Archive of past seasons news:- in the links below-
Also on the 7th December, the Barrow team of the Cumbrian Weekend League, drew with Maryport C 1.5-1.5, the team was made up of Matthew Mackenzie, myself(Alan Llewellyn) and Jon Duffield. Matthew drew and I won but Jon is out of sorts this season and resigned in a won position, convincing himself he had been swindled, when, there was a way out. Jon didnt want his game put online, but the other two games are on below(click on names):-
Matthews game(brd 1) , Alans game(brd 2)
| POS | NAME | P | W | D | L | DEF | PTS |
| 1 | T BLOWER | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| 2 | A LLEWELLYN | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 ½ | |
| 3 | R HAYLEY | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 ½ | |
| =4 | D COLE | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| =4 | M MACKENZIE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| =4 | M BUNTER | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| =4 | J WOODBURN | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| =4 | F WHALLEY | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| =9 | D NEWTON | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| =9 | R BUNTER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| =9 | J DUFFIELD | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
The Barrow Club KO Round 1 for season 24-25
| Jon Duffield | 0-1 | Dave Cole |
| Alan Llewellyn | 1D-D0 | Trevor Blower |
| Russell Hayley | vs | Jim Woodburn |
| Matthew Mackenzie | 1-0 | D___ N____ |
| Connor Brown | disqualified | |
| Michael Bunter | bye | |
| Rachel Bunter | bye | |
| Frank Whalley | bye |
Dave Cole as black beat Jon Duffield in the 1st round of the Club KO for 2024-2025 on the 4th December 2024. On the same day Trevor Blower as white beat Michael Bunter in the Barrow club championship 24-25 the games are below(click on text below):- trevor vs Michael game(champs) , Jon vs Dave game(KO rnd 1)
On the 2nd of December 2024, the 3rd night of the Lightening League occured with a similar result to the rest, Matthew Mackenzie won with 4/4, with Trevor Blower and myself in joint second with 2.5/4. I dont want to scupper Matthew but he sure looks strong favourite to win that League.
Below is the commentary of game 4 (by howell and houska) of the 2024 world chess championships, click towards the top of the video to go into full screen mode
On the 27th November 2024 Trevor Blower took the lead in the club championship 24-25 after defeating Frank Whalley with white-he now has 4/4.
In a friendly I(Alan Llewellyn), got myself into trouble vs Jon Duffield(White) and found the only winning move (with black to move) click here to see the answer below:-
Answer:
On the 25th November 2024 Barrow 1 played and lost to Barrow 2 in the whitaker Cup Cumbrian team handicap ko, we lost 2 to 0.5. Barrow 2 are the junior side so again the juniors out-perform the seniors.
Today- 25th November 2024- The Chess World Championship starts. In this age of great interest in chess it is to be honest , not the most anticipated of events. This is because Ding Liren, the current world champion has had emotional issues and is hugely off form going into the two player final. The challenger, Gukesh Dommaraju, is a great player and totally on form though but this makes him the strong favourite to win easily.
You can watch coverage starting from 8:30 am below
The 18th of November 2024, saw a great result for Barrow B(the mainly junior team) when they drew 1.5-1.5 with the League last years champions, Ulverston A. Ulverston didnt play theyre strongest team but they still came with an extremely strong team. Both juniors on the team got points. It bodes well for their futures in chess.
On sunday the 17th of November, in the NCCU County Championships(u1850 section), a Cumbrian team of twelve faced twelve Merseyside players in a match and we lost 5.5-6.5. There were three Barrow players in the team, Dave Cole drew on board 2 and Russell Hayley on board 7 and myself(Alan Llewellyn) on board 10 both lost. the games are below click on the names-note Russells game isnt included due to a loss of form mistake he made which he wasnt pleased about.
