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Published 12 November 2012. Most recent stories at top. Season runs September to August.
2010-11 Season
Are you up for Gold or Bronze?
23 Aug 2011. ECF publishes latest proposals to fund English Chess. Three categories of memberrship are proposed starting in September 2012 with "Bronze" membership covering club, league and county chess games at £12 annually. To see the proposals in full, visit the funding paper posted on the ECF website. Please make sure that your county secretary, representatives and delegates are aware of your opinions before the September ECF meeting when decisions will be made.
Micky Adams beats Short in title playoff, Jovanka Houska Women's Champion, David Anderton Senior Champion.
6 Aug: The former world champion contenders Adams and Short tied on 8½/11 to share first place in the standard play games, but Micky won the rapidplay games 1½-½ to take the title. Housaka is first lady on 7/11. The Midland players were led by Stephen Gordon and GM Mark Hebden on 7 followed by Don Mason 6, Ali Jaunooby 4½, Mike Surtees and Nigel Birtwistle 4, David Coates 3½, and Steve Mellor 3 points. David Anderton (Staffs) stormed the British Senior title with 6½/7 and was followed by Jim Nicolson on 3½ points. Midland GM Keith Arkell was placed 2-3rd on 5/6 and GM Mark Hebden 4-7th on 4½ in the Rapidplay. John Sugden (SCCU) and Arne Hagesaether (Norway) were joint first in the Major Open with 7/11. Top Midlander was Paul Cumbers (Lincs) on 7 followed by Mitchell Burke on 5½. In the graded tournaments Tom Robinson (Worcs) was placed 3-5th on 4/5 in the under-160; Alex Holowczak (Worcs/Warks) 7-11th on 3½/5 in the under-140; Peter Brace (Derbys) 2-5th on 4/5 in the under-120. In the weekend Soanes tournament (under-150) Alan Ruffle (Derbys) and Andrew Wiggins (Worcs) were placed 7-21st on 3/5. Top Midland juniors were: in the under-14 tournament was Joseph McPhillips (Greater Manchester) placed 2-3rd on 5/7; in the under-11s Mark Kenyon (Notts) was 3-5th on 5 points with Ashwin Kalyana (Warks) 6-11th on 4½/7 and and Taylor Pearson (Notts) on 3 placed 20-29th.
Stephen Gordon on 6 behind leader Adams on 7½ at British
3 Aug: At the end of round 9, Stephen Gordon (Greater Manchester) was nearest to the leaders in the British. Mark Hebden (Leics) was on 5½ followed by Khandelwal on 5, Jaunoobi 4½, Birtwistle 4, Surtees 3½, Coates 2½ and Steve Mellor 2.
GM Mark Hebden chasing for the British
2 Aug: At the halfway stage, Leicester GM Mark Hebden was highest placed of Midlanders with Stephen Gordon (Greater Manchester) in the British at Sheffield with 4½/7. GMs Nigel Short and Michael Adams lead on 6/7. Other Midlanders playing are: Nigel Birtwistle (Lincs), Ankush Khandelwall (Notts) and Ali Jaunooby (Greater Manchester) 3½, Donald Mason (Warks) 3; David Coates (Lincs) and Mike Surtees (Greater Manchester) 2½; and Steve Mellor (Worcs) on 2 points. For latest coverage visit the British Championships at Sheffield.
Midlanders in graded tournaments at the British
1 Aug: Paul Cawley (Greater Manchester) 3½/5 placed 3-4th and Alan Agnew (Warks) 3/5 placed 5-11th were near the top of the u180. Mitchell Burke, GM's Open captain also played in the u180 scoring 2½. Alex Holowczak (Worcs/Warks) and Matthew R Wilson (Leics) had 4/5 and were placed 3-6th in the u140.
Craig Whitfield leads Midland juniors at the British
31 Jul: Craig Whitfield (Staffs) was first in the under-16 followed by Jamie Horton (Greater Manchester) 4/6 placed 6-10th. In the Under-9s Samir Samadov (Greater Manchester), and John Croasdale (Notts) were placed 4-9th with 5/7 in followed by Sam Smith-McGloin with 4½ placed 10-14th, Samuel Teanby (Notts) and Jonah Willow on 4 points placed 15-23rd. Three Midlanders were near the top in the under 13s: Andrew Horton (Greater Manchester) and Leo Tsoi (Warks) ended on 5/7 and placed 2-4th followed by Daniel Abbas (Greater Manchester) with 4/7 placed 7-10th. In the youngest section, the under 8s, Max Miller (Northants) finished on 4/6 and was placed 6-8th.
