World Seniors

If you visit the English Chess Federation’s website hoping to become a member, you will be confronted with a comprehension test. You will scroll past walls of text before appraising your membership options. Would you like to be a Supporter, Bronze, Gold, or Platinum member? Perhaps you are eligible for Junior Bronze, Free Junior Bronze, Junior Gold, Free Junior Gold, or Free Student Gold? Like the intricacies of the tax system, there must be reasons for this befuddlement of detail. The free tiers, for example, are intended as an inducement for members in their first year. But the initial impression is baffling: a simple table would go a long way to clarify the differences. As for the benefits of membership, the ECF’s monthly online magazine ChessMoves deserves greater prominence.

Hurrah at least for the recent decision to merge the Silver and Gold levels, though the option of melting down the Bronze as well was considered and rejected. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

England teams brought home bronze and gold medals from the World Senior Team Championships, held in Krakow last month, as well as a healthy number of board medals for individual performances. The bronze medals came in the 50+ section, which was won by the USA, with Italy as the runners up.

England got gold in the 65+ section, ahead of Israel and a French team from the Cercle d’Echecs de Strasbourg. England’s second team finished in fourth place, from which John Pigott was awarded a silver medal for his performance on top board (behind John Nunn, from the first team). In this game, he defeated the Slovak grandmaster who finished second at last year’s Individual World Senior Championship (again behind Nunn).

John Pigott–Lubomir Ftacnik

Fide World Senior Team Championships, 2024

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 6 Bg5 e6 7 f4 Nbd7 8 Qf3 h6 Black usually prioritises development with 8…Qc7 9 O-O-O b5, so that 10 e5 can be met by 10…Bb7.