Daves game(board 2) , Alans game(board 10)
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The above is from analysis of my game with Colin Bragg, i made an error in that analysis which wasnt at all obvious(from the match between Kendal and Barrow A). In the actual game instead of Bf1-Bc4 the move Bf1-Bd3 was played but I stated 7 Bc4 allowed 7...Nxe4 with the idea if 8 Nxe4 then 8...d5 forked the two pieces and got the piece back. Can you see how this plan is an error click here to see the answer below.
Below is a documentary about the Isle of Man Swiss, I myself(Alan Llewellyn) have entered it in the past-I must be the lowest rated player ever to enter.I came damn near last. Ulverston stalwart Dr Barry Hymer features a lot in the docmentary, he is a well known player on the British chess scene, with expertise in chess psychology.
on the 14th of November 2024, the Barrow A team in board order of Dave Cole, myself(Alan Llewellyn), Trevor Blower and Jon Duffield achieved a 2-2 draw in the Mid-Week League vs Kendal in Kendal. We all drew against higher rated opponents. The games can be seen by clicking on the text below.
Daves game(board 1) , Alans game(board 2) , Trevors game(board 3), Jons game(board 4)
on wednesday 13th November, Frank Whalley as black won his game vs Russell Hayley in the Barrow Club Championship 24-25. The game is below
On the 11th November 2024, Matthew Mackenzie(as black) won his 1st round KO match against D___ N____,
Barrow Club KO- 1st Round
| Jon Duffield | vs | Dave Cole |
| Alan Llewellyn | 1D-D0 | Trevor Blower |
| Russell Hayley | vs | Jim Woodburn |
| Matthew Mackenzie | 1-0 | D___ N____ |
| Connor Brown | bye | |
| Michael Bunter | bye | |
| Rachel Bunter | bye | |
| Frank Whalley | bye |
where D=draw- games to be played by 9th Dec 2024
The above is a trully out of this world experience of a Sally Rooney book on a chess player-note it is very graphic but the prose style is poetic and the experiences concise. The chess scenes also are beautifully researched to the finest detail. It is a world best seller.
On the 6th November 2024, Trevor Blower played me(Alan Llewellyn) him as black and he won in the club championship 24-25.The game went one way then the other but was decided by a daft king move by me -it is below:-
The latest table positions in the club championship for the beginning of November, are here
In the Lightning Tournament, on the 4th November 2024, the first monday of the month saw Matthew Mackenzie achieve another perfect 4/4, i (Alan Llewellyn)achieved another 3/4 in second while on 2/4 in joint third were Michael Bunter, Jon Duffield,Trevor Blower and D___ N____ leaving Rachel Bunter on an unlucky 1/4 in last. A miniature from the Tournament in which Matthew shows his experience and skill can be seen below:-
On Monday the 28th October 2024, The 1st Round KO match up between Trevor Blower and me(Alan Llewellyn) was played- a week ago we got a draw so this was a 1hr each replay and I was white and won. The game is below:-
Trevor Blower went to the really tough Scarborough Congress, in the minor section this weekend from fri 25th till 27th of October 2024. I nearly fell off my seat when I saw Gary Sharkey, the Maryport Chess Club Secretary was in the Minor Section and it showed just how tough it was. I have never personally won a single game there, but Trevor has an good record at the event but when he lost in the first round and drew in the second. his hopes of a podium finish were over but then he really started to play and won his next two games. Then in a rollercoaster of a tournament he met Gary as mentioned earlier and that was a loss to Trevor, so Trevor finished with a creditable 2.5/5. A game or two will hopefully be added below in the next few days.
Trevor at Scarbrough Round 3 , Trevor at Scarbrough Round 4
News has got to me(not sure of the dates), but a non-regular member of the Barrow Chess Club, Silas Ray, achieved 3.5/7 in the armed services championship 24 and a creditable 1.5/5 in the Hull Congress 24 under 1750 section.
On the 23rd October 2024, in the Barrow Club Championship 24-25. Jim Woodburn, as white, didnt show any rustiness in winning against Jon Duffield, the game is below:-
On Saturday the 19th October 2024, Rachel Bunter from the Barrow Club became the under 18 Cumbrian Champion after finshing first in the Cumbria Junior Championships 2024. Well done Rachel!!!!
