In the Surrey League Division 4 (Ellam Trophy), Guildford 2 drew 3–3 with Chessington 1. Guildford 2 outrated their opponents by 150 points a board so this was really one that got away. Especially given that Guildford 2 had the White pieces on 4 of the 6 boards (1, 3, 4 and 5). On board 4 the players sat down on the wrong side of the board and no one noticed until it was too late. The result leaves Guildford 2 top of Division 4, but in order to win the division and gain promotion Guildford 2 will need to win their last match against Richmond on 19 March.

Meanwhile in the Surrey Border League Division 5, Guildford E lost 3–2 to Woking C. Guildford E are propping up the table but at least in this competition there is no promotion or relegation.

Only one match at the club on Monday night. In the Surrey League Stoneleigh Trophy (a 4-board rapidplay match over two rounds), Guildford out-rated Ashstead by over 200 points a board and won comfortably by 7.5–1.5. In the topsy-turvy world of the Stoneleigh Trophy, Guildford were expected to win 6–2, so this counts as only +1.5 match points. Guildford remain last but one in the league table.

The internal rapidplay featured 14 players, including four who were new to the event this season. The player known as The Organiser took the evening off. Riyad Bensoussane took full advantage, winning all three of his games to regain top spot in the table. Now 18 sessions, 56 rounds, 56 players.

It has been brought to our attention by Guildford resident Paul Kerensa, a well-known radio broadcaster and historian, that Guildford Chess Club almost certainly played the first chess match ever transmitted over the radio in 1922. Researches indicate that no wireless chess transmissions pre-date this event, so the club can proudly claim this to be a world first. For more details see the History page.

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.