CONTACT: Spring 1964
Inter-Departmental Tournament for the "Silver Rook" Trophy
Optimistically, the Bank entered two teams for this season's tournament, but holidays and shortage of time before the final date for the preliminary round resulted in our having to withdraw the "B" team; the Quantity Surveyors Department therefore claimed the game by default.
The first draw for our "A" team was against the Transport Department "B" team, and once again they kindly came to our rescue with accommodation and boards. The match was played in congenial surroundings with very friendly opposition (the lady team-member is now engaged but still plays!) and with sympathy we had to register a 4 - nil victory. On this happy occasion the Bank team consisted of Messrs. J Britten, C Addis, N Worwood (substitute for K Parkes, who was unavailable) and P Aston.
From this win we passed on to the semi-final against none other than the Town Clerk's Department "A" team, the present holders. The Bank's team was as before except that Keith Parkes was able to resume his place after a period of sick-leave; the formidable opposition consisted of Mr Peter Gibbs of Championship class, Mr Rembges and Mr Jones, both stolid and extremely "useful" players, and Mr Kinder (a blind player of no mean skill). Peter Aston had already avowed his willingness to battle against the "giant" Mr Gibbs, but his gameness was no match for such devastating play, and the first board fell to Town Clerks. Our remaining three members played good games with many hopeful periods, but their opponents played better, it seems, and it was our turn to taste defeat --------------- 4 - nil!!
Again thanks to the team for their dogged support, also to those who were always willing to play if called upon. (In case anyone has missed the familiar names of H Powell, J Cox, and R Wozencroft, their service to the "Guild" has cut their leisure time to such an extent that a much enjoyed pastime has to be sacrificed -------------------------- non-members of Nalgo please note!)
"En Passant"
CONTACT: Summer 1965
"Silver Rook" Chess Tournament 1964/65
Though for the Bank Team the Chess Tournament was concluded during the far off winter months, a report on play was postponed so that the final result might be published.
The Bank played in the first round against the Gas Board with a team of 5, the change from a team of 4 being made to comply with new rules for the tournament. Messrs Powell, Britten, Addis, Worwood and Aston played in that order against Messrs Kirby, Brett, Majolanski, Robinson and Smith of the Gas Board. Mr Britten was our first victor after a hard game. Mr Worwood succumbed to a thorough beating, followed by a 'win' for Mr Powell after a long struggle, stiffly contested. Resignation came next from Mr Addis who had fought doggedly but saw no future in his game, and Mr Aston was last but not least in gaining a "draw" with a King and Rook finish, from a game in which he had been down in material but up in position --- a well contrived ending.
Though the new rules were framed to lessen the risk of decision by elimination, the two bottom boards had to be eliminated to obtain a result, and the Bank won by 2 boards to 1.
The following (semi-final) round provided a shock! The same team, playing against the Building Department, was provided with a "walk-over" for Mr Worwood as his opponent did not arrive. This augured well but initial optimism was to be rudely shattered. Mr Powell was beaten by Mr Nicklin; Mr Addis was beaten by Mr Stokes, and Messrs Britten and Aston each had to concede a "draw" with their respective opponents. There was a touch of humour in Mr Aston's game for, faced with heavy odds, he refused to surrender and forced a stalemate! His opponent's shout of anguish was heard, they say, in the farthest corners of the Council House. The final position in this match was 3 to 2 against the Bank.
The Building Department went on to play the Town Clerk's in the Final, the latter winning 3½ to 1½, thus leaving Town Clerk's in possession of the Silver Rook for yet another year. Incidentally, our team was extremely grateful to the Town Clerk's Department for extending the use of their Council House Rest Room and Chess equipment.
If our team's enthusiasm had been the deciding factor, we would have won every board, for there was certainly no lack of that commodity, so next year - - - - who knows?
"En Passant"
CONTACT: Summer 1966
"Silver Rook" Chess Tournament 1966
The Royal Game had a royal ending this year!
After seasons of endeavour, suffering more than once the exasperation of being losing finalists, the Bank team has won the "Silver Rook" - the trophy of the inter-departmental chess knock-out competition - and the formal presentation will take place at Yardley Sports Ground at 9pm on Friday, 8th July.
Progress to the final began by winning the match against the Building Department on 31st January. Peter Austin played as a "new boy" in the team; his opponent ruefully commenting after a short, sharp game that he did not know the Bank had a "secret weapon". Cross our hearts neither did we, but it was a performance Peter was due to repeat. Another victor in this strenuous game was Peter Aston who played his opponent to a lone King. John Britten and Howard Powell lost hard-fought boards, with Keith Parkes saving the day by forcing a winning position on the top board.
