We will use part of the regular Zoom session next week (July 29th) to hold the AGM. Please let Jonathan know any items you wish to raise. At the moment we have only one, which is to capture opinions on the format of league matches next season, ideally with the aim of forming a club preference. If you have views in advance on this, or any other topic, do let me know and I can add them to the agenda.

We will have a regular club meeting tomorrow (July 22nd).

The Honours Board page has been updated to include Crowthorne’s successes in the Berkshire Chess League competitions. The equivalent for the Surrey Border League will follow shortly.

In the following position, played in the Berkshire League in 2018, Mark has a nice attacking position. But can you find the forcing sequence of moves that leads either to mate or a large win of material?

White to play and win.

  [Event "Berkshire League"]  [Site "Henley"]  [Date "2018.3.27"]  [White "Taylor, MV."]  [Black "Batstone, E."]  [Result "1-0"]  [SetUp "1"]  [FEN "r4rk1/pb1nbpp1/2p1p2p/qp4N1/3P3P/2PB1N2/PPQ2PP1/1K1R3R w - - 0 15"]   15.Bh7+ Kh8 16.Bg8 Nf6 ( 16...g6 {Is met by} 17.Bxf7 {After which Black cannot meet Qxg6. If Black tries}  hxg5 18.hxg5+ Kg7 19.Qxg6# {is mate} ) 17.Bxf7 {winning. The game continued}  Rxf7 18.Nxf7+ Kg8 19.Nxh6+ gxh6 20.Qg6+ Kh8 21.Ne5 Rf8 22.Qxh6+  Kg8 23.Rh3 1-0