July / August 2008 NEWSLETTER OF THE ENGLISH CHESS FEDERATION £1.50 The National Chess Library is ... Officially Open! Charles Clarke MP officially opening the library, pictured with Gerry Walsh, Margaret Wallis and Stuart Laing. Photograph reproduced by kind permission from UCH. Charles Clarke MP examining his father’s books. Relative of Harry Golombek with Lothar Schmid. Photograph by Robert Gurney. Photograph reproduced by kind permission from UCH. Gerry Walsh, Lothar Schmid and Charles Clarke MP. Guests gathering prior to the opening ceremony. Photograph by John Saunders. Photograph by Robert Gurney. Editorial Opening of The National Chess Library Tuesday 10th June 2008 saw the official this venture, dignitaries from Brighton opening of The National Chess Library at University and UCH, five members of the the University Centre Hastings. It was a very Harry Golombek family, Eric Croker a major successful event for both the University donor to the library and representatives Centre and the English Chess Federation. from Green Insurance Brokers, who very kindly stored the collection free of charge The event began with guests being in their offices for three months whilst a greeted on arrival and served with light new home was being sought. refreshments. Once assembled everyone made their way to the impressive lecture This was a landmark occasion in the theatre of UCH for the opening speeches. history of chess and the best way to secure the future of the library is to invest in its The welcome address was given by Professor continued growth. I appeal to everyone Stuart Laing Pro-Vice-Chair of Brighton who can help to do so by donating their University, this included a presentation own collection of chess books to the of an award to Frances Warrell a student National Library. This can be done by of UCH from Special Library Association individual donations of duplicates, if you for her dissertation on the Chess Library. are downsizing or by legacy. Professor Laing was followed by Gerry Cynthia Gurney, Editor Walsh ECF President who spoke on the To mark the occasion BBC Southern Counties History of the Library and also introduced Radio staged an interview between Kat an honoured guest Lothar Schmid German Downes (BBC) and Con Power (Hastings Grand Master and renowned collector of International Organiser) earlier in the day. chess books (possibly the largest private Presentation to Frances Warrell. collection worldwide) who had flown in Photograph by John Saunders from Germany especially to attend the After the speeches all those attending opening of the library. Lothar Schmid made their way to the library itself where gave a warm congratulatory speech which Charles Clarke performed the cutting of included some banter between himself the black and white ribbon, after which and his great chess friend much venerated guests were free to wander, browse and International Master Bob Wade who was look at the displays featuring trophies from in the audience. Finally Charles Clarke past glories and varied chess memorabilia MP former Home Secretary spoke about including the Bratby portrait of Harry his father Sir Richard Clarke (renowned Golombek, then to partake of the delicious statistician and inventor of the BCF/ECF champagne buffet provided by UCH. grading system) and his collection. Charles Clarke reminisced on the impact that his Included in the esteemed guest list were father’s dedication to chess and it’s grading many civic dignitaries from Hastings Photograph reproduced by kind permission system made on his childhood. Council who have greatly supported from UCH. Contents ECF BATSFORD COMPETITION National Chess Library ........................... FC Editorial ....................................................... 2 Congratulations to the -- ECF News ................................................ 3, 4 MAY/JUNE Winner National Club Finals ................................. 5 --#- County Championships ........................... 6 Carl Portman from - $+- Junior News ............................................ 7-9 Banbury, Oxfordshire The correct answer is -'--)! International News ................................. 10 1. Qd5! Obituaries ................................................. 11 --&! Book Reviews ........................................... 12 Matthew Fox, Comm., The Sun-Herald, 1961 "- - Littlewood’s Choice ................................ 13 WHITE TO PLAY $- Grand Prix ................................................. 14 AND MATE IN 2 Results Round-Up ............................ 14, 15 ---- Calendar of Events .................................. 