Friday 29 December 2017

New Year and photo boards

I hope you've all had a pleasant Christmas. CJCC will meet back on Tuesday 9th January with the younger players when we will kick off the first round of the UK Chess Challenge. The older players will kick off the following week (16th).

Below are a couple of photo boards I've put together ready for the New Year with photos from last term. The one on the left from our club and the one on the right from the British Chess events I help former CJCC parent and International Master Richard Pert organise.




The next British Chess event is a two-day, junior long play tournament on 10th/11th February with the top section FIDE-rated. There will be analysis of games as they finish and coaching as part of the weekend. Full details of the event can be found at www.britishchess.co.uk or email me for a flyer.

Ahead of this on Sunday 14th January is the next Essex Junior Chess Association Grand Prix tournament at Southend. Details at www.ejca.co.uk.

Good luck to our players currently competing at the London Junior Chess Championships.

Happy New Year!
Robin
chelmsfordjuniorchess@gmail.com

Tuesday 12 December 2017

CJCC Christmas Buffet

Today was our last meeting before Christmas so all the club were invited to a special Christmas Buffet meeting. Thank you to all the parents who arrived with food. I was impressed - not a bag of haribo in sight. James had even baked some special Christmas cheese stars for the occasion. They were delicious.

Thank you as well to all of you who helped clear up. Tom displayed unexpected enthusiasm for vacuuming which did impress his mum.

Congratulations to Bertie who was my player of the day for his willingness to challenge stronger opponents.

We will meet back on 9th January with the younger half and kick off the UK Chess Challenge (a 7-round tournament for everyone which will run to Easter).

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and good luck to our players going to the London Junior Chess Championships between Christmas and New Year.

Francesca playing Amelie (plus dog).

Bertie (standing) taking on Eddie in the foreground.

Best Wishes
Robin
chelmsfordjuniorchess@gmail.com

Sunday 10 December 2017

H+H Fire Train and Play 10th December

Bad timing for us today with the snow which meant about half the players who entered couldn't take part. Impressive effort by Dagne battling down from Suffolk to be our Guest Coach.

We had a friendly match and coaching by IM Richard Pert and WGM Dagne Ciuksyte in the morning then split into 4 teams (parents and children) for a team competition in the afternoon.

Findlay's Noisy Knights team (with CJCC players Alexander and Maheep) were the winners with the other 3 teams separated by half a point. CJCC parents Jag and Dee were two of 5 players to score 3/3.

A report and photos will appear on the blog at www.britishchess.co.uk

 Dominique and Charlotte's chess sculpture created at home when they couldn't make the day.

 IM Richard Pert with his coaching group. Anna with her hand up at the front.

 WGM Dagne Ciuksyte's more sedate approach in the classroom.

 Daniel vs Dee in the foreground.

Maheep vs Hugo with Dagne watching at the back.

Best Wishes
Robin
chelmsfordjuniorchess@gmail.com

Saturday 9 December 2017

H+H Fire FunMaster Mike evening 8th December

Yesterday saw something of a coup for British Chess with an evening of chess with US FIDE Master Mike Klein alongside IM Richard Pert and me at Moulsham School.

Mike is better known as FunMaster Mike from the excellent ChessKid website. ChessKid's one million users worldwide make Mike arguably the world's best known junior chess coach. The juniors who know Mike so well as their online chess mentor had the weird experience of seeing a virtual figure become flesh and blood.

Mike gave a great talk about looking for unusual moves and then took part in a simultaneous match alongside Richard and me against all the juniors. He was brilliant with the juniors and it was a special evening to be part of.

Congratulations to Moulsham and CJCC's Adam Baker who played a very nice combination to be the only winner in the simultaneous match.

Part two of the H+H Fire Christmas Train and Play is tomorrrow's family challenge event. Report to follow.

 Mike illustrating one of the ideas.

 The audience (parents and juniors) really enjoyed Mike's interactive presentation.

 Richard opposite a row of CJCC players watched by Byon.

 Mike thinking about Madison's position watched by Matthew.

A perfect photo for a caption competition!

Best Wishes
Robin
chelmsfordjuniorchess@gmail.com