Great to see faces old and new this evening — welcome to Ernie, Leo N, Orestes and Sophie.
Last week the juniors saw the game of Shogi played. It’s the sort of chess played in Japan, and by our new friends Kaz and Hatzune. How is Shogi related to the sort of chess that we normally play?
When I first looked at the history of Western Chess, I thought that the original game was Chaturanga, a game played in India before 600AD. Chess as played in other countries seems to come from the Arab form of Chess called Shatranj. And that is what I used to tell people.
Chaturanga --> Shatranj --> Medieval chess --> Modern Western chess
---------------------> Chinese Chess (Xiang-Chi)
---------------------> Japanese Chess (Shogi)
But I now believe that the best picture that fits what we know says that Chaturanga and Shatranj were both later forms of an original game, which we don’t know much about.
Sort-of-Chess --> Chaturanga
--> Shatranj --> Medieval chess --> Modern Western chess
---------------------> Chinese Chess (Xiang-Chi)
---------------------> Japanese Chess (Shogi)
There are lots of different sorts of chess around the world that seem to come from the same stock, including:
Shatar (Mongolian Chess)
Sittuyin (Burmese Chess)
Makruk (Thai Chess)
Each form of chess seems to have its own special rule that makes the game come alive. Burmese chess is the only sort of chess where you can decide where to put your pieces at the start of the game; Japanese chess is the only sort of chess that uses the ‘drops’ that we see in Exchange Chess; Chinese Chess is the only sort of chess that has the Cannon piece; modern Western Chess is the only sort of chess that has the super-duper Queen. (In fact, our game used to be called le Jeu de la Dame enragée — the game with the Mad Queen.)
You can read about all these different sorts of chess here:
http://chessvariants.org/
http://www.ancientchess.com/page/free-downloads.htm
Mr.B was always very good at producing a puzzle for us each week. Today’s puzzle comes from Mr.Lees — many thanks!
You’re Black, and you can checkmate White in two moves (you move, White moves, then you play checkmate).
HINTS: select the text below the numbers
1.
[White doesn’t have many moves]
2.
[If you can play …Na6xBc7 it’s checkmate]
3.
[Can you force White to put their Bishop on c7? (yes!)]
SOLUTION: reveal by clicking the [ > ] button.
*************** Summer Break ****************
19 May
Rapid Ratings Risers for half term are Zayd (+95) and Seyi (+92).
Attendance stats for the season, out of a possible 31 sessions: Hugo 29, Benjamin 28, Robert 27, Malachi 26, Bethany 25, Josh V 25, . . . .
28 April
Welcome to new member Seyi.
20 – 22 March
Bovey Chess Weekend: –
No prizes, but some good chess.
1 April
Welcome to new members Advaith and Mushin.
31 March
Rapid Ratings Risers for the second half of the term are Zak (+106), Robert (+93), Benjamin (+88), Vincent (+75).
20 – 22 March
East Devon Chess Congress for adults: –
Some great results against very strong adult opposition.
10 March
Welcome to new member Taania.
8 March
DJCA Open Spring Tournament: –
Lots of good results against very strong adult opposition.
3 March
Welcome to new member Etienne.
24 February
Welcome to new member Moaaz.
15 February
Devon County Team Quickplay:-
As an indication of the strength of the teams in this event for adults, the field included grandmaster John Nunn and several top county players! Our team started as the lowest ranked in the competition but did exceptionally well to finish with 9.5 / 24 which placed them 14th out 0f 17. 
There were some exceptional results: Vincent (Board 1 with 3/6) held a string of highly rated players to draws; Josh H (Board 2 with 2/6) beat a 1675 rated player; Bethany (Board 3 with 2/6) and Robert (Board 4 with 2.5/6) both gained wins against higher rated opponents. Very well done!
Thanks to Rob Scott who was in charge of the team and also congratulations for winning the individual event in the morning!!
10 February
Rapid Ratings Risers for the first half of the term are Hugo (+201), Joe (+99), Mokshith (+97) and Zayd(+96).
1 February
Torquay Boys Grammar School Junior Open: –
Well done to all – nobody scored less than half points!
**************** Happy New Year 2026! ****************
16 December
Rapid Ratings Risers for the second half of the term are Matthew (+110), Malachi (+103) and Robert (+98).
2 December
Welcome to new members Fraser, O.J. and Zac.
29 November
DJCA Devon Championships: –
Lots of good wins and nobody scored less than half points!
18 November
Welcome back to past member Mokshith.
11 November
Welcome to new members Isaac, James and Peter.
