Author: Hammer

Recently, Hammersmith Chess Club was contacted by a national radio station. The reporter wanted to speak with female chess players who could share their opinion on the latest Netflix mini-series, “The Queen’s Gambit“.

The interview fell through, but with the festive season just around the corner, here are some thoughts to ponder over. Maybe we can all make someone smile this Christmas.

Spoiler Alert: If you have not watched this series yet, the following article will include quite a few light spoilers!

“Chess can also be beautiful”

These were the words of the protagonist, Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Harmon, a fictional chess genius who succeeded against all expectations on the world chess stage. As I feel the series only covered specific aspects of this mind sport, please find below a few additional reasons why chess can be beautiful:

It is widely known to improve cognitive abilities such as reasoning, making decisions effectively, the capacity to solve problems, the accuracy of performing tasks and many more. Academic research in the sector even examined the effect on social-affective development of children and adolescents (Sala & Gobet, 2016 / Sigirtmac, 2016 / Aciego et al, 2013).

What made me realise that existent research is only scraping the surface is this incredible and very insightful article written by a 22 year old man under the pseudonym Simon, and published by Frederic Friedel @Chessbase (Friedel & Simon, 2020) on autism and chess.

The article mentions past studies that revealed a relationship between autistic people and chess, but also speaks about Simon’s personal experience playing chess and the role of chess in training social skills and encouraging interaction with others.

There’s joy in chess for everyone, no matter what background one comes from, their age, gender, ethnicity, income, health status etc. There is no need to even buy a chess board, when you can easily make one. Some got very creative with it, the latter image reminding me of a chess game in Hangzhou against a talented junior player who drew the board and made the pieces from paper himself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is specifically magic when it brings together people from all walks of life, who most likely would not have crossed paths otherwise.

Chess can teach us a great deal about life and sometimes acts as a reminder of issues we have yet to tackle. One example is the ‘white moves first‘ rule, first adopted at a chess tournament in New York in 1880 according to historian Robert John McCrary, a reminder of white privilege and its lingering effects.

Another is a more subtle one, related to the role of each chess piece. Each game tells a story and each experience of playing a chess match is unique. Chess has evolved at least at a pace similar to nowadays society, from being used as a training tool for warfare to teaching us the true value of teamwork and collegiality.

Why is chess beautiful to you? Who are you going to challenge for a match this Christmas?

Where is Mr William Schaibel?

In the series, Beth learns how to play chess from the orphanage Janitor, Mr William Schaibel. He also sends her the money for a chess tournament entrance fee. A similar pattern is witnessed in a 2016 movie the “Queen of Katwe“, with missionary Robert Katende coaching and mentoring Phiona Mutesi in Uganda. Robert scrapes together the funding the children of Katwe require to join a chess tournament at a school in Kampala.

While neither Mr Katende or Mr Schaibel were chess experts, they chose to share their knowledge and teach someone else. It makes one wonder how society nowadays would look if more individuals did the same. How likely is it for an orphan to come across a Mr Schaibel? How frequently are children in Uganda or other developing countries receiving guidance from someone like Mr Katende?

Some will ask, why teach another how to play chess? The aforementioned people surely needed different types of support. Here are my two pennies worth:

Granted, Mischel’s Marshmallow Test is still considered a means to measure future success, why not teach young children chess, to help nurture patience and the ability of waiting for that greater reward?

The Marshmallow test was born following an experiment run in the late 1960’s to early 1970’s by psychologist Walter Mischel and his colleagues over a period of several years. The experiment determined that children with the ability to wait for a better reward, rather than immediately accept the one marshmallow or treat they were offered on the spot, were more likely to become successful in the future.

More recent research established that variables such as one’s environment and financial status will considerably affect the results of this experiment and merely teaching someone to ‘delay gratification’ was not meant to guarantee future success (Watts et al., 2018). Which is why teaching chess should be part of the solution, more so since it also creates a safe social environment.

If you know how to play chess, teaching someone else will be mutually helpful. Apart from the universally-known argument that happiness gained from helping others lasts longer, playing chess happens to be a good method to stimulate the brain and keep it active. Research in the area has covered the role of chess in preventing or slowing down Alzheimer’s disease. It has also been used in mental health therapy and more generally, it is just a great creative outlet.

