SOUTHBOURNE CHESS CLUB CHRISTMAS FUN HANDICAP TOURNAMENT - 17TH DECEMBER 2021
As is traditional, the Southbourne Christmas Fun Handicap Tournament was held on the last available Friday before Christmas. Last year for the first time in almost 30 years it was not held and this year we chose not to organise it on Christmas Eve as we understand Santa might be very busy!
We were not sure how many people would attend given the recent surge in Covid cases but we took every precaution we could including ensuring windows and doors were wide open, masks worn at all times (except when drinking and eating) and asking players to maintain good social distancing. In the end, given these considerations,we had an appropriate number, approximately 30 including parents and 10 juniors. We were very pleased that there was a good mix of players including many players from other clubs, past Southbourne players, and other family members of our chess players.
We chose to split the tournament into two sections. This covered a main tournament where 20 players took part plus a junior tournament (see below) for the less experienced Southbourne juniors. We are pleased that three juniors had the confidence to take part in the main event and two of them came in the top 10!
We chose to split the tournament into two sections. This covered a main tournament where 20 players took part plus a junior tournament (see below) for the less experienced Southbourne juniors. We are pleased that three juniors had the confidence to take part in the main event and two of them came in the top 10!
Due to the time handicap some of the higher rated players only had 1.5 minutes for their whole game whilst their opponents had 18.5 minutes - this made for some very interesting blitz chess! Indeed, we understand there were a few 'take the kings' (which was allowed in our rules!). In addition, some games lasted more than the allocated 20 minutes as some clocks were somehow set incorrectly! We blame the new ECF rating system where the difference in ratings proved very hard for the time handicap to be calculated!
The most pleasing thing was that everyone appeared to enjoy themselves with everything on offer which included lots of Christmas pressies (two each for every player!), a chess book sale, Christmas music, Bucks Fizz, tea, coffee, mince pies and biscuits.
There was a real festive buzz!
And here are all the presents on display together with the book sale!
The most pleasing thing was that everyone appeared to enjoy themselves with everything on offer which included lots of Christmas pressies (two each for every player!), a chess book sale, Christmas music, Bucks Fizz, tea, coffee, mince pies and biscuits.
There was a real festive buzz!
And here are all the presents on display together with the book sale!
In terms of the chess (almost secondary!), Ian Clark (Wimborne) & Richard Ursell (Highcliffe) came equal 1st with 5 points out of 6.
Adam Ursell (Highcliffe) came 3rd with 4.5 points
Nathaniel Cleland (Wimborne) & Steve Pollyn (Wimborne) came equal 4th with 4 points.
We are so giving as a club that we let our visitors win the top prizes! 😁
Our top Southbourne players were (from left to right in the photo below) Jon Catchpole, Len Laker, Florence Spirling & Finn Schell who came equal 6th with 3.5 points. Especially well done to both juniors, Florence & Finn. However, has Florence grabbed only one present?
Our top Southbourne players were (from left to right in the photo below) Jon Catchpole, Len Laker, Florence Spirling & Finn Schell who came equal 6th with 3.5 points. Especially well done to both juniors, Florence & Finn. However, has Florence grabbed only one present?
John Harris and Peter Austin (ex-Southbourne) sharing 13th place
Savanna Forster (Nikki Forster's daughter) sharing 15th place. Alan Dufall missed the photo opportunity as he had the last bus to catch!
Arthur Spirling (Florence's grandad) in 17th place
Jan Lucas and Penny Stokes sharing 18th place..
Even Nikki Forster won a prize for organising the Junior Fun Tournament!
Santa also arrived just in time to distribute the pressies, but shhhh, please don't tell anyone, he is not the real one!
In the separate Junior Christmas Chess Tournament expertly organised by Nikki Forster our Club Secretary, Cyrus Piao was outstanding coming 1st with a score of 4 points, Krushmiga Jeyasiri and Smyan Sripirasanna came equal 2nd with 2.5 points. Other scores were Theo Toma with 2 points, Sharvika Jeyasiri with 1 point and Thuran Kumar who enjoyed the matches.
