___

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

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.

___

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.

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.

___

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.

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.

___

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.

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.

___

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

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.

___

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.

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.

___

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

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.

___

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.

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.

___

Updated 29/11/25

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—27^th November 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

Last night's results

Duncan Marsh 0–1 Trefor Owens
Mike Ingham 0–1 Paul Hobbs
Stephen Lamb 1–0 Michael Dale
Kevin Charlton 0.5–0.5 Craig Lindsay
Ashley Jarvis 1–0 Andrew Gillard
Keith Hyde 1–0 Gary Clifford
David Page 1–0 Owen Taylor

We have played 66 of the 210 scheduled games.

Report—Medway Rapidplay

—Contributed by Keith N

A new venue in Chatham worked well for this rapidplay. Thanks to Stephen and Andrew for taking part too.

I am pleased to say I came fifth overall, and second in the U1850 section, with 3.5 out of 5 (my loss was to International Master Peter Large, so no surprise there).

Mini-puzzle

—Contributed by Keith N

This is from my second game at the Medway Rapidplay on Saturday. I have the white pieces.

Black has pressure on the white pawn on e4. I have just played Qd2–d3 to defend the e-pawn and Black played Qd7–c7 to add pressure down the c-file. What should White play?

White to move.

Mini-answer

Welcome on board, Nicholas!

We were pleased to meet potential new member Nicholas 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.

___

Updated 21/11/25

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—20^th November 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

Last night's results

Michael Dale 0–1 Paul Hobbs
Mike Ingham 0–1 Trefor Owens
George Amey 0–1 Kevin Charlton
Andrew Gillard 0.5–0.5 Stephen Lamb
Ashley Jarvis 0–1 David Page
Nick Allen 0.5–0.5 Martin Singer

Welcome on board, Kieran!

We were pleased to meet potential new member Kieran 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.

___

Updated 15/11/25

Medway Rapidplay—Saturday 22^nd November 2025

Chatham Masonic Hall, 5 Manor Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 6AU

ECF-rated Rapidplay (5 rounds of 25 mins + 5 seconds per move).

Swale Chess Club report—13^th November 2025

Match report—Swale v Maidstone Knights

Well done to the En Passant team who defeated Maidstone Knights 4–2.

Thanks to those who took part, who were, with results:

Arnaud (0), Keith H (1), David (1), Nick (0.5), Andrew (0.5), Duncan (1).

Swale Chess Club Championship

The results from Thursday were:

Oliver Szabo 0–1 Stephen Lamb
Michael Dale 0–1 Kevin Charlton
Martin Singer 1–0 George Amey

Welcome on board, Jacob!

We were pleased to meet potential new member Jacob 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.

___

Updated 09/11/25

Medway Rapidplay—Saturday 22^nd November 2025

Chatham Masonic Hall, 5 Manor Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 6AU

ECF-rated Rapidplay (5 rounds of 25 mins + 5 seconds per move).

Swale Chess Club report—6^th November 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

The results from Thursday were:

Mike Ingham 0–1 Nick Allen
Michael Dale 0–1 Martin Singer
Trefor Owens 1–0 Paul Hobbs
Andrew Gillard 0.5–0.5 Keith Hyde
Kevin Charlton 1–0 Oliver Szabo
Stephen Lamb 1–0 Duncan Marsh
Arnaud Wisman 1–0 Gary Clifford

Report—County chess U1650 Kent v Hertfordshire

Kent 10.5–Herts 5.5. Three Swale Chess Club members contributed to yesterday's home result at St Mary Cray.

Welcome on board, Dave and Sam!

We were pleased to meet not one but two potential new members last night—Dave and Sam.

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.

___

Updated 01/11/25

Swale Chess Club report—30^th October 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

Last night's results:

Keith Hyde 1–0 Michael Dale
Owen Taylor 0–1 Gary Clifford
George Amey 0–1 Trefor Owens
Keith Nevols 1–0 Paul Hobbs
Stephen Lamb 1–0 Ashley Jarvis
Andrew Gillard 0–1 Craig Lindsay
Oliver Szabo 0–1 Mike Ingham

Mini-puzzle

—Contributed by Stephen

From my last game of the day at the recent Orpington tournament. I am White, and Black has just played Bd6. What is White's follow up?