Provisional grades for 2011-12 published
25 Jul: Richard Haddrell and the ECF grading team has put together results for the 2010-11 season to produce the provisional list for 2011-12. A few results are late and to be added and ECF members have been invited to check the gaders' records of their games. The corrected list is expected to be published end of August and will be updated in January 2012. County team captains please note that the August 2011 list is the one to use for the whole of the 2011-12 MCCU stages of the county team competitions. Any queries about player eligibility for grade-limited teams please contact the MCCU county controller.
Pavel Besedin wins Worcestershire Open title.
24 Jul: In the Open, Pavel Besedin (Daugavpils, Latvia) beat Tomasz Sygnowski (West Bromwich) in the blitz tie-btreaker. Brendan O'Gorman ((DHSS), Richard Desmedt (Wombwell) and Dean Hartley (Amber Valley) shared first place in the Major. The Intermediate was shared by brother juniors James and Joseph Friar from Hagley, Worcs. Matthew Trigg (Solihull) won the Minor. Pictures and further results on the Worcestershire Congress page.
Tie for PC Gibbs 2010-11 correspondence tournament
22 Jul: Bob Veitch reports that Keith Mclaughlin (Leics) and Trevor Brotherton (Shrops) tied for first place on 5 points.
Manchester Annual meeting
22 Jul: Mick Norris reports that Bert Thomas is new general secretary of the Manchester Chess Federation. The federation decided to enter two MCCU teams for the 2011-12 season: Minor Open captn Mitchell Burke, and u160 captn Jon Lonsdale.
Midlands juniors scoop prizes at Derby
17,18 Jul: Midlands winners were well-represented in the penultimate stage of UK Chess Challenge, the world's largest junior chess tournament at Derby University. Coming first in their age sections were: Adam Bennett (Boys' under-7, Bramcote Hills, Notts); Victoria Holland (Girls' Under-7, Cheddleton, Staffs); Jonah Willows (Boys' under-8, West Nottingham); Ibraheem Malik (Boys' Under-10, Blue Coat, Warks); Michael Fletcher (Boys' Under-11, Nottingham Jun HS, Notts); Joseph Friar (Boys' Under-12, Worcs Junior Chess Academy); Joseph McPhillips (Boys' Under-13, Turton, Greater Manchester); Brandon Clarke (Boys' Under-15, Wellington, Leics); Michael Weaving (Boys' Under-17, Warwick); and Stephen Jones (Boys' Under-18, Grappenhall, Greater Manchester). These winners and other Midlands qualifiers will be invited to play in the Terafinal later this summer for a first prize of £2000. For full details of scores visit UK Chess Challenge.
Two Staffs clubs win national trophies
10 Jul: Two Wolverhampton-based clubs won national trophies in different sections of the National Club Championship. In the Intermediate Plate competition Rushall whitewashed Cosham, the Hampshire club. In the Minor club championship, Bushbury beat Hackney on board count. Click here for details of national club finals.
Manchester Grammar wins schools' tournament
8 Jul: Manchester Grammar defeated Reading School 4 - 2 in England's premier school championship at Yateley Manor, Hampshire. Other Midlands teams qualifying for the national stages were: King Edward VI School, Birmingham - knocked out by the Mancunians in the quarter finals - and Nottingham High School. For more details see the Yateley Manor School Competition website.
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Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire win National Championships
2 Jul: The Nottingham u180 team beat Devon and Warwickshire u120 beat Lancashire in their finals. In the new u100 competition, Essex proved superior to Warwickshire. For details visit "County Matches" and then use the left hand menu to visit the "National stages" pages.
Annual Meeting of Midland Counties Chess Union
25 Jun: At a well-attended meeting at Lichfield and against national trends, MCCU delegates voted to offer a rebate to counties paying the levy. Current officers were re-elected. David Levens, Junior Director, was asked to devise initiatives to enhance junior chess activity within MCCU counties. Proposed changes to rules were debated and remitted for further study and decisions next year. Full unconfirmed minutes are likely to be published before August. For pictures of the meeting click here. For a summary of the meeting click here.
Two Warks teams and Notts u180 through to finals!
12 Jun: Both Warks u120 and the u120 sides are through to the national finals. Use the "County Matches" menu button above and then the "National" left menu button on the county match page for scores and links to match details.
