With the schools’ half-term holiday now over, I am genuinely pleased to see a group of 13 enthusiastic youngsters return, ready to engage in more chess instruction and competitive gaming sessions. Their continued interest and participation are truly encouraging and make the experience even more rewarding.
A very warm welcome to newcomers Tanya and Kiara and great to see both Reyaan and Jack coming back after a short break.
Today’s theme focused intensely on the Italian Game, specifically leading into the aggressive and highly tactical Fried Liver Attack. This opening sequence is known for its sharp and dynamic play, often catching opponents off guard with early sacrifices and complex positions. The exploration included various move orders and strategic ideas that set the stage for this exciting and challenging line.
Italian Game
The key to securing a strong and advantageous position right from the very beginning of the game is to maintain firm control over the centre of the board. In many chess games, it is common for White to start by playing the move e4, which directly contests the central squares and opens lines for development. One popular response to this is the Italian Game, also known as the Giuoco Piano, which strategically targets the f7 pawn—one of the most vulnerable points in Black’s position. This opening can pose significant challenges and be quite dangerous for Black to defend against if not approached carefully and accurately.
Fried Liver Attack
The Fried Liver Attack proudly holds the well-deserved award for being the coolest and most striking opening name in the entire game of chess. This exciting and aggressive variation of the Two-Knights Defence features a daring and sharp knight sacrifice. This bold move compels the black king to essentially walk the plank, leading to a highly dynamic and intense position on the board!
Latest top Ladder Positions after todays games.
Wins today for Gagan,Lewis, Constance and Advik.
Draws for Eden and Reyaan.
A significant and well-deserved win for Wyatt in the Knockout Cup means that we are now fully prepared and ready to venture forward into the next challenging round of the competition.
Michal hangs on to top spot despite losing today, hot on his heals are Advik, Gagan and Constance.
Mid Week Quiz
There will be just two more before the Christmas break, ten in total. Here are the latest points tally.
Thursday afternoon Chess sessions at the Library have now come to an end due to other important commitments that I need to attend to. Unfortunately, I am no longer able to continue hosting these enjoyable and engaging chess gatherings because my schedule has become increasingly busy with various activities.