So lots of fun was had by all!
Martin Simons - Chairman
So lots of fun was had by all!
Martin Simons - Chairman
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It's time for this ever popular annual celebration including food and chess played to the accompaniment of Christmas music and where there are always more prizes than players!
This fun 'time-handicap' tournament is open to all local players.
We warmly welcome all visitors, regardless of strength. However, non club members should email southbournechessclub@yahoo.co.uk before coming, as places are limited owing to Covid safety measures.
There will also be a separate section for the Juniors.
It is planned for the tournament to be in a 7 round '20 minutes per game' Swiss format but to help lower graded players, each player's time on their own clock will be determined by the grading differential between the players (e.g. 15 to 5 minutes). Indeed, where there is more than a 750 rating point differential, the higher graded player will only have 1½ minutes to the lower graded player's 18½ minutes, so not so easy!
The entry fee is only £2 which is great value as it includes bucks fizz, tea, coffee, orange squash, mince pies and a guaranteed Christmas present and the better you perform the more presents you might win!
You are more than welcome to bring along a wrapped up gift to add to the sack of presents or even an unwanted chess book / DVD which will form part of the 50p to £3 book and DVD sale during the break.
We really hope to see you there. It is always a fantastic, enjoyable, fun evening to help us celebrate the festive season! Finally, wrap up warmly as the windows will be open.
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This fun 'time-handicap' tournament is open to all local players.
We warmly welcome all visitors, regardless of strength. However, non club members should email southbournechessclub@yahoo.co.uk before coming, as places are limited owing to Covid safety measures.
There will also be a separate section for the Juniors.
It is planned for the tournament to be in a 7 round '20 minutes per game' Swiss format but to help lower graded players, each player's time on their own clock will be determined by the grading differential between the players (e.g. 15 to 5 minutes). Indeed, where there is more than a 750 rating point differential, the higher graded player will only have 1½ minutes to the lower graded player's 18½ minutes, so not so easy!
The entry fee is only £2 which is great value as it includes bucks fizz, tea, coffee, orange squash, mince pies and a guaranteed Christmas present and the better you perform the more presents you might win!
You are more than welcome to bring along a wrapped up gift to add to the sack of presents or even an unwanted chess book / DVD which will form part of the 50p to £3 book and DVD sale during the break.
We really hope to see you there. It is always a fantastic, enjoyable, fun evening to help us celebrate the festive season! Finally, wrap up warmly as the windows will be open.
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SOUTHBOURNE - CHRISTMAS TIME HANDICAP TOURNAMENT
Friday 20th December 2019
Please find the attached results from the tournament which was played in very good spirit and to the accompaniment of Christmas music.
There was an excellent turnout of 30 players who enjoyed the Bucks Fizz and mince pies (not too sure who ate the most!)
Well done to the joint winners, James Forster and Mike Waddington who came joint 1st with 5.5 out of 7.
There were outstanding performance from the juniors - Larissa Cuthbert who came joint 3rd, Jamie Doyle who came joint 7th, Florence Spirling who came joint 10th and Jack Doyle who came 24th.
Mention also to the 3 lady players, Janet Lucas, Chris Roberts and Wendy Cuthbert who all performed well.
However, everyone appeared to have lots of fun and they were all winners as they won at least one Christmas present!
We look forward to seeing as many of you next year.
Footnote
There was an excellent performance from Dan Ursell who came joint 10th despite having a grade of only 42.Also and very interestingly, the 3 player Ursell family beat the 3 player Cuthbert family by 13.5 - 9 but the Ursells did outgrade the Cuthberts by some 150 points!
Best wishes, Martin
Click Here for individual results
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Friday 20th December 2019
Please find the attached results from the tournament which was played in very good spirit and to the accompaniment of Christmas music.