So, if you’re lucky enough to spend Christmas home with your family this year, do invite them to play a game of chess. I feel it is one of those mind sports that really brings generations together and has the potential to reduce loneliness and improve communication.

If you are somewhere far away from your family, chess might be the way to enjoy some great moments with your flatmate(s). It might also be worthwhile looking into volunteering opportunities in your neighbourhood. I recently found out my club mates had previously challenged inmates from Her Majesty’s Prisons to a game of chess. Given the Covid-19 safety measures, this might not be possible right now, but I’m quite sure there are people out there who would love nothing more than a video call and chatting over an online game of chess.

Afer all, as poet John Donne very well said, “No man is an island”. What made “The Queen’s Gambit” series memorable to me was the help and guidance Beth received from her lifelong friend Jolene, from Mr Schaibel, from Benny, Harry, Townes, and from many others. You might also find family where you least expect it.

“Let’s play”

This is Anya Taylor-Joy’s final line as the mini-series reaches an end. The scene is filmed in a Russian park and I found it to be one of the most meaningful and uplifting concepts introduced in the series.

It focuses on being outside and having fun whilst playing chess – age and gender becoming irrelevant. Given the current situation, it made me wonder why we do not have more/any chess tables outside in the iconic British parks, or in markets and squares. It would surely by an inexpensive initiative, with great social and educational outcomes, especially in a country such as the UK, where low levels of numeracy continue to be an issue.

If you are able to support such an initiative, please get in touch. I’m currently looking into the best ways to reach out to the local government and submit a community development proposal!

Raluca.
O.stroe@outlook.com

 

Yep, in this holiday season the games come thick and fast. The next Hammer challenge was Cavendish – one of the strongest clubs in London and armed with a huge history. I have to say, the last time our clubs clashed in anger was a Division 2 match in May 2019. The result a stunning 7.5-2.5 win for the Hammers. A definite statement win at the time, for a club aiming for the top division of the LL.

The Hammer team comprised of the following total heroes – in board order: Ryszard, Carsten, Chris D and Jonathan.

Like last week, before I go to the match report – were you able to identify Week 5’s concealed chess figure? It was the great Viktor Korchnoi – a true fighter of the chess board. In this week’s report another historical figure lays hidden. The clues are once again in bold, and please enter your answers in the feedback.

Before I go to the match report, I must first evoke the great Stephen Sondheim and refer to the chorus from Cell Block Tango in the brilliant musical Chicago. Please forgive the editing:

“They had it comin’
The had it comin’
They only had themselves to blame
If you’d have been there
If you’d have seen it”

Yes, you guessed the Hammer crew were on top form. After three draws and two gut-wrenching defeats, a win was long overdue.

This was a great result. First the scorecard:

Board 1 saw Ryszard playing White against a tough opponent. His FM-titled opponent ventured the Benoni and this is what ensued:

At this point hostilities were ceased and a truce was called – it was quite a double-edged position, a wise move by our man.
Hammer 0.5 – 0.5 Cavendish.

Although not a Celtic Tiger performance, it was definitely the performance of a Tiger.

Carsten on Board 2 played ultra-solid – he was never in trouble and the game was long drawn before it was actually agreed – however Carsten had to be accurate – Q & P endings are never easy.

Carsten has been so solid in this competition – never in danger and taking draws where appropriate.

Hammer holding the line at 1-1.

Still all to play for.

Chris D on Board 3 played a total peaky blinder – this game is worthy of close study, especially the re-routing of the white bishop manoeuvre. The decisive error was black playing f4, but I think Chris was strategically winning anyway. This was a brilliant win. The ending was devastating with memories of a stunning world championship game in the mid-1960’s.

Hammer deservedly ahead at 2-1.

The fate of the match was over to Hammer stalwart Jonathan – under immense pressure he delivered. Two weeks ago, I commented on a definite change in his match approach – this was again on show – excellent time management and excellent tactical and strategic control.

His fearless attitude brought a win and a 3-1 victory for Hammer. In the end it was a win in time, but his position was strategically won.

A fabulous win by the Hammer crew: 3-1, woo hoo!

