Archive (Jul 2021 - Jun 2022)​​
Chessfest 2022
27th June 2022
After a great success last year, Chessfest returns on Sunday 17th July at Trafalgar Square.
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Entry is free with various events planned for the day;
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Free chess lessons for children and adults from professional chess teachers
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10 giant chess sets for people to play on
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Living chess games performed by professional actors
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100s of chess tables for children and chess fans to play with each other
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Challenge a Grandmaster at speed chess
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Blindfold Chess exhibition
Lewisham crowned County Cup Champions!
18th June 2022
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For a record 29th time, but first since 2010, Lewisham have won the Kent County Cup and can proudly declare that we are the strongest team in Kent.
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A 5-1 victory in the final against Rainham was an added gloss to a hugely successful season for Tim's side.
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Pictured; Mike, Tim, Mark, Jude, Edmond and Gokhan.
Credit also to the rest of the squad who played their part - Dimitris, Peter, John, David Hamilton, James, Syd and Mehmet
Lewisham 1 win at Cavendish
16th June 2022
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Lewisham 1 ended their London League season on a high with a resounding win at Cavendish tonight. A scoreline of 7-1 was something of a surprise given the equal nature of the teamsheets, and as their captain commented afterwards, our opponents scored more points in their match against Wood Green!
With next season likely to return of a 4 division league it was a nice way for our 1st team to end, in what we hope will be a push to the top flight.
Kent Summer Quickplay (KSQP)
10th June 2022
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We are pleased to announce that the Kent Summer Quickplay will return in 2022 after a covid induced absence.
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Matches will take place through summer, and consist of teams of four each playing four handicapped games (based on difference in strength) over the course of an evening.
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Lewisham have entered 2 teams, drawn in Groups C and D, with the respective group winners playing a semi-final and final.
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Lewisham 1 will face Dartford and Charlton (1) at Home, and will travel to Gravesend (2) and Sidcup (2).
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Lewisham 2 will play Gravesend (1), Medway (2) and Beckenham at Home, and will travel to Sidcup (1) and Charlton (2).
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Fixture dates are being organised by Andrew - members will be given first option, but this is also an opportunity for non-members to get some competitive experience too.
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Alfresco Chess to return over Summer
10th June 2022
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After the successful trial in the garden space due to the national restrictions at the time (why didn't we do this before?!), we'll be opening up our garden space and setting up tables whilst the weather is warm.
Please do feel free to come along and check us out for some friendly games
Catford Cricket Club Jubilee BBQ
20th May 2022
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The annual members BBQ coincides with the Jubilee Celebrations, taking place on Saturday 4th June from 3pm.
Members and U11's have free entry.
Lewisham vs Wood Green (London League : 10th May 2022)
28th May 2022
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We recently faced the dominant Wood Green side in the London League, our first competitive fixture against them for over a decade.
Wood Green, ran by sponsor Brian Smith, have won the league title for an astonishing 17 years, regularly relying on the services on the UK's top Grandmasters.
The result was secondary to a highly enjoyable experience - though a special mention to Dave Helsby who drew with Peter Lalic (2244), making us only the second club this season to take points off them!
Photo credit to locally based Juliana Costa (www.instagram.com/juramosfotografia)
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Mikhail played top board against GM Tamas Fodor
John took on GM Alexander Cherniaev
Dave Helsby secured a fine draw against Peter Lalic
Lewisham Club Tournament 2022
28th May 2022
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The Lewisham Club Tournament will run again over summer.
Depending on interest we'll run each round over the space of approximately 3 weeks.
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Entry is free to all members with book prize for the winner and grading prize too.
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Deadline for entry = 15th June.
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Pimlico Summer Tournament
26th May 2022
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The Pimlico Summer Tournament will take place of over 5 weeks (1 round per week) from 23rd June at Churchill Gardens (SW1V 3AL).
There will be two sections - an OPEN and Major (<1800)
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Entry = £25 (10% discount if entering before 7th June) and must hold at least Silver ECF membership.
