Club Updates and Green Shoots of Spring

With the easing of the 1st part of the lockdown and signs of spring and summer things feel much better, hopeful and promising for the future.

Like everyone else, I have found the last few months hard and really welcome a return to normal life and seeing friends and meeting up.

Firstly, I must congratulate all our team of 8 players who played in the Monday night team battle. Please look at www.dorset chess with the headlines ‘ Poole pulverise all opposition’. The team scored and amazing total of 127 points! This is almost double any reasonable average winning score. All that contributed were, Oscar/Mike/Richard/John/David/Adam/Tony Sanderson and Zander our new promising junior.

We are now several wins clear of all other local teams, so well done all at Poole and remember all are welcome and its only fun (fast).

I had a very welcome and pleasant call from David Burt last Friday who said it was his 88th Birthday (two fat ladies, for those that know) . David’s health has improved and he is more mobile now and is very keen to return to playing over the board chess.

At the time of writing I am not sure when we can resume but Graham will find out through the Legion when we can start using the facilities again. On the present schedule it could be mid/late May and maybe in the bar on Friday evenings as we did previously in-between the lockdowns. These sessions were well attended and with the bar service offered,  all protocols were observed and it was great meeting up.

What is encouraging is that we are receiving enquiries  from new potential players and a general feeling that chess is on the up and will be  in the future.

I would like to also mention that all members are welcome to return whenever they feel comfortable regardless of time, even if its next year if they so wish, there is no pressure from the timing point of view.

Our Junior section is thriving and going well so please look at www.bournemouthjunior chess. site and note the activities that are going on. All credit must to Graham for keeping this going on a weekly and current level. On average we have 15-20 Juniors playing in a Swiss event every Saturday morning and this is also supported by Steve and Simon Fox. Currently we are teaching 6 juniors on a weekly basis at different levels through Whats App or landline using the training methods and facilities within Lichess which is excellent.

I am sure you will see some new juniors coming to the club in the future and playing in the leagues.

Our Thursday club evenings are ongoing and we have recently increased the time controls to 7 min+3 sec to encourage more players to join in. Please do if you possible can.

I know some of our League 1 players have played in the 4NCL events and recently in the West Counties events and have done well. For detailed information on this and all things chess on a wider scale please look at www.dorsetchess site and the excellent weekly updates from Martin Simons.

Club night set up for 7.30pm tonight for those that can join and hope to see you all soon.

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April 1, 2021