There was an excellent turnout of 30 players who enjoyed the Bucks Fizz and mince pies (not too sure who ate the most!)
Well done to the joint winners, James Forster and Mike Waddington who came joint 1st with 5.5 out of 7.
There were outstanding performance from the juniors - Larissa Cuthbert who came joint 3rd, Jamie Doyle who came joint 7th, Florence Spirling who came joint 10th and Jack Doyle who came 24th.
Mention also to the 3 lady players, Janet Lucas, Chris Roberts and Wendy Cuthbert who all performed well.
However, everyone appeared to have lots of fun and they were all winners as they won at least one Christmas present!
We look forward to seeing as many of you next year.
Footnote
There was an excellent performance from Dan Ursell who came joint 10th despite having a grade of only 42.Also and very interestingly, the 3 player Ursell family beat the 3 player Cuthbert family by 13.5 - 9 but the Ursells did outgrade the Cuthberts by some 150 points!
Best wishes, Martin
Click Here for individual results
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CHRISTMAS QUICKPLAY HANDICAP TOURNAMENT 2019 Results
Keep Friday 20 December 2019 free for the famous tournament of the year. Further details to follow nearer the date.
7.15 at Tuckton Social Club. Celebration includes food and chess played to the accompaniment of Carols. Chess book and DVD sale during the break. Donate unwanted chess items. All players welcome. Fee £2. More info 01202427523.
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7.15 at Tuckton Social Club. Celebration includes food and chess played to the accompaniment of Carols. Chess book and DVD sale during the break. Donate unwanted chess items. All players welcome. Fee £2. More info 01202427523.
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SOUTHBOURNE - CHRISTMAS TIME HANDICAP TOURNAMENT
Friday 20th December 2019 ... 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start at Tuckton Social Club.
It's time for this ever popular annual celebration including food and chess played to the accompaniment of Christmas music and where there are always prizes!
This fun 'time-handicap' tournament is open to all local players. We warmly welcome all visitors, regardless of strength.
It is planned for the tournament to be in a 7 round '20 minutes per game' Swiss format but to help lower graded players, each player's time on their own clock will be determined by the grading differential between the players (e.g. 15 to 5 minutes). Indeed, where there is more than a 100 grading point differential, the higher graded player will only have 1½ minutes to the lower graded player's 18½ minutes, so not so easy!
The entry fee is only £2 which is great value as it includes bucks fizz, tea, coffee, mince pies and a guaranteed Christmas present and the better you perform the more presents you might win!
You are more than welcome to bring along a wrapped up gift to add to the sack of presents or even an unwanted chess book / DVD which will form part of the 50p to £3 book and DVD sale during the break.
We really hope to see you there. It is always a fantastic, enjoyable, fun evening to help us celebrate the festive season!
more details click here.
Hope you can make it.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
John Harris
Friday 20th December 2019 ... 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start at Tuckton Social Club.
It's time for this ever popular annual celebration including food and chess played to the accompaniment of Christmas music and where there are always prizes!
This fun 'time-handicap' tournament is open to all local players. We warmly welcome all visitors, regardless of strength.
It is planned for the tournament to be in a 7 round '20 minutes per game' Swiss format but to help lower graded players, each player's time on their own clock will be determined by the grading differential between the players (e.g. 15 to 5 minutes). Indeed, where there is more than a 100 grading point differential, the higher graded player will only have 1½ minutes to the lower graded player's 18½ minutes, so not so easy!
The entry fee is only £2 which is great value as it includes bucks fizz, tea, coffee, mince pies and a guaranteed Christmas present and the better you perform the more presents you might win!
You are more than welcome to bring along a wrapped up gift to add to the sack of presents or even an unwanted chess book / DVD which will form part of the 50p to £3 book and DVD sale during the break.
We really hope to see you there. It is always a fantastic, enjoyable, fun evening to help us celebrate the festive season!
more details click here.