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Further information has been sent out to our members via email.
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Lewisham 5 progress to the Tom Fuller Final
26th May 2022
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Congratualtions to Lewisham 5, who beat Maidstone to progress to the Kent Tom Fuller Cup Final this week. Wins for Iain, Cristiano and Gabriel secured the victory which will put us up against Beckenham & Bromley on 18th June.
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Blind Faith
3rd May 2022
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Former player Chris Ross releases his first book - a journey through 80 of his most memorable games.
As Britain's strongest ever blind player, the book takes us through Chris's progression from a strong club player to the 2250 standard he has now achieved.
Praise for Blind Faith: ”Although Chris has never been a full-time chess player, having pursued a successful career in academia, his approach has always been professional. He has developed an impressive opening repertoire, and worked on his endgames and middlegame planning. I hope the reader enjoys this fine collection.” – Grandmaster Neil McDonald
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The book is available from 23-May in paperback or as an ebook from now.
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https://steelcitypress.co.uk/product/blind-faith/
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https://steelcitypress.co.uk/product/blind-faith-ebook/
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Individual success in FIDE Rapid
2nd May 2022
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Congratualtions to our current top board Mikhail Sedykh on a 2nd place finish in the FIDE Rapid Event on 1st May.
Mikhail scored an impressive 5/6 and won £100
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Lewisham 5 progress to Tom Fuller Semi-Finals
30th April 2022
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A fiercely competitive Tom Fuller Metropolitan Section saw Lewisham 5 progress to the Semi-Finals at the expense of Petts Wood, following a final match victory against Gravesend. The 2.5-1.5 win put us dead level with Beckenham, though based on the board count in our fixture we will finish second and face a trip to Maidstone in the Semi-Finals.
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Lewisham win the County Cup Metropolitan Section!
24th March 2022
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For the first time in over a decade, Lewisham have triumphed in the Metropolitan section of the County Cup, ahead of Petts Wood and Beckenham.
Victory was assured with a 4.5-1.5 win over the latter putting us on 6 points, an unassailable lead going into our final fixture. Mark, Mike, Mehmet and Peter all scoring a full point.
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Our opponents in the final with be one of Maidstone or Rainham
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London League - FIDE Rated Blitz Night (Thurs 24th Feb)
12th February 2022
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The next London Chess League Blitz evening is now taking entries - Thursday 24/Feb/2022 at The London Mindsports Centre, 21 Dalling Road, W6 0JD. The event will last from 19.00 to 22.00 (Round 1 starts promptly at 19.30, players are asked to arrive early to avoid administrative delays).
The entry form is at https://form.jotform.com/213253571163955. Fee = £6.
This will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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The time control will be 3 minutes + 2 seconds per move, and there will be six rounds of twelve games (two games against each opponent).
The bar will be open selling a selection of food and drink (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). It is a condition of the venue that no outside food or drink is allowed to be consumed on the premises.
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(pic : John Sargent)
Croydon & District League - Season 2021/22
12th February 2022
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The Croydon & District Chess League season will begin as of late Feb with Lewisham entering all five leagues for the coming season.
Fixtures and Team Captains are being finalised, and members will receive this information shortly.
Opponents will include West Wickham (Beckenham), Crystal Palace, South Norwood amongst others, with Battersea and Revenue & Customs joining the league this season.
London League to resume from 01-Feb
23rd January 2022
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The London League will resume play as planned from 01-Feb.
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Use of face masks continues to be mandatory at this stage though may be reviewed in light of the abandoning of requirements at a National level. Players with medical excemptions are permitted as long as communicated prior.
A lateral flow test should be conducted on the day of the game prior to travel.
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Lewisham have matches each Tuesday, starting with a double header against Battersea 2 and Battersea 1 in the West Division 1.
Matches will take place at our chess venue, Brokers Wine Bar, with a start time of 6:45pm.
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Kent League : County Champions put to the sword!
20th January 2022
The Kent League resumed this week with our County Cup side delivering a resounding win against the current League champions Petts Wood.
