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Not all draws are the same
In recent decades, the number of draws in international correspondence chess tournaments has increased significantly due to the tools used, and it is now approaching 100%. Venceslav Rutar of Slovenia has therefore proposed an alternative tiebreak system, as not all draws are the same. This system is now set to be tried in a correspondence chess tournament.
FIDE World Cup - Live!
The FIDE World Cup is taking place from 1 to 26 November at the Resort Rio in Goa, India. The knockout tournament features 206 participants, including world champion Gukesh Dommaraju alongside rating favourites Vincent Keymer, Anish Giri and Arjun Erigaisi. The top three finishers will qualify to the 2026 Candidates Tournament. | Follow the action live with expert commentary starting at 10.30 CET (5.30 ET, 15.00 IST)
In memory of Daniel Naroditsky
Naroditsky's tragic passing, details still unclear, though with serious allegations levelled at a now-named former top player, invites us to look beyond the parish pump of chess. FIDE itself states in connection with the case: ‘Human life and dignity are fundamental values shared by all of us. While we hold deep respect and love for the game of chess that unites our community, these values must always come first." A philosopher comments.
Chess Endgame Challenge
Did you solve the endgame puzzles we gave you last week? In the position shown, White had to move his rook to one of nine squares. But only moving it to e6 retained the win. How come? Today we give you the full solutions of all the four problems, in video explanations and on a replay board with engine assistance. It's a good way to master such tricky endgame situations.
US Chess Championships - Live!
The 2025 US Chess Championships are taking place on 12-24 October at the Saint Louis Chess Club. Each tournament is a 12-player single round-robin with a classical time control. Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So and Hans Niemann are the highest-rated players in the open, while Carissa Yip, Alice Lee and Tatev Abrahamyan head the women's field. | Follow the action live starting at 19.00 CEST (13.00 ET, 22.30 IST)
Chess Endgame Challenge
Take a look at this position. In order to have any winning chances, White must clearly move his rook. There are nine squares it can safely occupy, but only one retains the win. Can you find it? Today we have four problems that will challenge your endgame skills. Try to solve them by moving pieces on our interactive diagrams. The video solutions will be provided in a week.
European Team Championships - Live!
The ninth and final round of the European Team Championships will determine the medal winners. In the Open Ukraine and Azerbaijan fight for victory, in the Women's Tournament Poland is in the lead, but Ukraine and Germany can still hope to win. | Watch the games live with video commentary. Start: Around 10:00 CEST.
Fermat in Chess
Pierre de Fermat (1601–1665) was a French mathematician who made pioneering contributions to analytic geometry, calculus, optics, and probability. He is best known for Fermat's Last Theorem, which famously remained unproven for over three centuries. Then, thirty years ago (in 1995), the mathematician Andrew Wiles published the comprehensive proof. In his book "Chess Stories" mathematician Prof Christian Hesse, told us how he applied Fermat's final conjecture to chess.
Lasker-Chigorin: A legendary clash of two bishops vs two knights
Already in the second round of the famous Hastings tournament of 1895, two of the favourites faced each other in a tough and complex battle. After just thirteen moves, the game had reached a semi-endgame with two rooks and two minor pieces each. Lasker held the pair of bishops, but it was Chigorin with the pair of knights who emerged victorious in the end. The game made history, and its course has been interpreted very differently over time. We invite our readers to join us in the search for new insights.
Werner Keym: Problem Chess Art
You may have seen it before. In this very famous position, composed almost exactly a century ago, it is White to play and draw. Which do you think is the stupidest move White could make. Right, that is the solution – it is the only move that saves the game. Problem expert Werner Keym illustrates this in a book which he has made available, as an eBook, to everyone, free of charge. Here are some excerpts to give you a taste. You can play them out on the diagrams we provide.
Solution: Botvinnik–Boleslavsky 1943
Some time ago, we invited our readers to help us unravel a long-standing mystery in the famous game Botvinnik–Boleslavsky, played in 1943 (during World War II!). The response was overwhelming, and in a relatively short time, we reached a conclusion: Boleslavsky could have held the balance – a draw was within reach – despite Botvinnik’s claim in his (usually precise!) commentary that his position was winning.
Sinquefield Cup Playoffs - Live!
The Sinquefield Cup, the only event to feature in every Grand Chess Tour since 2015, returns to Saint Louis from 18 to 27 August. As the concluding leg before the revived Finals in São Paulo, it will play a decisive role in determining the four qualifiers, with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave currently leading the standings and strong challengers close behind. | Follow the games live with expert commentary starting at 19.00 CEST (13.00 ET, 22.30 IST)

