Praxis

Lessons from Carlsen

Carlsen often seems to win without doing anything in particular, but doing it very well. Commentators have tried to explain his peculiar gift by appealing to 'nettlesome' moves, moves that have no obvious dangers, but perhaps are surprisingly awkward to meet.

Opening

Carlsen, particularly when younger, has been noted more for his avoidance of sharp and theoretical lines, than having signature opening systems. He often seems content to aim for a 'normal' White plus in the opening, hoping to build on it later on, particularly in blitz.

Lessons from Kramnik

We have entered an era where it is not always obvious what the best players are doing. They are better than previous generations, they play all positions well, and they are fighting against players who also do everything well, and what makes the difference is not apparent to me.

But while Kramnik's play is subtle and deep, there are games which makes it look as though what he is doing is as simple as it looks.

Opening

Kramnik brought to several apparently settled opening systems a new clarity in pursuing White's main plans. In the Grunfeld, it was White's

Lessons from Kasparov

What can we learn from the play of the strongest player of the last century? His dynamism, industry, memory and willpower are all hugely impressive, but can they be imitated successfully at all? I guess each aspect of his game might inspire us, but there are instructive moments.

Opening

Kasparov had that restless drive for the initiative that we previously saw with Alekhin. I was horrified when he destroyed Hubner as Black in a line that I had seen as a fine way to suppress any Black initiative. I expect that, at bottom, this is a case of falling behind in development,

Exeter retain Bremridge Cup 2017-18

Submitted by DrDave on

Exeter 6-0 Newton Abbot

1 Tim PAULDEN (W) 1-0 Trefor THYNNE (B)
2 Paul O'NEILL (B) 1-0 Charles HOWARD (W)
3 Lorenz HARTMANN 1-0 Wilf TAYLOR
4 Chris LOWE 1-0 John ALLEN
5 Leif HAFSTAD 1-0 Jacquie BARBER-LAFON
6 Dave REGIS 1-0 Mike HUSSEY

Newton Abbot weren't able to field their strongest team against an Exeter home side who were looking to put the title beyond doubt.

Mike Hussey dropped a Bishop very early but attacked strongly until Dave found a goalmouth save.

Exeter 5-3 Teignmouth, Peter Rooke Cup semi-final 10 March 2018

Submitted by DrDave on 

EXETER (H)					TEIGNMOUTH (A)

Lowe, Chris (B)		 176 	½-½	163	Ingham, Bill (W)
Regis, David (W)	 166 	0-1	125	Cockerton, Mark (B)
Amos, Jeremy		 147 	1-0	122	Henry, Ian
Walker, Harry		E140 	½-½	108	Doidge, Charles
Whittington, Reece W	 131 	1-0	E90	Stuart, Brian
Sachdeva, Deepak	E130 	1-0	 84	Webster, Alan
Kelly, Edmund		 114 	1-0	 83	Chubb, Raymond
Gardner, Douglas	E50 	0-1	 67	White, Michael

				5-3

On paper, the home team were comfortable winners, and so the score might suggest, but, as they say about football, the game isn't played on

How to beat your Dad at chess

Submitted by DrDave on 

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.01.21"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Sequiera, Alfie"]
[Black "Sequiera, Alistair"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C53"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.21"]
{No problems for White here: there are a couple of points in the opening you
could have another look at.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 d6 5. d4 exd4
{So far, so good!} 6. Nxd4 ({The idea of c3 is to take over the centre, and

Exeter 5-3 East Budleigh Sat 28th Oct 2017

Submitted by DrDave on

Exeter 5-3 East Budleigh Sat 28th Oct 2017

Chris Lowe 176 (W) 0-1 Keith Arkell 237 (B)

Dave Regis 166 ½-½ Kevin Hurst 173

Leif Hafstad 159 0-1 Brian Gosling 154

Sean Pope 143 ½-½ Jonathan Waley E130

Ian Simpson 130 1-0 Barbara Newcombe 92

Eddy Palmer 129 1-0 Mike Lee 85

Ed Kelly 114 1-0 Tom Miner 62

Brian Aldwin 88 1-0 Max Lee 61

The newly minted East Budleigh club hosted our Peter Rooke Knockout match last Saturday.

Exeter 3½-4½ Newton Abbot Peter Rooke Cup Semi-Final 28th Jan 2017

Submitted by DrDave on

The visitors took an early lead when, on bottom board, Brian's extra piece got sidetracked and the opposition's pawns rolled unstoppably forward. (0-1)

It looked like we would be two down when Will lost a pawn early on, but, with his opponent focussing on the Queen's-side, he picked up a piece and put together some decisive threats on the other wing. (1-1)

Always-enterprising Chris Lowe did his best to upset Trefor's solid build-up, but after some tense manoeuvres, was happy to agree a draw when White refused to be distracted. (1½-1½)

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