Back to normal at last
29 July 2021
For the last 2 weeks we have at last been able to play chess normally. My tuition this week began with an introduction to the very dangerous Vienna opening where on move 2 after 1.e4 White plays 2.Nc3 rather than the more common 2.Nf3. Over the coming weeks I will be exploring the main lines of this opening in more detail which in my opinion is worth playing up to about ECF 180 or FIDE 2150. During lockdown I beat a 200 plus graded player with it so it is definitely worth looking at.

Dave is taking a break somewhere more sunny than Ashton and has left Paul, Sacha, Steve and Pete in charge - a rota has even been produced to make sure all is in order. Sacha and Paul have been running sessions in the hall for the more advanced players and Pete has looked after the beginners. Tuck Shop King Steve has rebranded the Tuck Shop with a new logo - designed by a top London advertising agency which has sadly used the profits from the last 2 years...

So far this season we have come 3rd in B division in the MCF after being promoted last season. We are joint top of E division with a play off due against Urmston to decide who goes up and we have won the Rapidplay league. In the SDCL we have finished 2nd in A division after being promoted last year and won the Limit League - brilliant performances from everyone

This week David was away and he left Pete and Steve in charge of the evening. The knight was quiet to begin with until we had an influx and 3 new members arrived. To keep things simple we all just remained in the hall to play friendly games which did get quite noisy at times. The tuck shop opened as soon as a queue formed (about 6:50 rather than 7:30) and Steve did a great job in upselling chocolate and suggary sweets to the children. The evening finished slightly ahead of schedule so we were able to pack up, tidy up and be ready for the caretaker to throw us out.