DJCA events coming up

Click on Event for directions and entries
Sat 01-Mar-25 DJCA Open Spring Tournament 2025

West Buckland School, Barnstaple EX32 0SX

Chess tournament for all standards.
Sat 05-Apr-25 Bovey Tracey Chess Weekend 2025: adult & 12-18 rapidplay

Wickham Hall - 23 Ashburton Rd, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot TQ13 9YQ

Y8 and older are welcome to this mixed adult/junior event supportd by DJCA

There will be a stronger and a weaker section based on grading, and separate prizes for junior players

 
Sun 06-Apr-25 Bovey Tracey Chess Weekend 2025: DJCA Sunday U12

Wickham Hall - 23 Ashburton Rd, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot TQ13 9YQ

U12 chess event run by DJCA

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Events marked DJCA are organised by DJCA; other local junior (and adult) events may be listed.

British Champs 2023

DrDave's picture

Submitted by DrDave on

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! 

Positional elements

Here's a list.  

There are different levels of appreciation, from Know-That to Know-How 

  1. I've heard of it...
  2. I can recognise it in a position or a game
  3. I pay attention to it when choosing a move
  4. I know a model game = I know enough about it to win a game with it when it is the main thing going on = I can make an effective plan based on it 
  5. I can judge how important it is in a more complex position

activity

Opening choices

DrDave's picture

Submitted by DrDave on

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

DrDave's picture

Submitted by DrDave on

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

What I know about chess

Have a read, and see if you can spot the mistakes!

Chess is a fun game and easy to learn.  You play on a board of 164 squares, which are coloured light and dark, and there are two armies, one black and grey.  The rows are called ranks and the columns are called officers.

The aim of a game of chess is to capture your opponent’s Queen and then they will make a sad face.  The Queen is worth nine pounds, which is the same as three rooks.  If you are in check from a friend it is called check, mate. 

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Contact

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David Regis, 71 Mary Street, Bovey Tracey, Devon TQ13 9HQ  

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