Happy to have retained my English Over-50 title yesterday - thanks to English Chess Federation (ECF) for organising. I had a few ups and downs, but pleased the final game mostly survived engine scrutiny (thanks English Chess Tracker for posting). Note to self: work on trying to play with the draw in hand 🤔

Hugely entertaining end to the @4ncl season - even after two days from Sharks 4NCL 🇺🇦 which will become the stuff of legend (taking points from both the leaders, but more from Wood Green) had already clinched the title for Manx Liberty - many congratulations! I'm also buoyed.. 1/2

... by 3 superb wins for my Chessable White Rose 4NCL colleagues. Great team effort, but special mention for fast improving Thomas Carroll's 3/3, Daniel Alsina Leal who missed the same by a whisker on Board 1 and awesome power chess from Andreea Navrotescu. Almost as if I wasn't missed 😉

Just about recovered from giving a 26-board simul with a dodgy knee on Wednesday evening 🙂. In fact, a lovely group - players and organisers alike - and lots of exciting chess made for a very enjoyable evening. Many thanks to Stroud Chess Club and the wonderful Star Anise

Another quiet day at the office #SharjahMasters #modernchess

Really moving to read through some of the tributes to Alisdair MacIntyre on here this evening, which bring home quite what a profound influence he has had on many people beyond the realms of academic philosophy/ethics. We lost one of the true intellectual giants today. RIP.

Interesting last round in the Milton Keynes Open with Mark Hebden and Maciej Czopor prevailing over some scary young talents. I fear Aamudhan Balaji - leading after Rd. 4 - got a reminder there are certain King's Indian positions you still really don't want against Mark Hebden!

Tricky round for simplistic 'youth v experience' narratives at the #FIDERapidBlitzTeams as the prodigy Oro Fautino defeats Nihal Sarin in fine style whilst the legendary Viswanathan Anand takes down Arjun Erigaisi with the Black pieces. Great to see Vishy back in the thick of it!

Smooth enough victory for 'Malcolm's Mates' in the all-English clash against Sharks 4NCL 🇺🇦 with Ameet Ghasi reminded it's always risky to 'mix it' against Luke McShane. Still, a terrific scalp for Ben Purton as Black against the formidable Ivan Saric after 42...Nh3!! decides.

I am used to extolling the incredible consistency of Michael Adams - into his 50s but still so often victorious . Still, this latest victory in the English Chess Federation (ECF) Champs (after a tense play-off) was something else. Superb chess throughout, for me his finest since the 2023 Classic.👏

Glad that Black didn't quite need the 50-move rule to draw B+N v N? Modern chess is really no picnic! #FIDEGrandSwiss

Many congratulations to Anish Giri and to Matthias Bluebaum - who showed incredible resilience in the later rounds. To sense the scale of their achievement, take a look at the group on +1 (Gukesh, Nepo, Pragg etc) and check out the legends further down too. A truly great event!

I've long been a fan of Andras Toth's awesome coaching style and his excellent YouTube channel has just got even better!😉 Seriously, though - do check out our first video which was a lot of fun to make. Very excited about what this collaboration can produce going forward.

Strong start for the England in the #etcc2025 with the Open team winning 2.5-1.5 against Sweden thanks to a nice game from Gawain Maroroa Jones and the Women convincingly beating Croatia 3.5-0.5. International team chess always entails added pressure, but hopefully this helps calm nerves.

Going live with the irrepressible Andras Toth from 10.30 tomorrow morning UK time (a more civilised hour in Australia🙂). He is providing the material, so I'm confident I will not be put on the spot or embarrassed in any way! youtube.com/@ChessCoachAnd… twitch.tv/chesscoachandr…

Huge success for England against the formidable hosts - a great recovery from being edged out in a tense match the round before. Congrats and a special mention for the two winners: Gawain Maroroa Jones whose performance has been stellar and Luke McShane who incredibly has no draws so far!

Very exciting final round underway in the #etcc2025 with many teams still in the medal hunt. England v the leaders Ukraine looking balanced but with plenty of play left, whilst Serbia are putting some pressure on Azerbaijan. Well worth checking in on! English Chess Tracker English Chess Federation (ECF)