English Chess Federation BOOK of the YEAR 2020

English Chess Federation 

BOOK of the YEAR 2020 

This years Short List contained four books of considerable merit. One however stood out for its original subject matter which was treated in a serious manner, but with good writing and a considerable sense of humour.

The Complete Chess Swindler

GM David Smerdon 

New in Chess 

Paperback pp359 £21.95

The subtitle explains the aim of the book: “How to save points from lost positions”.

It is the fate of all chess players to sometimes wind up in lost positions, but Smerdon argues that does not mean a player should give up trying to save the game.

There are many ways to resist and this book is a manual of weapons, strategic, tactical and psychological that the reader could use. Saving a lost game can sometimes be as rewarding as winning one!

Smerdon starts by looking at the psychology surrounding swindles. A swindler has to know both his own mind (Tal being the perfect example of optimistic resourcefulness) and that of his opponent
(are they anxious, want to get the game over quickly for whatever reason, or prefer a simple technical win to complicated but quicker victory)?

He then goes onto consider the various approaches a swindler may use such as a “Trojan Horse” and the “Decoy Trap” and many others.

But the above does not work unless a player knows various ways that enable a potential swindler to escape his fate such as stalemate or perpetual check. The book contains many examples of the various positions and techniques that can be used.

Smerdon concludes with 110 exercises to develop the reader’s swindling skills of various degrees of difficulty.

What lifts the book above the ordinary is Smerdon’s quality of writing and his enthusiasm for chess, its players and the chess world. As an academic in behavioural economics he has a sharp eye for
human nature and enlivens the text with many quotes and pointed foot notes.

Of course the book’s subject provides much amusement - who does not enjoy, (unless you are the victim) a good swindle?

An outstanding Book of the Year 2020 which combines insightful discussion of a previously unexplored subject, with good writing and great entertainment throughout.

Ideal for these difficult times.

Ray Edwards and Sean Marsh 

29 September 2020

In Memoriam

Julian Farrand

Project 30: Online Rematch

Project 30 returned to action last night with a rematch featuring the same teams as last week.

The same team won again only this time by a much more convincing margin.

Richard Harris and Royce Parker were the captains again and Paul Weightman was in charge of the IT aspects of the match.

Now the early experiments have concluded I will put together a plan for the main Project 30 events of the forthcoming season. It looks very likely we will have to remain online for now.

Well done to both teams on providing another fine evening of entertainment.

We conclude with a gallery showing our chess stars in action.

Captain Royce, playing his favourite Nimzo-Larsen Opening.

Captain Richard, having too much to think.

Mike Pointon is ready to add to his impressive tally of points.

Paul Weightman likes his position.

Boom! He likes it even more now!

That's how much he enjoyed the checkmate!

New Chess Event: The 56th Northumberland Chess Congress

Logo

Following on from the announcement from Mick Riding on the North vs. South chess match comes news of an actual over-the-board chess event - the 56th Northumberland Chess Congress.

The Congress will be on the weekend of Friday 25 September - Sunday 27 September 2020 at:

The Parks
Leisure Centre
Howdon Road
Royal Quays
North Shields
North Tyneside
NE29 6TL

Mick and his team have worked very hard to ensure the tournament is as secure as possible regarding the Covid-19 situation.

Head here to see the entry form and also to read about the Covid-19 measure that will be in place.

Well done, Mick!

New Chess Events: North vs. South

Incoming!

My friend Mick Riding is working very hard to create new chess events.

This message is from the man himself...


ECF NORTH v SOUTH CHALLENGE


On September 5 (match starts half 6) we have the opportunity to take part in a historic rematch between North and South, the first since 1894.

To join just click on https://www.chess.com/club/ecf-north

For the background stuff go to https://www.englishchess.org.uk/online-north-v-south-challenge-2020/

The occasion is about participating. Of course it's nice if you're a 200+ ECF player, but us lesser mortals need not worry. The match will look to pair people up as closely as possible to their playing strength - so there's room for all.

On the back of our stand out efforts in the County, Pool and U100 matches this would be a big fat cherry on the cake. And The North has never won this challenge. Time to put that right yes? 🙂

The only prerequisite is ECF membership. Be aware most expire end August. So if you haven't renewed please do - or at least sign up as a Supporter (£10) which can later be upgraded to membership - and your £10 will counts towards membership.

