98th Caplin Hastings International Chess Congress

And so, we reach the last rounds – plural, because the three New Year events also concluded today. These tournaments began on the first day of the year, and have brought new participants to the Congress, while a substantial number of entrants also played in […]

Everyone understands that last rounds of tournaments are decisive in settling the final places, but the penultimate rounds of important events are also incredibly important! We were treated today to three decisive results on the top three tables, fixing the highest scores going into the […]

As we usher in 2025 the weather has turned worse, with high wind and rain. Perhaps this is poor timing, but we note that in the official programme of the 1949/50 Congress our town is described as having ”the most equable climate in Britain – […]

This afternoon saw our last tournament games of the year! Many had decisive results as players exerted themselves to try and win. In fact, the round began 15 minutes later than scheduled, at 3:15pm., this decision being taken since some games in the previous round […]

After five rounds of the Masters we unexpectedly have a seven-way tie for first place, the leading players all on four points. With 13 (!) players just half a point behind, we can anticipate a close race in the days ahead.  The top board game […]

Todays’ single round in the Masters was played this afternoon. After yesterday’s double round we imagine this will have been something of a relief to most, a chance to rest and recharge batteries, although perhaps some players relish the intensity of two games a day! […]

After three rounds just two players remain on 100%. That number three seed IM Mahel Boyer has 3/3 can hardly be called a surprise, but that his co-leader should be Iceland’s David Kolka, rated 2020, is anything but expected. David played an assured attacking game […]

Seeing the hall full at 10am was a reassuring sight, with everyone keen to begin their second round games. Our commentator, IM Lawrence Trent, was another whose journey here was delayed by a whole day due to fog (in Lawrence’s case, flying from Berlin). To […]

We are back! It seems hardly five minutes ago that we were about to launch the 97th Congress, yet twelve months have flown by and the Horntye Park Sports Complex once again kindly hosts us. Entries are slightly up on last year (at least, it […]