21 October
Rapid Ratings Risers for the first half of the term are Robert (+208 amazing), Malachi (+106), Josh V (+105), Ty (+105), Benjamin (+100), Zayd (+92) and Craig(+91).
Lots of improvement shown.
Benjamin and Josh V came to the club for all 7 sessions so far this season!
14 October
Welcome to new member Matthew.
7 October
Welcome to new member Ty.
5 October
DJCA Riviera Tournament great results all round: –
Well played to all.
30 September
Welcome to new members Rowan and Zachary.
23 September
Welcome to new member Eric.
16 September
Welcome to new member Luca.
9 September
Happy new chess season!
Welcome to new members Benjamin, Thomas and Zayd.
*************** Summer Break ****************
20 May
Rapid Ratings Risers for the summer half of the term are Leo (+225 tremendous), Josh V (+93), Blake (+77), Joe (+73), Craig (+66), and Rosa (+62). A great end to the season!
Attendance stats for the season, out of a possible 31 sessions: Josh H 29, Josh V 28, Blake 27, Hugo 27, Jack 27, Craig 26, Joe 26, Bethany 25 . . . .
6 May
Welcome to new members Henry, Malachi and Robert.
29 April
Welcome to new member Oliver.
22 April
Welcome to new members Noah, Jacob S and Ted.
6 April
Bovey Tracey DJCA: –
5 April
Bovey Tracey Quickplay: – In this competition for adults, Yuan was the best U14.
1 April
Rapid Ratings Risers for the second half of the term are Craig (+149), Blake (+148), Louie (+87), Hugo (+85), Vincent (+74). Well done to all!
25 March
Welcome to new member Leo.
23 March
East Devon Chess Congress for adults: –
4 March
Welcome to new member Olivia.
26 February
DJCA Open Spring Tournament : –
16 February
DCCA Team Quickplay: –
Our team of Josh H, Yuan, Craig, Bethany were the lowest rated in this adult competition, so a tough challenge was ahead! However, we avoided the wooden spoon – yay! We scored 8 points, ahead of a Seaton team who scored 7. Well done the EJCC team, with lots of valuable experience gained.
11 February
Rapid Ratings Risers for the first half of the term are Josh V (+123), Archie (+96), Hugo (+90), Craig (+73). Good stuff!
9 February
Torquay Boys Grammar Open : –
4 February
Welcome to new member Rosa.
21 January
Welcome to new member Jacob.
7 January
Welcome to new member Georgi.
**************** Happy New Year 2025! ****************
17 December
Rapid Ratings Risers for the second half of the term are Hugo (+132), Blake (+126), Josh V (+88), Joe (+82), Yuan (+79). Well done to all !
7 December
DJCA Devon Championships lots of great results on a very windy day! : –
Congratulations also to Suhayl (former member from a few years ago) who is now the U18 Champion, winning all 6 games!
3 December
Welcome to new member Branwen.
19 November
Welcome to new member Jayden.
12 November
Welcome to new member Sam J.
22 October
Rapid Ratings Risers for the first half of the term are Josh V with a huge increase of 200+ since joining the club as our yougest ever member, Vincent (+140), Craig (+113) and Josh H (+98). Very well done!
Welcome to new member William.
6 October
DJCA Riviera Tournament good results all round: –
24 September
Welcome to new members Hugo and Joe.
10 September
Welcome back to existing members as well as welcoming 6 new members – Craig, Ethan, Josh C, Josh M, Josh V, Kat.
**************** Summer Break ****************
August/September
Vincent played in the 2nd Riviera Congress for adults in Torquay. Despite being one of the lowest rated players, he scored 2½/5 which included a victory against a player rated 1746. Great stuff!
July/August
Those of you who remember our ex member Pengxiao will be interested to know that he won 4 prizes in the British Championsips in Hull. He was =3rd in the main U14 Championship; 1st in the U14 Rapidplay; 1st in the U14 Blitz; =3rd in the Thursday Blitz in a group including the South West’s Grandmaster Keith Arkell. Something for you to all aim at in the future . . .
**************** Summer Break ****************
21 May
The Rapid Ratings Risers for the summer half of term are Josh (+120), Bethany (+87) and Louie (+86). Well done!
Welcome to new members Sam B and Silby.
Attendance stats for the season, out of a possible 32 sessions: Nelabh 31, Bethany 28, Ruru 28, Vincent 26, Oscar L 24, Shreyas 21, . . . .
6 April
Shreyas, Yuan, Josh, Mihir & Bethany represented our club in the Devon Team Quickplay for adults.
