Swale Chess Club meets weekly and caters for chess enthusiasts from novice to expert

The Artisan Room, Central House, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 4NU

Thursdays from 7.40pm Please email us or call 07724 273157

***New members always welcome!***

Select the picture below to visit the junior page:

To view the English Chess Federation League Management System, which shows all of the fixture results, league tables etc: ecflms.org.uk

Swale Chess Club annual subscription: £70, which includes ECF Bronze membership.

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Updated 18/05/25

The 53^rd Thanet Chess Congress—Friday 15^th–Sunday 17^th August 2025

Sandwich Technology School, Deal Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 0FA

5-round FIDE-rated Swiss tournament. All sections are FIDE rated.

Swale Chess Club report—15^th May 2025

Last night's results:

Swale Chess Championship

Championship—Group Two

Keith Nevols 1–0 Arnaud Wisman

We have finally finished Group Two—well done to Arnaud and Stephen for jointly winning the group.
There is one game left and it is Trefor v Arnaud. The winner will take the Championship. If it is a draw, then there will be a three-way tie.

Plate

Duncan Marsh 1–0 Michael Dale

Thanks and congratulations to Michael for finishing the fixtures.

There are two games left in the plate: Craig v Vytautas and Duncan v Mike I. Vytautas needs to beat Craig to tie. Otherwise Gary will win the Plate.

Ladder

Martin Singer 1–0 Andrew Gillard
Kristof Siklodi 1–0 Mike Ingham
Logan Stanton 0–1 Alfie Burton

Rapid Chess Championship

No Group One games.

Group Two

Keith Hyde 0.5–0.5 George Amey
Ashley Jarvis 1–0 Gary Clifford
David Page 0.5–0.5 Keith Hyde
Vytautas Gedminas 0–1 Ashley Jarvis
Gary Clifford 1–0 George Amey

David has qualified for the semi-finals.

Match report—Worcestershire v Kent U1650 quarter final

Two Swale players—Andrew and Nick—contributed to yesterday's great result. Kent 10 Worcestershire 6.

Mini-puzzle

Andrew's finish from the county match; White turned around a tough game with a decisive midgame mating attack!

White to move.

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Updated 09/05/25

Swale Chess Club report—8^th May 2025

Last night's results:

Swale Rapid Chess Championship

Group One

Paul Hobbs 0–1 Keith Nevols
Andrew Gillard 0–1 Stephen Lamb
Paul Hobbs 0.5–0.5 Nick Allen
Owen Taylor 1–0 Stephen Lamb

Group Two

Keith Hyde 0–1 Kevin Charlton
Ashley Jarvis 0–1 David Page
Kevin Charlton 1–0 Ashley Jarvis

The tables:

Ladder

Michael Dale 0–1 Mike Ingham
Kristof Siklodi 1–0 Logan Stanton

Welcome on board, Michael!

We were pleased to meet a potential new member, Michael, last night.

Swale Chess Club Facebook page

Swale Chess Club Facebook page provides extra chess news. If you are not already a member, please sign up today.

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Updated 02/05/25

Swale Chess Club report—2^nd May 2025

Last night's results:

Swale Chess Club Championship

Championship

Keith Hyde 0–1 Arnaud Wisman

Thanks and congratulations to Keith for completing all his games.

Plate

Paul Hobbs 1–0 George Amey
Michael Dale 0–1 Gary Clifford

Thanks and congratulations also to Paul for finishing the games.

Swale Rapid Chess Championship

Group One

Keith Nevols 1–0 Andrew Gillard
Stephen Lamb 0.5–0.5 Nick Allen
Owen Taylor 0–1 Trefor Owens

Andrew Gillard 0–1 Trefor Owens
Keith Nevols 0–1 Stephen Lamb
Nick Allen 1–0 Owen Taylor

Group Two

Kevin Charlton 0.5–0.5 David Page
David Page 1–0 Vytautas Gedminas

The tables:

Ladder

Mike Ingham 1–0 Logan Stanton
Kristof Siklodi 1–0 Alfie Burton

Featured game of the week

From last night's rapid tournament. The engine assesses this one as “Sharp—A back and forth game where both players had chances.”