Above, is from a position my trainer gave me, at first I gave a line that allowed Black to win but when told to try again I found the way white can win this, highlight for the answer, (by holding down the left button on mouse and dragging over the area below):- The critical winning line runs 1 Bf3+ Kg1 2 Bh1!! Kxh1 3 Kf1 c5 4 dxc6ep d5 5 c7 d4 6 c8=Q d3 7 Qc6# |
On the 21st October 2024, in the Barrow Club Championship Michael Bunter as white won against D___ N____, while in the 1st round of the Barrow Club Knock-Out between Trevor Blower as white(decided by toss) vs me(Alan Llewellyn), the game between Trevor and me is below:-
This is from a blitz game between myself(Alan Llewellyn) as white and Rachel Bunter. I find a nice checkmate here in 3. Highlight below to see the answer. The critical winning line runs 1 Rxh7!! when 1...Kf8 fails to 2 Qxf7# and taking the rook the only other move fails to ie 1...Kxh7 2 Qxf7+ and either 2...Kh8 3 Nxg6# or 2...Kh6 3 Qxg6# |
On Monday the 14th October 2024, a double header of a match of Barrow A vs Ulverston C and Barrow B vs Ulverston B was played in the mid week League, the Barrow A team consisted of Matthew Mackenzie, myself(Alan Llewellyn), Trevor Blower and Jon Duffield and we all won 4-0 the result to Barrow A. Barrow B consisted of Michael Bunter, Rachel Bunter and D___ N____. Michael won but the two juniors lost. So we lost that one 2-1
Click below on the names to see the games of the Barrow A players:-
Matthews game(board 1) , Alans game(board 2) , Trevors game(board 3), Jons game(board 4)
On Saturday 12th of October a Barrow team in the Cumbria Weekend League 24-25 met last seasons champions, Penrith A. Our team was made up of Matthew Mackenzie, Russell Hayley and myself (Alan Llewellyn). We were outgraded by a few hundred on boards 2 and 3. But when I lost a tight game with ex barrow player Dave Siddall, that left us up against it. Matthew was up against a similarly rated opponent Jacob Mctear, who he often loses against these days and he was happy for a draw despite getting a good opening. So Russell had the weight of the team wanting him to win against Alice Lampard a young woman almost master strength and he was up against it but still hanging on in there. So when Alice repeated the position, Russell jumped at the chance of a draw.The result was a tight 2-1 loss. Click on the names and look below-
Matthews game(board 1) , Russells game(board 2) , Alans game(board 3)
The wednesday of the 9th October 2024 saw Matthew Mackenzie(black) beat D___ N____ in the Barrow Club Championship 24-25.
On the 28th of September Rachel Bunter became the Furness under 18 Champion with an unbeaten 5 out of 5 score in the Furness Juniors Tournament. Charlie English and D___ N____ also entered and did well.
On the 7th of October we played the first lightning tournament as it is held on the first monday in the month during the season and isnt generally run in september. Matthew Mackenzie the strong favourite came first with 4/4, i came second(Alan Llewellyn) with 3/4 Rachel Bunter, Frank Whalley and Trevor Blower finished joint 3rd on 2/4 and the rest finished with 1/4 namely Michael Bunter, Jon Duffield and D___ N____.
The draw was made for the club KO games to be played sometime in december not sure of the date yet.
| Jon Duffield | vs | Dave Cole |
| Alan Llewellyn | vs | Trevor Blower |
| Russell Hayley | vs | Jim Woodburn |
| Matthew Mackenzie | vs | D___ N____ |
| Connor Brown | bye | |
| Michael Bunter | bye | |
| Rachel Bunter | bye | |
| Frank Whalley | bye |
The upto-date table for the club championship can be seen here. It is very early days yet.
