Chess WITH THE KNIGHT
THE 2017/2018 chess league season has started.
This always generates some excitement in the clubs. Who is available? Who plays in which team? Speculation on prospects and possible achievements abound. A mixture of excitement, tinged, perhaps, with a little apprehension is commonplace.
Some people may have taken a rest from the game over the summer. Some clubs close down completely. Other clubs may have stayed open, albeit with depleted numbers as individuals enjoy their summer holidays. The break from league matches creates opportunities for other internal club competitions which will now be winding up.
There have also been a number of congresses, notably the Durham and Northumberland gatherings at Chester-le Street and North Shields respectively. Some people will feel ready for the forthcoming league games; others might feel a bit rusty and underprepared. There is also the possibility of clubs having gained or lost players. A little bit of uncertainty is great. If Leicester can win the Premiership, can some similarly unfancied team win the First Division of the chess league? Most insiders will expect the First Division title to go to one of Morpeth, Gosforth, Durham, South Shields or Forest Hall. We will know by Easter!
With a good number of people new to league chess, having joined clubs over the summer, there will be a few butterflies, no doubt. Watching a match about to start is an interesting experience: captains checking their players are sat at the correct tables; a few words shared with your opponent; tidying the pieces on the board, ensuring they are centred accurately at the middle of the squares.
It’s all part of a routine to get into the right frame of mind, clear away other thoughts and focus on the challenge ahead. A brief shake of hands and a few muttered words. Black starts White’s clock and the game is under way. The quiet is broken by the slight noise caused by the movement of the pieces. In the very early part of the game this occurs more or less simultaneously, but, even these small sounds diminish as the games get out of step. It is a brilliant experience! At best, a player gets into a little cocoon of concentration. All other Later, when the game has finished, there is the joy of winning or disappointment of defeat but both are proportionate. It is, after all, only a game. But a very, very good game!
For anyone reading this who is not already a member of a club, you hopefully will be inspired to seek one out. A full list of these, including contact numbers, can be found on the Northumberland Chess League website. There are clubs in Alnwick, Durham, Forest Hall, Gateshead, Gosforth, Jesmond, Leam Lane, Morpeth, South Shields, Tynedale, and Tynemouth. They are all keen to expand and will make you welcome.
Above are puzzles to illustrate three tactical ideas.