White to move.

Mini-answer

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.

___

Updated 24/10/25

Swale Chess Club report—23^rd October 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

Yesterday's results

Paul Hobbs 0–1 Keith Hyde
Duncan Marsh 1–0 Andrew Gillard
Michael Dale 0–1 Keith Nevols
Craig Lindsay 0–1 Stephen Lamb
Gary Clifford 1–0 Mike Ingham
Ashley Jarvis 0.5–0.5 Nick Allen

Fuller Cup match v Medway

Our first Fuller Cup match of the season saw us lose 1.5–2.5 to Medway.

Results were: Ashley (1), Paul (0), Mike I (0.5), Michael D (0)—thank you for playing.

Mini-puzzle

Based on a recent game at Swale Chess Club, where we see the board as early as after move 8. What is White's best idea for move 9?

White to move.

Mini-answer

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.

___

Updated 18/10/25

Medway Rapidplay—Saturday 22^nd November 2025

Chatham Masonic Hall, 5 Manor Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 6AU

ECF-rated Rapidplay (5 rounds of 25 mins + 5 seconds per move).

Swale Chess Club report—16^th October 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

The results:

Trefor Owens 1–0 Oliver Szabo
Paul Hobbs 0.5–0.5 Duncan Marsh
Aaron Brown 0–1 Arnaud Wisman
Craig Lindsay 1–0 Mike Ingham
Gary Clifford 0.5–0.5 Ashley Jarvis
George Amey 1–0 Michael Dale

En Passant match v Medway

Unfortunately we lost our home match against a very good Medway team, 1.5–4.5, but thanks to our own team for playing.

The results: Keith H (0), Stephen (0), David (0), Martin (0.5), Nick (1), Andrew (0)

Mini-puzzle

A pretty puzzle from a recent Swale Chess Club Championship game.

White to move.

Mini-answer

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.

___

Updated 10/10/25

Autumn FIDE Blitz—Sunday 12^th October 2025

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

First round at 1pm.

Swale Chess Club report—9^th October 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

Last night's results:

Andrew Gillard 1–0 Martin Singer
Michael Dale 0–1 David Page
Trefor Owens 1–0 Owen Taylor
Arnaud Wisman 1–0 Duncan Marsh
Keith Nevols 1–0 Craig Lindsay
George Amey 0–1 Nick Allen
Keith Hyde 1–0 Mike Ingham

Harvey Cup match v Rainham

Unfortunately we lost our away match to Rainham 4–2 on Wednesday. Thanks to those who took part. The team and scores were: Keith N (0), Stephen (0.5), Andrew (1), Aaron (0), Owen (0.5), Craig (0).

Report—Greater London FIDE RapidPlay

—Contributed by Stephen

Last weekend I played in the 5^th Greater London FIDE RapidPlay chess tournament, a one-day tournament in St Mary Cray organised by Psyon Chess. I played in the top merged U1800 and U1500 section, and managed to win the tournament with a final score of 4/5!

Mini-puzzle

From last night's Andrew v Martin championship game. The players have been letting the tactics fly and both kings have been stripped of their protection. White was the first to find a way to bring things to a conclusion.

White (Andrew) to move.

Mini-answer

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.

___

Updated 04/10/25

Medway Rapidplay—Saturday 22^nd November 2025

Chatham Masonic Hall, 5 Manor Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 6AU

ECF-rated Rapidplay (5 rounds of 25 mins + 5 seconds per move).

Swale Chess Club report—2^nd October 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

Last night's results:

Gary Clifford 1–0 Nick Allen
Ashley Jarvis 0–1 Trefor Owens
Arnaud Wisman 1–0 Michael Dale
Craig Lindsay 0–1 Keith Hyde

Harvey Cup match v Medway

Thank you to those who played in our first match of the season.

