Welsh Correspondence Chess Federation

Russell Sherwood  Saturday, January 8, 2022

WCCF New Year Tournament 2022

The Silli format has definitely thrown up some interesting pairings!

Players are reminded that a new ICCF rule prevents play, prior to the start date of the event

Russell Sherwood  Saturday, January 8, 2022

Wales - Cuba Friendly 2020 has finished with a Cuban Victory 33.5-16.5.

Congratulations to our Cuban friends and a special mention goes to Andrew Smith in picking up a Welsh win!

Austin Lockwood  Monday, January 3, 2022

The draft minutes of the 2021 WCCF AGM, held on 20th November, are attached.

These minutes are subject to ratification at the 2022 AGM.

Download

Russell Sherwood  Saturday, January 1, 2022

Russell Sherwood  Wednesday, December 29, 2021

The current season ends soon!

The cross tables can be viewed  at:-

Ward Higgs   https://www.iccf.com/event?id=90830

Sinclair       https://www.iccf.com/event?id=90944

Butler - Thomas   https://www.iccf.com/event?id=90945 

Ward-Higgs

Event now finished with Lancashire  in first place and West Wales A  in second place.

Hertfordshire A and Surrey B are relegated.

Sinclair

 There is 1 game still in progress , Yorkshire A  are in first place but could be overtaken  by  East Wales B  if they win their last game. 

Worcestershire A and Durham are relegated.

Butler Thomas

There is 1 game still in progress

Winners are Surrey D and are promoted to the Sinclair with Yorkshire C who finished second.

 If wish to play in the next season, starting soon, please contact either Ian Jones (West Wales Teams) or Russell Sherwood (East and North Wales Teams). 

CDCCC 2022 looks to be very interesting with (a) All the strongest teams qualified to the Ward-Higgs and (b) Welsh or teams with strong Welsh participation making up 50% of the qualifications in the Top Tier, so dont miss out.

As always, participation in this event is only open to ENG/SCO/WLS players or those from areas such as the Channel Islands.

Russell Sherwood  Sunday, December 26, 2021

Winning a Rook for a minor piece can set one on a path to victory in  chess games. In correspondence games, against the best defensive play, this seems true less often. In 3 recent cc games, despite being the exchange up, I have had to settle for the draw. In the latest of these, as White, I have King on g4, a pawn on g5 and Rook on b3. Black to move has King on g8, Bishop on e7 and pawn on g6. My material and space advantages count for nothing. Black has an accurate, saving resource.

I usually play my engine’s top choice move. In a current game, in which I am the exchange up, I have decided against this. The top line was forcing, but led to exchanging off Queens and a pair of rooks. Playing down this line appeared to lead to a Rook v Bishop ending with minimal winning chances. I played a waiting move, which kept pieces on the board. This has worked out pleasantly for me. The pieces on the board are asserting their power. 

I’ve learnt that if I am the exchange up, hastening to an ending may not be the smartest of plans. In future, too, I might even be less likely to jump at a chance to win the exchange. I’ve just viewed an Alpha-Zero v Stockfish 8 game in which Alpha-Zero passes on an offer of winning an exchange. It had deeper, winning plans.

DP Morgan

Russell Sherwood  Saturday, December 25, 2021

Merry Christmas to all!