Theo Todman's Web Page - Notes Pages

Status Reports

Status: Chess (2026 - September)

(Text as at 15/10/2026 21:53:17)

Rationale for this Project

• For years I’d been thinking of returning to chess after a very long lay-off; effectively since my school days. Then, it seemed, I’d actually done so. Then Covid intervened. Now I have to focus on Philosophy and Web Tools. For further information, see my Chess Page¹.
• Between 18Q4 and 20Q1 played – as and when selected – for / in
  → Billericay A & B Teams in the North Essex Chess League Divisions 1 & 4
  → Billericay I Team in Southend & District Chess League, Division 1.
  → Billericay Chess Club Championship
• After a decent start in 18Q4, my results were rather poor, and I lost a bit of confidence towards the end of the 2018/19 season, drawing with – and in one case losing to – a string of weak players. Blunders!
• In the 2019/20 season, my results were terrible, and I had stopped playing even before the whole chess scene (at least “over the board”) went into lock-down mid-March 2020 on account of the coronavirus pandemic.
• My grade started off as a fairly respectable 151, but subsequently dropped to a disgraceful 128, lower than when I first played as a 14-year-old.
• The ECF has now moved to monthly ELO ratings (ECF Monthly Rating Database), so my final rating was 1660. I need to update my historic results database with ELO equivalents.
• I’ve maintained my ECF Bronze membership. The ECF has now simplified the rating system, so the standard ‘K’ rating remains provided one rateable game has been played in the last 3 years. Sadly, these years have flown by, so I am now unrated.
• See:-
  → ECF: Theo Todman's Ratings Page,
  → ECF: Billericay Chess Club Ratings Page, and
  → ECF Rating Help Index.
• As for my standard of play, I seem to have two main problems:-
  1. Firstly, my opening theory is non-existent, and this has resulted in cramped positions as black, or conceding quick equality as white.
  2. Secondly, in attempting to play in a more open manner than the stodgy and careful approach of my youth, I’ve left myself open to “tactics” that have resulted in the loss of a piece on many occasions. Sometimes these have arisen where I was routinely winning and just failed to look at what my opponent was threatening.
• There’s no quick fix to either of these.
  1. The first requires opening preparation. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t do this.
  2. There ought to be a “quick fix” to the second, but “just concentrate” is easier said than done. It is said that blitz play sharpens your tactics, so I started to try this out – using 10-minute games against human opponents – on Chess.com – but have not continued. I need to!
  3. I’ve purchased several books on general strategy and tactics for the club player – I just need to read them!
• While I do review my games – see₂ my Consolidated Results – I’ve not spent much time on study or training.
• By chance, the ECF arranged a free month’s access to ChessMood (see "Grigoryan (Avetik) - ChessMood"). This is really excellent. Tactics and Endgame theory are really enjoyable (because I’m good in these areas). Opening theory is well presented but much harder for me as it involves remembering stuff rather than just ‘seeing’. Anyway, I took out a year’s membership, paid in advance: it worked out at just over £25 / month. I used it on a daily basis, more or less, but nowhere near as much as most subscribers. I renewed at the end of December 2024 but have not used it much this year and will not renew again, at least for the time being. I just have insufficient time to do it justice.
• Finally, because I’m spending much more time playing Bridge³, there’s no time for this project, which is now mothballed.