Dr.Dave's Blog

Devon junior in UK Chess Challenge Terafinal

Pengxiao Zhu scored 7½/11 and achieved 3rd place in the UK Chess Challenge U12 Terafinal (final of finals). Many congatulations!

Results and games here: https://lichess.org/broadcast/ukcc-terafinal-2023-u12/round-11/VZhEiJIr

British Champs 2023

I've been trying to find and follow the progress of Devon juniors in this year's Championships, but please email me if I've missed anyone.

I spotted Luke Honey and Reece Whittington having a go in the strong 9-round Major Open, scoring 5 and 3.5 respectively. A tough week in the office! (For context, the winner was an International Master who scored 7/9.)

Reece and Luke then took part in the U1900 Rapidplay, which was won by Luke with 5.5/6 -- very well done!

Opening choices

Thank you for filling in the opening questionnaires online, and I'm sorry we didn't get time to look at your responses on Saturday. But here is what I might have said:

Systems for White

Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4)
My main recommendation for a first opening system, leading to an open game with chances to attack. Good stuff, just the style you should use when you start playing chess.

Colle System (1.d4 with Nf3/e3 and without c4)
A good first opening system -- develop and attack!

Best puzzle books

While we were talking to the U14/U18 squads, the ChessDojo folks were discussing the best puzzle books for improvement. Their recommendations are:

The Dojo List!
1. Perfect Your Chess, Grabinsky/Volokitin https://amzn.to/43gqYI6
2. 5334 Problems, L Polgar https://amzn.to/43HyJH4
3. Think like a Super-GM, Adams/Hertado https://amzn.to/3qkFzDP
4. Mastering Chess Strategy Hellsten https://amzn.to/43jk9ph

Devon Juniors at the Simon Bartlett Congress 2023

Congratulations to the several Devon juniors who won prizes in the Minor U1600 section:

Devon Junior Online success -- ECF Grand Prix

The ECF have been running a Grand Prix series of online rapid events where your overall performance is added up.

https://www.englishchess.org.uk/2022-online-grand-prix-series/

Devon Junior Pengxiao Zhu took part in lots of these last season and came out with more than one title!

UK Chess Challenge 2022 -- Best of luck to Gigafinalists!

Many congratulations to all those Devon juniors who have qualified for the Gigafinal -- forgive me, I couldn't work out a complete list, because of the complicated rules -- but special mention should be made of Caleb Caleshu, who scored 6/6 in his section!

https://chess-results.com/tnr647236.aspx?lan=1&art=4

Megafinals and Moving Up

In junior chess news this week, Devon juniors made a strong showing at the over-the-board Somerset Megafinal, with Caleb Caleshu winning 6/6 in his section and other Devon players ( ... ) qualifying in theirs. Congratulations to all and well done to others for competing strongly even if they didn't get through.

Congratulations too to Caleb and Luke Honey, who have been selected to play for the Devon County (adult) team last weekend.

Devon players score for England

News from Mr,Cross:

Over half-term, Devon junior players Caleb Caleshu, Pengxiao Zhu, James Glasson and Joe Forty represented England regional U14 or U12 teams against the equivalent full Wales International teams in Chepstow. Their combined score was 4 out of 8 and they contributed to England winning both matches.

Well done Devon!

England success

Exeter School pupil Pengxiao Zhu took part in the EPSCA* U11 team trial in Liverpool last weekend and has been selected for the England team. He scored 4/6 points, coming joint third in the competition.

*England Primary Schools Chess Association

Chess Tips

OPENING TIPS:

(Lasker) 1. Do not move any pawns in the opening of a game but the King and Queen pawns.

Devon Junior Chess Association (DJCA)

Supporting junior chess in the county

Devon Junior Chess