Capelle 99
The annual Kings Head trip to Cappelle -la-Grande was this time a chess success - always a
good social occasion. A group of about 30 boarded a coach from Eastbourne Terrace on
Friday 27/5/99 for the May bank holiday weekend of chess and merry making in Dunkirk and
Cappelle-la-Grande. We set off for Dover and a ferry crossing.In the old days we would get
the train, but the idea of driving straight onto the ferry minimising customs has proved
popular, plus having the coach for the whole weekend to drive us to and from the venue.
Under the indomitable leadership of sergeant-major John McVicar we all knew we were in
good hands.
After checking into our various hotels we didn’t quite have time to draw breath
before we were off again to the champagne reception that our excellent French hosts put on
each year. This event is held as a friendly match. It is organised and sponsored through
Monsieur Gouvart - the Mayor of Cappelle-la-Grande, and the chess club of
Cappelle-la-Grande.The next day, after wining and dining in Dunkirk, we tried to remember
that we had a job to do for Queen and country by beating the French, this time at chess.
So sore heads got into our coach for the 9am kick-off. Good strong coffee was on offer
first thing to get you going. So game 1 of the 3 game match got under way - 2 hours for
all moves - no mucking about. We were out-graded on most boards but won all the rounds,
possibly surprising our French adversaries who had won on the last 3 occasions. When it
all started in the early 80s we beat the French regularly, but over the last say 10 years
they’ve started beating us more than we beat them.
This chess tradition between the Kings Head and Cappelle -la-Grande I think started way
back in 1981. (A more detailed history may be available as another report later) There was
first a railways chess connection which absorbed the Kings Head, and it ended up as the
Kings Head versus Cappelle.
The strength of our team ranges from IM strength to junior, in practice from about 200
down to 80
There is also a tradition of having a junior squad incorporated into the team. We are also
lucky enough to have women players on the team. I think Selena Cox, nee Chalk, and Diane
Parsons got 3/3.
Fuller details of our May victory, which I think was by a 20 point margin, will be
available soon, certainly when we entertain the French when they are visiting us from
18/19 September 1999 at our new venue the Marquis of Clanricarde - spectators welcome.
Editors note: Check out a John Nyman game from the above match. Also the pics.
Editors note: Check out a John Nyman game from the above match. Also the pics.
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Peter, victorious Captain
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