What a start to 2025, we’ve now had 14 weeks and seen 23 different students pass through the door to learn and play chess, from 5 year olds upwards, beginners to intermediates, boys and girls.
8 juniors today and we welcome 3 new members, Anusas, Advik and Jack, I look forward to teaching them Chess in the new term after Easter.
My thanks go to Ferndown Library for all their help and allowing me to hold the Chess Club on their premises, free of charge, it’s certainly made a difference, compared to last autumn at the Church hall.
Final results and winners photos
First place
Well done Gagan who beat Constance to win the Gold medal and only just turned 6 years old!
Second place
Constance won her play off to win the Silver medal, congratulations!
Third place
Bronze medal went to Michal, no shame in coming 3rd, he played well throughout the season.
Other photos
Of course, everyone went home with an Easter egg!
Spring Term Summary
What have we covered? Just checkout this edited list of chess topics:-
- Basic opening fundamentals including openings for both Black and White
- Middle game tactics, Forks, Pins, Skewers, Batteries, Discovered attacks,
- Pawn Structures, Opposition, Back Rank mates, En Passant, Notation
- Checkmate with King and Queen, Roller mate with two Rooks, King and Rook mate
- Puzzles, mate in 1’s and 2’s, Unprotected pieces, Value of pieces
- T.R.I.P and when to apply it (Take – Retreat – Interpose (or Block) – Protect
- And of course, playing games in a Round Robin competition and a bit of fun with 960 chess.
If you missed any of these lessons or want a refresher then look through previous Posts or various pages in my website, alternatively, just ask me to go over anything you’re not sure of.
Many thanks to all parents for bringing their children along, Chess is a skill and has many benefits, so whether they continue with it or not, it will always be something they will remember.
With a short break next week, we start again on the 26th April right through May and June until July 12th, then a summer recess until September 20th.
But play as much chess as possible to get better, practice and learn, there are some very good chess sites enabling you to do this, Lichess.org is my favourite as it’s completely free.
My thanks go to Gagan who presented me with an Easter Egg and who also passed around sweets for all.