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Last update: Friday June 3, 2005 9:44
The annual open air giant chess display at Broadgate will feature a generational clash. The British Under 11 Chess Champion, Sheila Dines, and last year’s UK Chess Challenge Under 11 winner, Eugene Geidelberg, will first contest a match at 15 minutes each on the clock. Then two of the elder statesmen of British chess, 1965 British Chess Champion, Peter Lee, and 1973 and 1975 British Chess Champion Bill Hartston, will also play a 15 minute giant chess match. The winners of each contest will then meet for a show-down between the generations which will contribute to the British Chess Federation’s 2004 Centenary Celebrations. The event will take place on Tuesday, 17th August from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. at British Land’s Exchange Square arena which is situated in the Broadgate complex just behind Liverpool Street Station. The environment is spectacular with a vast bronze female statue presiding over a cascading water feature, grass arena, coffee shops and tiered stone seating for spectators. The venue is well worth a visit and the chess event makes it of particular interest to fans of the game.
Besides attempting to recall their form of 30 years ago, Bill Hartston and Peter Lee will need to be in peak physical condition to negotiate the hazards of a giant chess set at rapidplay time limits. Although not an active chess player at present, Bill Hartston writes the Beachcomber articles for the Daily Express and proved his competitive edge has not been lost by recently winning a croquet tournament. Peter Lee runs the successful PN Lee Statistical Consultancy, and this year added a new British title to his collection: British Bridge Champion.
Sheila Dines has been the outstanding girl player in her age group for many years and this year underlined her strength by winning the British Under 11 Championship ahead of a strong field of both boys and girls. Eugene Geidelberg is one of the most consistent players in the UK Chess Challenge having played no less that 4 times in the Terafinal.