Eva Ressel, Northamptonshire wins under-12 National Girls Championship
12 June: Midlander Eva stormed her way to the Midland Girls' title at Derby in this Chevannes Chess Academy event.
Middle Game 30
7 Jun: The latest issue summarises results from the Midlands' winter chess leagues. To see it, click here.
Annual Meeting Worcestershire CA
21 May. Bert Foord steps down from hon Treasurer's post, which he has held for 25 years and is replaced by Brian Turner. Peter Kitson President, Maurice Bissell hon Secretary, and Derek Digger Competitions Secretary continue. MCCU delegates Ray Collett and Andrew Farthing are joined by Alex Holowczak. Minor County Team Captaincy is taken over by Ray Collett while Giles Stanton and Richard Turner remain in charge of u140 and u120 teams respectively.
Bushbury out of National Club Championship
Bushbury, Wolverhampton, Staffs lost 1½ - 3½ to Swindon based Brown Jack in their quarter finals fixture.
Bolton Congress results: 14-year-old Joseph qualifies for British Championship
25 Apr: Don Mason (Warks Select) was first on 4½ pursued by Adam Ashon (3Cs, Oldham) on 4. Joseph McPhillips on 3½ (Bolton, Gtr Man) qualifies for British. Other winners were: Major (u170) Clive Davies (Rose Forgrove) 5 ponts; Knights (u135) Lawrence Harold (Eccles) 4½ points. In the Busy Person's 10-minute section Ali Jaunoobi (Denton, Gtr Man) was first with 7 from 8. Another successful congress for organisers Harry Lamb and Rod Middleton. For further details reported by Rod Middleton click here.
Eight players with chance to be Midlands Individual Champion
23 Apr. Mick Norris reports: "With 2 rounds to go at Bolton Easter, Adam Ashton and Don Mason lead on 3/3"
17 Apr. After the Nottingham Open, GM Mark Hebden leads the field. Only one event at Bolton now remains for pursuers Tomasz Syngowski, Martin Burrows, David Coates, Anthony Hynes, Ali Jaunoobi, Ryszard Maciol and Mike Surtees, to overtake Mark. Use the Grand Prix menu button above to get to the leader board.
Three Midlands counties through to the quarter finals of county team championships
16 Apr. Warks u180, Notts u160 and Greater Manchester u160 teams progress. Use County Match and then National menu button to see the scores and link to most of the full results.
ECF Council poll favours membership scheme
16 Apr. At the annual Finance Council meeting, a majority of attenders voted that the Board should prepare plans for a membership scheme. Representatives voted a down a Board proposal that fees should remain the same for the 2011-12 season. Instead they agreed a 7.5% increase in game fee and similar increases of membership fees to help reduce the large deficit caused by the Government's abrupt withdrawal of the £60k grant. A summary of the main decisions is on Andrew Farthing's Chief Exec's blog.
Mark Hebden wins Nottingham Open
10 Apr. The Leics GM won all 5 games in the Open Tournament. There was a four-way tie in the Major: Andrew Garside (West Notts), Tim Poole (Nott Univ), Anthony Sadler (Solihull) & Darren Lee (S Birmingham) all got 4 points. The Intermediate was won by John Huthwaite and the Minor by Tobias Stables (West Notts). Other Midlands prize winners were: Brandon Clarke (Leics), junior; Alex Combie (Newark), u185; Mark Carter (Spondon), u145; Neil Milson (Louth), Isaac Stables (West Notts), & Chris Sargent (Nott Univ), u120; Tobias Stables (West Notts), u110; Chris Fraser (West Bridgford), u90. The congress attracted nearly 150 players and was directed by Robert Richmond. Full results are on the Notts website.
Three Cs, Oldham win Bolton Jamboree
9 Apr. The 3Cs team scored 19/20 to take first prize. Bolton 3 were top in the u130 and Bolton Girls in the Junior sections.
Midland juniors shine in England Team under-11 trial
3 Apr. Aloysius Lip (Birmingham) led the field with 5 points. Other successful Midland juniors were David Abbas from Manchester and Ashwin Kalyana from Birmingham.
Harry Brooks dies
21 Mar. Mick Norris and ECF report the sad loss to chess of Harry Brooks, Great Lever, Gtr Manchester. See ECF website for more.
