Press Report 8^th May 2020

With Covid-19 taking its toll on all Chess activity around the country with clubs closed and congresses cancelled, South Hams Chess is alive and thriving on line at “Chess.com”; playing under their name of South Hams Chess Club, they have set up internal leagues of Standard & Rapid Play and with it some new names leading the charge of top players.

In the standard Play it sees an invitee from Plymouth Chess Club, Tony Tatam, top of the league being closely chased by Phil McConnell and Steve Dickinson. In the Rapid Play Steve Levy is ahead. The player making the headlines is James Fowler by taking the scalps of Steve Levy, David Archer and Steve Dickinson. A great performance by James, which could see him becoming one of the leading players next season.

Keeping competitive further afield club member Alan Davies arranged a fixture against the Isle of Wight Woodpushers. In a closely fought match of Rapid Play, with each player playing two games, the Woodpushers came out on top 51/2 -- 61/2. The players taking part for South Hams were Alan Davies (Capt), Steve Dickinson, Clifford Peach, James Fowler, Tony Tatam and Trevor Hurt.

This inter-club being the first for both clubs, surely a re-match is already being planned. The next inter-club match will be played between South Hams and Newton Abbot.