WITH the chess scene rather slow at this time of year, both in Bermuda and the world at large, this seems like a good time to reflect on the the current state of the game. As indicated in last week’s column, I shall start with an analysis of the recently completed 2005 Bermuda Closed Championship.It is no secret that this unique event was designed with the requirements of the FIDE rating system clearly in mind. This poses something of a chicken-and-egg problem, in that unrated players can obtain a rating only by participating in tournaments containing a sufficient number of rated players, so it is necessary for any closed community such as the Bermuda Chess Club to obtain a “critical mass” of rated players in order for domestic events to be rated.

In general, four rated players are required, but under a special rule this number is reduced to three in the case of a National Championship. Bermuda had two players, Zuzana Kovacova and Nick Faulks, who have acquired ratings over the years by playing in numerous international events, and a third, Bobby Miller, whose excellent performance in the 2004 Olympiad in Majorca propelled him onto the list. This offered an opportunity that could not be allowed to pass us by.

The chosen format, a six-player event in which the competitors played each other twice, was certainly gruelling and is unlikely to be repeated. However, the participants took it very seriously and some highly competitive chess was played.

The three previously unrated players will all, if my understanding of the rather contorted FIDE regulations is correct, have emerged with a place on the October 1 ratings list, as well as a very useful experience.

I should point out that these three were in the tournament not by any form of arbitrary selection or lottery, but because they took the top three places in a hard-fought qualifying competition. Those who just missed this opportunity should have other chances before long, and it should only be a matter of time before they all achieve their rightful international rating.

Returning to the tournament itself, it was clear from an early stage that the two top seeds were going to give the rest of the field a very difficult time. My eventual winning haul of eight victories and two draws looks very impressive, and I certainly regard it as the high point of my 14 years of club competition, but of course the full story is not that simple.

The draws, both against Zuzana, involved a combination of desperate defence and some large slices of luck. Not all of the wins were straightforward either, particularly the games against Phil Shadick and, in the final round, Ezra Turner.

One slight disappointment of the tournament was that numerous games could not be played on the appointed evening, and had to be made up later at another venue. As well as taking away some of the excitement of the competition, this was rather disconcerting for the players involved.

At the end of the tournament Kovacova, who was on target to match my score, found herself having to play four games in the space of eight evenings. She fell at the final hurdle, conceding a last-round draw to Shadick.

This is Phil’s first season of competitive chess since the 1994 Olympiad in Moscow — a disorganised and unpleasant event that would have been enough to make many people take up bridge instead. He is remembered as a very disciplined player who lost very few games, and it is very pleasing to see that the lost decade does not seem to have weakened his game at all. His final score of 5|0xbd| points should secure him a fully deserved rating not far below 2000.

We did not meet Sami Lill for the first time until he came to the Harmony Club at the time of this year’s grandmaster competition, but he has quickly become a highly valued member of the club. His result of three wins and seven losses was commendable for a first outing a such a strong field, and he will clearly be a dangerous opponent in future tournamnets.

The other newcomer was Ezra Turner, who was hampered from the start by the fact that he could rarely get to the club on Tuesdays, and had to reorganise nearly all of his games. Despite this, he got off to a good start, but suffered some disappointments in the second half. His two early wins should be sufficient for an established rating above the 1600 floor, but we should expect to see this rise from that level.

Finally, it must be said that Bobby Miller did not have one of his better tournaments. The fearless attacking style that has generally served him so well, most notably in Majorca, suffered too many misfires this time.

This can happen to even the greatest attacker, and we can be sure that he will recover his form soon enough — I can attest that facing such an opponent, even when he is going through a difficult patch, is always a nerve-racking experience.

I am sure that all of the players will join me in thanking Larry Ebbin, one of those who just missed a place in this tournament, for his great efforts on the organisational and refreshment fronts. We were kept generously supplied with chocolate bars, sandwiches, soft drinks and rum — the last, I should stress, was only for easing frazzled nerves after the games.

Please note that the club will be closed next Tuesday, but on July 26 there will be an evening of friendly competition, with no board fee, and we hope to see as many club members as possible there.