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Updated 21/02/26

2^nd Folkestone FIDE Congress—Friday 20^th–Sunday 22^nd March 2026

Grand Burstin Hotel, The Harbour, Marine Parade, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1TX

Five-round Swiss tournament (time control 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from start)

Three sections ECF and FIDE rated: Open, U1750 and U1450

Details and entry at: 2nd Folkestone FIDE Congress

Swale Chess Club report—19^th February 2026

We were at full capacity last night with action on 14 boards.

Harvey Cup match

Thank you for playing to our team who unfortunately lost 4.5–1.5 to a good team from Hastings.

The board order and results were:

Stephen (0.5), Sam (0.5), Andrew (0.5), Duncan (0), Aaron (0), Mike I (0).

Championship

Last night's results:

Swale Chess Club Championship

Arnaud Wisman 0.5–0.5 Martin Singer
Ashley Jarvis 0–1 Keith Nevols
David Page 1–0 Oliver Szabo

Second tournament

Kieran Adams 0–1 Sylvie Nijman
David Durrant 0–1 Joe Eagle

Welcome on board, Lord!

We were pleased to meet new member Lord last night.

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Updated 14/02/26

Swale Chess Club report—12^th February 2026

Harvey Cup match

Thanks and well done to our Harvey Cup team for their third victory of the season—defeating Maidstone 6 by 3.5–2.5.

The board order and results were:

Stephen (1), Sam (0.5), Andrew (0), Duncan (0), Aaron (1), Mike I (1).

Championship results

The results were:

Swale Chess Club Championship

Andrew Gillard 0–1 Arnaud Wisman
Owen Taylor 0–1 Stephen Lamb
Keith Nevols 1–0 Oliver Szabo
Keith Hyde 0.5–0.5 Martin Singer
David Page 1–0 Paul Hobbs
Craig Lindsay 0–1 Gary Clifford

Second tournament

David Durrant 0–1 Sam Glenn

Mini-puzzle

From a recent Swale Chess Club Championship game. How can White win material and leave Black in a precarious position?

White to move.

Mini-answer

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Updated 07/02/26

Swale Chess Club report—5^th February 2026

Tom Fuller Cup match

Thanks to our team, which drew 2–2 away to Maidstone. The scores and board order were:

Joe (1), Paul (0), Mike I (1), David D (0).

Championship results

The results were:

Swale Chess Club Championship

Aaron Brown 0–1 Keith Hyde
Ashley Jarvis 1–0 Craig Lindsay
Duncan Marsh 0.5–0.5 Keith Nevols
Paul Hobbs 0–1 Stephen Lamb
Martin Singer 0–1 Gary Clifford

Second tournament

David Durrant 0–1 Sylvie Nijman
Sam Glenn 1–0 Kieran Adams

Mini-puzzle

—Contributed by Andrew

From my recent county game. Things had got off to a good start for me as White, but my opponent has fought back well. How did I reacquire the advantage?

White to move.

Mini-answer

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Updated 31/01/26

Swale Chess Club report—29^th January 2026

Fuller Cup match

Well done to the Fuller team for a 3.5–0.5 win over Maidstone. Thank you for playing.

The team and results were: Duncan (0.5), Paul (1), Mike (1) and Craig (1).

Championship results

The results were:

Swale Chess Club Championship

Owen Taylor 0–1 Martin Singer
Keith Hyde 0.5–0.5 Ashley Jarvis
Nick Allen 0–1 Stephen Lamb

Second tournament

Kieran Adams 1–0 David Durrant
Sylvie Nijman 0–1 Sam Glenn

Mini-puzzle

A second puzzle from last week's wild Martin–Duncan game. This time it is Duncan as Black to move.

Black to move.

Mini-answer

Welcome on board, Rohith!

We were pleased to meet new member Rohith last night.

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Updated 25/01/26

Swale Chess Club report—22^nd January 2026

Swale Chess Club Championship

Thursday's results:

Arnaud Wisman 1–0 Ashley Jarvis
Oliver Szabo 0–1 Keith Hyde
David Page 0–1 Andrew Gillard
Paul Hobbs 0–1 Gary Clifford
Martin Singer 1–0 Duncan Marsh
Nick Allen 1–0 Craig Lindsay

Report—County chess U1650 Essex v Kent

Essex 5–Kent 11. An emphatic victory, with three Swale Chess Club members contributing to yesterday's away result at Wanstead.

Mini-puzzle

—Contributed by Martin

I had a game against Duncan on Thursday and it was a wild one!

White (Martin) to move.

Mini-answer

Welcome on board, Jamie!

We were pleased to meet new member Jamie last night.

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Updated 16/01/26

Swale Chess Club report—15^th January 2026

En Passant match—Swale v Maidstone

Thanks and well done to our En Passant team who had another close match and won 3.5–2.5 against Maidstone.

