British Federation for Correspondence Chess (BFCC)

Season 2 of the British Webserver Team Tournament has today got underway! 25 teams have entered (4 players per team) compared to 22 teams in Season 1. There are 4 Divisions (compared to 3 in Season 1) with 7 teams in Divisions 1, 2, and 3 (each player has 6 games, one versus each opponent) and 4 teams in Division 4 (each player still has 6 games with two versus each opponent).

Division 1 is very strong! It has 3 Grandmasters, 5 Senior International Masters, 1 International Master & 1 Lady International Master. Average ratings - Board 1- 2372; Board 2- 2336, Board 3- 2285, Board 4- 2212. The highest rated player is GM Raymond Boger 2619. 

Division 1 contains reigning Champions "Pawn Stars" joined by arch rivals "ICCF Warriors" and also includes "BCCA Kings", "BCCA Griffins", "Scheming Mind A", "Scheming Mind B" and "White Rose A".

Division 2 contains "Sussex Servers", "Social CCA A", "Natcor A", "Scheming Mind C", "BCCA Knights", "Grantham Kings", and "White Rose B".

Division 3 contains "Herts & Minds", "Social CCA B", "Dragons", "Hampshire Saints", "BCCA Endgamers", "BCCA Strategists" and "Civil Service A".

Division 4 contains "Natcor B", "Civil Service B", "BCCA Tacticians" and "Nomads".

The end date for play in Season 2 is December 31, 2014.

Entries can now be accepted for the ICCF  6th Veterans World Cup which starts 1st September 2013. The full notice for the tournament is now available on the ICCF websiite, see: http://www.iccf-webchess.com/Message.aspx?message=527 Entries can be made by ICCF direct entry by following 'New Events' or if you prefer, veterans can enter through BFCC by paying the £12 entry fee online or by cheque payable to 'BFCC' and sent to International Secretary, Andrew Dearnley.

BFCC would like to congratulate GM Richard Hall on his magnificent achievement of runner up in the recently finished ICCF World Championship Final 25. This is the best performance individually in the ICCF World championship by any player from our shores. Richard has now secured another final qualification to attempt to become World Champion in a future final and he will receive his silver medal at the ICCF Congress in Poland this July. GM Dr Ian Brooks finished in a very credible 9th position in the same final and the cross table can be viewed at  http://www.iccf-webchess.com/EventCrossTable.aspx?id=19811

A reminder that this meeting will take place in York on Saturday 27 April at 1 pm. Agenda and further details are available from me.

Duncan Chambers (BFCC Secretary)

Congratulations to Andrew Dearnley who has won the BFCC best game prize for 2012. Many thanks to Nigel Robson for once again judging the entries. The winning game will be published in the BFCC Information Circular.

I have had a letter from a prisoner looking for someone to play correspondence chess with. He describes himself as a social player who is keen to improve his chess. If anyonr is interested, please contact me and I will put you in touch.

Duncan Chambers (BFCC Secretary)

BFCC would like to congratulate Toni Halliwell on achieving her 2nd ILM Norm in BFCC's own Golden Jubilee C event!

Toni's score,so far, of 5 points is enough to secure the title. See http://www.iccf-webchess.com/EventCrossTable.aspx?id=32135

CC Grandmaster Adrian Hollis died on February 26, 2013 at the age of 72. He was one of Britain's strongest ever CC players winning the British CC title 3 times (once jointly). He was awarded the Grandmaster Title in 1976 following his victory in the Potter Memorial which, at that time, was the strongest ever CC tournament organised by Britain including many overseas GM's and one World Champion. He was a strong OTB player in his younger days competing for the British Championship on several occasions withy his best performance being 7th in 1961. In the 1980's he was consulted by Korchnoi on certain chess openings in which he was considered an expert.

(The book on the "Potter Memorial" written by Ken Messere is still available from us - price £5.00 only including p & p to UK addresses. Overseas prices upon request). See Online Fee payment on the left & quote "Potter book")

 The 1st season of the British Webserver 4-player Team tournament has now finished. Congratulations to “Pawn Stars” (Captain Austin Lockwood, Michael Millstone, John Rhodes, Gino Figlio) for winning the Championship! Well played!  Season 2 now begins!

 Division 1 of Season 1 of the British WS Team tournament has now been decided. The Champions are "Pawn Stars" captained by Austin Lockwood (Wales)! The team consists of Dr. Michael Millstone(USA), John Rhodes (Eng), Gino Figlio (Peru) and Austin Lockwood (Wales). Congratulations to all four players!

The Team crosstable can be seen here: http://www.iccf-webchess.com/EventCrossTable.aspx?id=27224 

The concept of allowing 2 non-British players in each team has worked well increasing the strength & interest in the tournament.