Anstey 1 vs Wigston 2 – 08 December 2022
An intense four board match, with captain Matt closely watching the action 
Super-sub Ben is sipping his cup of coffee while looking at Mick’s board 
Matt takes another stroll, sending an unimpressed look the cameraman’s way 
Ben is holding his tea again and looking at Mick’s board 
And with the latter about to make a move, our chairman takes a nervous sip in anticipation of the development on the neighbouring board
Anstey 3 vs Kirby Muxloe 2 – 1 December 2022
Seven boards set and ready in anticipation for an important game for the third team 
The armies are all set waiting to make their mark 
Our noble founders, El Presidente himself and Just Mick 
Everyone (apart from Yuvraj) shaking hands and let the games begin 
Although the match is under way, Boris and Ben from the B-team seem eager to look elsewhere, not at the boards 
While Nigel from Kirby is still waiting for Yuvraj, Aarav and his opponent are exchanging paperwork 
Faces focused on the action in the opening 
Yuvraj is still nowhere to be seen, while Young John and Aarav are looking to get the advantage in the opening 
Always a calm class act, Noor is putting pressure on his opponent from the start 
Ben is looking with hope at the door, waiting Yuvraj to finally arrive 
Just like the rest of the team, although our young star is nowhere to be seen 
On the other side of the Methodist Church, another busy club night is taking place, with dad Damien chilling out while son Aristotle is having a go at Sev and the Teen band 
And 13 photos later, Yuvraj has arrived and is looking to get a quick win for his team. Aarav on the other hand is having hard time with the black pieces 
Fully focused, the Anstey players are fighting hard on the top four boards 
Cheeky smiles for the camera (yes, this is Sev’s cheeky smile) 
In a drawish endgame, Boris is looking to blunder a piece 
While Ben is winning and confidently chilling
Anstey 2 vs Latimer – 24 November 2022
Swift handshake and the match begins 
Ben and Boris ignoring their games and taking a look at Brian’s board 
Players deep in thought (apart from The Toaster, he is busy observing the action on board one) 
Critical looks from Brian and Ben at Boris’ board 
Ben is looking everywhere apart from his own board 
A critical look from Boris at Brian’s board 
The Toaster finally decides to look at his own board… 
…only to receive another disapproving glance from ‘El Presidente’ 
Ben and Bob focused in their respective opening battles 
Bob fighting hard for control of the centre 
The characteristic look of a successful family man chairing a chess club 
Brian looking to get a winning endgame against all odds and his own clock 
With one point for each team, Brian and Ben are fighting hard to secure the Anstey win 
Success for Ben who joined the party watching Brian’s game 
Bob is enjoying a cup of tea while The Griller is trying to survive in a time trouble 
Plenty of checks from White providing our teammate with the opportunity to avoid the dreadful flag 
Players from three Anstey teams, including two captains, observing closely the last moments of Brian’s game 
After a draw on board one, the B-team leaves the venue with smiles on their faces and another win in their record
Anstey 2 vs Market Harborough 3 – 13 October 2022
Ben welcomes the away team as the players are all set and eager to start the game 7:30pm sharp 
Both Bob and Valdas deep in thought and focused on their openings 
Brian throws a rather critical look at Boris’ opening 
Ben is taking a look at Valdas’ and Leo’s games as they are looking to challenge the rest of the B-team for the top board spots 
The venue saw another busy evening as many members arrived for club night. 
The first team players and the juniors are enjoying some casual chess games. Only Mick looks quite determined. 
Both teams’ players focused on the game. 
Mick is taking a look at the match boards, as Boris and Ben are looking at Brian’s game
Anstey 3 vs Braunstone 3 – 06 October 2022
Anstey 3 all focused on their openings 
John is attacking the centre of the board in his game, but finds the time to give the camera a cheeky look 
Experienced Leo accompanied by the new assets of the third team Noor and Aarav 
Valdas deeply focused on the game 
Leo is throwing the camera a rather annoyed look as the cameraman is distracting our second board 
Aarav looking to capitalise on a beautiful tactic 
John is trying to prise open the centre and attack his opponent
Anstey vs Loughborough – 15 September 2022
Anstey 1 vs Ashby 2 – 09 September 2022
Anstey 1 vs Ashby 3 – 18 August 2022
The boards are set up in anticipation of the Harrod Cup action! 
