2026-05-11 Neil Giffen 7 Board Cup Final: Stirling -v- Grangemouth

Isaac Browning reports:

In a tense and thrilling final that came down to the last board to finish, Stirling edged out Grangemouth by 4-3 to win the Cup.

In a not altogether uncommon occurrence this season, John was last to arrive but first to finish his game. Alan B had a pleasant grip on the dark squares but missed a sudden tactic that lost him a piece.

Next, William won after gaining an extra pawn against Dougie. I then drew with John after squandering a clear middlegame advantage by some questionably timed exchanges and weakening moves. Alan P pulled a point back for Grangemouth with a fine attacking win over Bill.

Sean and Pranav drew after an interesting middlegame featuring an attempt by Sean to trap the opposing queen left his own rook in a vulnerable location. Later, the game simplified to a level endgame with rook and bishop each. Graham exchanged queens early on and gradually wore down Leo to level the match at that stage.

This meant it all came to board six. Fortunately for Stirling, Richard had netted an extra exchange and despite Duncan's best efforts to find counterplay in their mutual time trouble, Richard advanced a passed pawn up the board to force resignation and win the match.

               Central League Cup Final
              Stirling  4-3  Grangemouth

1. Isaac Browning 2054  ½-½  John McLay       2016
2. John Iwuozor   2020  1-0  Alan Bell        1948
3. Leo Gardner    1889  0-1  Graham Hamilton  1905
4. William Spiers 1758  1-0  Dougie Will      1839
5. Sean Flanagan  1698  ½-½  Pranav Hariharan 1747
6. Richard Warcup 1637  1-0  Duncan Glassey   1722
7. Bill Cook      1544  0-1  Alan Petrie      1683

Stirling had white on the even boards

2026-04-27 David Brodie Trophy

Graham provided this report on the David Brodie Trophy, the annual competition for the junior members of Stirling Chess Club

On Monday past, the juniors competed in an allegro tournament for the David Brodie Trophy. There were 14 competitors, playing five rounds with 15 minutes for each game. Some great chess was played, and the destination of the trophy wasn't decided until the last match of the last round.

Victor, having declined a draw offer which would have seen him win the competition outright, played on in a fairly closed position having just opened the h file. However, it turned out to be Elsa who managed to take advantage of this and get her Queen in behind Victor's defences to first win a piece, then chase Victor's King into the middle of the board where she delivered checkmate with less than 30 seconds remaining on her clock.

This means that the trophy is shared between Elsa, Victor, and Kai. Well done to them, and well done to all the competitors, some of whom where playing in a proper competition for the first time.

Thanks to Julie for taking the photographs, thanks to Grishma for providing the participation awards, thanks to Grishma and Jim for helping with queries, and special thanks to Marissa (David's daughter) for presenting the awards and trophy.

Thanks also to Richard for providing the crosstable.