The team with results was:

Keith N (0.5), Keith H (1), Stephen (0), David (0.5), Andrew (1), Duncan (0.5)

Swale Chess Club Championship

This week's results:

Martin Singer 0.5–0.5 Ashley Jarvis
Paul Hobbs 0–1 Arnaud Wisman
Owen Taylor 0–1 Aaron Brown

Rated game

Sylvie Nijman 1–0 Gary Clifford

Mini-puzzle

—Contributed by Andrew

From last night's Maidstone match. The position is equal here; how did I open things up?

Black to move.

Mini-answer

Welcome on board, Joe!

We were pleased to meet new member Joe last night.

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Updated 10/01/26

Swale Chess Club report—8^th January 2026

Swale Chess Club Championship

This week's results:

Trefor Owens 1–0 Craig Lindsay
Oliver Szabo 0–1 Aaron Brown

En Passant match—Swale v Rainham

Unfortunately we lost a close match 2.5–3.5 but thank you to the team for playing. Keith N (0.5), Keith H (1), David (0.5), Nick (0.5), Andrew (0), Duncan (0).

Mini-puzzle

—Contributed by Andrew

In post-game analysis of my En Passant game I revealed that I had been concerned about 33 …Rb3–h3 as shown here (my opponent Gary in the game had instead prudently played 33 …Qb5, leaving his rook in situ on b3, and soon won).

Why is this flashy queen sacrifice 34 BxQ Rh1 checkmate not in fact an option?

White to move.

Mini-answer

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Updated 19/12/25

3^rd New Year's Day FIDE Blitz—Thursday 1^st January 2026

Plaza Suite, Stag Theatre, London Rd, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1ZZ

Eight double rounds = sixteen games.

Details and entry at: New Year's Day FIDE Blitz

Swale Chess Club report—18^th December 2025

Christmas Blitz tournament

Thank you to those who came along to our Christmas Blitz tournament.

Congratulations to Ashley for winning the contest, and also to Sylvie for winning her group.

The results:

Ties were settled by individual results and cumulative scores.

Final

Ashley Jarvis 1–0 Sylvie Nijman

Other play-offs:

Keith Nevols 1–0 Andrew Gillard
Stephen Lamb 0–1 Martin Singer
Mike Ingham 0–1 Trefor Owens
Gary Clifford 1–0 Paul Hobbs
Craig Lindsay 1–0 David Durrant

Christmas closure

The club is now closed for Christmas and New Year's Day and will be reopening on Thursday the 8^th of January 2026.

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Updated 13/12/25

Kentish Xmas Rapidplay—Sunday 14^th December 2025

Donnington Manor Hotel, London Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2TD

Six-round rapidplay. Three sections.

Details and entry at: Kentish Xmas Rapidplay

3^rd New Year's Day FIDE Blitz—Thursday 1^st January 2026

Plaza Suite, Stag Theatre, London Rd, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1ZZ

Eight double rounds = sixteen games.

Details and entry at: New Year's Day FIDE Blitz

Swale Chess Club report—11^th December 2025

Report—Harvey Cup Match

Well done to our team for defeating Maidstone by 4.5–1.5 in the Harvey Cup. The team with scores was: Keith N (0.5), Stephen (1), Andrew (0), Paul (1), Craig (1), Mike I (1).

Swale Chess Club Championship

This week's results:

Trefor Owens 0.5–0.5 Nick Allen
Gary Clifford 1–0 George Amey

Mini-puzzle

—Contributed by Andrew

A decisive moment from my Thursday game against Maidstone captain Alan Riddoch. As Black I appear to have left a bishop dangling.

A yes/no answer here; did Alan take the “free” bishop? If not, why not?

White to move.

Mini-answer

GCHQ Christmas Challenge

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Updated 06/12/25

Kentish Xmas Rapidplay—Sunday 14^th December 2025

Donnington Manor Hotel, London Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2TD

Six-round rapidplay. Three sections.

Details and entry at: Kentish Xmas Rapidplay

Swale Chess Club report—4^th December 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

Last night's results:

Mike Ingham 0–1 David Page
Craig Lindsay 0–1 Martin Singer
Nick Allen 1–0 Paul Hobbs
Gary Clifford 0–1 Keith Nevols
Duncan Marsh 0.5–0.5 Ashley Jarvis
Michael Dale 0–1 Andrew Gillard

Report—Swale v Hastings

Unfortunately, after a long Sunday drive, we were well beaten by Hastings in the En Passant cup by 0.5–5.5. Well done to Nick for the draw. Thanks to Stephen, Andrew, Paul, Craig and Keith N for playing.

Mini-puzzle

—Contributed by Stephen

Here's a critical position from my Hastings game on Sunday. I have the black pieces.

What's the best move here?

Black to move.

Mini-answer

Welcome back on board, Sylvie!

We were pleased to welcome back returning member Sylvie last night.

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