On the 30th September 2024 the last monday of september, Russell Hayley as black drew with me(Alan Llewellyn) in the Barrow Club Championship 24-25. The video of the game is below (not much happens):-
On 23rd September 24, the monday saw a win for Russell Hayley as black vs Dave Cole in the Barrow Club Championship 24-25. The game is below it was a tight affair.
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White (Emmanuel Lasker) in a simultaneous exhibition has an option of two ways to win here from 1903 game with Rudolf Loman. The answer is below highlight to see then click on hidden link to get full story:- The critical winning line runs 1 Rxc2!! when 1...Qxc2 fails to both 2 Rf8+ Rxf8 3 Qxc2 but in the actual game Lasker played 2 Qxc2!! because after 2...Rxc2 3 Rf8+ Kxf8 4 gxh7 the pawn seems unstoppable to Queen.click here for full answer to suprising result. |
On 18th September 2024, Wednesday, Jon Duffield as white lost in the Barrow Club Championship against Trevor Blower. Jon was doing well but then forgot why he didnt make a certain move and gave away his Queen. The game with Jons game vs Russell Hayley on the 16th, will be included below:-
The Monday of the 16th September 2024, saw three games played in the Barrow Club Championship 24-25. Dave Cole had white against D___ N____ and won. Russell Hayleys was white vs Jon Duffield result was a win for Russell when Jon gave a piece up in his haste to castle, and Michael Bunter was white vs me (Alan Llewellyn) and I won, the game is below.
| Matthew Mackenzie |
| Dave Cole |
| Jim Woodburn |
| Michael Bunter |
| Russell Hayley |
| Frank Whalley |
| Alan Llewellyn |
| Trevor Blower |
| Rachael Bunter |
| Jon Duffield |
| D___ N____ |
| Connor Brown |
Sorry Charlie English but if you want to join this years competition please come to the club and speak with Trevor. Charlies position has been supplanted by Connor Brown in the list of colours sheets seen here. The colours sheet can also be seen on the competition page, after going down a level by clicking on the Results and colours link, which note has been simplified.
On Wednesday 4th September 2024, two matches in the Barrow Club Championship were played Trevor Blower as white against a junior D____ won and myself(Alan Llewellyn as white) won against Jon Duffield, my game is below annotated. The club itenerary for the lightning is given in the competitions page and can be seen here.
On the 2nd September 2024 the first day of the club Championship, Rachel Bunter as white lost against myself(Alan Llewellyn) in a London system opening , which went drastically wrong for me, and Rachel was cruising to victory but made a blunder and missed her chances to win luckily enough for me.
The AGM minutes are up on the minutes page-note there was a problem with the link to the 2022-2023 season minutes which has been corrected-it previosuly pointed to the 2021-2022 years agm minutes. Click here for the minutes page.
The Colours sheet can be seen for the club championship in the competitions page and here.
We had our annual general meeting for the last season 2023-24, on the 28th August 2024.
A Eulogy to George Horne and Brian Parkinson was given in Sadness.
Fees were agreed to be raised due to the added cost of the excellent venue. They go to
Adult Membership -25pound
Junior Membership-5 pound
Cumbrian Membership -8 pound(for those wanting to play in league teams)
English Chess Federation Bronze Membership-20 pound(to get a national rating)
ECF Gold Membership-35 pound( to get an international rating or reduced fee for tournaments)
The Time Ladder Tournament an ongoing challenge based with time handicap to the stronger player, finished early with a run away winner, when on top of the ladder a defence of a draw or win gives you a point and Michael Bunter achieved I think 5 defences while no one else got more than 1.
I will explain how I learnt chess in a personal piece which may or may not get you thinking.