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Whilst Petts Wood team were missing some of their stronger players, credit due to those that played, with John Cook scoring a good draw against Mehmet and Kent Ladies Champion Orla Dorman being unfortunate to lose to Peter.
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A notably good result was Mark's win over Daniel Lindner, boosting our 'games difference' ratio and giving us a strong chance to progress to the end of season finals.
4NCL Online - Catford Candidates join Cosmonauts
19th January, 2022
Although the happy return of OTB means we will scale back our partipication, we are pleased to confirm that we will re-enter the popular 4-Nations-Chess-League Online.
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Lewisham, under the guise of the 'Catford Cosmonauts' have been ever present since inception in March-2020, and our top side (Cosmonauts) will participate in Division 1 again this season. They will be joined by the 'Catford Candidates', with the idea of ensuring players <1600 are provided with games, who will being life in Division 5.
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Games are held fortnightly on Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm, starting 25th January on the lichess platform.
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January Fixtures - London League & Kent League (Update)
5th January 2022
Unfortunately the continued increasing cases in the Omicron variant have led to the London League choosing to reschedule all January fixtures until June. This will impact Lewisham 1's fixture away at Cavendish and Lewisham 3's fixtures against Hammersmith and Metropolitan.
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Kent League matches until 16-Jan have also been postponed. We are in process of rearraging those fixtures with our opponents.
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Central London League fixtures on 13th and 20th Jan will go ahead as planned
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South East London Blitz Battle
29th December, 2021
Last night saw Lewisham battle with Charlton and Beckenham Chess Clubs in an online Blitz Competition on lichess.
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50 players took part, with Lewisham taking the spoils and Jude taking the individual top performance with 44 points!
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Thanks to Andrew, Dave and Pascal from the respective clubs for organising
Christmas Puzzle Competition - Results
10th December, 2021
Congratulations to Harvey, who won this years Christmas Puzzle Competition this year, pipping Gabriel in a tie-break.
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There were 8 puzzles set, with entrants given 15 minutes to solve as many as they could.
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The below stumped all fifteen entrants - White to play and Checkmate. The first 3 White moves (with best play from Black) received credit.
Those on our mailing list will be sent the puzzles and answers over the weekend.
London Chess Classic (3rd - 12th Dec)
27th November, 2021
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The London Chess Classic will take place between 3rd - 12th December this year at a new veune - the Cavendish Conference Centre, W1G 9DT (close to Oxford Circus Tube)
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A slightly lessened programme still provides 4 Blitz Events, Simultanious Exhibitions and Commentary on the World Championship Match.
Christmas Puzzle Competition Weds 8th December
27th November, 2021
Lewisham's Christmas Puzzle Competition returns this year.
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Free to enter, you can pick up the puzzles and answer sheets on the night, with entrants on the clock to score as many marks as you can in the allotted time.
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Prize for the best score
Croydon Chess League - Update
20th November, 2021
Following the AGM earlier this month, the Croydon League are now inviting registrations for the 2021-22 season.
Teams size = 4 players in all leagues
Croydon Shield - Open
Martin Cath - not exceeding 7800 (i.e. 1950 average, with no player >2125)
Dave Luckin - not exceeding 6600 (i.e. 1650 average, with no player > 1825)
Derec Cox - not exceeding 5800 (i.e. 1450 average, with no player > 1600)
Dave Hodgson RAPID Division - not exceeding 7800 (i.e 1950 average)
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We anticipate that fixtures will commence from January 2022 - watch this space!
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London League season starts with a draw vs Wimbledon
3rd November, 2021
After a long wait of over 18 months, the London Chess League resumed competition last night. Our Lewisham 2 side, playing in the new Division 1 West faced former Division 1 side Wimbledon, battling out a 4-4 draw.
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It was great to be back and seeing players enjoy OTB games once again. Also a delight to have great company from the Wimbledon team.
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Next week is the turn of Lewisham 1 in the Division 1 East, where we face Athenaeum.