Hope you can make it.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
John Harris
SOUTHBOURNE - CHRISTMAS TIME HANDICAP TOURNAMENT RESULTS 2018
PHOTO ABOVE SHOWS THE PRIZE GIVING 2018
There was a very pleasing record entry of 33 players at the Southbourne CC Christmas Handicap Tournament since the club has moved to its new premises. As always, fun & enjoyment was the main theme with Christmas music being played throughout together with Bucks fizz & mince pies being offered during the tea break and, as is tradition, all players won at least one wrapped up Christmas present at the end of the evening. There was also a £1 book sale. Well played to Len Laker (144) who played brilliant attacking chess to win the tournament with 5½ points out of 6, also for eating most mince pies! There were other notable great performances from James Forster (176) who came 2nd with 5 points, Mark Squires (70) who came 6th equal with 4 points, Chas Best (95) who came 11th equal with 3½ points and Savanna Forster (40), Janet Lucas (75) & Mark Spalding (90) who came 14th equal with a 50% score.
We hope to see you all again next year.
Southbourne Chess Club
Click Here for full results
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There was a very pleasing record entry of 33 players at the Southbourne CC Christmas Handicap Tournament since the club has moved to its new premises. As always, fun & enjoyment was the main theme with Christmas music being played throughout together with Bucks fizz & mince pies being offered during the tea break and, as is tradition, all players won at least one wrapped up Christmas present at the end of the evening. There was also a £1 book sale. Well played to Len Laker (144) who played brilliant attacking chess to win the tournament with 5½ points out of 6, also for eating most mince pies! There were other notable great performances from James Forster (176) who came 2nd with 5 points, Mark Squires (70) who came 6th equal with 4 points, Chas Best (95) who came 11th equal with 3½ points and Savanna Forster (40), Janet Lucas (75) & Mark Spalding (90) who came 14th equal with a 50% score.
We hope to see you all again next year.
Southbourne Chess Club
Click Here for full results
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SOUTHBOURNE - CHRISTMAS TIME HANDICAP TOURNAMENT
Friday 21st December 2018 ... 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start at Tuckton Social Club.
It's time for this ever popular annual celebration including food and chess played to the accompaniment of Christmas music and where there are always more prizes than players!
This fun 'time-handicap' tournament is open to all local players. We warmly welcome all visitors, regardless of strength.
It is planned for the tournament to be in a 7 round '20 minutes per game' Swiss format but to help lower graded players, each player's time on their own clock will be determined by the grading differential between the players (e.g. 15 to 5 minutes). Indeed, where there is more than a 100 grading point differential, the higher graded player will only have 1½ minutes to the lower graded player's 18½ minutes, so not so easy!
The entry fee is only £2 which is great value as it includes bucks fizz, tea, coffee, mince pies and a guaranteed Christmas present and the better you perform the more presents you might win!
You are more than welcome to bring along a wrapped up gift to add to the sack of presents or even an unwanted chess book / DVD which will form part of the 50p to £3 book and DVD sale during the break.
We really hope to see you there. It is always a fantastic, enjoyable, fun evening to help us celebrate the festive season!
Example of past rules and Grading differences
Friday 21st December 2018 ... 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start at Tuckton Social Club.
It's time for this ever popular annual celebration including food and chess played to the accompaniment of Christmas music and where there are always more prizes than players!
This fun 'time-handicap' tournament is open to all local players. We warmly welcome all visitors, regardless of strength.
It is planned for the tournament to be in a 7 round '20 minutes per game' Swiss format but to help lower graded players, each player's time on their own clock will be determined by the grading differential between the players (e.g. 15 to 5 minutes). Indeed, where there is more than a 100 grading point differential, the higher graded player will only have 1½ minutes to the lower graded player's 18½ minutes, so not so easy!
The entry fee is only £2 which is great value as it includes bucks fizz, tea, coffee, mince pies and a guaranteed Christmas present and the better you perform the more presents you might win!
