The Yarm Costa Open Thoughts Sessions started in May 2025 and today brought the fifth event of the series.
These events are strictly by invitation only, partly due to space restrictions and partly due to an appreciation of who will derive the most benefit from the sessions and also who will bring the most to the sessions with their unique and special personalities.
Several players were making their Open Thoughts debuts and they fitted into our ethos very well.
In fact, with 21 people in attendance from ages seven upwards, this was our most varied and successful Costa event to date. There is never any pressure to play chess and the open thoughts aspect - in which anyone can talk confidentially about anything and everything - was particularly important on this occasion.
When Catherine and I started this successful series, we decided: All talk of rating points should be banned and the accent will be firmly on having fun in a very safe environment, with invitations being sent to men, women and juniors of all ages and abilities.
The wonderful Jolita is instrumental in helping us to set up and run the Costa sessions and we always appreciate her help and support.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make the day such a great success.
Here is an index of our Costa and Open Thoughts sessions.
17th Mike Closs Memorial Tournament