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Updated 25/04/25

Swale Chess Club report—24^th April 2025

Fuller Cup match

The sudden appearance of the Hastings team brought about panic! Fortunately an emergency team had been arranged so thank you to them. The match was lost 3–1—Vytautas (0), Paul (0), Craig (1) and we had to default the fourth board.

This was the final Fuller match and we ended at the bottom with one drawn match and six losses. Thank you to all who played—Tyrone and Craig were our joint top scorers with 2.5 out of 3.

We have now completed all our club matches for the season.

Swale Chess Club Championship

Plate

Alfie Burton 0.5–0.5 Duncan Marsh

Thank you and congratulations to Alfie for completing all his games.

Swale Rapid Chess Championship

Round One

1: Nick Allen 0–1 Keith Nevols
1: Owen Taylor 1–0 Andrew Gillard
2: Kevin Charlton 0.5–0.5 Gary Clifford
2: David Page 1–0 George Amey

Round Two

1: Keith Nevols 1–0 Owen Taylor
1: Nick Allen 0–1 Andrew Gillard
2: George Amey 0–1 Kevin Charlton
2: Gary Clifford 0–1 David Page

The tables:

Ladder

Michael Dale 0–1 Logan Stanton
Martin Singer 0–1 Kristof Siklodi

Featured game of the week

Last night's exhilarating Nick v Andrew rapid game. Both players maintained decent accuracy throughout; 73.1% and 81.0% respectively. Not bad, considering the limited time allocation (25m + 10s). Enjoy!

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Updated 18/04/25

Swale Chess Club report—17^th April 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

Championship

Nick Allen 0–1 Kevin Charlton

Thanks and congratulations to Nick and Kevin who have now completed all their games.

There are three games left and three possible winners.

Plate

Paul Hobbs 0–1 Gary Clifford
George Amey 0–1 Vytautas Gedminas

There are 15 games left. Three players tying at the top and four possible winners.

The tables:

Ladder

Trefor Owens 1–0 Kristof Siklodi
Stephen Lamb 1–0 Michael Dale
David Page 0–1 Ashley Jarvis
Keith Hyde 1–0 Andrew Gillard

Mini-puzzle

From a recent club night.

White implemented the best winning strategy here.

White to move.

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Updated 12/04/25

Swale Chess Club report—10^th April 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

Championship

Trefor Owens 0.5–0.5 Keith Nevols
Kevin Charlton 0–1 Arnaud Wisman

There are four games left.

Plate

Mike Ingham 1–0 Craig Lindsay
Gary Clifford 0–1 Vytautas Gedminas

The tables:

Ladder

Andrew Gillard 0–1 David Page
Keith Hyde 0.5–0.5 Martin Singer
Ashley Jarvis 0.5–0.5 Paul Hobbs

Mini-puzzle

From a recent club night.

Material is equal after precise opening play from both players: Opening accuracy White 98.8%, Black 98.7%. Two rooks have just come off the board because Black has played 24. …Rf8xRf1+ to force the overloaded queen away from the defence of the e4 pawn with 25. Qe2xRf1. If Black goes ahead with 25. …Qxe4 what is White's best response?

White to move after 25. …Qxe4.

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Updated 05/04/25

Swale Chess Club report—3^rd April 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

Championship

Nick Allen 0.5–0.5 Keith Hyde

There are six games left.

Plate

Michael Dale 0–1 Craig Lindsay
Emma Walker 0–1 Andrew Gillard
Luke Johnson 1–0 Alfie Burton
Logan Stanton 0–1 Paul Hobbs

Congratulations and thanks to Andrew for completing his games.

There are 21 games to go.

The tables:

Ladder

David Page 1–0 Mike Ingham
Kristof Siklodi 0–1 Stephen Lamb

Mini-puzzle

From a recent club night.

Black to move.

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Updated 28/03/25

Swale Chess Club report—27^th March 2025

Friendly v Maidstone

We won a close battle—3.5–2.5 with the results being (in no particular order):

Michael D (0), Emma (0.5), Luke (0), George (1), Craig (1), Mike I (1)

Swale Chess Club Championship

Championship

Kevin Charlton 0.5–0.5 Keith Nevols
Arnaud Wisman 0–1 Martin Singer

Thanks and congratulations to Martin who has now played all his games.

There are seven games left in the championship.