You are more than welcome to bring along a wrapped up gift to add to the sack of presents or even an unwanted chess book / DVD which will form part of the 50p to £3 book and DVD sale during the break.
We really hope to see you there. It is always a fantastic, enjoyable, fun evening to help us celebrate the festive season!
Example of past rules and Grading differences
SOUTHBOURNE
CHRISTMAS QUICKPLAY HANDICAP TOURNAMENT
The 2017 Southbourne Christmas Quickplay Handicap Chess Tournament had its best turnout for over 10 years with 29 entries. Grzegorz Sawicki was the sole leader from an early stage and the one to chase. After establishing a one point lead he was eventually caught by Bruce Jenks in the last round after Bruce managed to beat him so the two Southbourne players deservedly came equal first. It was a very successful evening with a good two thirds of the players being represented by players from other clubs and with 45 prizes there were more wrapped up gifts than players! Bucks fizz, tea and mince pies were enjoyed by all and, as with past Christmas tournaments, everyone went home with a welcome gift. A great end to 2017!
Full Results 2017
CHRISTMAS QUICKPLAY HANDICAP TOURNAMENT
The 2017 Southbourne Christmas Quickplay Handicap Chess Tournament had its best turnout for over 10 years with 29 entries. Grzegorz Sawicki was the sole leader from an early stage and the one to chase. After establishing a one point lead he was eventually caught by Bruce Jenks in the last round after Bruce managed to beat him so the two Southbourne players deservedly came equal first. It was a very successful evening with a good two thirds of the players being represented by players from other clubs and with 45 prizes there were more wrapped up gifts than players! Bucks fizz, tea and mince pies were enjoyed by all and, as with past Christmas tournaments, everyone went home with a welcome gift. A great end to 2017!
Full Results 2017
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SOUTHBOURNE
CHRISTMAS QUICKPLAY HANDICAP TOURNAMENT
Friday 22 December 2017 7.15 for 7.30 Start. It's time for the ever popular annual celebration including food and chess played to the accompaniment of Christmas music.
This is open to all players.
The Handicap Tournament is usually a 7 round Swiss format, 20 minutes is allocated to the game but each player's time will be determined by the grading differential between the players (eg 15 to 5 minutes). There are often more prizes than players.
You are more than welcome to bring along a wrapped up gift to add to the sack of presents.
Turn up with your £2 entry fee at 7.15, ready for a 7.30 start at Tuckton Social Club.
Note
THE ENTRY FEE IS GREAT VALUE. It includes bucks fizz, tea, mince pies and a guaranteed Christmas present!
There will also be a chess book and DVD sale during the break.
1 book for £3, 2 for £5.
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SOUTHBOURNE
CHRISTMAS QUICKPLAY HANDICAP TOURNAMENT
Friday 22 December 2017 7.15 for 7.30 Start. It's time for the ever popular annual celebration including food and chess played to the accompaniment of Christmas music.
This is open to all players.
The Handicap Tournament is usually a 7 round Swiss format, 20 minutes is allocated to the game but each player's time will be determined by the grading differential between the players (eg 15 to 5 minutes). There are often more prizes than players.
You are more than welcome to bring along a wrapped up gift to add to the sack of presents.
Turn up with your £2 entry fee at 7.15, ready for a 7.30 start at Tuckton Social Club.
Note
THE ENTRY FEE IS GREAT VALUE. It includes bucks fizz, tea, mince pies and a guaranteed Christmas present!
There will also be a chess book and DVD sale during the break.
1 book for £3, 2 for £5.
***************************
On a very wet and windy Friday evening, 20 players braved the weather conditions to participate in this enjoyable annual event where, as always, there were free mince pies, yule log, bucks fizz, tea, coffee, biscuits, not to mention the awful Christmas music (to put players off) and there were also enough wrapped up prizes for everyone to win at least two each! There was also an opportunity to buy a chess book or two.
