) 7. b3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Nf5 9. Bb2 Bb4+ 10. Kf1 0-0 (10...h5 or 10...Be7 are alternatives). 11. Nc3 f6 (11...Be7 ...f6) 12. Na4 Qd8 (12...Qc7 13. Rc1) 13. g3 fxe5 14. dxe5 a6 (If white didn't play 12. Na4 then he's losing the Queen after 14...Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Ne3+ etc. If 12. g3 fxe5 13. Na4 then Qc7 could be played now winning a pawn e.g. 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Qxe5 16. Nxe5 Ne3+ 17. Kg1 Nxd1 etc.) 15. Rc1 Qe7 (15...Bd7 overlooking the b6 square a little longer) 16. Kg2 finally feeling safe 16...Bd7 17. Nb6 Rad8 18. Nxd7 Rxd7 19. Bxa6 Ra8 20. Bxb7 Rxb7 21. Rxc6 Rxa2 22. Qc1 (22. Qb1 to either oust the rook from the seventh rank with 22...Ra8 or 22...Rba7 23. Rc1 doubling on the c-file looks strong. In the game the rook on h1 becomes smoothered and is not in the game for a long time) 22...h6 23. Rc8+ Kf7 24. h4 (25. g4 etc) 24...Ba3 25. Bxa3 Qxa3 26. Ng5+ hxg5 27. Qxg5 Rxf2+!! (White missed this. Thinking 27...Ne7 was forced with 28. Qh5+ Ng6 29. Rc3! winning the piece back with an attack) 28 Kxf2 Qb2+ 29. Kg1 Qxe5 30. Qh5+ g6 31. Qh7+ Qg7 32. Qxg7+ Kxg7 (32...Nxg7 may be better 33. Kh2 Nf5 34. Rf1 Ke7 with the king closer to the centre - 33...Rxb3??? 34. Rf1 and wins the Knight. If 35. Rg8 Kf7 and White isn't getting anywhere) 33. g4 Ne7 34. Rc3 d4 35. Rd3 e5 36. Kf2 Nd5 (36...Kf6 ...Ke6 ...Kd5 etc looks good) 37. Re1 Nf4 (37...Kf6) 38. Rf3 Rb5 (If 38...Kf6 39. Re4 Rb4 40. h5 looks good) 39. Rxe5 Rxe5 40. Rxf4 g5 41. hxg5 (if 41 Rxd4 41...gxh4 42. Kf3 Kg6 is probably a draw as well) 41...Rb5 42. Rf3 Kg6 43. Rd3 Kxg5 44. Kf3 Rb4 45. Kg3 Rb8 46. Rf3 Rb4 47. Rd3. Drawn 1/2-1/2. What a game!

Chess Calendar 97/98

Note date for May Civic Festival Tourament now settled on 30th-31st May 1998. Bold entries show events which have been confirmed.

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