Lord Clueless is ecstatic – Hammer so deserved this win and remember what I wrote last week: “In fact the injustice will spur us on next week against Cavendish. I know it will” – I predicted it!

Lord Clueless is in supreme mental health and order has been restored in chess cyber-world.

Hammer power is on the march.

The latest encounter in the LL Online Open Division saw Hammer go head-to-head with Metropolitan. There are no easy games in this League.

The Hammer team comprised of no holds barred fighters – in board order: Ryszard, Carsten, Jeremy and Chris (Krasen).

Like last week, before I go to the match report were you able to identify Week 4’s concealed chess figure?

It was the longest holder of the world championship Emmanuel Lasker… a true titan of the chess board.

In this week’s report another historical figure lays hidden. The clues are once again in bold and please enter your answers in the comments!

So, to the match…

This was definitely a case of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory – Hammer were so unlucky. Jeremy was holding his own comfortably and one rash move deprived him of a certain draw, and Krasen (Chris) had a won game when the curse of online chess struck in the form of a mouse slip. Damn the technology!

This gave the following scorecard:

From a Hammer point of view the Board 1 clash was amazing. Whilst watching it, I thought it was a complete masterpiece by Ryszard. The cold, unforgiving eye of Stockfish had a different view – unsurprisingly.

However, from the human point of view this was a great game to watch, with Ryszard playing the black side of a French Winawar in a style that would have even made the originator purr with approval. Just an amazing game:

There is so much to admire about Ryszard when he is in this form – this is full frontal assault chess and sums up his credo “That chess is his life”.

Board two saw  the Great Dane, Carsten, in a game that got very tactical early on then with both players running short of time saw a draw agreed. This was definitely the pragmatic and right choice. It was definitely a no holds street fight at the beginning but settled down in a yoghurt that had been out of the fridge for too long.

Here is the game:

Match score 1.5-0.5 in Hammers favour.

Board 3 saw Brexit in the form of Jeremy playing the black side of a Sicilian – let’s be frank, Jeremy played really solidly. He is feeling his way back into chess and hence he is not yet up to full speed. If he was in his usual form, I am convinced he would have played Nb4 and he would not have been so carped off.

See what you think…

Finally, we get to board 4 and an act of unspeakable cruelty – the mouse slip-gate scenario. Chris (Krasen) had played beautifully – moving well and then tech issues hit him laterally. For some reason the screen zoomed in and he was trying to play his move – when the mouse-slip happened. This was so unfair – it was such an obvious mouse-slip but the world of internet chess is as unforgiving as its real-life counterpart.

I am absolutely gutted for Chris – unlike Trump world, he totally deserved to win – in my mind he did. Chess can be so unfair.

He was sitting so comfortably in his Merano chair as well:

So, Hammer were beaten again, by the smallest margin – again. The world is not right.

1.5-2.5, and the league table looks like this:

Lord Clueless is bereft – Hammer in his mind won this match – in fact the injustice will spur us on next week against Cavendish. I know it will.

Lord Clueless, still in good mental health.

Lord Clueless with more dispatches from the battle front of LL cyber chess world.

Hammer Firsts went again last week with local rivals Kings Head in the firing line. There are no easy matches in this League.

Another tough at the office.

The team featured three Hammer stalwarts. Chris Skulte on Board 1, Christof on Board 2 and Jonathan on Board 4. The newbie and making his debut in the competition was Krasen (Chris) Dimitrov on board 3.

Like last week before I go to the match report were you able to identify Week 3’s concealed chess figure…It was the unique and controversial figure of Robert J Fischer… another true genius of the chess board. In this week’s report another historical figure lays hidden. The clues are once again in bold and please enter your answers in the feedback option.

So to the match…

First, the result– our first loss with a 1.5-2.5 score line – this was such a close match with four amazing games to look at – I know I have said before but if the runes had fallen right, the play of your four Hammer heroes would have been rewarded with a match win. But Caissa can be cruel…

As usual we will go in board order – Board 1 for Hammer was the immense talent that is Chris Skulte – aka “Lord Hurricane” and in total win or die mode. This was a fascinating game where Chris missed a draw against a strong opponent in a really complex battle. He was also subjected to the John Sargent commentary treatment on the livestream. I think the Hurricane was not at his best but as usual never gave up. Here is the game.

