Press Report 14th May 2021

At long last the final of the Cookworthy Knockout Cup has been played and it lived up to all expectations, a good many members of the South Hams Chess Club watched the online final at home from their computers.

This two game final, with both players playing with Black and White, gave the watchers plenty of excitement, with twist and turns throughout. The underdog Tony Tatam gave odds on favourite David Archer a big scare, especially in their first encounter. In a game that Tony should have won, but slowly lost position in the end game and let David off the hook. With great relief for David, he managed to get the draw that at one time seemed a far off result.

So going into game two a week later with both players on half each, Tony now had the white pieces, with everything set and ready to go. David never showed up online for the start, the question was, is this a Bobby Fischer tactic? The watchers were getting agitated, but one hour later David appeared and he got the time wrong and Tony very sportingly wouldn’t accept David’s offer of forfeiting the game. With it being too late to then play, the game was re arranged for two days later. The game was worth waiting for. Early on Tony was forced on to defence and was never able to release his pieces. In trying, he weakened his position with the H file completely controlled by David, where David eventually forced checkmate. Congratulations to both players for some entertaining Chess, worthy of a final, with David Archer becoming Cookworthy Cup winner. Well done David.

The Homan League which is still active with just a few games remaining, has seen Phil McConnell reach the play offs, joining Steve Levy and James Schofield. With just one place remaining to be filled, Phil has played some great chess this half of the season and could cause a big surprise. He should not be underestimated that’s for sure and what a popular winner he would be.

In the coming week, South Hams Chess Club play a return match against The Wood Pushers from the Isle of White; team playing Steve Levy, Quentin Thwaites, Phil McConnell, Trevor Hurt, Tony Tatam, Ken Ashby, Clifford Peach and James Fowler. The game is being played on www.chess.com.

The South Hams lost 6 ½ - 5 ½ in the first encounter.