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Fixtures published for revamped London League 2021/22
22nd October, 2021
The London League have today published their fixtures for the 2021-22 season. As previously communicated to clubs, the structure will be split East/West with clubs who use the League Central Venue able to choose which geographical region they wish to base themselves in.
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For clubs with their own venue (such as ourselves) this has little bearing, and as such we'll play in the East and West top Divisions, whilst our 3rd team will compete in the West 2nd Division.
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Our first match will take place on Tuesday 2nd November where we play host to Wimbledon in the West Division 1.
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Looking ahead, we face the tantalising prospect of hosting League champions and paid side Wood Green on 10th May.
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Of our 25 scheduled matches, 22 will be played at our home venue of Brokers Wine Bar, Whittingdon Avenue (Leadenhall Market) on Tuesday evenings from 6:45pm.
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Kent Chess Season 2021-22
9th October, 2021
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The Kent Chess season kicks off in just under a weeks time.
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Lewisham have entered 7 teams, and will compete in all trophies - with two teams entered in the Tom Fuller Cup.
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We also welcome new captains Brendan (Lewisham 5), Cristiano (Lewisham 6) and Iain (Lewisham 7). A full list of captains for each team is available on our Contact Us page
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New players have been allotted an estimated grade intended to correspond with rough playing strength - this will be reviewed by the Tournament Secretary
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We start, as rules dictate, with a match between our teams in the same competition meaning an early dual between Lewisham 5 and 6.
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Lewisham 1 - County Cup - 6 boards, no grade limit
Lewisham 2 - Stevenson Cup - 6 boards, max average 1850
Lewisham 3 - En Passant Cup - 6 boards, max average 1750
Lewisham 4 - Harvey Cup - 6 boards, max average 1600
Lewisham 5 & 6 - Tom Fuller Cup - 4 boards, max average 1500 (no player >1750)
Lewisham 7 - Intro Cup - 4 boards, max average 1400 (no player >1600)
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A reminder that as per passed at the AGM, all players in the Kent League must wear a face-mask whilst playing / in the playing hall.
London League 2021-22
8th October, 2021
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There are significant changes to the London Chess League for the year 2021-22, with sides playing in an East and West split competition.
As users of our own venue in Zone 1 this won't make material difference, as we'll avoid the central venue (East : Citadines Hotel, Holborn / West : Mindsports Centre, Hammersmith) and continue to host matches at Brokers Wine Bar.
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We continue to enter 3 teams, and it is likely that we'll be seeded in the top division in the East section with a fixture against League Champions Wood Green.
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Teams will be reduced from 10 to 8 players to increase the element of social distancing at the venues
This is intended to be an interim solution with the hope that the League reverts to its original structure in 2022-23.
Endgame Seminar (29-September)
14th September, 2021
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We're delighted to have club member and chess coach Dimitris host a seminar at the club on Wednesday 29th September.
The focus will be on Endgames where some of most important concepts arising will be studied. The seminar will be aimed at up to Intermediate Level (approx 1750 grade level).
All club visitors are welcome to attend.
Lewisham start with a win! Central London League D3
24th September, 2021
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We played our first league match since pre-pandemic with our first fixture in the Central London League Division 3.
A team consisting of Andrew, Cem, Ian and Robin out fought Hammersmith 1 in a tightly contested affair 2.5-1.5
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Our next fixture sees us meeting Hammersmith's 2nd side on 30-Sept
Pitt-Yavash Trophy (Lewisham v Beckenham)
23rd September, 2021
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On Wednesday 22nd September we took an 18 board team across to Beckenham to contest the Pitt-Yavash Trophy.
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Our curtain raising season opener, played in rememberance of Michael Pitt who served the club over the years in posts of secretary, chair and treasurer, was fiercely contested going down to the final result, whereupon it was Beckenham who took the honours, winning 10-8.
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Lewisham had 10 new players involved, including 3 juniors.
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We look forward to the return fixture and a chance to bring the Trophy back to Catford next year!
