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New Year Lightning

Start time: Monday 5 January 2026, 07:15 PM
Location: Slateford Bowling club, 28 Lanark Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1TH

Choosing this time early in January to sneak in this competition!

We will run the somewhat delayed Autumn Lightning tournament of faster chess where there is a handicap system in place that gives higher graded players less time against lower graded opponents.

  • Recently each player gets 7 minutes each, with the higher graded player losing a minute for every 50 points in grading difference. Down to a minimum of 2 minutes.
  • The number of rounds and format we actually play will depend on the number of entrants.
    • We may decide to drop down to 7 minutes each depending on entries.
    • We may cap the overall time for a game to 12 minutes if required to play more rounds. So two players due 7 minutes each would only get 6 minutes.
    • We may run two or three all play all qualifying sections with the section winners contesting a play off to decide the winner.
  • If you can try to be at the club for 7pm for a latest 7.15pm start. (start earlier if everyone is present)
  • At the start of each round I will announce the pairings.
    • Who has white and the time for each player.
    • This will save time working out grading differences on the fly.

Lightning Rules

  • Standard Chess Scotland gradings will be used.
  • If a player runs out of time then they have lost.
    • Unless there is insufficient mating material.
  • Players must press the clock with the same hand used to move pieces.
  • If a player makes an illegal move then they have lost.
    • Assuming that the opponent notices the illegal move.
    • If the opponent makes a further move then the game is continued.
  • Trophy will be awarded to the highest placed club member.
  • Any ungraded players will be given a grading of 1500 for the purpose of time handicaps. At the discretion of the organiser this is likely to be adjusted to reflect demonstrated playing strength or live grading if available.
  • Tie-break will be:
    • Result between two players.
    • Player with most wins.
    • Sonneborn-Berger score.
  • If there is an odd number of players then a Bye will be required in each round. Players receiving a bye will be awarded one point.

Entrants (18)

  • Euan McDiarmid (1812)
  • Charles Gunn-Russell (1789)
  • Crawford Macnab (1729)
  • Richard Scott (1702)
  • Allan McDiarmid (1664)
  • Eric Smith (1574)
  • Douglas Heatlie (1563)
  • Stuart McKinney (1440)
  • Sam Clucas (1351)
  • Joe Harvey (1343-TBC)
  • Gerry Brown (1333)
  • Nick West (1320)
  • Patrick Miller (1280)
  • Sam Kis (1100-TBC)
  • Andre Mair (1100-TBC)
  • Sandy Powell (1058)
  • Beijin Shen (800-TBC)
  • Ruaridh Neave (TBC)