Plate

Vytautas Gedminas 1–0 Duncan Marsh
Andrew Gillard 0.5–0.5 Paul Hobbs

The tables:

Ladder

Stephen Lamb 1–0 Logan Stanton
David Page 0.5–0.5 Gary Clifford
Kristof Siklodi 1–0 Keith Hyde
Trefor Owens 1–0 Ashley Jarvis

Swale Chess Club Facebook page

Swale Chess Club Facebook page provides extra chess news. If you are not already a member, please sign up today.

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Updated 21/03/25

How to Win at Chess

In a programme showing how to play better chess, British grandmasters Dan King and Ray Keene go through a demonstration game from opening gambit to checkmate.

Swale Chess Club report—21^st March 2025

This week's results:

Swale Chess Club Championship

Championship

Keith Hyde 1–0 Keith Nevols
Martin Singer 1–0 Nick Allen

Plate

Andrew Gillard 0–1 Mike Ingham
George Amey 1–0 Alfie Burton
Vytautas Gedminas 1–0 Logan Stanton
Michael Dale 0–1 Luke Johnson

Group One

Paul Hobbs 1–0 Emma Walker

Group One is now complete.

Group Two

Arnaud Wisman 1–0 Andrew Martin-Luce

Ladder

Ashley Jarvis 0–1 Kristof Siklodi
David Page 0.5–0.5 Stephen Lamb

The tables:

Three games left.

Featured game of the week

Another nice finish from the recent East Kent FIDE Congress at Folkestone—this time from Swale Chess Club member Stephen.

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Updated 14/03/25 (AKA 3.14)—Happy Π day!

Swale Chess Club report—14^th March 2025

En Passant match

Our final En Passant match of the season was a 3–3 draw away to Rainham on the 12^th of March.

The scores were:

Keith N (0), Stephen (0.5), Nick (0.5), Andrew (0.5), Paul (1), Duncan (0.5).

We finished fifth out of six teams with one match win, one draw and three losses. Well done especially to Stephen who played in all five matches with a creditable 60% and a rating performance of 1890.

Last night's results:

Swale Chess Club Championship

Championship

David Page 0–1 Kevin Charlton
Keith Nevols 0.5–0.5 Martin Singer
Arnaud Wisman 0.5–0.5 Kristof Siklodi

Plate

Craig Lindsay 1–0 Alfie Burton
Logan Stanton 1–0 Michael Dale
Mike Ingham 0–1 Gary Clifford

Group Two

Owen Taylor 0–1 Luke Johnson

Ladder

Andrew Gillard 1–0 George Amey

Congratulations and thanks to David Page, Kristof Siklodi and Ashley Jarvis who have now played all their championship games for the season. The tables:

Four games left.

Mini-puzzle

Stephen and Andrew attended last weekend's inaugural East Kent FIDE Congress at Folkestone, scoring a respectable 4 points between them. Well organised, as always by Psyon Chess, and a marvellous seaside venue. Here is an efficient conclusion by Andrew:

White to move.

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Updated 07/03/25

Chess Masters: The Endgame

Make the first move. Sue Perkins challenges rising chess stars to take on the legendary game of psychology, strategy and intensity. It'll take nerves of steel to win the title.

Swale Chess Club report—6^th March 2025

Yesterday's results:

Swale Chess Club Championship

Championship

Kristof Siklodi 0–1 Nick Allen
Stephen Lamb 1–0 Martin Singer
David Page 0.5–0.5 Keith Hyde
Keith Nevols 1–0 Ashley Jarvis

Well done to Stephen who has now completed his games.

Plate

Mike Ingham 0–1 George Amey
Andrew Gillard 1–0 Michael Dale
Gary Clifford 1–0 Alfie Burton
Duncan Marsh 0.5–0.5 Paul Hobbs

The updated tables:

Featured game of the week—The shortest game ever seen at Swale Chess Club!

