The 2026/27 chess season kicked off with a friendly on Wednesday the 9th September against the UK Parliamentary Chess Club. This saw NLC Member Mister Misian Maljoku make his debut and Mister Caelan Gopaldas join us from the Reform (and Pimlico Chess Club) on a brief loan.
The UKPCC’s top two boards had players rated 2000+. Alas, Mister Nigel Giffin MA(Oxon) KC found Mister Chris Fegan far too strong an opponent in their two 15|10 games (the elected format for our two rounds). Thank you to Captain Hornsby for bringing over clocks that handle an increment – our DGT Easy models do not.
Our Board 1 results was nicely cancelled out on Board 2 with Mister Gopaldas victorious in both his games against Mister Jamie Njoku-Goodwin. Both games were marked by exciting and unusual play, quickfire moves and delayed castling. Mister Gopaldas is more than welcome to play for us again in the future.
In the photo on the left, Mister Caelan Gopaldas (nearest the camera) got the better of Mister Jamie Njoku-Goodwin with the Black and then the White pieces. Lord Dafydd Wigley (left) and Captain Saldanha look on. Mister Gabriel Jordan (UKPCC) is nearest the window. Ms Daniella Stuhlmann (UKPCC) ponders the position in the second photo.
Round 1
UKPCC won the toss and took the White pieces in Round 1. Wins for Mssrs Gopaldas, Ivey, Maljoku and Miss Birrane saw the NLC draw 4-4 with the Black pieces. That’s not at all a bad result. All to play for in round two.
Round 2
Mister Gurnihal Singh, who is improving rapidly and not to underestimated, takes on Lord Harry Carter as Miss Emma Birrane battles with Mister Gabriel Jordan. Miss Birrane won both her games as did Mister Maljoku (shown below) playing against Ms Stuhlmann – well done both of you! (Mister James Rhatigan looks on approvingly, we think, from the right.) We look forward to seeing Mister Maljoku in action again at the Hurlingham next week.
Honours equal for Captains Saldanha and Hornsby – the first time they have encountered each other over the chessboard; Mister Singh and Lord Carter (sorry only the first two games count, not the five you actually played chaps); and Mister Mike Ivey and Lord Wigley. That proved enough for the NLC to take the second round 6-2 and therefore 10-6 overall. A welcome start to the new season.
A number of us then hit the NLC’s bar for a drink and a bite to eat – no lavish dinner for this initial friendly. The conversation flowed and a good time was had by all. We look forward to jousting with Parliament again.