Chess Pages of Mike Donnelly

12. NEW AND SECOND- HAND CHESS BOOKS Tony Peterson. Specialist in rare and second-hand chess books and magazines. Very large stock. Contact details.

IM Sergey Bystrov. Specialist in a wide range of Russian books plus some non-Russian books. Now offering a greater range. Contact details.

Hello!

I little bit about myself: I live in the historic town of Kenilworth (close to the medieval castle) in Warwickshire, England. I have just retired (this time certainly!), after several years as a Scientific/Technical and Regulatory Advisor, from full time work as a Technical Manager at a biotechnology company that manufactures hydrogels for wound-care, monitoring electrodes, and cosmetic applications. Previously I was a research scientist working in a diverse number of scientific areas (science publications, committees, science journal refereeing etc). In my spare time I enjoy chess, the history and culture of the Ancient Greeks and their Modern counterparts, various types of music, and until recently Wing Tsun Martial Art (achieving grade 11).

Over a decade ago I shifted from playing over-the-board (o.t.b) chess as well as correspondence chess to playing only correspondence chess (peak average rating 2492, final average rating of 2454 (ICCF rating history 1993-2018). In 2016 I returned to some relatively regular o.t.b chess in local leagues currently playing at about 1900-2000 elo (a somewhat reduced level from that of a decade or more ago (approximately 2100 elo) and also from my highest many years ago of about 2275 (grading history). After some 25 years of playing National and International level Correspondence Chess I completed my last few games at the end of 2018, annotated these games in detail for presentation in correspondence magazines in early to mid-2019, and now just play o.t.b chess.

I will attempt to offer a wide range of chess material on this site including game and opening based articles, games for downloading from famous players I have known or competed against, chess problems and some current and past results. This will include both o.t.b and correspondence play. A major part of the web site is the presentation of annotated games in the "Monthly Articles" section of the site. Often these include annotations by players other than myself.

In addition to more advanced articles, I will also occasionally provide articles for beginners to mid-club strength of player also on a very wide range of chess topics.

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MONTHLY ARTICLES SUMMARIES (section 1 of web site) *

Recent years has seen a large increase in opening texts in digital format. Many are fine examples of a study of certain openings. However, some have lengthy sections featuring very detailed analysis of certain positions. These are somewhat intractable and impractical to recall if encountered in a game. On occasion these long sections have little or no commentary to guide the person studying the text.

In contrast, a recent book by Marek Soszynski overcomes these drawbacks and mixes useful commentary with meaningful analysis. A recent publication is entitled “Smashing the Spanish, Stunning the Scotch”. In order to meet the Ruy Lopez, the recommended reply is to utilise Bird’s Defence. The early move of the knight to d4 prevents White damaging Black’s pawn structure with the Exchange variation (Bxc6) a line favoured by several World Champions. It also largely eliminates features of what is commonly known as the Spanish Torture where White initiates powerful attacks on the Black king supported by White’s king’s bishop being placed on b3 or c2 and exerting intense pressure on f7 or h7 (as well as d5 and f5).

This month two recent annotated games are presented illustrating the many positive features of Bird’s Defence.

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All material for downloading from this site is zipped. Use WinZip, or similar, to extract. Monthly articles are in .pgn format (from May 2000, previously in .txt format) whilst games for downloading are in .pgn format (or .cbv occasionally).

Contributions (preferably one or two annotated games), suggestions for articles and comments to improve this site are welcome: mail me!

	SCCA Magazine
	The SCCA magazine is published quarterly and consists of 24xA4 pages packed with correspondence chess news, articles, reviews and games.
	SCCA members receive the magazine as part of their annual subscription (£8). This entitles them to download pdf files (the e-mags) from a secure area of the SCCA website.
	If you prefer to receive a printed copy of the magazine, an extra £5 per annum covers print costs and UK postage and you get the four issues mailed directly to you.
	The SCCA magazine is unbeatable value! You can try a complimentary copy by contacting the membership secretary.

NEWS AND NOTICES *

Kenilworth Chess Club (KCC) Individuals and Teams (May 22).

1. Kenilworth A team win the strong Leamington and District League Division 1. A remarkable start to the season, marred only by a loss to the Kenilworth B team, saw the A team build up a very large lead in both match points and game points. Hence, despite a few subsequent reversals, the lead was sufficient to win the title by no less than 8 clear points (29 points in total).

Kenilworth B finished in third place even though obtaining the same number of points as Warwick University A (21 points). A very strong performance in their last two matches just secured second place for the University by a slightly superior game points score. Banbury A, the most common contender for winning this event in recent years, in the end fell to fourth place on 19 points due to a loss to Kenilworth B despite the Banbury team including IM James Jackson.

Kenilworth A also win the Leamington League Open Teams KO event with an emphatic score line against Leamington A (4.5 to 0.5 points).

Fuller details on the above events and updates of KCC matters can be found at kenilworthchess.blogspot.com

2. Ben Graff has published another excellent article in the famous magazine CHESS. This describes the organisation and substantial aftermath arising from the very first International Chess Tournament held in London in 1851.

This, as well as many other interesting articles by Ben, can be obtained in either paper or pdf format from chess.co.uk.

