CSC Teesside

Sunday 20 October 2024

15h Mike Closs Memorial Tournament

Today brought the 15th edition of the Mike Closs Memorial Tournament, with four excellent Teesside players from four different clubs (including two for whom Mike played: Redcar and Thornaby) battling it out to try to earn the title.

Defending co-champions Matt Jackman and Dave Baillie were joined by frequent challengers Richard Harris and Peter Harker.

They played each twice, with 10 minutes on each clock.

The games were sharp and entertaining (the openings included the Benoni, Alekhine's Defence, Benko Gambit and the King's Indian Attack), just as Mike liked them, thus making it a very fitting tribute to his memory.

This is one interesting moment.

Matt Jackman - Richard Harris

Black to play and win

Richard played ...Nc5 here, but ...Rxc3! would have forced checkmate, because White must deal with the threat of ...Qa1 checkmate and bxc3 runs into ...Qa1+ Kc2 Qa2 checkmate.

Ultimately, Dave Baillie took the title for third time, thanks to his 2-0 victory over Matt in the final round.

Dave found some very smart moves to avoid Matt's attempt at a fightback in their first game, including this one.

Matt Jackman - Dave Baillie

Black to play

There is more than one way to win here, but with the clock times running down and Matt being his usual extremely resourceful self, Dave found a very strong move here with ...Rb3! which finally ended Matt's resistance.

Matt can take two rooks for the price of one, but at least one of Dave's queenside pawns will promote.

The advantage in their second game - which Matt needed to win, to share the title - swung dramatically throughout the encounter. Dave, who appeared to be on the point of defeat, pulled off a shock mating attack to ensure he would be the sole winner of this year's event.

Final Scores

Dave Baillie (Redcar) 6/6
Matt Jackman (Thornaby) 4/6
Peter Harker (Hartlepool) 2/6
Richard Harris (Darlington) 0/6

The tournament, which has built up a considerable and significant history, has brought together many players over the years, including titled players.

Immediately after the event, we spent some time talking about chess while eating out at Cena.

Reading through the reports from years gone by brings it all back, including the year we had to play online, due to COVID.

The 16th edition of this long-running event will take place in 2025.

Sunday 6 October 2024

29th Yarm Team Chess Championships

The 29th Yarm Team Chess Championships - the latest edition of one of the world's longest-running chess events - took place yesterday at Yarm Preparatory School.

17 teams participated and here are the full scores from both sections.

Under-9s

1st: Yarm A 20/20

2nd: Yarm C 14.5/20

=3rd: Billingham South Girls, Yarm B and Yarm D, all 11.5/20

10/20: Yarm E

9/20: Billingham South Boys, Throston

8.5/20: Yarm G

7.5/20: Yarm F

7/20: Mill Lane

Under-11s

1st: Yarm A, 18/20

2nd: Yarm B, 16.5/20

3rd: Yarm C, 10.5/20

8.5/20: Yarm D

6.5/20: Preston

3.5/20: Billingham South A

Thank you to everyone who helped to make the day such a great success.

We conclude with a gallery from our busy day (all photographs are © Johannes Grundmann).