Kingston B v Maidenhead B, Thames Valley division 2 match played at the Willoughby Arms, Kingston on 4 November 2024
This was the board 6 game in the match between Kingston B and Maidenhead B in Thames Valley division 2. In many way, it was the pivotal game in the match. We were 2-1 down when it was reaching its conclusion, and Alicia’s opponent appeared to have reasonable drawing chances. But under time pressure she played superbly to convert the small advantage she had nursed for most of the game, drawing admiration from Peter Andrews, whose own board 3 game had just finished and who was watching intently as Alicia’s queen-and-knight mating net closed on her opponent. Her win tied the match at 2-2, and a win and a draw by Peter Hasson and David Rowson on boards 1 and 2 then saw us over the line for a 3.5-2.5 victory. A blessed relief after being 2-0 down earlier in the evening.
Kingston C v Maidenhead D, Thames Valley League division X match played at the Willoughby Arms, Kingston on 4 November 2024
Maidenhead sent two teams to Kingston on Monday 4 November – their B and D sides – which is no mean feat considering the distance and logistics. They would have managed to get all 10 players over to us, too, but for a late dropout from the B team, which left them one short and meant their D team top board had to move up to the Bs. That default was important in ensuring a Kingston victory in a four-board match.
We had juniors Jaden Mistry and William Lin on boards 1 and 2, and both played forceful games to win against decent opponents. Rob Taylor lost on board 3 and looked at bit disconsolate – “take the positives”, as they say, Rob, the wheel will turn – and Colin Lyle won by default on board 4 to complete a welcome 3-1 TVX victory. Kingston have half a dozen promising juniors, and they are very important to the future of the club.
Surbiton B v Kingston B, Thames Valley League division 2 match played at Fircroft, Surbiton on 30 October 2024
This was a very satisfying evening. We had set out with a clear strategy in this match: to win with White and draw with Black, and that is exactly what we did across all six boards, giving Kingston an emphatic 4.5-1.5 victory against our neighbours and kicking off our Thames Valley division 2 campaign in style.
The first game to finish was on board 4, where Alan Scrimgour – with Black – and Andrew Boughen agreed a draw after 13 moves in the position below. Black has certainly equalised and may even have a small plus, but given the team strategy this was a perfectly satisfactory start.
Board 6, between Surbiton legend Paul Durrant (how good to see him back playing competitive chess) and Jon Eckert, also ended in a draw. Paul was a pawn to the good, but Jon had an initiative which Paul considered sufficient compensation, and peace was declared in the position below.
The critical board 2 game between Will Taylor, with Black, and Joshua Pirgon was also drawn after a dry, technical struggle in the Petrov Defence. We had identified Josh as a dangerous young player likely to turn out for Surbiton on board 2 or 3, and Will was the perfect opponent to steer him away from the sort of tactical melee in which he excels. The final position, with White to play, is stone-cold level.
Half the mission had been accomplished. Now could the Kingston players with the White pieces keep their side of the bargain? Peter Andrews, up against old adversary and Surbiton captain Nick Faulks on board 3, certainly could. He had the upper hand from an early stage and we were confident he would convert, which he did after a couple of hours’ play.
Kingston were now 2.5-1.5 up and we were feeling comfortable. Board 5 was looking good for us, and board 1 perhaps drawish. On board 5, Stephen Lovell was making one of his rare appearances for Kingston. It is always very welcome when he does have time to turn out, because he is a strong player whose rating would most likely be 2000-plus if he played regularly. Here he played an excellent game against the very experienced Graham Alcock. Things were level until Graham made a slip in opening up the position on his 26th move.
That was the match done and dusted, and David Rowson on board 1 then made it the perfect evening by winning against Liam Bayly – these two are also old adversaries – as Liam’s clock started to run down.
IM Peter Large wins the All Saints Blitz VII on 30 November at his first attempt but it wasn’t easy
Photo: Peter Large receiving first prize from previous winner David Rowson
Peter Large, a new and valued member of Kingston Chess Club, is gradually becoming familiar with the club programme. Apart from intense league matches, we run friendly events such as the All Saints Blitz at the central Kingston church each month which is free and open to all.
The event attracted 16 entrants. We played in the Heritage Gallery for the first time since the funeral for Chris Clegg in January 2015. At the time we felt it was an ideal place to play chess and we were proved right again. The room is bright and warm and secluded from the main part of the church.
Mark Frankel (right) v Robin Haldane in round 1Round 2 under way in the Heritage Gallery
Peter qualified as an international master as far back as 1987, but has waited until retirement to relaunch his chess career. He faced tough opposition in rounds 2, 3 and 4 in the form of past Blitz winners Tony Hughes, Alan Hayward and Robin Haldane. Peter appeared to be on the backfoot for most of these games, but defended stoutly and managed the clock well, dropping only a half-point to Robin in the penultimate round. Going into the fifth and final round, Peter and Robin were neck and neck at 3½/4 each. Peter was paired against another newcomer IM, John Hawksworth, on 3/4. In the other top game, Robin faced Tony Hughes, who was on 3/4, but lost.
Final round: Clash of the IMs between Peter Large v John Hawksworth
In the last game to finish, even though John Hawksworth defended ingeniously, Peter expertly converted a rook ending in which he had a couple of pawns advantage. For this display of excellence, Peter was awarded the prize of a box of Lindor chocolates. Wimbledon players Tony Hughes and Stephen Carpenter were just half a point behind.
The Heritage gallery has a smaller space in which casual chess was played. Derek Bruce used to belong to Kingston in the 1960s and has reconnected with the club. He and Kingston club captain Stephen Moss played an instructive game in which (as you may be able to see in the position shown below) Derek has the chance to play a queen sac to win a piece and the game. This may be why Stephen, who has obviously just spotted the killer sequence, is shielding his eyes.
Derek Bruce (left) and Stephen Moss enjoying some languid social chess as the blitz tournament rages next door
The final results for those scoring above 50% were:
4½/5 Peter Large (Kingston)
4/5 Tony Hughes, Stephen Carpenter (both Wimbledon)
3½/5 Robin Haldane (Streatham)
3/5 Alan Hayward (Pimlico), John Hawksworth (Kingston), David Rowson (Kingston)
