Cumbernauld Chess Club

George Thomson · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 173

Hi everyone, I'm delighted to say that Sarah has won a silver medal at the S.J.C chess for kicks tournament at Bishopbriggs today.
She started pretty badly with a draw when she had a queen,rook and bishop against a bare king. Unfortunately she made an unconsidered queen move which forced a stalemate much to the delight of her opponent. She then lost two in a row (the shock of her last draw effected her pretty badly) which meant she was sitting on 0.5 from three games.
After many tears and feeling that she could not play chess and wanted to go home she was reassured by her supercoach that all would soon be well. She came out fighting and won her next two games. Then believe it or not she had a queen and king against a bare king and forced the king into the corner and gained the opposition with her king and unfortunately forced another stalemate.(it was torture to watch) Anyway she went into the last round with three points from six games and needing only a draw to secure another bronze medal. She was playing young Jamie Marron ( I think that is his surname) from Cumbernauld chess club who was also on three points. I would have been delighted had she taken a draw so that they both could come home with a bronze medal. She played for a win though and got it meaning that she finished on four points from seven games, enough to win the silver medal.
I'm extremely proud of her and would once again like to thank Ian Marks for his coaching sessions and everyone else who has taken the time to instruct her in the Beautiful Art. Young Daniel Marron also won a trophy for being the highest placed primary four I think or third place. I'm not exactly sure what the trophy was for as you know I'm a bit deaf.
Anyway congratulations to both of them for bringing some more silverware in our clubs direction.
Well done both of you!!!!

Ian · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 175

George -

Congrats to Supergirl Very Happy

I see I got a menshie, but, really, I'm sure my input was minimal. The most important things Sarah would (or should!) have learnt are (i) avoid stalemate! - always leave the lone king a breathing square; (ii) >>After many tears and feeling that she could not play chess and wanted to go home<< We've all been there! (well, maybe not the tears), she'll be learning to put setbacks behind here as quickly as possible.

Well done!