Castlehill Chess Club

Bobby Gow

The Bobby Gow Memorial Roll of Honour 2004 to 2025 - here

The 20th Bobby Gow Memorial 2025 – Report

Another Bobby Gow has been and gone already, I swear it is coming round quicker every year? The annual curtain raiser between Castlehill and Dundee is always a good game, played in the best of friendly rivalry traditions.

This year it seemed that Castlehill had laid on some musical entertainment in the form of an ABBA tribute! It being freshers’ week, it is not uncommon for events to be taking place on campus, can’t be helped!

Castlehill have held the trophy since 2011 (shared in 2014), and with Secretary Daniel Coleman imposing a “three-line whip” on the membership, Castlehill had 26 players available for play on the night! Club President Keith Rose magnanimously fell on his sword to entertain those up the stairs who were not wishing to take part, leaving us with 25. Dundee managed to drum up 13 players, so it was a 13-board match, with the remaining 12 Castlehill players being paired off in gradable friendlies.

So, the boards were set, Jim tossed the coin and Daniel called “heads, which it was, so Castlehill were white on Board 1. Daniel announced, “start whites’ clock”, and we were off!

The early exchanges suggested it would be a close game, especially with Castlehill being heavily out graded on the top boards. However, the first result of the night came in at 8:25pm when Murray White triumphed on board 12 against Stephen Leaburn. A great result for Murray in his first time representing Castlehill – hopefully many more great results to come. (Castlehill 1-0 Dundee)

It was not long until the next result came in at 8:30pm when Andy Rowe said to Jim Anderson will you “gimmie gimmie gimmie” a draw (before midnight!). Jim, who was feeling a tad under the weather, gratefully accepted and the score was then Castlehill 1.5-Dundee 0.5.

I think it was fair to say there was something in the air that night,
the stars were bright (Fernando!). The next result came in at 8:50pm as Castlehill Super “Trooper” Iain Sneddon won on Board 7 against Ansh Bhakata (Castlehill 2.5 – Dundee 0.5). Iain can’t always make the club, but when he does, he usually delivers! Swiftly thereafter at 9pm, Ed Walton comes up trumps against Andrew Collins, and the scoreline was 3.5-0.5 in favour of Castlehill.

There was a bit of a wait for the next result, and looking at the play on the Boards, Castlehill were heavy favourites to see out their lead, but Dundee had a lot of experience on show, nothing could be taken for granted! However, at 9:30pm, things ended in his own personal Waterloo for Ray Flood as Euan Murray managed to over come his defences and bring home the point for Castlehill (Casltehill 4.5 – Dundee 0.5). Promptly thereafter at 9:35pm, Vladyslav Drabych triumphed on board 6 and made the score 5.5-0.5.

Castlehill now only needed a point to guarantee a share of the trophy. At 10:03pm,  the spoils were shared on board 3 as Matthew Hunter and Joshua Crofts played out a draw. After 10pm we had to ask young Matthew, does your mother know you are out (this late!). Matthew has been doing Castlehill very proud lately, and is looking a good bet to do well this coming season. (Castlehill 6-1 Dundee).

Now only needing 1 more point to win, the winning putt at 10:10pm (sorry, Ryder cup is this weekend!) came from Jan Klingelhoefer when he defeated old warhorse Keith Emery on board 4. Running low on time, Jan cooly delivered a “winner takes it all” rook and pawn end game, and Mamma Mia, that was Castlehill Champions for 2025! (Castlehill 7-1 Dundee).

Although the remaining games had no impact on the outcome, they were not short of interest! Robert Jackson managed to overcome the steady Chrstine Sim on board 11 making the score 8-1 to Caatlehill. Andre Babin looked to have a fantastic win against Dundee legend Ed Spencer, but as he said after, he had 99 ways to win and found the 1 draw and felt it all “slipping through his fingers”! (8.5 – 1.5). Alsidair McLeod in reliable fashion (Mr Reliable these days) won Castlehill another point at 10:37pm and made the scoreline 9.5-1.5.

Only two games remained, top and bottom board! Paul Shafi, making his comeback for Castlehill proved victorious om Board 13, and the score then stood at 10.5-1.5 to Castlehill. Knowing me knowing you, Paul, I think we will see some more good results for you this season!

Of course, it had to be Board 1 that finished last. Young Ross Blackford making his debut for Castlehill against the wily David Findlay of Dundee. What a pairing! Dundee were hoping David would come through, as they did not have a win on any board! However, the game ended in a draw, as Mr Blackford cheekily promoted to a knight when he knew it was a dead draw! Hands were shaken, and David was left saying “I do I do I do I do” when Ross asked if he would accept a draw. (Final Score: Castlehill 11-2 Dundee).

Well, what a night! Castlehill triumphed with aplomb. Dundee have been left asking where are those happy days? They seem so hard to find, SOS! Jim says next year that he has a dream of Dundee striking back with revenge, time will tell!

All joking and ABBA references aside, the most important thing is yet again the two clubs come together in great tradition to play a game of chess. The friendships and memories made at these events are what matter, and long may it continue.

A big THANK YOU to all those who come along and made the night possible, and thanks to Jim who assisted in running the event.

Until 2026, when Dundee host, and maybe they will make their queens on the board dance!