Unfortunately we lost 4–2. The results with board order were:

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

Mini-puzzle

—Contributed by Duncan

From last night's match v Medway. White has been hunting down the black queen and has just played 26 b4. Ra5 to follow will complete the trap. However, Black has an escape plan.

Black (Duncan) to move.

Mini-answer

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.

Updated 27/09/25

5^th Greater London (Orpington) FIDE Rapidplay—Saturday 4^th October 2025

Sanderson Hall, Mickleham Road, Orpington, Kent BR5 2RW

Greater London FIDE RapidPlay in Orpington on 4^th October—excellent connections to the venue near St Mary Cray railway station (direct trains under 45 minutes from London Bridge). U1200 section suitable for youngsters at discounted entry fee.

Swale Chess Club report—25^th September 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

Last night's results:

Michael Dale 0–1 Trefor Owens
Gary Clifford 0.5–0.5 David Page
Mike Ingham 0–1 Keith Nevols
Craig Lindsay 0–1 Arnaud Wisman
Nick Allen 0.5–0.5 Andrew Gillard
Duncan Marsh 0.5–0.5 George Amey

Portsoken Chess Club

Swale Chess Club member Andrew enjoys a lunchtime game—and a pint—at Portsoken Chess Club in the City of London!

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.

___

Updated 22/09/25

Snodland Rapidplay—Saturday 27^th September 2025

Snodland Community Centre, Paddlesworth Road, Snodland, Kent ME6 5DP

ECF-rated Rapidplay (5 rounds of 25 mins + 5 seconds per move).

Swale Chess Club report—18^th September 2025

Swale Chess Club Championship

Last night's results:

Owen Taylor 0–1 Keith Hyde
Arnaud Wisman 1–0 Mike Ingham
Paul Hobbs 0–1 Martin Singer
Trefor Owens 1–0 Aaron Brown
Duncan Marsh 0.5–0.5 Nick Allen
Andrew Gillard 1–0 Gary Clifford
David Page 1–0 Craig Lindsay

Mini-puzzle

From last night's Andrew–Gary championship game.

White (Andrew) to move.

Mini-answer

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.

___

Updated 13/09/25

Swale Chess Club report—11^th September 2025

Blitz tournament

Thank you to those who took part in last night's start-of-the-season blitz tournament.

The results were:

Final

Arnaud Wisman 1–0 Keith Hyde

Others

David Page 1–0 Stephen Lamb
Trefor Owens 1–0 Keith Nevols
Martin Singer 0.5–0.5 Andrew Gillard
Mike Harris 0–1 Owen Taylor
Craig Lindsay 1–0 Paul Hobbs

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.

___

Updated 07/09/25

Snodland Rapidplay—Saturday 27^th September 2025

Snodland Community Centre, Paddlesworth Road, Snodland, Kent ME6 5DP

ECF-rated Rapidplay (5 rounds of 25 mins + 5 seconds per move).

Swale Chess Club report—4^th September 2025

It was good to see everyone back this week. We had a gentle start to the new season with an evening of casual chess.

AGM

Our Annual General Meeting took place on Thursday the 31^st of July 2025, with nine members attending.

Roll of honour 2024–25

• Club Championship: Trefor Owens, Arnaud Wisman, Kevin Charlton
• Club Plate: Gary Clifford and Vytautas Gedminas
• Tyrone Jefferies Rapid Chess Championship: Keith Nevols
• Christmas Blitz: Trefor Owens and Keith Nevols
• End of Year Blitz: Keith Nevols
• Chess 960 exhibition: Arnaud Wisman
• Ladder—top place: David Page

Team performances 2024–25

• En Passant—5^th out of six teams—best club performance: Stephen Lamb
• Fuller—8^th out of eight teams—best club performance: Tyrone Jefferies
• Intro—7^th out of eight teams—best club performance: Tyrone Jefferies
• Summer Handicap—4^th out of four teams—best club performance: 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.

___

Back to Top