2009-10

Knock Out Cup Tournament
Last updated 1 June 2010

Steve Mellor Wins Cup

On the very last evening of the season at St Stephen's there was an exciting tussle for the cup. Jim Keene had the white pieces and Steve again defended with the Modern Defence he had successfully played in the semi-final game described below. After an exchange of queens there was material equality, but black had two aggressive bishops. White definitely had fewer attacking chances and was finding it difficult6y in playing moves that maintained balance. In the end, with time pressure looming, white cracked and Mellor pounced to win material. There were still plenty of defensive possibilities for white and black had to play carefully to avoid a blitz tie-break. To follow the game, click here.

Semi Final News

Although later than planned, one of the quarter finals produced an upset and in the first semi-final game there were fireworks. In the last Quarter-Final match to be completed, Brian Hughes pulled off a dramatic win against Captain of the Pawns Team, Roger Yates. Roger blundered a whole rook and soon had to resign. In the first of the Semi-Final games, Ray Collett had white against Steve Mellor. Steve deviated from his usual Caro-Kan and played a Modern Defence. Ray advance his central pawns, but it was soon apparent that Steve's counter-attack would win a pawn. Ray then offered a rook sacrifice. Steve accepted the challenge but found his queen forced to the side while his king was under fierce attack. Ray missed a winning move and Steve consolidated his material advantage to win an exciting game.

Collett - Mellor 29 April 2010 Semi-Final Club Knock Out Tournament Black has just played 24...Nxa1. Can you see a winning move for white? Fortunately for Steve it was not played and Steve soon won. For the complete score click here (opens in new window)

Results

Rules for Knock Out

Time control 35 moves in 1h 15 minutes with an extra 15 minutes quickplay finish.
In the event of a drawn game a 5-minute game should be played with colours reversed.
In the event that the second (5-minute) game is drawn, a final Armageddon game will decide: the player of the white pieces must win to gain a place in the next round. In compensation black has only 4 minutes, whereas white has 5 minutes on the clock. Toss for colours for the Armageddon game.
Venue. You can play on a non-club night at another club (by arrangement) or at home. You may borrow equipment by arrangement with Ray Collett.