Here is the place to find out all the latest news about Barclays Bank Cymru / Wales Chess Club. We are sometimes a little odd but never boring! Membership is open to all Staff & their families, whether current, retired or those having left under the various early leaver schemes as laid down by the Bank's rule book at any time.

Disclaimer

Barclays Bank Cymru Wales Chess Club was a member of the former Barclays Bank Sports Club. Whilst this club is no longer formally affiliated with Barclays PLC we have been given authority by Barclays to continue operating under our historic name.

Officers:

Chairman	Peter Bray
Tournament Organisers	Phil Jones & Marc Wakeham
Webmaster	Marc Wakeham

Tournaments & Current holders:

Over The Board

League	The Bray
Justin Morgans (2024)	Justin Morgans (2024)
Mike Roberts' Memorial	Wakeham Blitz
Marc Wakeham (2025)	Justin Morgans (2024)

Grand Slams (OTB)

Three players have completed a "Grand Slam" of all four trophies. Justin has now achived the honour three times!

Peter Bray	1999 / 2000
Marc Wakeham	2004 / 2005
Justin Morgans	2013 / 2014 & 2023 &2024

Grand Slams (Server)


Marc Wakeham	2024

Latest News

Over The Board

Please visit the OTB Page for full details

League

Phil 0-1 Peter

Peter 1-0 Marc

Ian 0-1 Justin

14/5/24

The Mike Roberts' Memorial Trophy was contested see the page for details. Congrats to all for a great evening. Winner Marc Wakeham.

Bray

5th March 2025

Round F

Evans 0-1 Wakeham

Mike Roberts’ Memorial

May Annually

Wakeham Blitz

December 2025

ICCF

Server League

BBCC 19 has finished Justin and Marc are joint winners following Neil's victory over Martin with the white pieces. Neil take third.

BBCC 20 has started. Apologies it is a little early. Check its progress along with previous events here

International Master

Marc has picked up sufficient "norms and has had the title International Master bestowed on him.

Welsh international games

Marc, Martin, Neil and Peter play ICCF international matches for Wales. If others are interested in some links to follow games or see details of how to get more involved in ICCF events. Personal events see a charge for playing. If you are interested in playing in events take a look at Calendar of events or New events on the ICCF Website.

This page shows how we are doing.

VENUE

Peter Bray's home or Whitchurch British Legion if Peter's is unavailable.

Watch the forum for updates!

Or Online "live" Games are being played at www.tornelo.com

Where are they now?

Aneurin Hughes, Paul Horner, Marc Omar just some of the names that have graced the club in the past. Where are they? It would be great to get these guys back on board even if it is just for the Server events.

Puzzles and Studies

Take a look at some puzzles and studies here test your skills. Keep looking here for new puzzles.

Forum

All the latest news and chat can be found on the forum.

Contact Details

07748 604 968

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Next Meeting

Wednesday 1st October, 1900 hrs.

Phil Vs Martin

Marc Vs Justin

TBA

Marc V Martin

Neil V Peter

Venue Perter Bray's

2025 League table

	Pl	W	D	L	Pts
Neil	4	3	0	1	3
Peter	5	3	0	2	3
Justin	3	2	1	0	21/2
Marc	3	1	1	1	1 1/2
Phil	4	1	1	2	1 1/2
Martin	3	1	0	2	1
Ian	4	0	1	3	1/2

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