Chris is a serious lover of German beer – both Adam and I can testify to that after the Stuttgart beer festival last year. I reckon a few were sunk by our man after this tough encounter.

Hammer 1-0 down but who ever said the French exchange is as dull as ditch water??

On Board 2 – Christof aka “Der Vater” played an amazing game with time playing a huge part in the outcome. How he held the position at the end was testament to his skill. I have never seen two more powerful white knights. Many a player would have cracked but Christof is made of Hammer steel through and through. Did he really take 27-year break plus from chess?

The game is just fascinating.

Hammer on the scoreboard but still trailing by a point.

Next up was Chris D, against an opponent who took me to the cleaners two years ago in a Middlesex OTB encounter, Conor has drawn and beaten titled players in a long, and distinguished chess career. How would he deal with the new boy?

Chris joined the club under two weeks ago and was anxious to play. After a few blitz games against Lord Clueless which he emerged a 2-1 winner – Lord Clueless decided Board 3 was the right level for him to start his online LL odyssey.

What followed was a brilliant tour de force from Chris and a thoroughly deserved win on his debut in just 27 moves. As a result of this performance I assign him the nom de guerre “The Bolt”.

This was great to watch with Bd5 a nice touch – enjoy.

Hammer at 1.5-1.5 and back in the fight.

The last match was going to determine the match point – over to Jonathan.

Maybe I am alone but I have noticed a much more aggressive edge to Jonathan’s chess in this tourney. He is much more in your face and let me nut ’em mode than I seem to remember from our OTB encounters (do you remember those?).

This game was all about striving for the initiative – he had a tough opponent in the form of Colin Mackenzie and neither player backed away from playing critical moves. Jonathan kept pouring oil on the fire and never backed off – this was total chess combat. Sadly, he was always one move away from getting the win his imaginative play deserved – but this game was testament to his fighting spirit and his new approach. What a game.

Hammer were beaten but did not go quietly into the night. This was a worthy fight and maybe on another night we could have sneaked it.

The current table looks like this:

Still a lot to play for.

Clueless is a proud Captain and is looking forward to the next bloodthirsty encounter.

Lord Clueless in good mental health.

The gauntlet has been thrown down by our good friends at Espion in Amsterdam. They want to take us on in an arena tournament on the 17th December 2020.

The details are being worked out but I need 20 Hammers, maximum, willing to defend our honour. Games will probably be 10 mins plus 5 second increment, using lichess’s “Team Arena” format.

Please email me on jdrw9591@gmail.com to register your interest asap.

This will be a great evening of online chess and a nice chess wind down to the Christmas break.

Lord Clueless

Lord Clueless with the third instalment of dispatches from the virtual battlefront.

Hammer Firsts were again in action Wednesday last week against the force that is/was Petts Wood and Orpington (PWO). Previous PWO line-ups had shown a couple of players above 200-grade on the top boards with two very decent 150 plus players on boards 3 and 4.

A really tough challenge for Hammer.

Another week – another line-up – with Ryszard and Christof stepping up to the plate again, Adam answering the call and Lord Clueless finally making his season debut.

Before going to the match report were you able to identify Week 2’s concealed chess figure…? It was Jose Raoul Capablanca... a true genius of the chess board. In this week’s report another historical figure lays hidden. The clues are once again in bold and please enter your answer in the comments!

So, to the match…

First, the result – yet another draw – this is definitely a Petrosian start rather than Tal-like from the Hammer firsts. Solid and dependable, as against outrageous.

To be honest I think Hammer dodged a bullet here with the Clueless default win securing the draw. However, two of the actual games were full-bloodied encounters with no quarter given with Christof and Adam displaying true Hammer grit.

Ryszard had a Petrosian draw, I cannot hold that against him as he has played a lot of online chess recently and he also had black. Indeed, this was the most unlike Ryszard game I have ever looked at. His natural style is keep fighting, striving for the win and eschewing any draw offers. 

That said he was black and your first job is to equalise – which he had nearly achieved, so a smart draw against a tough opponent.

Board 2 saw Christof playing white in a truly complex battle that ended up being across the whole 64 squares. Whoever said the London System is dull really needs to look at this game. This was Christof striving so hard to win and walking that very fine line between disaster and glory.