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Fixtures announced for Central London League 2021/22
2nd September, 2021
The Central London League are the first to publish their fixtures for the forthcoming season.
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Division 3 will comprise of twelve matches. We start with a double header against Hammersmith, playing their 'Adult' team on 23rd September and then Hammersmith Juniors the week after.
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Matches start at 6:30pm at Churchill Gardens Community Hall, SW1V 3AL (approximately 10mins walk from Pimlico tube/20 mins walk from Victoria station)
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Ted Mason Memorial - Sunday 22nd August
13th August, 2021
The 2021 Ted Mason Memorial Tournament will be held on Sunday 22nd September starting at 12:30 at Lewisham Chess Club and is open to all members of the club.
The entry fee is £5 which will also cover some food and refreshments, though you are welcome to bring your own.
Cash prizes will be awarded for the top player/s.
Each round lasts 30 minutes in total with handicap time controls used (as below).
Ted was a strong club player who reached the top echelons in Kent, winning the Kent County Championship on three occasions, and who played in the British Championship also. He had an attacking style and often sought to create complications, winning at least one brilliancy prize for his games.
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Perhaps the game that encapsulates Ted’s style the most was his ‘Immortal’, showcasing his attacking flair at its best. The exciting conclusion (see board below below), is taken from a London League match, dated 1948, and published in ‘Adventure in Chess' (1951)
“Even the loser must have derived some aesthetic pleasure from his King meeting so spectacular an end, with all but one of his pieces still available as helplessly over-awed onlookers”
With Black (T.Mason) to play, can you find the series of moves that won Ted the game? The continuation is posted as a study available here;
https://lichess.org/study/MlKQVXmH/JK9MZ0qE
Ted Mason Memorial - Time Controls
Grading Difference : (Stronger Player - Weaker Player)
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0-9 points : (15 mins - 15 mins)
10-19 points : (12 mins - 18 mins)
20-29 points : (9 mins - 21 mins)
30-39 points : (7 mins - 23 mins)
40-49 points : (5 mins - 25 mins)
50-79 points : (4 mins - 26 mins)
+79 points : (3 mins - 27 mins)
Lewisham to join the Central London League 2021/22
13th August, 2021
We are delighted to announce that Lewisham will join the Central London Chess League for season 2021-22.
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We will start life in Division 3, a four board team affair, with the expectation that it will cater for players under the 1600 grading bracket.
Games will be played at the Churchill Gardens Community Hall, SW1V 3AL (approximately 10mins walk from Pimlico tube/20 mins walk from Victoria station) on Thursday evenings.
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4NCL - Catford Cosmonauts re-enter Season 4
12th August, 2021
We are pleased to confirm that we will re-enter the popular 4-Nations-Chess-League Online.
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Lewisham, under the guise of the 'Catford Cosmonauts' have given a strong showing, with both our 1st and 2nd teams set to compete in the top division to mix it against some of the UK's strongest Grandmasters.
Games are held fortnightly on Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm, starting 24th August on the lichess platform. Game links will also appear on our lichess forum prior to match time.
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ECF Membership is required to take part (which means renewing in September)
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Club AGM - 11th August, 8pm
7th August, 2021
A reminder that our AGM will take place on Wednesday 11th August at 8pm.
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Visitors are still welcome to attend from 7:45pm, with tables set outside for casual play.
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The AGM will review our subscription prices for 2021-22 as well as agreeing where to direct our resources (online/OTB) for the coming season.
Agenda has been circulated to members, but if you would like a copy please let us know
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Mind Sports Olmypiad
4th August, 2021
The Mind Sports Olympiad 2021 will take place online between August 13th and 5th September. Registration for all events is free - with the chess events linked below
London League - OTB Chess to resume @ Brokers Wine Bar
4th August, 2021
We are delighted to announce that we have agreed to play all our London League matches in 2021-22 at Brokers Wine Bar.
Brokers is situated in the historic Leadenhall Market, close to mainline stations London Liverpool Steeet, London Cannon Street and London Bridge, and provides a spectacular backdrop.