16 Please send your answer (just the first move is sufficient) on a postcard to the ECF Office, The Watch Oak, Chain Lane, Battle, East Sussex TN33 0YD The first correct entry drawn on 10th September 2008 will win a Batsford Copy Deadline 10th September 2008 voucher for any book on their current list. 2 CHESSMOVES – JULY / AUGUST 2008 ECF News Chess Sets for St Peters English Chess Federation President and Normanby resident Gerry Walsh will join local MP Vera Baird and St Peters Roman Catholic College Deputy Head Hartley Ward at the college on Friday 20th June 2008 to hand over 10 free new chess sets. Vera Barid MP & Gerry Walsh with pupils © Northern Echo This is one the first such handovers of the national programme of chess sets for schools coordinated by the English Chess Federation and backed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. In December, Vera hosted top young chess players from up and down the country to play chess in the Houses of Parliament, with keen chess playing MP Charles Clarke urging them to continue with their sport. Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe spoke at the event and indicated his support for English Chess. Vera Baird said “Although I did play chess with my father as a little girl, I won’t pretend I’m now a chess player myself but I know many children love it. It’s proven to improve concentration and mental ability and it’s so impressive that the ECF have shown such dedication in organising this scheme. Every child should have the opportunity to play chess.” Gerry Walsh said “This national programme is picking up pace and I’m proud that one of the first schools to have taken advantage of it is in Teesside. The ECF supports all young chess players as well as taking our young champions to international tournaments. There are vital issues around the funding for chess, however, with its recognition as a sport still not finalised. Hopefully these new sets will mean we will have future chess champions from Teesside.” the first schools to have taken advantage HASLINGER, Stewart G, 2511g; GORDON, School welcomes gift of it is in Teesside.’’ Stephen, 2508m; ARKELL, Keith C, 2506g; of chess sets GORMALLY, Daniel, 2504g; WILLIAMS, This article was reproduced by kind Simon K, 2496g; FLEAR, Glenn C, 2493g; permission from the Northern Echo Feckenham First School DAVIES, Nigel R, 2478g; TRENT, Lawrence, (www.thenorthernecho.co.uk) 2470m; PERT, Richard, 2468m; ARAKHAMIA- Presentation GRANT, Ketevan, 2448m; HOUSKA, Jovanka, A school is making all the right moves 2405m; LALIC, Susan, 2344m thanks to the presentation of chess sets. St Peter’s Roman Catholic College, Normanby, We look forward to seeing you at the British has been given ten sets. Championships in Liverpool. The donation is one of the first in a national scheme coordinated by the English Chess Federation (ECF) and backed by the New Sponsor for National Department for Children, Schools and Schools Championship Families and the Department for Culture, Yateley Manor School are the new sponsors Media and Sport. Gerry Walsh with Jacqui Smith MP (Home of the National Schools Championship. This Normanby resident Gerry Walsh, who is Secretary), Beverley Hartigan (Head important and prestigious annual event president of the ECF, joined Redcar MP Vera Teacher) and some school pupils. involves hundreds of schools from all over Baird for the presentation at the school, the UK and many thousands of children in Editors Note: At the time of going to print yesterday. friendly chess combat. a special ECF Council meeting has been Ms Baird said: “Although I did play chess arranged for 26th July to discuss the way Headmaster Francis Howard said: “Yateley with my father as a little girl, I won’t pretend forward for the Chess for Schools project. Manor has a long history of supporting I’m now a chess player myself, but I know junior chess and we are delighted to many children love it. provide this sponsorship”. “It’s proven to improve concentration and British Championships IM Andrew Martin, the ECF Manager mental ability, and it’s so impressive that of Coaching, has been on the staff at the ECF has shown such dedication in 2008, Liverpool Yateley Manor for some 17 years, teaching At the time of going to press we have 600 organising this scheme. Every child should chess to children from age 5 to age entries which is 90-95% of the total entries have the opportunity to play chess.” 13. The South of England Junior Chess received last year. Championships and the English Junior Last December, the MP got top young The following titled players will be Closed Championships are also held at the chess players from across the UK to take on appearing in Liverpool this year: School. MPs at chess in the Houses of Parliament. JONES, Gawain C, 2549g; PERT, Nicholas, Speaking on behalf of the English Chess Mr Walsh said: “This national programme is 2547g; CONQUEST, Stuart, 2536g; LALIC, Federation,