South Hams Chess Club
South Hams Chess Club

Blitz Team Event at Dartmouth

The latest of the Club's summer meetings in Dartmouth took place on 8th August 2017. To make a change, Ben organised the ten participants into two teams of five - Levy's Layabouts (Steve, Mark, Roy, Ken and Barry) vs Wilkinson's Wonders (Ben, Phil, Tony, Cliff and James). All-play-all twice, with 10 minutes on the clocks.

South Hams Chess Club at Dartmouth
Dodgy weather meant that we opted to play indoors this time. Ken clearly can't wait to inflict his bone-crusher handshake on James.
South Hams Chess Club at Dartmouth
James and Ken are stuck in, but Ben seems more interested in the Cliff v Steve game.
 
South Hams Chess Club at Dartmouth
And here is the Cliff v Steve game.
South Hams Chess Club at Dartmouth
Cliff has acquitted himself well. But oh dear! Look at Cliff's clock!
 
South Hams Chess Club at Dartmouth
Mark's hand is a blur of motion as the clocks tick down...
South Hams Chess Club at Dartmouth
... and his pawn superiority was enough to give him a win over Tony.
 
South Hams Chess Club at Dartmouth
Ken v James ended controversially, with Ken, in a winning position, knocking the pieces over after erroniously claiming that James had made an illegal move!
South Hams Chess Club at Dartmouth
Tracking results and organising pairings requires considerable concentration! Many thanks to Ben for his usual efficient organisation.
 

Interestingly, the Club's usual code of gentlemanly sportsmanship ("don't claim a win in a blitz game if your opponent makes an illegal move") got thrown out of the window - possible because it was a team competition - and no less than 4 games were won by the claim of an illegal move.

At the end of the evening, Wilkinson's Wonders, despite being outgraded by Levy's Layabouts, won by 27½ - 22½. This is despite Steve scoring 9½ / 10 - Steve was heard muttering something about the captain being let down by the lower order batting! Other players scoring over 50% were Roy and Phil on 7½, and Ben on 6½.

If the competition had ended in a 25 - 25 tie, the tie-break was going to be a blitz game between Steve and Shredder. It wasn't a tie, but by popular demand Steve was made to play Shredder anyway. Club members can view the game here.

Afterwards, some beer was consumed to round off a very enjoyable evening.