From a recent club night:

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Updated 01/03/25

Swale Chess Club report—27^th February 2025

Last night's results:

Swale Chess Club Championship

Group One

Michael Dale 0–1 Vytautas Gedminas

Group Two

Duncan Marsh 1–0 Andrew Martin-Luce

Championship

Kevin Charlton 0.5–0.5 Stephen Lamb
Martin Singer 1–0 David Page
Nick Allen 0–1 Trefor Owens

Plate

Paul Hobbs 0–1 Craig Lindsay

Ladder

Kristof Siklodi 0–1 Andrew Gillard

The tables:

Group One—one game left:

Group Two—five games left:

Boris Spassky RIP

This week the tenth world champion (1969–72) Boris Spassky passed away at the age of 88. Spassky was one of the best players in the world from the late 1950s through to the 1970s, but is unfortunately best known for losing the ‘match of the century’ to Bobby Fischer in 1972.

Swale Chess Club Facebook page

Swale Chess Club Facebook page provides extra chess news. If you are not already a member, please sign up today.

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Updated 21/02/25

Coastal Chess: Inaugural East Kent 2-day FIDE Congress—Saturday 8^th–Sunday 9^th March 2025

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

Swale Chess Club report—20^th February 2025

Intro match v Snodland

Our Intro team were at home to Snodland but unfortunately lost 4–0. Thanks to Alfie, Mike, George and Emma for playing.

That was our last Intro Cup match of the season and we finished with Played 7 Won 1 Draw 2 Lost 4.

Thanks to all those who took part, especially Alfie, who played in six matches and finished with a creditable 50%, and also to Craig for captaining the team.

Swale Chess Club Championship

Last night's results:

Group One

Keith Hyde 1–0 Michael Dale

Group Two

Duncan Marsh 1–0 Luke Johnson

Championship

David Page 0–1 Trefor Owens
Keith Nevols 1–0 Kristof Siklodi
Arnaud Wisman 1–0 Ashley Jarvis

Plate

Vytautas Gedminas 0.5–0.5 Andrew Gillard

The tables are:

Mini-puzzle

From last night. The Vytautas–Andrew game was well balanced to say the least, with the engine declaring just a 0.1% difference between the accuracies! White 80.8% and Black 80.9%. The game ended in a draw, appropriately enough, but there were some fine tactics along the way. Here Vytautas as White found the best move, and likewise Andrew as Black found the best response. What were the two moves in question?

White to move, then Black to respond.

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Updated 14/02/25

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Swale Chess Club report—13^th February 2025

RIP Tyrone Jefferies

Some sad news. Following a heart attack at the weekend, our friend and clubmate Tyrone Jefferies passed away yesterday evening at Ashford Hospital.

Tyrone was very enthusiastic about his chess and played a leading organising role, not only with Swale but also Kent and London chess in general.

He will be missed. Thoughts are with Tyrone's family.

Last night's results

Fuller Cup Match

Thank you to the team for playing v Maidstone Knights at short notice.

Unfortunately we lost 1.5–2.5, with the team being:
Vytautas (walkover), Gary (0.5), Paul (0) and Mike (0)

Swale Chess Championship

Group Two

Craig Lindsay 0–1 Duncan Marsh

Club Championship

Kristof Siklodi 1–0 Andrew Martin-Luce
Ashley Jarvis 1–0 David Page
Trefor Owens 1–0 Stephen Lamb

Plate

Alfie Burton 1–0 Logan Stanton
Michael Dale 0–1 George Amey

The tables:

Group One: No games

Welcome on board, Norman!

We were pleased to meet a potential new member, Norman, last night.

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Updated 08/02/25

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Swale Chess Club report—6^th February 2025

Last night's results:

Group One

Vytautas Gedminas 1–0 Emma Walker

Group Two

Nick Allen 0–1 Arnaud Wisman (Tuesday, Strood)
Luke Johnson 0–1 Andrew Martin-Luce

Championship

Kristof Siklodi 1–0 David Page
Keith Hyde 0–1 Stephen Lamb

Plate

Alfie Burton 0.5–0.5 Andrew Gillard
Logan Stanton 0–1 Mike Ingham

Therefore the tables are:

There are four games left—if Tyrone beats Emma then there will be a play-off for the sixth place in the championship.

Eight games to go. Andrew Martin-Luce has got the sixth and final qualification place.

Mini-puzzle

Here is the final position from Thursday's Alfie–Andrew game in the Plate. The players have agreed a draw after a sharp and well-matched game, with the engine awarding Alfie as White 84.8% and Andrew as Black 85.9% accuracy respectively. Both players had seen the continuation here but decided it was better to let sleeping dogs lie!

Black to move.

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