The tournament was in the form of a 7 round swiss with 20 minutes allocated to each game. That's the easy bit! The hard bit was that those annoyingly higher graded players were time handicapped and often had to play with far less time than their lower graded opponents. In some cases this resulted in them only having 1.5 minutes to their opponent's 18.5 minutes!
Matches were hard fought and often kings were taken when sneaky checks went unnoticed!
After 4 rounds, the two heavyweights, in grading terms, Michael Duggan and Steve Peirson were looking firm favourites, jointly leading with a score of 3.5pts, but they did not take account of the poison they were given during the break. So who did spike their drinks? Was Father Christmas being mischievous?
During the last 3 rounds, with apologies to Steve Pollyn, youth prevailed. Maybe these players had more stamina.
Congratulations therefore go to Thomas Trach, James Forster and Steve Pollyn who came equal 1st on 5.5pts out of 7 and who all walked away with 4 Christmas presents each.
The full result is given below and and it was pleasing that so many local clubs were represented. Mike Jay has kindly offered to publish the results on the Dorset Chess website.
My thanks must go to Brian Curran who kindly donated many of the more expensive presents but thanks also go to everyone else who donated prizes and food to the tournament to make it a very enjoyable evening.
I hope you all have a great Christmas and good chess games in 2017.
Best wishes
Martin
The tournament was in the form of a 7 round swiss with 20 minutes allocated to each game. That's the easy bit! The hard bit was that those annoyingly higher graded players were time handicapped and often had to play with far less time than their lower graded opponents. In some cases this resulted in them only having 1.5 minutes to their opponent's 18.5 minutes!
Matches were hard fought and often kings were taken when sneaky checks went unnoticed!
After 4 rounds, the two heavyweights, in grading terms, Michael Duggan and Steve Peirson were looking firm favourites, jointly leading with a score of 3.5pts, but they did not take account of the poison they were given during the break. So who did spike their drinks? Was Father Christmas being mischievous?
During the last 3 rounds, with apologies to Steve Pollyn, youth prevailed. Maybe these players had more stamina.
Congratulations therefore go to Thomas Trach, James Forster and Steve Pollyn who came equal 1st on 5.5pts out of 7 and who all walked away with 4 Christmas presents each.
The full result is given below and and it was pleasing that so many local clubs were represented. Mike Jay has kindly offered to publish the results on the Dorset Chess website.
My thanks must go to Brian Curran who kindly donated many of the more expensive presents but thanks also go to everyone else who donated prizes and food to the tournament to make it a very enjoyable evening.
I hope you all have a great Christmas and good chess games in 2017.
Best wishes
Martin
Southbourne Chess Club Christmas Tournament 2016
Friday 23rd December 2016 7.15 for 7.30 Start. Its time for the ever popular annual celebration including food and chess played to the accompaniment of Christmas music. This is open to all players.
The Handicap Tournament is usually a 7 round Swiss format, 20 minutes is allocated to the game but each player's time will be determined by the grading differential between the players (eg 15 to 5 minutes). There are often more prizes than players.
Turn up with your £2 entry fee at 7.15, ready for a 7.30 start at Tuckton Social Club.
Note
THE ENTRY FEE IS GREAT VALUE. It includes bucks fizz, mince pies and tea.
There will also be a chess book and DVD sale during the break.
1 book for £3, 2 for £5.
Please bring along any books and DVDs that you no longer need to help club funds.
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The Handicap Tournament is usually a 7 round Swiss format, 20 minutes is allocated to the game but each player's time will be determined by the grading differential between the players (eg 15 to 5 minutes). There are often more prizes than players.
Turn up with your £2 entry fee at 7.15, ready for a 7.30 start at Tuckton Social Club.
Note
THE ENTRY FEE IS GREAT VALUE. It includes bucks fizz, mince pies and tea.
There will also be a chess book and DVD sale during the break.
1 book for £3, 2 for £5.
Please bring along any books and DVDs that you no longer need to help club funds.
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