The Public Works Department (Drawing Office) were the semi-finalists and lost to the Bank by 1 game to 4, our team having two changes, Chris Addis and Norman Worwood.
The Annual Balance work and subsequent examinations led to postponement of arrangements for the Final, but eventually we met our old protagonists, the Town Clerk's Department, on 10th May, with a team consisting of Keith Parkes v T Rembges; Howard Powell v W Kinder; John Britten v K Morris; Peter Austin v J Broomhead and Chris Addis v W Pearson. For the third time Peter Austin won his game in well under 30 minutes! Chris Addis followed with a win in one hour and Keith Parkes settled for a draw. Howard Powell won his game, with John Britten losing after a sterling game giving a 3½ to 1½ win for the Bank - hence the "Silver Rook".
For the past five years, the award has been won by the Town Clerk's Department, following the Gas Board holding it for one year. The "Silver Rook" began its existence in pre-war years and was again played for immediately after the War, but interest waned until the Town Clerk's Department issued an open challenge to re-open the competition.
The Bank's original team included the late Roy Willingham and Roy Weaver, and from the very beginning the team showed an enthusiasm which has never lessened, despite the fact that we have no funds, no meetings, no equipment, no practice. In the words of the 16th Century poet-chess player:
"Know
you that this shall read or see,
I wish nought for my paine:
If it thee please, I have content,
I seek no other gaine".
"En Passant"
CONTACT: Spring 1967
Someone said "are you going to the lecture on Chess?, and the writer said "Check!" or
words to that effect. Imagine the consternation upon finding that the writer had mis-heard the questioner, who had said "CHEQUES"
and not "Chess", and found himself in a learned gathering of distinctly bank-like gentlemen (and a lady or two) listening to a discourse
upon the aforesaid subject.
Since there is nothing as good as moving chess pieces about, with the possible exception of moving
words about, the writer settled for the latter, and here follows the result.
Or would you rather have Chess news? -- there is
none!
"EN PASSANT"
CONTACT: Summer 1967
Alas! the "Silver Rook" Trophy, so notably won last season has been surrendered.
The
Bank team of five worthies, weakened by Keith Parkes' absence (studying for examinations) and also that of John Britten (by reason
of misfortune), lost in the first round to the City Architect's "A" Team. That the latter team were the final victors in the tournament
was, however, some small consolation to our players.
Next season the rules may be changed to require teams of 4 players instead
of 5, in which case we may be able to revert to our old practice of fielding two teams, even if we have to resort to asking for volunteers
of the "you, you, and you" type.
"En Passant"
CONTACT: Autumn 1971
Less CHESS
Despite the unmistakable
relaxation offered by a weekly evening at Chess, and the promise of improved prowess deriving from regular attendance, no one has
come forward from the Staff to join our happy throng.
If you would like to do so in time for the opening of the new season in
September, please contact N A Worwood at Sheldon Branch.
Meanwhile, with tongue in cheek perhaps, an undaunted member wonders
whether it may be possible to change the game to suit those who have no time to spare.
From observations of a typical game of
Chess it would appear that a disproportionate amount of time and complicated action is involved in the relatively simple task of preventing
the King from making a move.
The following recommendations are made towards simplification of time and effort:
First, the
Squares. These are at present black and white, a highly contrasted combination, trying to the eyes. For the latter reason, these
should be in two close shades of cream. There are 64 of these squares and this proposed standardisation of colour could lead to use
of 32. Later recommendations provide scope for a further reduction in this number.
Pieces. As well as the high colour contrast
similar to that of squares, there appears to be an undesirable trend towards duplication. The pawns, 8 of each colour, can be reduced
to a representative one of each colour. Bishop, Rook and Knight can likewise be pruned from two to one. Immediately we can take advantage
of reduced numbers to save space. A five-by-five board is sufficient even at this stage of contradiction.
Moves. The Queen combines
the moves of both Rook and Bishop which obviates the need for these two pieces. There seems no harm in the sole Pawn's occupation
of the rank ahead of the principal pieces (indeed, this speeds its progress to the distant edge of the board). As we have, therefore,
only Queen, Knight and King remaining on the first rank, a board three-by-three square will now suffice.
A diagram shows that
only 9 squares thus remain and since the total pieces occupy eight of these, the battle for the central square becomes all-important.
Four pieces attacking and counter-attacking a single square is 400% uneconomic and the decision to reduce each side to one piece (the
King) is obvious.
By the laws of the game King versus King gives a stalemate position and a "drawn" game. It must be stated bluntly
that it seems pointless to use board and pieces in a game that must always end in a draw.
Bridge is a good game for those who
might experience frustration in playing "simpler Chess".
"En passant"