Teesside International Women’s Invitation Chess Championship: The Club Challenge

There was only for a short break after the Teesside International Women’s Invitation Chess Championship and then the players reassembled at The Buffs Chess Club for a special challenge match.

Two rounds of Rapidplay chess were played in another first for Teesside.

I am not entirely sure but I think Rayelynn is telling me she has won two games

That is the Whiite king in the middle of the board!

An impressive knight pattern

Gulbahor's win in this game sealed the victory for her team

The scores were jotted down by Sean Cassidy. A close victory for the International Women!

Teesside International Women’s Invitation Chess Championship: The Tournament

The day of the tournament was finally here!

Great excitement was in the atmosphere when the five players assembled at The Links Primary School for the first-ever Teesside International Women’s Invitation Chess Championship, supported by the English Chess Federation.

CSC tutor Sean Cassidy, the king of Stockton chess and library chess supremo, helped throughout the day and one of his most important jobs, apart from helping me make the tea and coffee, was to play the spare player in each of the five rounds.

Three rounds in and we took a break to enjoy an excellent Links lunch.

After many a tough chess battle, Agnieszka took the title and the trophy.

Congratulations to all of the players and thank you very much to Mrs Daly and the wonderful staff at The Links who made the event possible.

The day's chess was by no means over. It was to refuel and then head off to The Buffs Chess Club, where another challenge awaited...

Teesside International Women’s Invitation Chess Championship: Arrival

After months of planning, the first day of the Teesside International Women’s Invitation Chess Championship, supported by the English Chess Federation, finally arrived.

We already had the big announcement, an introduction to the players and a glimpse of the Vera Menchik Memorial trophy in earlier reports and now there is a lot more to tell.

Agnieszka, Raphaële and Gulbahor arrived on Teesside immediately after the 9th CSC Teesside Team Tournament (Rayelynn and Jo were due to join us on the following day).

Richard Harris, my excellent friend and fellow CSC tutor, was with me as we collected the three stars from the station.

They are here and the sun is shining!

I know my place

We had time for a short walk down by the river in Yarm before heading off for a meal (one can recommend the black ravioli).

Richard was rewarded for his efforts with the biggest pizza ever seen in Yarm.

We then took the three players to their hotel where, in theory, they had a good rest before the tournament on the following day.

9th CSC Teesside Team Tournament

The 9th CSC Teesside Team Tournament took pace at The Links Primary School today.

13 teams of four players were in action and the tournament was played over two rounds, using the Jamboree system.

Defending champions Westgarth and former champions Billingham South led the pack after the first round just ahead of Whale Hill and The Avenue.

The second of the two rounds brought an increase of tension and the two leaders dropped points for the first time. However, despite some excellent scores by the other teams, nobody could catch the two leaders and this left Westgarth and Billingham South tied at the top.

I never use tiebreakers or play-offs at my events so the two champions will share the annual shield. Each member of the winning teams took home gold medals, supplied by CSC. 

The Avenue were very impressive too and they finished in clear third place, earning themselves the bronze medals.

Also in action were Brambles (1.5 points), Ings Farm (5), Mill Lane (0), Park End (3), Pennyman (3), Throston (4), Whale Hill (5) and, of course, The Links (A team 5, B team 3, C team 4).

This was the largest chess event hosted by The Links for many years. We had many fantastic events there in the 1990s and early 2000s before chess took a rest. Now it is back for good and Headteacher Mrs Daly is helping me bring back the good times.

Roll of Honour

2011: Ings Farm and Throston
2012: Ings Farm and Billingham South
2013: Throston
2014: Errington
2015: Throston
2016: Sacred Heart
2017: Westgarth
2018: Westgarth

2019: Westgarth and Billingham South

Well played, everyone! It was wonderful to see you all today.

New Radio Appearance

To hear our appearance on Radio Tees this morning simply click here, scroll to the two hours and 22 minutes mark and then simply enjoy the show.