As we approach the start of the 2023-24 season, Sampson is very busy sorting out the fixtures, which will appear here within the next few days. If you’re interested in playing for us in any of the London, Thames Valley or Surrey Leagues, or, better still, interested in captaining a team, do get in touch.
Our membership form for the 2023-24 season is now available for download here.
We’re running a blitz tournament on Tuesday 19 September. It’s not too late to sign up: further details here.
Our revived lichess arena tournaments on Wednesdays are proving popular. We’re now back again this month after a summer break. To join our lichess group sign up for lichess if you haven’t already done so and then visit lichess.org/team/rtcc. It’s all totally free, so you have nothing to lose!
Richard is currently publishing a series of books for novice and intermediate players on Amazon under the title Chess Heroes. The introductory volume (0-500 rating) is available here. There are then four books for roughly 500-1000 rating: the checkmates book is available here, the tactics book here, the openings book here and the endings book here. If you’re 1000-1500 strength you’ll need the puzzle book here with the games book to follow very shortly. Purchases and 5* reviews will be very much appreciated!
Richard’s book Chess for Schools was published last August and has just been shortlisted for the English Chess Federation Book of the Year award. You can find out more here. Richard is always happy to talk to parents and teachers about any aspect of junior chess.
Richard’s latest book review, of Irrational Chess by Cyrus Lakdawala has recently been published here.
Richard’s latest chess history post introduces you to the fascinating story of the lady chess players of Leicester, from 1912 to WW2 and beyond. Richard has also recently published the fourth part of the history of Richmond Junior Chess Club 1975-2006, covering the period from 1993 to 1999, including the Richmond Chess Initiative and the two Richmond Internationals, complete with a selection of games. Find out more about the glory years of Richmond Junior Chess Club here.
There are tournaments, either standardplay or rapidplay, most weekends in our area. Even if you haven’t played in a tournament before you’ll be very welcome to take part.
Forthcoming local(ish) events:
23-24 September: Southall FIDE Congress. Details
23 September: Streatham Library Rapidplay. Details
23 September: UK Open Blitz London Qualifier. Details
30 September-1 October: Oxted FIDE Congress. Details
1 October: Ealing FIDE Rapidplay. Details
Visit the ECF Calendar for full information on forthcoming events.