Yorkshire Chess –Steve Westmoreland

We needn’t have worried too much, or perhaps we worried just the right amount, for the entry numbers simply blew away any doubt any of us had about the return of over the board chess. I played in Fareham and Doncaster in the weeks before Frome and was delighted to see such high numbers there too. Waiting lists, it seems, are now a normal thing for a chess tournament. At Frome we were soon 15 deep in the queue, with players waiting eagerly for the last-minute withdrawals.

The packed hall: we had to put boards on the balcony – a wonderful sight!

So, an almost record-breaking 199 players took part, and the tournament ran without hitch and with a satisfied and well-fed bunch of the nicest chess players. Over time it is great to get to know the familiar faces that return each year and support us –it is one of the pleasures of organising and arbiting to be able to watch their excellent games.

But it is also just great to see once again so many gathering together, new and old, shaking hands and sitting down for a proper, over the board battle. Long may it continue –see you in 2023.

My deepest thanks to all of the team of the Frome Chess Congress: Kevin Paine, Mark Leonard, David Marshall, Bernadette Ross, Chris Purry, Gerry Udell, Gerry Jepps, Kevin Thurlow.

Editor’s note – just in case you wanted to find out about the chess you can access the results and prize winners via --http://somersetchess.org/frome_congress/FromeHo me.html

Steve Westmoreland reports on the camaraderie amongst a blend of juniors and seniors

Defeat was in the air as the packed car pulled away from Syston. The car was not silent though; that would have been impossible with a 12-year-old boy (Jacob) in it. Also Sean, who was claiming he could have won his game in the remaining two minutes left on the clock after burning up all his time and still in the middle game. Dan and I were chortling. Friendship and camaraderie are among the reasons why I do county chess and volunteered to captain the Yorkshire U1450s and stand in for the Open team on the day.

The U1450s were young, with seven at 18 years or under. It would have been eight, but Awen (aged 12) pulled out due to a stomach bug and I was fortunate to get the veteran Dan Czerniuch in the squad. Many of us turned up wearing smart Yorkshire County Chess polo shirts; something which I arranged believing it would help team spirit and pride in playing for our county.

Okay, this was not on the day, but a good picture of Jacob in the Yorkshire shirt winning a trophy

Pride is important and something that I have noticed this season, especially when standing in as captain of the U1650s (very busy season!). My home club of Holmfirth has had a number of post-pandemic new players. They want to play and help coach kids.

One of our local players, Drew, debuted in the U1650s at Bury against Lancashire. His nephews were calling him and giving advice. His wife and kids were proud and so was he. The chance to represent Yorkshire was a huge source of pride. The new postlockdown players and juniors needed no encouragement to come and play. It was and is fantastic to see.

It also made it an easy decision to promote juniors and new players, especially with the pandemic putting off many experienced players. At Holmfirth we had deliberately pushed the most talented kids (around 12 years old) into the adult teams. Quick games were turning into long games, with gradings coming in at 1300-1400.

Awen and Jacob were picked. York contacted me via Dave Smith and Peter Cloudsdale, with Max Wrigley and Bertie Leatham joining theteam. Angelica Rowe joined us from Alwoodley. Sean Keddie (Holmfirth) and Amelia Fretwell (Huddersfield) came in as very strong 18-year-olds. Hull and Beverley added Luke and McKenzie, with Aditya (Alwoodley) playing before exam prep interrupted the games.

Around these juniors we had experienced adults, with the irrepressible Steve Collins, Brendan Briggs, Gaz Taylor, Dan Czerniuch and Danny Dhunna. Two of the dads acted as reserves, with Olaf winning his one game for the county against Lancashire. If the dads play chess, you have reserves on the day!

The U1450s beat Lancashire and progressed to face Essex at Syston in the quarter-finals. It was a packed room alongside the Open team who beat Middlesex 13-3. I was hovering nervously along with the excellent Malcolm Crane as the results came in. Alas, we lost 4-8 but there was a lot to take away. All the juniors walked away smiling. Max at the age of 8 and Jacob aged 12 played for around four hours, making their opponents sweat. Sean for the third county match in a row burned all his time away without hitting middle game and still took away points.

Will I pick juniors again? Absolutely, and I have written to all coaches and clubs to request they play their juniors in standard play. We will be back next season, and stronger. As for myself, I am re-joining the 1850s as a player. See you over the board.

It is great to have the county season back.

Steve Westmoreland, Yorkshire U1450s Captain and Holmfirth Chess Club