30 Oct 2025: Kelso club meets again in British Legion

I was pleased to be able to go along on Tuesday 28th October for the re-opening of the Kelso Chess Club, at the Royal British Legion, Roxburgh Street, Kelso, with my son Kevin in tow.

I met the organiser, Laura Steven. Laura was accompanied by a fellow player from Berwick, and 2 other gentlemen, one who we simply referred to as ‘Joe’.

I handed over the equipment so we could have a few friendly games, and we settled down for a most enjoyable evening of chess.

It was my turn first to take on Laura, and it was a very interesting game, suffice to say, she was a bit rusty, but made up for that in tenacity.

The game was looking like a draw, but a blunder led to my victory.

Ian Whittaker came down from Lauder to meet Laura, and she duly put him to the sword, she took on all comers and set about them, shaking off the cobwebs as she went.

I got my chance to take on Ian, and his opening pawn structure stifled his position and play, so much so, I beat him in the end game.

After another game as black, the other Berwick player lost out to me too, I was on fire, next up it was Joe’s turn, this turned out to be the best and hardest game of the night, which I won, 4/4 not a bad night.

Kevin took on Ian after me, and whilst his position and play was good, fell by the wayside when he blundered a piece, so resigned.

All in all, it was a good, positive night and everyone there said they would be back for more.

One thing that might come from this is a different night as it clashes with the Borders League, so will be reviewed in the coming weeks.

19 Aug 2025: Selkirk lightning tournament

We had a friendly (ungraded) lightning tournament last night.  10 seconds on the buzzer, which produced a heck of a lot of blunders.  It was all very enjoyable though, so well done to winner Mark Gardiner, and to everyone else who played.