All three of our London League teams will play their home matches there this season with the season set to begin from early October
Charlton - Lewisham : Newcomers Friendly (OTB) 16th Aug
29th July, 2021
We're delighted to have arranged a match with our neighbours, Charlton Chess Club, for Monday 16th August.
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We'll be taking a team along to Charlton's venue - Mycenae House, SE3 7SE, for our first over the board match since March 2020.
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The event is being aimed at new visitors to respective clubs - with captains intending to pick teams of roughly equal strength.
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Players will play two games during the evening, with a time control of 25 minutes + 5 second increment for each.
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Charlton Chess Club, like ourselves, play in London and Kent Leagues and we have enjoyed numerous battles in recent seasons. Most recently, after dumping them out of the Kent Summer Quickplay in the group stage they struck back by inflicting our sole defeat of the London League 2019-20 season!
Both sides have enjoyed success in the 4NCL Online, with the Charlton Cobra's winning Division 5 last season.
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Much thanks to Dave Rogers, Rob Stebbings and Alan Hanreck @ Charlton for their partnership in organising.
Team Blitz - Lewisham Kings take the win!
28th July, 2021
We held a team blitz on 28th July, with players divided onto 6 boards according to approximate strength and into six teams - the Kings, Queens, Rooks, Bishops, Knights and Pawns.
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In a 4-Round Contest, with each round taking 30mins, it was the Kings who triumphed with a score of 17.5pts.
Well done to Dimitri, Gabriel, Ruby, Delroy, Jim and Miki, who all took home a prize.
Members BBQ
20th July, 2021
The Catford Cricket & Sport Club BBQ will be held on Saturday 31-July from 3pm
Tickets will be priced at £5 for non members. It will be free to members and children under 13.
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British Online Chess Championships (24 July - 8 August)
6th July, 2021
The British Online Chess Championships 2021 are taking place on the chess.com platform this year
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Sections include Open: Classical, Rapidplay, Blitz and Bullet, Grade Restricted: Classical and Rapidplay and Junior Events.
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Participants must be an ECF member to enter.
Single Championship Ticket - £25; All Events Ticket - £35
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Further information regarding section schedule and entry forms can be found here:
https://www.englishchess.org.uk/british-online-chess-championships-2021/
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Lewisham Chess Club is open again
19th July, 2021
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The lifting of restrictions on Monday 19th July means we are no longer bound by a limit of 30 people at the club, so there is no need to pre-register your interest in attending.
We do remind all visitors to remain sensible with respect to previous social distancing guidelines and whilst wearing a face mask is optional, we do still recommend doing so when indoors.
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Whilst the weather has been warm we've been using the garden space to play chess, and we'll continue to do so whilst able.
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The following protocols remain in place;
Signing In Book for 'Track & Trace
We will open the doors to the Garden providing ventilation (and where you can also play in the space available)
Hand Sanitiser will be available in the bar area
Anti-bacterial wipes will be available to wipe pieces/clocks
Tables will be spaced out to conform with social distancing guidelines
There is car parking at the club. If that does fill up then you are able to park on Penerley Road itself without restriction.
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A short guide for new visitors to the club can be accessed here
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Kind Regards,
Andrew Craig (Club Secretary) & Lewisham Chess Club Committee
Attn Lewisham Schools!
Lewisham Chess Club would like to help local Schools and Colleges start or develop their own Chess teams.
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Chess develops the mind - Mental discipline, patience, forward planning, calulation, spatial awareness, strategy and strategic thinking are just some of the attributes a person develops when they learn to play chess. It can also teach one to win with grace and to lose with dignity.
Chess can be demanding, rewarding, exciting and FUN!
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So if you are a teacher who would like to start a school Chess Club or would like to enhance the development of an existing club/team please get in touch with us to discuss how we at Lewisham Chess Club can assist you in your quest to develop and enhance young minds.
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In the first instance please contact Martin Stewart who will discuss how we can best assist you in conjunction with our Youth Chess Engagement officer David Hamilton.
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