The games are going, with Valdas closely watching the action 
Well into the middlegame, everyone is really focused 
Leo is looking at his opponent, trying to find out what is going on in the Ashby player’s mind 
Ear defenders on for full focus during strategy building 
Mick is cooking a sharp attacking plan as he usually does as Black 
Boris is slowly approaching the soon to be taken white knight 
Leo is trying hard not to express his happiness with his position 
The Dark Destroyer is enjoying space advantage in the centre 
No rush for The Toaster as he is always playing fast and inaccurate 
Focused players in epic chess battles 
After a great result, Matt and Mick decided to go through some openings 
Ben and Brian got to enjoy some casual chess during the club night 
Valdas engaged in some good games with returning Alan 
Big smiles from our top players 
Finding himself without potential opponents for friendly games, Boris decided the only thing left for him is a good old selfie
Market Harborough vs Anstey – 27 July 2022
Anstey vs Wigston – 23 June 2022 & Anstey vs Syston – 30 June 2022
Anstey vs Braunstone – 09 June 2022
League Season 2021/22
Anstey 2 vs Melton Mowbray 3 – 05 May 2022
Anstey 1 vs Syston 2 – 28 April 2022
A respectful handshake before the battle begins with Boris being in an inappropriate position 
A photo of the handshake from another angle with Ben being the main focus of the photo 
John is looking at the board… 
…before realising that Boris is taking photos of him… 
…and on the third one he delivers the smug exrpession of a man who knows exactly what he is doing. 
Julian is looking to go proper ‘gung-ho’ in an attempt to gain initiative 
Mick is taking his time placing his pieces on great squares 
As customary, Matt is making moves slowly as time management in chess is overrated 
Four boards and eight extremely focused players 
While Julian’s opponent is more interested in the camera, boards 3 and 4 are going for symmetrical positions…of the players 
John deep in though on his turn 
Julian looking to try and create havoc 
Matt taking his time 
Mick is trying to stay awake 
Ben and Oskar training the juniors during club night 
Squish and Dave had a go at the new guys Valdas and John Jr.
Club Night – 14 April 2022
First round on the way 
Valdis and Oskar in battle for gaining an advantage 
Clock is ticking for both players while Mike and Julian are watching the action closely 
Second round and it is game on 
Boris and Oskar about to start the fireworks after opposite side castling 
Final round – Boris vs Valdis for the top spot, while Mike took on second team captain Oskar 
Final results, presented by ‘Mr. Engine’ (Julian) himself
Anstey 2 vs Braunstone 2 – 07 April 2022
A quick handshake and the games begin! (Apart from Boris’, his opponent is missing) 
Mick is finally embracing the presence of our website photographers, giving them his Mona Lisa smile 
All players focused on the opening battle 
Typical Anstey Chess club stance – hands in front, focused and ready for battle 
In the other corner as usual, a club night is ongoing with John Jr. taking on our newest guest Val 
Oskar is navigating solidly a complicated middle game 
Mike is happy to see the English opening on his board 
Mick is thinking about plans in the opening 
Deepa has joined the club night and oversees John Jr.’s game against newcomer Val 
Oskar has the look of a man with plenty of ideas 
Typical middle game Mick with head in hands and stressed/focused look on the face 
Mike is not even remotely flustered by his opponent’s play and enjoys space on the queen side 
Oskar has taken of his hoodie while Ben is overseeing the match 
Chill on the faces of our players met by stressed expressions by their opponents (including Boris’ who had finally arrived but had not had the opportunity to take off his jacket) 
Oskar is navigating a complicated middle game 
Boris is casually notating and drinking coffee, confident in his c6-knight 
Mick is looking to open thigns up on the king side 
Game has finished, no more rivalry, only friendship 
The captain Oskar and board one Mick attempting to seal the deal for the second team
Anstey 1 vs Ashby 2 – 31 March 2022
The top board starts and the game is on! Wait! Where’s Julian?! 