(As reported last month Kenilworth player Phil Wood, together win his brother Frank Wood, has contributed a fine tribute to FM Christopher Baruch Wood in CHESS. The founder of this magazine (in 1935) was their father B.H.Wood who produced this magazine for many years in nearby Sutton Coldfield before the production location moved to London. Back copies of the magazine can be obtained as above

After 18 years at their high-profile Baker Steet Shop in London, Chess and Bridge (the publisher of CHESS) is moving to a still undisclosed new location. The date of re-opening has moved from April/May to June 2026.

3. International Master Richard Palliser, who also edits CHESS and has produced numerous excellent opening books, is scheduled to soon take on around 30 players in a simultaneous display at the venue of Kenilworth Chess Club. The event also includes a lecture by Richard as well as numerous prizes.

Local Players (May 22).

(a) Bruce Baer (KCC) finished third in the very strong Open section of the Birmingham Rapid Play; Mark Page (KCC) easily wins the Leamington League Blitz event at Solihull; Tom Darling (Leamington) finishes 2nd-4th in the Intermediate section of the Coventry Open; Thomas Day (Banbury) wins the Major section of the Kidlington Congress; and FM Jude Shearsby had a very tough time indeed in facing much higher rated IMs and GMs in the 4NCL Easter GM norm event. A similar experience is recalled for a young Nigel Short who was then motivated to rapidly become a GM.

(b) Digital copies of the magazine “Rabbits Review” are now available to be downloaded on the Michael Basman Legacy web site (http://michael-basman-legacy.github.io). IM Basman was well known, if not somewhat notorious, for proving moves such as 1…h6 and 1…g5 were in fact playable even against strong opponents. The magazines contain a wealth of useful and interesting material for players of beginner to mid-club strength covering a very wide range of chess topics by numerous different writers, including myself.

The legacy web site has now been updated to also includes editions 2-5 and 8-14 of the magazine “Popular Chess”.

After a long delay the ICCF completed organisation of a Correspondence Chess Event in Keith’s Memory and play, after proceeding briskly, is now close to finishing. This event has comprised no less than 17 titled players (LGM, IM or CCM).

CCM Jones wins with 9.5 points and second is CCM Hooker on 9 points both players securing an SIM (Senior International Master) norm-in the latter case another norm and hence title has been obtained and confirmed by the ICCF. Untitled Bowley, CCM Schirmer, CCM Smith, CCE Rosales, and CCM Rozanski, in equal third all scored 8.5 points and an IM norm.

Lower in the table, there remains one game left to complete, which is CCM Graham versus LGM Williamson. Both have 7 points hence are fighting for seventh place.

Keith Escott was the Captain of the Warwickshire Correspondence chess team which won the prestigious Ward-Higgs event several times, editor of the famous magazine CHESS and did much for both otb and correspondence chess locally and nationally. It is pleasing that this Memorial, contrary to many other recent events, had a high number of decisive games and that a number of players have achieved, title norms.

(d) Peter Gibbs Memorial Correspondence Events (May 22 update on April entry)

Some details of Peter’s enormous impact on both over-the-board and Correspondence Chess are detailed in the Recent Archive section of this web site (Section 2-article for August-September 2023 inclusive of two annotated games).

The English Federation for Correspondence Chess (EFCC) has under the auspices of the International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF) organised two 15 player events in memory of Peter. These started on May 1^st2024, and features players from a wide range of countries and included nine Correspondence Chess Experts.

Section A- CCM Campani wins with the excellent score of 10/14 including many wins and no losses. CCE Spanton finishes second on 9.5.

Section B- Lopez is confirmed as winner with a score of 9.5/14 and Hall as runner-up on 9 points. Verneulen has moved rapidly to third place on 8.5 points having now completed all games. Heidtmann is in fourth with 8 points.

There is still only one game is left to complete in this tournament which is Quirk on 7.5 points versus Illingworth on 6 points. A win for the former would mean a share of 3^rd place.

International Correspondence Chess Federation (May 22).

It is pleasing to report that long time correspondence chess enthusiasts Stan J Grayland and Michael J Blake, both great workers on behalf of this form of chess, have both been awarded the title of International Master by the ICCF.

British Chess Problem Society (BCPS) (May 22-update of April 25))

The BCPS has once again efficiently organised the Winton British Chess Problem Solving Championship. The final of the 2025-26 event held in Harrow School was narrowly won by GM John Nunn over previous winner David Hodge. The event was decided only by the final problem!

The starter problem for the 2026-27 event has just been published on the BCPS web site, and the solution must be returned before the end of July.

The Society has also organised a Memorial tournament for IM Barry Barnes who edited the Problemist magazine for an impressive 38 years. Entrants need to compose a Direct mate in 2 moves a field of composition which was a forte of Barry for many years and for which he won many prizes.

The web site of the Problemist continues to be updated and now back issues of the magazine, even up until quite recently, can be viewed online as well as increasing numbers of past awards problems.

It is interesting to note that very strong o.t.b player Les Blackstock is also involved in Chess Problems and has just produced a Problemist Supplement Index for issues 161-200 of the magazine.

English Federation for Correspondence Chess (April 25).

The EFCC is preparing to set up a Memorial Event for Correspondence Chess International Master Andrew Dearnley likely to commence latter this year. Andrew did a huge amount for this form of chess but sadly passed away at a relatively young age. More details will follow on this web site when available.

Next main update due earlier than usual on or about June 25 2026.

(minor updates may occur during each month)