The next Family Chess morning at the Discovery Centre (Library) will be held on Saturday 18th January from 10.30am to 12.30pm. The event is free and all are welcome from beginner to Grandmaster.

The Annual Simultaneous Display was held at the Discovery Centre with all 20 boards taken. Steven Jones played the games this year and completed a clean sweep winning all the games played. The prize winners for lasting the most moves were Jose Montes in the Adults section and Ojas Dhall for the Juniors.

Basingstoke Chess Club are having a good season in the league’s they are competing in. Recently two matches were played in the Berkshire League and the Borders League at the ultra strong Reading A team.

In the Berkshire League a close match ended with the home side edging home by 4 wins to 2 wins. Barry Kocan and Richard Thurstans gained the ‘stoke points with wins. However in the Borders League a few weeks previous Basingstoke were the winners by 3 ½ to 1 ½ maintaining their top of the league position.

The points came from wins by Raja Pentakota, Jamie Chilton and David Graham plus a draw from Mike Singleton. The Borders League B team were inactive but are amongst the Division 3 leaders.

The Southampton League team are also having success and sit at the top of Division 5. In their most recent match they won 2 ½ to 1 ½ at Winchester C. Wins from Philip Ware and Adam Matthews plus a draw from Peter Beldaus notched the point counters.

The Junior section will soon be holding the Qualifying competition for the Delancey Challenge. Over 40,000 children take part and the Basingstoke players will be looking to qualify for the Hampshire Mega-Finals being held in Winchester College in April’20.

Basingstoke Chess Club meet at Maydene in Sherborne Road every Wednesday. New and old members welcome. Details and information can be obtained from Club Website.

https://www.basingstokechessclub.co.uk/