Julian finally arrives at the table, confident in his time management 
Focused, the players are cruising through the openings 
Club night ongoing with the father Matt and son John Jr. taking on the second team players represented by captain Oskar and our own website maintenance guy Boris 
John is a man with a plan, so he is closely watching Julian’s game while waiting for his opponent 
As we mentioned, John is a man with a plan 
A traditionalist, Mick opens with his favourite St. George’s defence 
Four boards, full focus! 
Deepa and John Jr. having a quick chat about life while guiding the good old Ruy Lopez 
Behind them, unimpressed by Ben’s Slav defence, Oskar is looking to obtain advantage in the opening 
Down on time as usual, Matt is thinking hard in an attempt to break his opponent’s defence 
John is again taking a look at Julian’s game which was in fact quite interesting 
In the meantime, Mick is summoning all of his thinking power to design a winnign plan 
Cheeky look for the camera from Matt who is about to unleash the power of the London system 
John Jr. is happy to play, but our photographer decided to do his website job instead. The battle of Ben and Oskar continues at the back 
Three boards during club night and plenty of action….John Jr. is still waiting 
Matt preparing to deliver the final blow in front of Mick’s watchful eyes. 
The last position of Matt’s game, lifting him to eight straight wins and top of the Top player table 
A sip of water for Julian who is clearly dominating in his game 
After a great win, Julian decided to show some proper dancing moves 
The heroes of the night John Sr., Julian, Mick and ‘Filler’ Matt alongside ‘El Presidente’ Ben and Deepa 
(then I told them to smile a bit and surprisingly they did (good job Matt!) except for Ben and Julian who look like ‘Wannabe gang members’) 
At the end of the photo session Boris is happy, John Sr. and Ben deliver their professional Mona Lisa smiles, Mick is annoyed, Julian is tired, Deepa is part of a strange cult (not Hal’s) and Matt is confused. A great end to a great night!
Kirby Muxloe 2 vs Anstey 1 – 17 March 2022
Loughborough 2 vs Anstey 2 – 09 March 2022
Oskar in a serious chess battle under the eyes of winner Leo 
Hal keeping his opponent on their toes with sharp play and dubious tactics 
Win or lose, respect is for life 
Great combinative play, and Hal is quietly winning while thinking about his dinner tonight 
Oskar’s opponent is stressing and even challenging our teammate’s rating, but the captain of our second team is as cool as ice 
The last board, a combination of what was and what could have been…. 
Great performance from a great team!
Market Harborough 2 vs Anstey 2 – 02 March 2022
Club night & Anstey 2 vs Ashby 3 – 24 February 2022
Competitive chess debut for Deepa marking historical first club appearance for a female player! 
Ready or not, here we go! 
Busy night in Anstey Chess club, with our top-rated player John overseeing the action 
Professional captain… 
…professional and young…. 
…professional and prospective… 
…professional and solid… 
…professional and focused… 
…Boris. 
John watching closely the action on board 1 where Matt is gradually getting himself into time trouble 
Great game, great evening, leaving as great friends! 
Last moments of the match, action and drama…. 
…two boards and plenty of spectators. 
Happy faces after a great win for the team! 
Anstey Chess club – great people and the soul of chess in Charnwood 
Club night ongoing with plenty of games for Mick and Julian
Club night & Anstey 1 vs Heathcote arms 1 – 17 February 2022
Boards are set and ready… 
…and the team is ready for action. At least Matt got the memo about the photo being taken… 
….everyone in game mode… 
…shake hands(great photo by the way)… 
…and let the games begin! 
John is chilling, confident in his 6,7 and 8 rank fortress. 
Everyone is focused, while Boris is taking notes on how to play proper chess. 
Matt is slightly unimpressed with his opponent’s defensive style 
John still chilling, trying to prove Gandalf’s words: “You shall not pass!” 
Proper focus from both players. 
Julian is not one to show any stress at all 
Same as the previous photo 
Matt in a winning position and as customary – down on the clock 
Mick is giving a headache to his opponent with sharp play 
The heroes of the night 
Mike and Oskar playing games during club night… 
…while Ben is busy texting… 
…after which he decided to try and give Boris a good old battering. 
