New Twist For The Wiyos

Regular visitors to Marsh Towers will know that I enjoy the music of The Wiyos, a feeling backed up by my report on their concert at The Cluny (and here) plus my review of their most recent recording.

Their forthcoming CD - 'Twist' - is in the pipeline, based loosely on 'The Wizard of Oz'. Some of the new songs were given a run out at The Cluny and they sounded fantastic. But this time, The Wiyos need your help! I'll let them explain it for themselves...

There are numerous levels available, with tempting goodies on offer. At the time of writing, the pledges already made take the project up to 89% of the required funding.

A UK tour is on the cards for late 2012 if 'Twist' becomes a reality, so hopefully the desired amount will be raised before the deadline.

Follow the latest news on the official Wiyos website.

More Maverick

My review of 'Merry-Go-Round', Jennifer Crook's new CD, is included in the brand new issue of Maverick Magazine (September 2011).

For ordering details, please head over to the Maverick website.

Photos From The British

I was present at the 11th round of this year's British Chess Championship, held in Sheffield. Here are a few photos from a busy day.

CJ de Mooi - the President of the English Chess Federation - announces the start of the 11th and final round of the 2011 British Chess Championships.

The President's T-Shirt was soon to become the subject of much debate which was, however, quickly swept aside by the tide of bad news from around the country.

GM Michael Adams went on to become the British Champion, following a two-game play-off against...

...former World Championship challenger, GM Nigel Short.

Sharing a pre-game joke.

GM Short checks to make sure his nose is still where he left it.

GM Gawain Jones takes his seat.

It was terrific to see IM Jonathan Hawkins battling away on the top boards throughout the tournament. Of the top players, he beat Howell, drew with Adams and Jones and lost only to Short. He earned his second Grandmaster Norm and was within half a point of earning a place in the play-off for the title.

Of course, The Hawk is no stranger to Marsh Towers. He was the special guest of honour at the recent Mike Closs Memorial Tournament. Jonathan is the strongest player the North East of England has ever produced - with a single exception: Grandmaster Jones! Gawain broke some of his first chess records while he was living in the North East.

It must surely be only a matter of time before Jonathan obtains his third and final Grandmaster Norm. I, for one, am very proud of him (and Gawain too, of course).

Still waiting for their opponents...

The game GM Adams v IM Yang-Fan Zhou turned into a real nail-biter. Rather surprisingly, the UK's No.1 player could only manage a draw with the white pieces.

I was very pleased to meet some friends I'd not seen for a while, including Susan Lalic and her son, Peter. The latter produced the superb videos for the Mike Closs Memorial Site.

Now it's Gawain's turn to check on his nose.

A typical hand gesture by the reigning Commonwealth Chess Champion.

Gawain's game against GM Nick Pert went on for eight hours and 144 moves! Result - a draw. Gawain needed a win for a place in the play-off.

Jonathan made a comfortable draw against GM Peter Wells.

Nigel Short drew his game too - with GM Stephen Gordon.

It was a great Championship this year with lots of interesting games.

The full scores from the British can be found over at the official website.

CSC August Update

My August update is now available on the Chess in Schools and Communities website.

The news archive - with links to all of my updates - can be found here.

Around London

In between the Rockabilly Riot and the other shows I went to, I managed to fit in a few other bits and pieces while I was in London. Here are a few notes and impressions from around and about...

The British Library had two new exhibitions. 'Out Of This World' analysed the rise of science fiction in literature.

There was also a small exhibition based on the Worlds of Mervyn Peake. I enjoyed both.

Obligatory photo of Big Ben.

Cruising down the Thames towards Greenwich.

I wanted to see the Cutty Sark but it's undergoing extensive work. I was there just in time to take a quick snap while the work access doors were open.

I was impressed by Greenwich. There was plenty to see, including the National Maritime Museum.

Nelson memorabilia. We just don't see our warlords in the same light these days.

The uniform Nelson wore when we was fatally wounded.

Lest we forget.

Around lunch time (or should that be launch time in Greenwich...?) I went for a stroll and found that the local cinema - the Picture House - was showing 'Bobby Fischer Against the World' so I popped in to see it.

It's an impressive cinema. Friendly staff, very comfortable seats and a couple of apologies from the manager when the film was slightly delayed.

The film (a documentary - you really couldn't make up Fischer's story) was excellent and well worth seeing, whether one has a considerable amount of chess knowledge or not. There was a significant amount of footage I'd never seen before. Highly recommended.

Then it was on to the Royal Observatory.

Magnificent views were available from the top of the hill.

There was just time for a look around the visitor centre before heading back along on the Thames.

Another day saw a trip around Buckingham Palace (just the outside) and various parks.

The top of the Victoria Memorial, which is located just outside the Palace.

Authentic Guardsman!

His colleague didn't feel the need to stretch his legs.

St. James's Park has an impressive amount of birds.

A good view from a bridge in the park. And in the middle - a nest...

I didn't expect to see pelicans.

The Guards Museum is close to the park.

The recent cutbacks in defence spending are really starting to tell.

I always like to pay a visit to Trafalgar Square to see what is going on. It never fails to entertain and amuse. There's usually a spot of live music going on...

...plus a plethora of living statues.

It can feel as if one has stumbled into 'Avengerland'.

Authentic Olympic countdown!

A curious living wall.

Last but not least, there was a remarkable lady in red who ran through a whole range of acts. These included escapology and whipping balloons into submission.

The finale featured a daring attempt to balance on the top rung of an unsupported ladder.

It started off in promising fashion.

'Don't look up!' she said, to her assistant below.

Unfortunately, gravity will have its say and everything ended in disaster with a tumble to the ground.

Even Nelson couldn't bear to look.

A short time later, I glanced back again and the lady was not only on top of the ladder but she was also juggling clubs. A veritable triumph over adversity!

That's all from London this time. I am, however, already thinking about a return trip...