There were a total of 12 teams – from around Devon, and also from Bristol and Southampton! The opposition was much stronger than our team who were outranked by an average of 530 rating points in each game. However, they all played well, making their opponents work really hard, and scored 5 points. Shreyas played an International Master!
Many thanks to Rob for organising out team.
26 March
Vincent (+121) and Bethany (+108) are the Rapid Ratings Risers for the second half of Spring Term 2024.
Also rising significantly were Kenji, Kieran, Mihir, Neelabh.
24 March
Bovey Tracey Chess Weekend.
19 March
Welcome to new members Luca B and Joseph.
12 March
A record club attendance of 17 !!
Welcome to new members Leo, Louie and Mokshith.
10 March
More success for our ex member Pengxiao! He was joint runner up in the inaugural Wells Chess Congress Open Section, for adults. The event was won by Devon’s Grandmaster Keith Arkell scoring 4½ / 5.
Pengxiao, Year 8, finished a close second on 4 / 5, including a victory over an International Master!
Many congratulations!
5 March
Welcome to new member Jack.
3 March
5th Simon Bartlett Memorial Chess Congress for adults.
27 February
Welcome to new member Blake.
13 February
Josh and Kenji are the Rapid Ratings Risers for the first half of Spring Term 2024. Since joining in January, they are both ascending very fast in the rankings!
4 February
6th Torquay Boys’ Grammar School Junior Open – here are our highlights . . .
30 January
Welcome to new member Rico.
16 January
A record attendance of 16!
Welcome to new members Phoebe and Jonah.
13 January
Vincent, Shreyas & Oscar L. represented the Devon U14 Team on boards 5, 6, 7 in Chepstow, against other counties.
The team came 3rd out of 7, and they scored 2, 2, 2½ respectively out of 3. Well done!
9 January
Welcome to new member Josh.
2 January
Welcome to new member Kenji and to guest visitor Zara.
**************** Happy New Year 2024! ****************
12 December
Rapid Ratings Risers for the second half of term are Yuan with +151 and Bethany with +81. Well done!
A big pat on the back for Neelabh who was the only member to attend all 13 club sessions since the re-start in September! Another 4 members played 12/13 and 2 more 11/13.
Welcome to new member Sam.
2 December
DJCA Devon Individual Championships – here are our highlights . . .
Full details can be see on the DJCA site.
21 November
Welcome to new member Oscar H.
31 October
Welcome to new member Mirza.
17 October
Rapid Ratings Risers for the first half of term are Vincent with +211, Yuan with +111, Mihir +75 and Flynn with +72. Well done all.
15 October
Most of the club’s regular players turned out to play in theDJCA Riviera Tournament in Brixham! Here are the results: –
See DJCA site for full details of results.
12 September 2023
First club night of the new chess season! Welcome back to players from last season and welcome to new members Neelabh and Ruru.
**************** Summer Break ****************
Vincent entered the adult Riviera Congress in Torquay in September. He played in the U1700 section, way above his club rating, and had 2 wins, a draw and only one lost. Great!
Pengxiao successes: –
**************** Summer Break ****************
23 May
Last club of the season
Welcome to new member Yuan.
2 May
Welcome to new members Zico and Luca.
25 April
Rapid Ratings Risers for April are Bethany with +71 (try not to let it drop again) and Conrad with +56 (two months in a row!).
22 April
Congratulations to Mihir who was joint winner of the Exeter District Cubs Chess Tournament and holds a huge wooden trophy!
14-16 April
The East Devon Chess Congress for adults was held at the Corn Exchange in Exeter at the weekend – 5 games lasting up to 4 hours each!
Congratulations to a couple of former EJCC members:
28 March
Rapid Ratings Risers for March are Archie with +141 and Conrad with 109. Huge jumps!
Welcome to new member Logan.
21 March
Welcome to new member Flynn.
28 February
Rapid Ratings Riser for February is Tejas with +50. Well done.
Welcome to new members Amy and Vincent.
25 February
DJCA Open Spring Tournament 2023 at Teign School, Kingsteignton results:
In the Devon Team Quickplay event for adults, Pengxiao represented Exeter Chess Club in one of their teams. Also, in the morning Individual Blitz competition (including Grandmaster John Nunn!) he won the U2000 rating prize with 4/7!
Congratulations and well played to all.
21 February
Welcome to new members Archie and Kieran.
7 February
Welcome to new member Conrad.
31 January
Rapid Ratings Risers for January are Oscar L with +86 and Mihir with +70. Congratulations!
15 January
More success for Pengxiao! in the Somerset Chess Congress for adults, he came first with a scored 4½ / 5 in the Intermediate Section for 32 players with ratings under 1787. He earned a cash prize! Congratulations.