After a great night of chess, Matt decided that he is rich enough to buy everyone a pint. Good job team!
Club Night – 10 February 2022
Boris is trying to learn from the top player Matt while Julian and Hal are typically taking the mic on him. In the far serious chess is played between Oskar and Squish, as well as Mick and John 
Oskar trying to break Boris’ position 
Mick is not one to like photographers, while John is really focused on the game 
Julian appears to be so far ahead that he starts playing on the neighbouring board 
Show Hal the camera and he will always deliver 
Hal and Deepa in a sharp battle 
El Presidente decided to bring some educational material as well
Club Night and Anstey 2 vs Heathcote Arms 2 – 27 January 2022
The games begin and everyone is focused 
Busy club night taking place opposite to the league match 
Our newcomers, Deepa and John, having a go at playing each other, with Deepa obviously been the happier player 
People are focused, Matt is bored, Hal is chill and Boris is stressed 
While the captain Oskar is experienced in notating, Bors spends half of his time to try finding out which square did his opponent moved his knight to. 
Ben and newcomer Peter engaging into a positional battle 
Game on! Boris finished his game and took on newcomer John, while Peter and Ben continue their game under Mick’s watchful eye. Meanwhile, Oskar and Mike are observing the games taking place in the other end. 
While Boris is stressing, Matt is trying not to fall asleep and Oskar is focused, Hal is the only one to see the camera and interact accordingly, happy with his decision with regards to his supper 
The ‘top dogs’ Mick and John playing a solid positional game – always a joy to watch 
Different ages, genders, nationalities, level…. One passion – the great game of chess! 
Mike and Mick trying to find out who’s got the bigger… M. 
Boris is done for the evening while all of the others keep their focus on the boards 
Birthday boy Oskar is waving around a pack of soft drinks accompanied by a small tub of celebrations from Boris for his brand new nephew Sava and some Polish chocolates from the other birthday boy Julian
Club Night – 20 January 2022
Another busy night with plenty of chess to be played 
Mick and Ben discussing all sorts of topics – from the Sicilian defense, Najdorf variation, to the effect of Climate change on the migration of the canadian geese. 
Julian is happy with his position while Matt is thinking thoroughly about what to do next 
En passant?!
Club Night – 16 December 2021
As customary, Oskar is waiting for Boris to finally sit down and play a game of chess, while John, Mick, Julian and returning Mick ‘Squish’ decided to engage in strong chess battles… 
…meanwhile Ben is having a chat with student Alan who is reducing chess appearances to focus on school 
Julian is trying to calm down the photomaniac Boris 
Oskar is about to fall asleep, still waiting for Boris. 
Ben keeps ignoring chess and chatting with Alan
Club Night – 09 December 2021
Club Night – 02 December 2021
Different people, same passion and the same team – the second team led by captain Oskar 
Hal is happy while Boris looks surprised that Hal is happy. 
Mick and Alan engaged in the Italian game 
Alan is trying to control the e6 square which looks very appetising for the white knight 
Yes, guys, this is a chess board and it looks like this at the begining of each game. Now, as you apparently don’t know where you landed, the pawns move one square, the knights in L-shape….
Club Night & Anstey 1 vs Kirby Muxloe 2 – 25 November 2021
Hal is so far ahead in his game that he is more concerned about the camera than the actual board 
Anstey, eight boards (wait, where is Julian?! He’s already won?!?!) and a true celebration of chess 
Ah, there’s Julian! Already on the club night after a fast win. 
At the end of the event we did a nice photoshoot… 
…where everyone was completely serious… 
…on point, without diverting into profanity, Hal… 
…about which Ben was not massively unimpressed… 
…and all are looking in the camera.
Club Night – 18 November 2021
Ben and Mick analysing Mick’s last league game 
Mick and Julian engaged in a sharp tactical battle while Oskar is waiting for Boris to finally stop making photos and start playing 
According to El Presidente, King safety is a flawed concept 
Hal is looking to improve his chess during a PM of his game while Ben is making a rather pitiful attempt to be funny 
A lively discussion after a great evening of chess
Club Night – 11 November 2021
Anstey Chess Club 