Summer events

Although the main season runs from opening night in September to the AGM in June, there has been plenty of chess activity taking place over the summer.

Essex Rapidplay knockout

This is a 30/30 event run by the Essex Chess Association, with two games played by each pair of players, for teams of 5.

Three teams were entered. Wanstead A survived Basildon in the semi-final but were defeated by Writtle in the Final played on 30^th August 2016; Writtle achieving a League and Cup Double.  Wanstead B and C after first round losses went into the plate competition.  Wanstead C lost to Barking B in the semi-final who went on to beat Wanstead B on board count in the plate final at Wanstead on 20^th September 2016.

Full results for the competition can be found on the Essex website here.

Baum Trophy

This is a 30/30 event run by the North Circular League on a league basis, with two games played by each pair of players, for teams of a minimum of 4.

Three teams were entered with their interclub fixtures all taking place at our traditional end of season/start of summer Bonanza Night on 31^st May 2016.  Chingford and two teams from Enfield completed the entries to this Rapidplay league.  Wanstead won its fourth successive title but for the second year running there was a three way tie (without tie break) between Wanstead 2, Chingford and Wanstead 1.  The League Secretary commented at the AGM as to the amount of summer chess played and that for a minimum of 4 board matches the average number of boards was 7.  Wanstead 3 finished fourth.

Fixtures and results are shown on the following page.

Essex Team Blitz

This is an annual event organised by the Essex Chess Association for teams of 4 in which the club normally enters at least two teams.  This year it took place at Ilford Chess Club on 26 June 2016, sponsored by King & King.

Wanstead Knightmares retained their title by a single game point ahead of Barking A.  In a reduced field of 7 (but nevertheless including Barking, Writtle, Cavendish and Ilford), Wanstead Tall Pawns came 6^th above Barking B, with a match victory over Ilford too.    Artur Sygulski, David Spearman, Larry Marden and Terry Whitton were our winning team.  Board prizes were won by Artur Sygulski (board 1) and Terry Whitton (board 4, shared).

Sam Black Memorial Blitz

This took place at the Club on 7 June 2016 and was won by Adam Bukojemski and FM David Haydon (10/12).  The highest placed WWCC player was David Spearman who finished fifth on 8/12.  Kevin Sweeney won the slow starter prize with a very credible 5/12 ahead of more stellar opposition. 11 members participated in a field of 32.

The cross-table can be found on the North Circular League website here.

Friendly v Hastings & St Leonards Chess Club

The 7^th Hastings “all club” match was held on Saturday 20^th August 2015; Paul Barclay’s team wining a close match by 5½ – 4½.  In the rejoined series WWCC lead 5.5 to 1.5.

Capes Trophy

This is an annual team blitz event organised by the North Circular League, in which the club normally enters one or (hopefully) more teams.  This year’s event will take place on 16 September in the Hall at Wanstead House.