Project 30: Online Match

Following on from the successful Zoom quiz, Project 30 broke new ground again last night with its first-ever online match.

The Project 30 players were split into too well-balanced teams and Paul Weightman set up the match on Chess.com.

The players practiced social distancing by staying in their own homes.

Captains Richard Harris and Royce Parker sorted out the board orders and we played two rounds of Rapidplay chess.

Richard's team took a big lead from the first leg and even though Royce's team fought back valiantly in the second leg it wasn't quite enough to hold the match.

Captain Royce

Richard's team won, 6-5!

Man of the Match!

Mike Pointon won both of his games, clinching the match win for his team.

The match was a success and a rematch will happen soon.

Then we will look towards setting up some new events for Project 30 if the emergency continues to keep us away from our chess clubs.

English Chess Federation Book of the Year 2020 Short List

English Chess Federation

BOOK of the Year 2020

Short List

The Short List this year features remarkably different books on two of the greatest World Champions; the first is an inside story of the coaching that helped make and then kept Kasparov as world champion, the second covers Emanuel Lasker before and after he lost his title but also looks at his numerous other activities. In contrast, two well written books by professional academics; one covering his short but lively chess career, the other is a delight to read whilst obtaining serious instruction.

Coaching Kasparov Volumes 1&2 Alexander Nikitin Elk and Ruby Publishing House paperback pp463 £18.85(1 VOL)

These two volumes written by Kasparov’s coach from his early junior days to the Karpov matches, give detailed insight into the problems of coaching an outstanding talent (vol 1) and then the
different issues arising from working with a world champion (vol 2).

Essential reading for any coach, but also much to interest the general reader. Both volumes include previously unpublished Kasparov games as well as some known ones, annotated from the coach’s point of view.

Emanuel Lasker second volume Forster, Negele, Tischbierek editors Exzelsior Verlag hardback pp 452 £54.95

The second volume of a trilogy, looks not only at chess issues but also at Lasker’s personality and wider life away from chess. All world chess champions concentrated on chess. Not so Lasker whose
wide ranging mind was always exploring subjects that interested him: games (Go, Bridge), mathematics, writing books on diverse subjects as well as chess, plus various business interests.

Despite all these distractions, Lasker remained a mighty chess player, heading Capablanca in all three tournaments they played together, and demonstrated by a fine selection of games.

The Best I Saw in Chess Stuart Rachels New in Chess paperback pp416 £26.95

Rachels was a talented junior playing chess at all levels. His biggest achievement was winning the 1989 USA championship at the age of 20, retiring from chess playing three years later.

This lively and fresh book is the story of experiences during his short career and covers a wide range of subjects some deep and profound, others humorous and entertaining. Rachels gives a vivid picture of the chess world before computers. An engaging book to dip into and enjoy its varied content.

The Complete Chess Swindler David Smerdon New in Chess paperback pp 359 £21.95

The title might suggest that Smerdon’s book is just a collection of mishaps and disasters, but the underlying theme is more serious: how players may give themselves chances in the most difficult positions.

He covers various chess ideas, but also the importance of understanding the opponent’s state of mind to obtain the appropriate conditions for setting a snare. Smerdon writes exceedingly well, but best of all there are many delicious positions to savour. What entertainment!

Ray Edwards Sean Marsh 12 August 2020

Summary of Activity

Here is the latest summary of activity on the chess front.

Clearly, the current emergency is far from over and we have no idea when things will start to return to anything resembling normality.

Meanwhile, we are doing our best to keep people connected. We are also maintaining a steady stream of top quality chess material, accessible to all, so please feel very free to share as appropriate to your pupils, teachers, parents, chess clubs, libraries and whoever else you think may find the content of interest.

A reminder to all schools that the UK Chess Challenge is now an online Summer Festival of Chess and the time to enter is NOW.


Lessons 14 and 15 are now available at the CSC website. All of the other lessons are there too, making it easy to catch up with any you may have missed or would like to revise.

My two latest CSC lockdown blog posts - which are aimed at novices and parents - cover 'Pins and Skewers' and 'The Fork'. They can be found here.


A reminder to all of our schools that you were sent information and links to sign up every pupil for ChessKid accounts and there is still time to join in.


My personal view on the current emergency can be found here.


My latest Chessable blog posts are here:

The London System

The Art of Attack

Steinitz Memorial, Day Three

Steinitz Memorial, Day Two