ROY’S BLOG — DO CHESS AND DRINK REALLY MIX?

Chess Congress at Milton Keynes :  Friday 14th – Sunday 16th November 2008

 

During the last weekend in November I usually play in the annual chess congress in Torquay. However, the date was not convenient this year so I chose instead the  congress in Milton Keynes which took place the previous weekend, 14th to 16th November. This was in fact the inaugural congress in that town.

 

Now, Milton Keynes may not sound like the most exotic venue for chess, or anything else for that matter, and I have to say that in my 64 years I had so far managed to avoid the place. However, it turned out to be a most enjoyable tournament and the De Vere Harben House Hotel an excellent venue (a single room in a modern hotel for £44 – was this really England in 2008?!)

 

There was an added bonus for me in that a former student of mine at Beechen Cliff School, one Andrew Medworth, was also playing in the congress. Andrew is one of the most delightful young men the School has produced and he has become something of a friend since leaving school six years ago. However, and here was the problem, I was only too aware that his brain is considerably larger than mine (First Class Honours Degree from Cambridge in Computer Science) ….what would happen if we were drawn together?  Well, I didn’t have long to wait. I had a victory in Round One and so….yes, you’ve guessed it….my “reward” was a tie in Round Two against A Medworth! In actual fact, we drew! In addition, I had a creditable draw in Round Three and so on Saturday evening, as Andrew and I tucked into dinner and a bottle of Chardonnay, I was feeling rather content with life.

 

Whether complacency was my undoing, or the Chardonnay, I shall probably never know.  The sad fact is that I lost both my games on Sunday to finish with a disappointing two points from five. Nevertheless, I had thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, I had played SOME good chess, and, even at my advanced age, had learnt some useful lessons for the future.

Now lets have a look at one of Roy’s interesting positions. He recently arrived at the setup position (Diagram 1) in a league match and white played the move noted in diagram 2! Sadly this finish was spotted by Fritz after the match whilst sometimes as mere mortals we cannot see even one move ahead.

 

Take a minute to study the diagram 2 and see if you can work out the tactical shock that now awaits white after his move 1. Rxa4?? If you don’t spot it just click on the link and all will be revealed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diagram 1

Diagram 2