Last night, we made the journey to Scott Street in Perth for our final match of the season, facing off against the Perth C team on their home turf. With Stonehaven sitting slightly higher in the league, we had our sights set on a win—but as any seasoned player will tell you, the chessboard is a humbler of expectations!
Despite a valiant effort from our squad of newer players, we narrowly lost the match 2½–1½. While it wasn’t the result we hoped for, there were plenty of positives to take away—and more than a few lessons too.
On Board 4, we were proud to field our newest member, Graham Stirling, who joined the club less than a month ago. A former university player, Graham is now retired and returning to over-the-board chess after, well, let’s just say a brief intermission! He’s been showing strong form in the club recently, and it’s clear that he was once a formidable opponent. With a bit more time to shake off the rust and build back that board confidence, he’s going to be a real asset.
Board 3 saw Michael Clayton notch up a great win. With just a handful of competitive games under his belt, Michael is starting to find his flow. He played a composed game, building a solid lead into the middlegame and holding it through to a clean endgame finish. Cool, calm, and calculated—a great performance.
On Board 2, our seasoned pro David had a tough outing. It just goes to show: no matter how long you’ve been playing, chess can still catch you out. One small miscalculation can unravel even the most experienced player’s position, especially if your opponent is sharp enough to spot it—which his was.
And finally, on Board 1, I battled my way to a draw. I didn’t feel too confident out of the opening, and soon found myself trying to navigate a tricky tactical knot. I thought I’d been clever in finding a way out… but, of course, the computer tells a different story! Fortunately, my opponent saw the same continuation I did, and we settled into an endgame where he was a pawn up, but I had a bishop against his knight. With time ticking down—both of us under 15 minutes—he offered a draw, which I gladly accepted. A fair result, and a good example of practical chess over perfect play.
So, we didn’t end the season on a high note score-wise, but we did come away with something more valuable: experience, insight, and a renewed sense of camaraderie.
At Stonehaven Chess Club, we’re proud to offer competitive games to all our members—whether you’re a seasoned player or just rediscovering your love for the game. We don’t cherry-pick teams to chase results. Everyone gets a chance to play, learn, and grow.
We’d also like to give a huge thank you to the TAFCA league for welcoming us into the fold this season, even though we’re a little outside the Tayside and Fife region! Your support has meant a lot, and it’s been a fantastic opportunity for our members to get regular, meaningful games.
Because in the end, it’s not just about rating points—it’s about rook-solid friendships, knightly conduct, and the kind of endgames that make memories. Onwards and upwards next season!
Let’s keep developing, stay connected, and never blunder our sense of fun.
♟️
#StonehavenChess #TAFCA #ScottishChess #ChessLife #OverTheBoard #EndgameEnergy #CheckmateGoals #ChessForAll #InclusivityInChess #EveryMoveMatters #KnightMoves #RooksOfStonehaven #FinalRoundFeels #ThankYouTAFCA