Border League Gentlemen and Players
In cricket, the Gentlemen v Players game was a First Class cricket match regularly played from 1806 until 1962 between a team made up of elite amateurs (the 'Gentlemen') and young sportsmen of independent means (from the universities), and a team made up of professionals (the 'Players'). Just as life imitates art, so chess imitates cricket. The distinction between Gentlemen and Players still operates in some chess leagues, notably the London Chess League (Wood Green always win), and the Surrey Border League.
In last night's Division 1 match at Guildford, the home team fielded a very powerful team of elite amateurs rated 2300 on average and featuring two IMs and an FM. But they were roundly defeated, losing 4–1 to a team of professionals from Sandhurst – that's professional as in paid to play chess – rated nearly 100 points higher on average, and featuring two GMs, one IM and one Candidate Master. Well done to Alberto Suarez Real and Alex Golding for taking half a point each off their GM opponents. Gwilym Price was unlucky on board 3, turning down a draw in a better position when the team situation required him to play on, then dropping a piece in time trouble.
Meanwhile, back on Planet Earth, Guildford D narrowly lost to Godalming B by 2–3 in Division 4, with both sides evenly matched in rating terms. Elsewhere, Guildford G travelled to Fleet & Farnborough B for a Division 7 match which finished 2–2.
Back at the club, the latest Andrew Martin coaching session was very well attended. Some club members then made their competitive debut in an informal Beginners' Rapidplay event. Next door, the main internal rapidplay has now seen 53 rounds of play, featuring 52 players.
In last night's Division 1 match at Guildford, the home team fielded a very powerful team of elite amateurs rated 2300 on average and featuring two IMs and an FM. But they were roundly defeated, losing 4–1 to a team of professionals from Sandhurst – that's professional as in paid to play chess – rated nearly 100 points higher on average, and featuring two GMs, one IM and one Candidate Master. Well done to Alberto Suarez Real and Alex Golding for taking half a point each off their GM opponents. Gwilym Price was unlucky on board 3, turning down a draw in a better position when the team situation required him to play on, then dropping a piece in time trouble.
Meanwhile, back on Planet Earth, Guildford D narrowly lost to Godalming B by 2–3 in Division 4, with both sides evenly matched in rating terms. Elsewhere, Guildford G travelled to Fleet & Farnborough B for a Division 7 match which finished 2–2.
Back at the club, the latest Andrew Martin coaching session was very well attended. Some club members then made their competitive debut in an informal Beginners' Rapidplay event. Next door, the main internal rapidplay has now seen 53 rounds of play, featuring 52 players.