The NCA League Meeting has changed to 13th September and therefore the Tynemouth AGM is now to be held on Tuesday 11th September and not the date in the AGM pack. Apologies for the relatively late alteration. I will try to notify every person individually.

There is to be a prize for the best performance by a Tynemouth club player at the Tyne & Wear Congress, 21st to 23rd September, The Parks Leisure Centre, Howden Road, North Shields. The item(s) were recently bought from the Chess & Bridge shop in London and are quite impressive… We really need entries, so don’t delay!

The new Tynemouth grades for the 2007-8 season are available: 

Tynemouth grades 2007-08

The quarter final stage of the Knockout Plate saw the Hobbits lose on the 1.5 handicap advantage held by Alnwick after the teams drew 2-2 at Morpeth on Wednesday 13th June. Top board Michael Hubbard lost an exciting game against Phil Hemsley, while Tim Adams on two was fortunate to escape with a draw in an inferior position when Mike Wallace chose to repeat moves. On board three Lara Barnes was pleasantly surprised when Mike Trolan resigned in what proved to be an unclear game, and on board four Keith Rockett sportingly agreed a draw against D. Patterson a knight up as by then the match was lost. Good luck to Alnwick A in their next match!

Antonio Moneva Jordan in final round action at Hartlepool:

You can see more of Martin Seeber’s photos of Tynemouth Players at the Hartlepool Tournament on Chess Tales.

John Wheeler has sent through details for the Kings Summer Chess Grand Prix.

The events are on Tuesday evenings throughout July and August.

Tim Adams is leaving the post of Secretary at the AGM in September (date to be announced) as minuted at last year’s meeting. He is also looking for someone to act as a junior facilitator/trainer, 6.30 to 7.30, Tuesday evenings, upstairs room, Spring Gardens Public House, North Shields. Subject to possible changes in child protection legislation, CRB clearance, although preferred, is currently not essential due to the social context and existing peer/parent supervision.

If you are interested in either of these posts please contact Tim in the usual way, or attend the AGM and self-nominate appropriately.

Roger Coathup from Tynemouth Chess Club won the Hartlepool Open (May 25-27) with 4.5 out of 5 (qualifying for the British Championship); Paul Dargan came third on 3.5.  Tynemouth was well represented in the Open with Michael Hubbard, Clive Waters and Tim Adams also taking part.  Antonio Moneva Jordan played in the Major section.

 Roger is covering the games on the Chess Tales blog.

In June, a Tynemouth team will play an Internet match against a team from Buenos Aires, Argentina.  The double round match (two 30 minute games) will be played over 5 boards.  The Argentinean team will be made up of writers from the Solo Ajedrez blog; their squad includes two strong International Masters: Mariano Fraschini and Nahuel Diaz.

Anyone interested in playing should leave a comment below.

We were dumped out of the summer knockout on Tuesday night despite starting with a full point on bottom board when Jesmond defaulted.

Paul Dargan made it 2-0, but it quickly went downhill from there as both Darren and myself lost.  The handicap system gave Jesmond a 1.5 points head-start, so a final score of 3.5-2 in their favour.  Chess Tales examines 3 positions from the games including a very nice mating attack by Paul.

If you looking to work on your game, my blog Chess Tales posts a chess improvement tip each Saturday.  Please feel free to call by and check them out.