Press Report 14th January 2022

With a new year starting the Chess scene remains in a familiar place for the time being. South Hams Chess Club was hoping to have more over the board chess at the Regal Club, but now with the omicron variant of Covid the club has decided to keep most of their games online with those who wish to play at the Regal for live chess may do so.

The finish of the pre-Christmas 2021 season saw Steve Levy and David Archer qualify for the end of season play-off games to find the club Champion, which Steve will be defending.

So 2022 now sees players vying in the Homan League for the other two places to make it a four player mini tournament. Phil McConnell who just missed out in the 2021 session made a great start for his 2022 season, beating one of the other favourites Ben Wilkinson; but the biggest shock was Tony Tatam beating defending champion Steve Levy, making this Steve’s 4th loss since the start of the season - is online chess beginning to wear Steve down? It has become known to members that online games are nowhere near as dramatic as over the board, but players have to accept that’s the way it is and playing online is keeping the club together.

Other results saw Chris Wilcox winning against Alan Davies and David Archer beating Ken Ashby, while the Arthur Doble v Cliff Peach was abandoned at the end game stage because of connection problems on chess.com.

A rare Torbay Chess League match will be played at Newton Abbot when the South Hams “B” team travel to Newton and the team selected is Trevor Hurt ( M.Capt ), Roy Greenhalgh, Tony Tatam and Arthur Doble.

Anyone wanting further information about the chess club whose base is at the Regal Club, Church Street, Kingsbridge on Thursday evenings, check out southhamschessclub.com or contact Phil McConnell on 01803 834135 or Clifford Peach 01752 407757.