A milestone. Wednesday 27 May was the tenth edition of NLC lockdown chess.
So how’s it all gone?
The first few weeks were a little ropey as we all got used to the new format and various technological issues were ironed out. But soon enough we’d hit our stride and have been having a solid core of ten or so players turn out each week.
One of the most heartening aspects of the last ten weeks has been the rise of the newcomers: Nicholas ‘Ndi78’ Iounnou is clearly heavyweight class, with Scott ‘scottwestron’ Westron showing flashes of menace with regular podium finishes, and Ian ‘Majicm68’ Mattisson has noticeably strengthened each week, taken a few worthy scalps and featured on the right side of a decent number on Games of the Week, to name but three of the many very welcome new members of the NLC Chess Circle.
The real story, though, is surely the simplest: and that’s that NLC chess has carried on. Many clubs haven’t, but the Liberal Chess Circle is made of sterner stuff.
Lockdown finally shows signs of easing up and it is just possible that later in the summer or early autumn we can enjoy blundering our pieces away across a chess board in the Lady Violet Room rather than across a keyboard in the front room.
But until then, there’ll always be Wednesday NLC Lockdown Chess.
Games of the week
Each week, this journal’s Editorial Committee will present to the Chess Circle two online games from that week’s session that, in their esteemed view, display a particularly lively charm. Perhaps it will be a ferocious attack, or a dogged defence, maybe a catastrophic blunder or simply something that piques the Committee’s interest…
Two games, as usual.
The first volunteered by Mister ‘GiffinNLC’ Giffin QC MA (Oxon), who telegramed the Editorial Committee to say “My game against the Doctor tonight worth a look. The computer thinks practically every move on both sides was a major mistake, but it was quite fun. The draw by repetition ending proves that – (1) Kirby holds his nerve better than me when time runs short; and (2) I can’t count“, and Doctor Kirby’s rejoinder: “Must admit I screwed up most of the defence in that game but then pulled myself together when I just had the queen“. That’s the spirit, gents.
The second was selected by the Editorial Committee. One of the last games of the night, it is notable for the zesty exchange sacrifice – 28. Rxd5. It ended in an agreed draw as the Arena time limit was clicking down, but white was clearly heading for victory.
See you for the 11th installment of NLC Lockdown Chess on Wednesday 03 June. That’ll be an ‘Arena’, the time after that a Swiss.