Enjoy this no-holds-barred encounter:

With time running down rapidly on the clock, Christof took the offer of a draw. The end position is almost study-like and if blitz was an option, I think the game would have continued. The result could have gone either way, there were many possibilities. This was definitely reminiscent of a 1967 Leonid Stein game where anything could have happened and did happen!

However now at 1-1 and with Lord Clueless being awarded a default win, and not being allowed to play his usual Najdorf Sicilian, all eyes turned to Adam.

Playing White, Adam played his usual London System opening – however, this game went very tactical, very quickly. This was another game that went tactical very early on and in this situations one mis-move can cause a calamity – alas for Hammer it was Adam who cracked first. However, this is a game worthy of analysis as there was so much play on the board.

Adam fought to the end and I am just gutted having answered the call he could not gain the win his play deserved. Clueless is and was very grateful.

So, we arrive at the familiar score of 2-2 and a third draw for Hammer Firsts.

This leaves us mid-table with perennial rivals Kings Head next up on the 18th November.

Once again Lord Clueless implores all Hammers to get involved in the LL Online – this is a competition that is trying to be different and offers something new to all players.

Lord Clueless.

 

“Proudly serving the capital since 1886” and faced with a worrisome pandemic, the London Chess League Committee has developed a separate online competition which kicked off on Wednesday 21 October, on Tornelo.

I had the chance to first meet some of my potential rivals on Tuesday 20 October, on Zoom, when FIDE Arbiter and Organiser Adam Raoof hosted a pre-tournament platform test session. As the great International Master Zoltan Sarosy continued to play chess online even after his 100th birthday on 23 August 2006, it was both heart-warming and inspiring to witness quite a few Senior players joining the Online London Chess League.

Using a tablet or their personal computer, many have managed to join correctly and rather swiftly both the test platform for that evening and Zoom, unlike myself who ended up on the wrong page, staring blankly at the participants list for the first round on Wednesday. The test session has not gone as smoothly as the organiser would have liked, but the more Senior players in the group provided feedback until the very end, facing several problems ranging from poor internet connection, insufficient battery on their tablet, to server issues on the chess tournament test platform.

Their patience, boundless energy and enthusiasm have been contagious. Already tired after a couple of very busy days at work, I was not planning initially to stay behind for any chess games and only joined the session to get accustomed with the Tornelo platform. Witnessing such perseverance, it only took moments to forget about the tiredness felt and to express my interest in being paired with someone for an actual match.

That evening represented food for thought, as it made me question how accessible are online tournaments in general to Senior players, especially as they might be the only option one has to continue playing competitive chess amid Covid-19.

It took place not long after Archie Bland’s article in the guardian on “Chess cheating crisis: ‘paranoia has become the culture’” had been published. The ongoing debate about ‘computer doping’ and whether anyone should even consider playing competitively online was distressing from the very beginning of lockdown. This pleasant experience, one night before the Online London Chess League commenced, slightly changed the manner in which I perceived and prioritised current challenges faced by the chess world.

Online Chess cheating, the new barriers

There is no secret that cheating in chess has been an increasing concern globally, as multiple tournaments decided to move forward with a new online format. Prestigious competitions such as the Online Nations Cup have already implemented substantial measures to diminish the likelihood of online cheating and identify such unethical behaviour, including a request to all players to be visible on cameras at all times accompanied by a set of technical guidelines on the resolution of one’s webcam and speed of one’s internet connection. Everything from lighting to peripheral equipment has also been covered in the aforementioned requirements.

Other competitions such as the European Online Chess Championships have adopted a milder approach, only asking the top 16 players to be on camera – with audio also on – on Zoom.

While certain online competition requirements may be considered reasonable, I feel uneasy thinking about IM Zoltan Sarosy – who took his game online, buying his first computer at the beautiful age of 95. I tried to visualise the IM amid this pandemic when online cheating surged, having to comply with current regulations and install the latest version of Zoom. Would he have have known what “a resolution of at least 360p” means? Would “a download speed of at least 25 Mbps with a latency (or ping time) of 100ms or less” make any sense to him or to anyone without some IT knowledge?

