DJCA events coming up

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Sun 25-Apr-27 TBC Bovey Tracey Chess Weekend 2027: DJCA Sunday U12

Bovey Tracey Activities Trust
Phoenix Hall, St John's Ln, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot TQ13 9FF

U08/U10/.U12 chess event run by DJCA - PLACES LIMITED TO 24 - Age taken at Aug 31 2026
Sat 15-May-27 TBC NEW DJCA Devon Districts Jamboree

Alphington Village Hall, Ide Lane, Exeter, EX2 8UP

A new event for our annual calendar -- Devon Districts Team Jamboree
Sat 19-Jun-27 TBC DJCA Summer Fun Event 2027

Alphington Village Hall, Ide Lane, Exeter, EX2 8UP
  • Chess with a difference!  
  • This is a new event for us to round off the season.  We will play 'variant' chess games all day, and over 7 rounds we might play: 
    Sat 03-Jul-27 5th Plymouth Junior Chess Tournament

    Plymouth College (Sports Centre), Ford Park Lane. PL4 6RN

    5th Plymouth Schools Chess Tournament
    Open to students from Plymouth, Devon & Cornwall Schools (and home-educated)
    Saturday 3rd July 2027

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    Events marked DJCA are organised by DJCA; other local junior (and adult) events may be listed.

    See also: https://devonjuniorchess.co.uk/content/calendar (all events in Google calendar format)
    See also: 2024-25 https://devonjuniorchess.co.uk/content/draft-local-chess-calendar-adult
    See also: SW junior events https://www.englishchess.org.uk/events/list/?tribe_eventcategory%5B0%5D=...

    County colours for Devon juniors

    DrDave's picture

    Submitted by DrDave on

    In last Sunday's Devon County chess match for all ages, Devon juniors were selected: Caleb Caleshu, Jack Wills and Harvey Cooper.  Congratulations to all.

    British Champs 2023

    DrDave's picture

    Submitted by DrDave on

    I've been trying to find and follow the progress of Devon juniors in this year's Championships, but please email me if I've missed anyone.

    I spotted Luke Honey and Reece Whittington having a go in the strong 9-round Major Open, scoring 5 and 3.5 respectively.  A tough week in the office!  (For context, the winner was an International Master who scored 7/9.)

    Reece and Luke then took part in the U1900 Rapidplay, which was won by Luke with 5.5/6 -- very well done! 

    Positional elements

    Here's a list.  

    There are different levels of appreciation, from Know-That to Know-How 

    1. I've heard of it...
    2. I can recognise it in a position or a game
    3. I pay attention to it when choosing a move
    4. I know a model game = I know enough about it to win a game with it when it is the main thing going on = I can make an effective plan based on it 
    5. I can judge how important it is in a more complex position

    activity

    Opening choices

    DrDave's picture

    Submitted by DrDave on

    Thank you for filling in the opening questionnaires online, and I'm sorry we didn't get time to look at your responses on Saturday.  But here is what I might have said:

    Systems for White

    Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4)
    My main recommendation for a first opening system, leading to an open game with chances to attack.  Good stuff, just the style you should use when you start playing chess.

    Colle System (1.d4 with Nf3/e3 and without c4)
    A good first opening system -- develop and attack!

    Best puzzle books

    DrDave's picture

    Submitted by DrDave on

    While we were talking to the U14/U18 squads, the ChessDojo folks were discussing the best puzzle books for improvement.  Their recommendations are:

    The Dojo List!
    1. Perfect Your Chess, Grabinsky/Volokitin https://amzn.to/43gqYI6
    2. 5334 Problems, L Polgar https://amzn.to/43HyJH4
    3. Think like a Super-GM, Adams/Hertado https://amzn.to/3qkFzDP
    4. Mastering Chess Strategy Hellsten https://amzn.to/43jk9ph

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    Contact

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    David Regis, 71 Mary Street, Bovey Tracey, Devon TQ13 9HQ  

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