News Archive

Published 12 November 2012. Most recent stories at top. Season runs September to August.

2008-09 season's news

Quarter Shares at Hereford Chess Congress

31 Aug 2009. A four-way tie for first in Open: Carl Bicknell (Burton-on-Trent and Oxford University), Richard Bryant (Oswestry), Iolo Jones (Cardigan), and Sven Zeidler (Nationwide). Sola Falayan (Sutton Coldfield) was first in the Major and John Clark (Worcester City) first in the Minor. This well-run congress was held 29-31 August at Aylestone School, Hereford, organised by Herefordshire Chess Association, and controlled by Phil Meade (Cheltenham). For a full report, click here.

Rapidplay raises £800 for Macmillan Cancer Support

23 Aug. The Bloxwich Rapidplay was a huge success. Four players tied for first in the Open: Lawrence Cooper (Stafford), Tony Hynes (Birmingham), Jim Sherwin (Bath) and Brian Turner (Malvern). In the Major, Phil Adshead (Leigh) and Ray Lawrence (Sutton Coldfield) shared the tops spot and Adrian Hussain (Boldmere St Michaels) won the Minor. The organiser for this event was Ray Dolan, "sports personality of the year". For full results click here.

Grey Power keeps MCCU fire burning at the British

David Anderton (Walsall Kipping) won the British Senior Title. Best placed MCCU player in the British itself was GM Mark Hebden placed 2-3rd with 8½ from 11. Former English Champion and Droitwich (Worcs) player GM Keith Arkell was ill for part of the congress and finished down the field. Full results are on the ECF website.

Over 60 play in first Worcestershire Open

July 2009. John Pitcher (S Birmingham) won the Open, Chris Smith (Warley Quinborne) the Major and Manpreet Sangha (Rushall) the minor. The event was held at Catshill, Bromsgrove 25 and 26th July. Promotor Andy Moore said about £200 was raised for charity and a second edition is already being planned for 2010. Andy was ably assisted by Ray Dolan (Cannock) and Andrew Farthing (Worcester City). For full results and pictures please click here.

ECF County Chess results

4 Jul. Leics and Warks fail in title bids. The finals were held at Moat College, Leicester. Yorkshire won the Open beating Lancashire 9-7. Leicestershire failed in their title bid for the Minor Counties Championship losing 6-10 to Hertfordshire.Yorkshire defeated Lanacashire in the U-175 finals, but by a larger margin 11-5. In the U-150, Warwickshire losing 6½-9½ failed to topple holders Yorkshire, who achieving a remarkable triple. In the U-125 event, Suffolk regained the title from Kent winning 10-6. Southerners were to the fore in the U-100 where Kent beat Surrey 6½-5½. The event was controlled by David Welch, Adrian Elwin, John Shaw and John Wickham [Based on Cyril Johnson's report in July/August issue of ChessMoves].

MCCU 2009 AGM

29 June At the meeting held at Lichfield, there were few changes in MCCU personnel. Ray Collett (Worcs, Publicity Director) picks up the extra job of webmaster replacing Sean Hewitt who stepped down after running the site for several years. John Packenham (Warks) takes over from Chris Gibson (Northants) as one of the two Non-Executive Directors. In relation to financial matters, counties in membership 2008-9 will benefit from a significant rebate because the MCCU has been running a surplus. It was agreed that MCCU would adopt the national grade bands for the MCCU stages of inter-county matches: Open, U-180, U160, U-140, U-120, and U-100. A rota will be established for those MCCU congresses whose results are used by the MCCU for deciding who to nominate for a place in the British Championship. [Based on report prepared by Andrew Farthing for Worcs CA.]

MCCU Nomination for British Championship

Jun 2009. Don Mason (Shirley, Warks) was nominated being the highest placed in the MCCU GP who had not already qualified.

MCCU Grand Prix

June 2009. Midland Individual Champion - Mark Hebden (wins trophy plus £100 bursary to British Championships). MCCU Nominee for British Championship - Don Mason. Use the "Grand Prix" top menu to go towards the reults.

Formal Notice of MCCU AGM

May 2009. The CEO writes: "I gave preliminary notice of the MCCU AGM a few days ago. At that time the venue had not been finalized. I can now confirm the the AGM will be on Sunday June 28th at The Bowling Green, Friary Rd, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6QJ. Tel: 01543 257344. Having reviewed the minutes of the 2008 AGM the start time will be 2.00pm rather than 2.30pm. I have not been informed of any changes to delegates following my preliminary notice, so where I am unsure of current names for a county I have included the county secretary as named in the ECF yearbook in addition to any previously listed as delegates. If you know of any changes, or where county AGMs lead to changes before the AGM, please inform me. I would remind you that motions must be with me by 1st June. I hope to issue the Agenda & draft minutes from the 2008 meeting as soon as possible after this deadline.
Regards - Julie D Johnson, CEO"

County Chess and National Stage Draw

Apr 2009. The MCCU matches are now complete. Click here for a summary of results, here for the National stage draw.

Mary Bonham

Worcester News 22 March reported the death of Mary, sister of Reginald Bonham, a Worcs blind chess player. Click here to see the obituary.

Staffordshire Chess Congress CANCELLED

Mar 2009. Regrettably it has been necessary to cancel the Staffordshire Chess Congress which was due to take place on 19th-20th April 2009. This is due to unforeseen problems with the venue which would create poor playing conditions. All entry forms and cheques will be returned as soon as possible. Staffordshire Chess Association apologises for any inconvenience that this cancellation may cause. Traci Whitfield- Congress Director

Middle Game MCCU Newsletter

Sep 2008. Publicity director Ray Collett produces his second newsletter (MiddleGame29). Click here to open it.

2008-9 County Matches

Sep 2008. The final fixtures have been published. Click here for full details.

British Championship Qualifying & MCCU Grand Prix

Sep 2008. The MCCU Midland Individual Title will again run in 2008/9 as a grand prix. The MCCU player with the best aggregate score in three of the qualifying Opens will secure the Midland Individual Title, hold the trophy for one year and win the £100 bursary to the British Championships first prize. Current qualifying events

• Hereford - 23 to 25th August 2008
• Leicester - 10th to 12th October 2008
• Milton Keynes - 14th to 16th November 2008
• Warwickshire - 13th to 14th February 2009
• Bolton - 10th - 12th April 2009
• Nottingham - 5th to 6th May 2009

Click here to view final 2008-9 GP results

MCCU AGM

29 Jun 2008. The MCCU AGM was held on 29th June 2008 at Syston and District Social Club. Click here to read the minutes.