In the midst of a crisis, it is easy to forget the people who might have spent their entire lives infatuated with chess, the ones who might now coach us, the ones who took on a role in your local chess club maybe post-retirement and are doing a wonderful job at supporting the chess community, the ones who are likely to be less tech-savvy as a big chunk of their lives was devoid of the technology we boast about nowadays.

Apart from inspiring me to write this article, I thought the London Online Chess League preparations were alright. Using Zoom, while recommended, is not mandatory in this tournament. International Arbiter Adam Raoof is overseeing the matches and any cheating suspicions should be signalled to him, more so when there is reasonable evidence as well. The Tornelo platform test organised prior to the first round of the tournament was efficient in identifying some of the issues players come across and solving these in due course. The platform is a simple and very straightforward one, which also makes it more accessible to a wider range of chess players.

Everything considered, I have some questions for the potential readers:

Questions for any ‘cheater’:

Who taught you chess? Do you know that an increase in online cheating will lead to tougher anti-cheating measures? ‘Tougher’ does not mean tougher only for cheaters, it means tougher for the entire chess community.

Have you ever thought that some of these measures, such as the use of a camera and always being visible on video, might prevent a specific group from participating in and enjoying online competitive chess?

Is your reputation, the family/social circle/peer pressure or any other justification you might find for the act of cheating, worth the price? Are you aware of the extensive meaning ‘price’ has in this context? It could include someone suddenly questioning their goals in chess. It also includes someone whose lifelong passion was chess, now being unable to attend a future online tournament as the old tablet his grandson bought does not comply with the requirements of that competition.

There would be no need for these measures – or even stricter ones in the future – if cheating would not be a growing concern.

Are you creating new barriers to chess? How can you contribute to the chess community?

Questions for any ‘organiser’:

Are your online chess tournament official regulations or terms & conditions encouraging diversity? Is your tournament platform user-friendly?

Are you creating new barriers to chess? How can you contribute to the chess community?

Questions for any ‘chess player’:

Why are you playing chess? What does this shift to online chess during the Covid-19 pandemic mean for you? Do you love chess or only over the board chess, and are your current choices reflecting your answer to this question?

How concerned are you about online cheating? Have you shared these concerns with your team captain, coach if any, arbiter, or all of the aforementioned?

Are you aware that not reporting genuine concerns might only encourage further unethical behaviour? Have you stopped to consider the effect of spreading unfounded rumours, not only on the subject of your rumour, but also on the target audience? This target audience will not be able to support you in carrying out an investigation as the tournament arbiter would.

Does your wish to play on a more complex online platform, with a wealth of add-ons, trump having access to a straightforward & simple to use platform that caters for the needs of a wider poll of chess players? The attractiveness of an online platform is not directly proportional to the quality of its anti-cheating mechanisms.

Are you creating new barriers to chess? How can you contribute to the chess community?

Raluca Stroe.
Hammersmith Chess Club – Diversity Officer

 

Post-script: IM Zoltan Sarosy

I found this 1964 game between, at that time, Zoltan L. Sarosy and IM Lawrence Day at the Canadian Open very interesting. I hope you enjoy it:

As well as our first team in the Open section of the online London League, Hammer has entered two teams into the U1825 average-grade-limited division.

Round 1 pitted our two teams, Hammer Hodgson and Hammer Hedger, against each other; the Hodgsons prevailing, 3-1. Twitter legend Andrew Cuff takes us through his top board clash with Jon Smith, an instructive example of how to create and exploit a space advantage.

All three Hammer teams are back in action this evening. Follow all the action on Twitch or join the Zoom room for internal discussion and analysis.

Adam

 

Yes, Lord Clueless, chief chess correspondent for “The Woodpusher’s Gazette” is back!

Over the next few months I will be chronicling the weekly adventures of Hammer Firsts in the inaugural Online London League competition. We are playing in the Open Division.

Lord Clueless will be slipping in quotes from a particular movie in each of his reports – your job is to guess the movie. The relevant words are highlighted to help you – answers please in the comments. The first correct answer earns a pint from Lord Clueless!

I know I have used this style before – but the mantra in Clueless lazy journalism is “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” – so without further ado…

Hammersmith v Hendon – 21/10/2020

My fellow Hammers, it is with a great sense of duty and awesome responsibility that I take on the role of Captain of Hammersmith Firsts. I have been absent from the captaincy role for far too long and, like a good drug (I am a pharmacist!), you just have to try it out again.

