Each year the club recognises the intricacy, beauty and struggle of chess by awarding one classic game played in a Senior Club event the title of 2024 Most Beautiful Game. The winner or, in the case of a draw, both players are recognised by their name on our perpetual trophy and by highlighting the game on our website.

It’s not feasible for one of us to go through every game played at the club, assess them fairly and then choose one above the others. So, instead, we ask members to submit their own games for assessment by one of our senior players.

The game chosen is not necessarily the best played at the club. We try to share the award around, so for any game submitted, an account is taken of both players’ ratings. Some criteria which are looked for (but not necessarily required) in the winning game:

1. The game demonstrates a good level of play from both players, taking into account their ratings.
2.  Games won merely because of a blunder will not be considered, but if one player was clearly winning before the pressure resulted in a blunder from the opponent then that’s okay.
3. The game illustrates some insight into the game of chess beyond normal play. That could be a beautiful or surprising combination, a strategic plan well executed or excellent technique in an endgame.
4.  The game demonstrates fighting chess. Win, loss or draw, the player in the weaker position kept putting up obstacles to the opponent.

 

Example:
2023 Winner : Jeff Coldrey (1090) for his win against Simon Andersson (1726) in round 1 of last year’s Club Championship.   (website link)  
 
If you think that you have played some really nice games at the club this year and would like to submit one or two for consideration for this award then please email me with the following information for each game:

Information requested:

Tournament name:
Round:
Board:
Players –  White:      Black:
Result:

Note:

You can search for your own games in our Games Archive.
Please don’t send the game score – I will find it in the archive.
Please submit at most 2 games. An exception will be made for any game played after the original submission.
 
Final date for submission:  Saturday, 30th November, 2024. This is to cover the final round of the club championship. Preferably games should be submitted earlier, if possible.
 
Please submit to :   secretary@croydonchess.com