I learnt chess at an early age (1976 aged 5) but not many my age knew how to play, and my parents didnt have much time for a game so when i found a friend in Michael Riddell at school aged 9 i played excessively-thousands of games. In 1981(aged 10) i chose the chess lesson over a soccr lesson aat primary school but although i was taught a little i never read a book and had forgotten it all by my teenage years. Michael left the school due to problems at home and although there was a club in the later years of secondary school, i still didnt even know scholars mate. In 1983 i got a computer chess playing program and most of my chess in my teenage years was concerned with playing compters until in 1987 (aged 16) i went to sixth form college in barrow and met David Livesey a past member of Barrow Chess Club. He played with me as a sparing partner for several years but when in the winter of 1990(aged 19) he asked me if i wanted to go with him to the Barrow Chess Club i reluctantly said yes.
In 1991 i started to read books on the theory of chess, nimzowitches book 'my system' stood out amongst these. I read books on the openings also, Batsford Chess Openings 2 was key amongst them. I learnt most early on from post mortems where the players go in the analysis rooms after a game and talk through their thoughts. I bought a dedicated chess computer board to help learn play but it wasnt until i bought Fritz 5 the talking chess computer for PC that I started to analyse my games and record them with annotations. I had infinite analysis on and went through the games examining turning moments of the game. You see a game continues as even until a mistake is made and these mistakes alter the balance of play and computer analysis points out these mistakes when the estimation of who is winning alters. I also used computer analysis to test out my own analysis during play, examining what might have happend if i had tried something different or my opponent had tried something different, i had seen as a threat. I tried to iron out my mistakes by analysing all mistakes made and where i went wrong. Key to this was choosing serious games to analyse as i had time to think about them at the time.
I read books on the opening middle game and endgame to come up to theory but in around 2008, i discovered such a training facility called a Fritz Trainer, in it it has a video and is attached to the chessbase system of chess database management. It automatically goes through a computer board showing the positions examined by the video, also wit livebook facility on it shows all the moves played in every psoition described. You can stopthe video at any moment and go through the position on the board with a computer engine explaining the reason you didnt understand the minutely of the position. The lines given are by a top grandmaster or someone titled with a good knowledge of the opening, divulging all his secrets.
In 2018 I won a ton of money gambling and decided to get a top chess coach. His name was Alex Batty and he was an international master. He was excellent, he worked on my openings and middlegame extensively giving me positions in my game where i could, with thought have played better. He also gave sugestions in games played against regular opponents from analysing past games.
Now (with less money) i have a less expensive coach and trainer in Tjauw Chien Ming, an indonesian based Taiwanese helper to my play who is also excellent. One particular way of training was to have different opening setups decided before a match testing different systems my opponent might use against my sicilian opening, a match was arranged of different anti-sicilian systems then a match was arranged of set systems against my preffered sicilian defence of the Dragon. Two weeks was taken between systems and i spent the time on fritz trainers, getting up to speed with the different lines.
The Cumbrian Chess Association AGM was held recently and the minutes can be seen here.
The new season news page has started with the archive of the last seasons details starting on the first link from the top above.
The last event of last season, The Pairs, is detailed here with the tournament played on the 14th August 2024 where teams of two, completely randomly produced, play each other with each team member playing in exclusively the major or the minor section. Quite randomly it worked out perfectly as there were 8 players making 4 teams, they always play 3 games so everyone played the all the other people in their section.
The teams were
A-Frank Whalley and Drake Newton
B-Russell Hayley and Trevor Blower
C-Alan Llewellyn and Jon Duffield
D-Matthew Mackenzie and Connor Brown
the points scored in the Major section were D-3pts, A-1.5pts, C- 1pt, B-0.5pts
the points scored in the Minor section were B-3pts, A-2pts, C- 1pt, D-0pts
The joint winners were thus the A and B team with 3.5pts, with D in third with 3 pts and C last with 2 pts.
A few mentions of club competition winners are that Rachel Bunter won the Junior prize this season 23-24 for her result in the club championship. While the death of George Horne has left a hole at the club in many ways but one way is that the Knock Out cup is left without an absolute winner, as George was down to play Matthew Mackenzie in the final, which was never played. Matthew was offered the title in a walkover but magnaminously Matthew wanted both George and Matthew to be declared joint champions, on the roll of honour.
For the full roll of honour click here.