Our first opponents were the dreaded Hendon. A team that has been absent from the LL OTB competition for several years – preferring to graze in the pasture of the Middlesex League. A little history here – I think it’s fair to say Hammersmith have had serious beef with Hendon in the past – mainly based on the culture and philosophy of both clubs – they are so different. Plus, this additional issue – Hendon’s home venue is so remote from any decent pub it constitutes a real slap in the face for all Hammers. Indeed, this fact and this fact alone condemns them.

However, in a world ravaged by Covid it is time to move on – there is no point in holding grudges. Sometimes you gotta spurn the beef.

The line-up for Hammer was a mixture of youth, good looks, experience and a definite hint of German (thank God). Yes, Hammer is a true international club. Here is the face-off table:

A solid 2-2 draw with a real chance missed for the win – but more of that later.

Before I get down to the nitty-gritty there is something surreal as a non-playing captain in online chess watching “your boys” do battle in cyber world. You watch the games as a detached observer but with real emotion involved. The best analogy I can think of is Jose Mourinho being sent to the stands to watch his team play and not being able to get involved. It is horrible – but in a Covid world we must all make sacrifices. How noble Lord Clueless is.

Board One saw Mark, playing White, take on a wily opponent – Bob Wilmoth. The game was a Dutch with Bob advancing to e4 – Mark retreating his knight to g1 with the idea of re-routing to h3 and f4. The first 15 moves were played rapidly as both players were definitely in their opening knowledge sphere. The first big think came when Mark played Qb3 – this is where things got complicated. From here it was tense and very double-edged. It was decided by a blunder in a tough situation – but hats off to Bob, Nf3 was devastating and immediately provoked resignation from Mark. I was gutted for him – he has played superb chess over the last 12 months, beating a GM amongst others and this was a definite aberration. However, I do not believe any version of the Dutch system, sorry Ginger GM, is totally secure.

Hammer down 0-1.

Board Two saw Lord Hurricane, the Skult, who is a one-man Cult, playing black in a Sicilian that involves an early massive pawn/piece swap early on. By move 16 there was a definite lack of bits on the board with a R + B for white versus a black R + N – with a number of pawns. It was definitely a book line – in the end I felt Chris had a small advantage but definitely nothing big enough to secure a win – one slight inaccuracy could lead to disaster – a draw was the result. I guess it was a case of the only way to lose is to play a move.

Hammer back in the game and on the scoreboard but still trailing 0.5-1.5.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man – yes Hammer hero and all-round star of our club – Christof, aka “Der Vater”, was up next.

The game was most pleasing – a London System – the favourite of our most excellent Club Secretary, Pickle. Christof played a blinder – with a nice tactic leaving his b5 bishop en-prise and playing the sublime Ne5. This was a masterclass of Nimzowitchian proportions – time for some Covid-era hyperbole – there is just not enough around.

Christof’s opponent subsequently went into meltdown sacking the exchange in the hope of forcing a drawn position but forgetting a rook fork. Christof just went into Defcon 1 mode and obliterated him.

Hammer back on equal terms – 1.5-1.5 and all to play for.

All eyes turned to Jonathan, the last game to finish and saddled with the added burden of the outcome of the match. It could be said that the primary goal was to win the game. I think JH played solidly, although he did incur some verbal banter online from MC John “The Sarge” Sargent and his sidekick Jacques Tivillier, the Celtic Tiger and top bloke. Check this out:

In the end due to a clock running down but with a winning position achieved JH took the draw – probably if he had five more minutes on the clock, he would have plotted his way to victory.

A draw was agreed and the match ended 2-2, a solid start for Hammer Firsts.

Next match is next Wednesday 28th – Lord Clueless is content. Next time I’ll make sure I get the PGNs.

Finally, I appeal to all Hammers to get involved in this competition – it is something different – it’s against local rivals, and to be honest it is all we have got at the moment outside our Hammer Chess bubble! Hammer needs you all.

So before I signoff, can you identify the film? Answers in the comments please, and no Googling – that is cheating! – where have I heard that said before in relation to chess??

Lord Clueless.