October 6, 2016
Matthew Sadler
2 comments
Watching Mihai’s Marin analysis of Karpov’s middlegame skills on a recent Chessbase DVD has been a wonderful learning experience. Marin identified a facet of Karpov’s play that I had never noticed before: moving the same piece many times in succession. After this manoeuvre, no one knows why, but he’s better! Marin cites many examples. This…
September 29, 2016
Matthew Sadler
2 comments
In 1932, Bogoljubov and Spielmann played a 10-game match in Semmering, Austria which Spielmann edged 5,5-4,5. In his biography of Bogoljubov, Soloviov is dismissive of the match, stating “…after [Bogoljubov] won the first two games, he failed to press home a huge advantage in the third game and then he blundered a piece in game 4….
July 28, 2016
Matthew Sadler
2 comments
As a very young chess player, my ECF grade (or BCF grade as it was then) was a matter of enormous pride. I still remember the thrill of receiving a grading list through the post and the enormous disappointment of a grade lower than I had expected! (it happened twice) Bizarrely enough I still remember…
July 10, 2016
Matthew Sadler
No comments exist
Swale Chess Club on Thursday 7th July was the latest stop in our “Chess for Life” tour. While the German and French football teams battled for a place in the finals of the European Championship, more than 20 keen chess players gathered at the UKP Leisure Centre in Sittingbourne to discover the mysteries of Alekhine’s…
June 19, 2016
Matthew Sadler
No comments exist
The “Chess for Life” tour continued at the Casual Chess Café on 17th June. The Casual Chess Café meets in the lobby of the British Film Institute near Tottenham Court Road which is a truly lovely venue. Comfortable chairs, nice food and plenty of drinks from the bar! After a little blitz to warm…