3 January 2023
Welcome to new member Harry.
Well done to Pengxiao for his super performance in the London Junior Chess Championships U12 Major. This was an invitational event with 60 competitors playing 3 games on each of 3 days. Pengxiao came joint 3rd with a score of 6½ / 9, only one point behind the winner.
**************** Happy New Year 2023! ****************
13 December
Bethany is the Rapid Ratings Riser for December with +80. Congratulations!
3 December
Devon Individual Championships: –
Congratulations to Shreyas who became Devon U11 Champion with 6 wins out of 6 games!
U13 section: Oscar L scored 3½ / 6 and Tim scored 3 / 6
U15 section: Tejas scored 4 / 6
U18 section: Suhayl (member before Covid) scored 2½ / 6
See DJCA site for full details of results.
29 November
3 new members joined the club – welcome to Pablo, Oliver and Bethany. The attendance is growing – 12 this week.
Rapid Ratings Risers for November are Oscar L with +158 and Mihir with +138. Well done!
22 November
2 more members joined the club for the season, one returning from before Covid and one new to the area. Welcome Oscar W. and Quinlin.
N.B. Blue rain jacket left behind – can be collected at the club next week.
20 November
Congratulations to Finn for coming second in the Under 8 section of the DJCA Novice Tournament 2022 B (East Devon).
15 November
Observation from this week’s club: After your opponent makes a move, don’t just press on with your plan without spending a while looking at it to see what they are trying to do. Maybe they are threatening you? Maybe they have blundered and put a piece in a position where you can capture it – this happened twice whilst I was watching, once a Queen and once a Rook!!
8 November
A couple of experienced members played some speed chess games using a chess clock this week. Speed chess is fun, but it does not improve your chess skill. You need thinking time to look for the best move in any given position.
1 November
Sadly, 14 players have not returned to the club after the two and a half year Covid break. I have archived them on my database system, but it would be very easy to re-activate them! Hopefully, some will return before Christmas . . .
28 October
Congratulations to Shreyas for being the Rapid Ratings Riser for October, with +56 points!
25 October
A commendation goes to Oscar for being the only player to turn up to the club in the half term holiday!
18 October
Congratulations to Dr.Dave who won the Exeter Chess Club Bubble Blitz tournament. Yay!
17 October
Pengxiao Successes: –
20 September 2022
Exeter Junior Chess Club is up and running again, after the Covid break – hooray! Tell your friends that we are back . . .It’s been great to see previous members Tim, Shreyas, Tejas and Pengxiao again, and also to meet some new members. Hopefully the number of players each week will grow, as old members and new players hear about us.
The major change to the club is that we have moved to Tuesdays, and we now have to charge a small fee – see Membership for details.
Another change is that player grades have gone and been replaced by ratings. These internal ratings run in the same way as the ECF rating system. Limited highlights will be published here after they settle down.
Welcome to Elliott
We had an unusual game where the Black King charged up the board to e1! This is called a ‘King march’ if the player chooses to do it, or a ‘King hunt’ if the King is chased there.
One of the most famous King hunts was this one:
“What’s this piece called?”
“A Bishop.”
“What is it in Spanish, Sophie?”
“Alfil”
“And in French, Agathe?”
“Fou!”
Therein lies a story…
The old Arab form of chess had a piece called the elephant, which, unlike most elephants I know, could jump two squares at a time, diagonally. And ‘al-fil’ means the Elephant in Arabic (Pil in Persian).
But if you have a lump of stone, or wood, and you want to show that it is an elephant, you might carve two curving lines on it for tusks, or make two points on it to show the same.
And if you then showed it to someone from England, you might hear them say, what’s that, a Bishop’s hat?
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Mitre_evolution.gif
And if you showed it to someone from France, you might hear them say, what’s that, a hat for a jester, the court fool?
http://a401.idata.over-blog.com/0/26/53/98/logos/eeg.jpg
Here Bruno Fauditti has swapped a jester’s hat for a metal funnel:
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temp%C3%AAte_sur_l%27%C3%A9chiquier
Now in modern Western chess, this piece doesn’t hop a little way, it can run right across the board. So the Germans adopted a different name for this piece, Läufer, the runner. There used to be played a version of chess in some parts of Germany which had both the old short-hopping Bishop, and the new long-running Currier, and that variant is called Courier Chess.
http://www.chessvariants.com/historic.dir/courier.html
There is a famous painting of some people playing this game:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courier_chess#/media/File:Lucas_van_Leyden…
The Chinese form of chess still keeps the original piece with its original move; in fact, the name of the game, Xiang-Chi, means the Elephant Game.
