Tag Archives: online

On Saturday evening we took part in a UK blitz team tournament online. The “UK Clubs Self Isolating Pawns Team Battle” featured 8 clubs, and was run on the lichess server using the Team Battle Arena option. The tournament ran for 2 hours, and you played as many blitz games as you could fit in against players from other clubs. The top 5 scorers from each club were used to calculate final standings.

The pairing system itself is a bit unpredictable, it is some combination of the Swiss pairing system and using the players who are available, given there are no set round times. You just go with it! It is possible to pause in between to get a cup of tea for example (or something stronger), and joining late or leaving early is possible too.

We managed a highly creditable 2nd place behind winners Hackney. Clement and Calum were out top scorers, and in fact were top scorers for the whole tournament! Final results can be seen here

We’ll be trying to go one better next Saturday at 8pm! To play just go to the Team homepage on lichess and sign up to the UK Self Isolating Pawns Team Battle on 2nd May.

Another week with restrictions in place. I hope you are all coping ok and are staying safe. For those who participate, online chess activity offers an enjoyable distraction.

Wednesday Night Blitz

Last week’s Blitz Result: 1. Adam Bremner 2. Neil Berry 3. Calum MacQueen. Another good turnout of 30 players.

This week’s blitz is again on Wednesday 22nd at 7.45pm on lichess. please use the link below to sign up. The password is 1822. I’m also keen to expand the competition, so please share the details with friends and competitors:

Lichess Blitz Wed 22nd

Return of the Tuesday Program

Council have decided to continue with the blitz and allegro championships and a talk on engines and tablebases from Ian Whittaker. These events will be held online and details will be confirmed over the next few weeks. We are also keen to run less formal events, in particular have slower play games between members on some of the other Tuesdays. I am looking for a volunteer to help coordinate – even just suggesting events and being on hand for some Tuesdays.

2022 Bicentenary Committee Volunteers

As you will all be aware, Raj has been leading the committee for our 2022 preparations. There has been much work done, and while the coronavirus epidemic has meant certain activities are on hold, there is still much we are looking to progress. I will share progress with you over the coming weeks, but in the meantime if anyone outside of the committee would like to be involved, please let myself or Raj (rbhopal@doctors.net.uk) know. In particular, we are looking for some help with:

Fundraising. Options could include sale of duplicate assets, crowdfunding or sponsorship. Someone to work through the options and come up with a proposal. Experience in fundraising preferable.

Archives. Ian and David have put a great deal of work into going through our archives, but there remains lots more to do.

Other Events

Glasgow Polytechnic are running their quickplay tournament online on the evening of Thursday 30th April. You can find more details on the link below. Note that you need a chess.com account to play.

Ken Stewart Quickplay

Chess Scotland are hosting an online allegro on Sunday 26th April. Details below

Scottish Chess Tour