The Danny King Slightly Late Christmas Cracker

Yes, once again Hammer productions bring you the best of chess.

All round top guy, ace chess commentator and most importantly a Hammer, GM Daniel King, welcomes in the New Year on 3rd January with a chess talk at the Anvil aka the Mindsports Centre.

Those of you who have experienced a D.King lecture know it is a very different beast.

Danny’s lecture on stalemate themes had the audience captivated

His previous talks at Hammer have concentrated on the themes of stalemate and the King’s Gambit. He makes you think about chess in a very different way and is always ready for a good Q & A at the end.

So, Hammers – come on down at 7pm and get your health kick January, at least chess-wise, off to a flying start.

See you there!

Lord Clueless

And in other news…

The London League have postponed all January fixtures (to June) due to uncertainty around the pandemic. Middlesex, Thames Valley and Central London League matches are currently still going ahead. See our calendar for the latest league schedule.

Robin is generously offering festive chess coaching to club members…

Dear Hammers – as I am currently in isolation with COVID I have a bit of spare time on my hands and thought I would put it to good use. I would like to offer some chess coaching to newer/lower graded adult players (approx. U1600) to take place between now and the New Year. If you’re interested in getting some personalised analysis of your games or have particular chess questions you would like some help with then please email me on sarfasrobin@gmail.com – I’m envisaging most of this being 1-2-1 via zoom but if anyone is open to a group session that can be arranged too. All I ask in return is a gift donation to Crisis at Christmas, a charity which offers support to those experiencing homelessness at Christmas.

Robin Sarfas

Christmas Party with GM Maxime Lagarde

As the Christmas season approaches, we look back and reflect on a fantastic year for Hammersmith Chess Club.

The club has grown to 160 members, the junior club is thriving, and our 16 teams have been competing well across four leagues.

On Monday 13th we are planning a very special night, in the presence of the current French Champion and #5-ranked Grandmaster Maxime Lagarde.

Photo: Djerba Chess Festival

“The other Maxime” will be taking us through his best games, describing some of the ideas and calculations that got Maxime to where he is today.

Maxime’s lecture will commence at 7:30pm. Alongside this there will be a food buffet, and the bar will be open as usual for everyone to enjoy some Christmas merriment!

The event is totally free to Hammersmith members – we hope to see lots of you there!

COVID-19

With the recent surge of the Omicron variant, and with Plan B announced by the government, we ask that everyone take care to follow the public health guidance on COVID-19. Please don’t put yourself or others in danger by attending if there’s a risk you could pass on COVID-19.

As a members’ club, it is required to wear a mask when not seated in the bar taking refreshments. We also strongly advise that everyone take a lateral flow test before arrival to protect your fellow club members.

LCL Social FIDE Blitz

The London Chess League are holding two FIDE-rated social blitz evenings at the Mindsports Centre, the first of which is tonight!

The sign-up form is here: https://form.jotform.com/213253571163955

Date: Thurs 9/Dec & Thurs 16/Dec
Address: London Mindsports Centre, 21 Dalling Road, W6 0JD
Start Time: Arrive for 19.00, first games to start 19.30. Aiming to finish by ~22.00
Food and Drink: Bar selling food, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at excellent prices on-site.
Cost: £6 per player per night (cash on the night is fine, please bring change) – you can choose to play on the 9th, or on the 16th, or both, they are treated as separate events
Time control: 3 minutes plus 2 seconds per player; each pairings will play each other twice, once with White and once with Black
Number of games: 12 games against 6 opponents
Rating and membership limitations: None, although please note if you do not have an existing FIDE ID, then your games will be treated as being played under the ENG federation
Arbiter: Adam Raoof

Please note that the tournament on 16th December clashes with a Middlesex League away match, to which we need to send six players.

Good luck to all who are playing!

Adam C