Midlands Junior League winners
21 Mar. Magdalen College School, Oxford won the Midlands Junior League team jamboree at Malvern College, Malvern.
Under-140 county Team places for national stages decided
20 Mar. Leaders, Worcestershire fell to Nottinghamshire. Staffs beat Warks and Derbys beat Shrops. Use the County matches menu button above for more.
UK Chess Challenge Megafinal dates announced
15 Mar. The UK Chess Challenge county stages are being held around Easter. Use the congress menu button above to see dates and contact details for Midlands organisers of the world's largest chess tournament.
Leics beat Derbys in Minor Counties to qualify
14 Mar. Leics had a clear 10-6 victory at Croft. Use the menu ' County Matches' and 'Minor' to view details.
Midlands home to oldest chess club outside London?
14 Mar. Intrepid art-sleuths Martin Smith and Richard Billett of Streatham & Brixton Chess Club paid a field visit to Hereford to unearth more of the history of an oil painting "Gentlman Players of Hereford Chess Club". Visit their blog to read more.
North Midlanders win in New East Manchester Rapidplay
6 Mar. Held in the magnificent City of Manchester Stadium, this event was organised by Sport4life for Eagle Chess Club in association with Manchester Chess Federation. Sponsors were New East Manchester Ltd, Street Games and Equity Solutions. Alan Walton and Alex Longson (both 3Cs Oldham) shared first place with 5 from 6 in the Open. Farshap Ai (Phoenix, Sheffield) was first in the u160 tournament, and Joshua Pendlebury (Worsley, GMC) and Dean Madden (Spondon, Derbys) shared first in the u120. The entry of nearly 90 players was controlled by Fiona Green, Julian Clissold, and Rod Middleton. Full results are expected on Tuesday.
Warwickshire win first contested Midlands Under-100 title
5 Mar. Warwickshire ran out winners 7 - 4.
Nottinghamshire win under-180 Championship
27 Feb. With a clear 10½ - 5½ win, Notts lift the under-180 title.
Worcestershire look set for under-140 team title
26 Feb. In the match between the two leaders of the under-140 championship, Worcestershire ran out winners 9-7.
John Nunn wins solvers' tourney
26 Feb 2011. John Nunn was first at the Winton Capital British Chess Solving Competition tournament held at Oakham School, Rutland.
New joint leaders of Midlands GP
15 Feb. The provisional table shows Martin Burrows (Wigston, Leics) and Ryszard Maciol (Warks) share the lead on 7½ followed by GM Mark Hebden (Leicester) on 5.
Staffordshire team champions second year running
13 Feb 2011. With official notification that Notts have withdrawn from the team championship, Staffs are undisputed Midlands Team Champions.
Warwickshire Open winners
12-13 Feb 2011. Ryszard Maciol (Warks), Tomacz Sygowski (West Bromwich) and Richard Weaving (Solihull Checkmates) shared first on 4 points in the Open. Ed Goodwin (Coventry) and Tom Robinson (Redditch, Worcs) were joint first on 4 in the u170; Dean Hartley (Amber Valley, Derbys) first on 4½ in the u145; and Matt Trigg (Solihull, Warks) was first in the u120 tournament. Attended by 120 players, this tournament was controlled by Dave Thomas.
Allan Beardsworth wins Stockport Rapidplay
6 Feb 2011. Over 150 players took part in this event organised by Peter Taylor of Stockport Club. Allan Bearsworth (Stockport, GMC) was first in the Open with 5½. Joao Rita (Chorlton, GMC) won the Major (u170) also with 5½. The Intermediate (u140) was shared between Brendan Brown (Clitheroe, Lancs) and Ben Scattergood (Holmes Chapel, GMC) on 5. Cheddleton & Leek's young player Jacob Boswell and G Jones shared first place in the Minor (u110). For full results visit Stockport & District League website.
Quickest league win?
Halesowen Club Worcs reports Windsor Peck's two-and-a-half move win.
Bushbury Club, Staffs face quarter-final tussle
2 Feb. In the National Club Major Championship Bushbury beat Gloucester 3-2. Their opponents in the Quarter-Final match are the winners of the Brown Jack (Swindon) Forest of Dean (Glos) fixture.
Annual Meeting Worcestershire CA
21 May: Bert Foord steps down from hon Treasurer's post, which he has held for 25 years and is replaced by Brian Turner. Peter Kitson President, Maurice Bissell hon Secretary, and Derek Digger Competitions Secretary continue. MCCU delegates Ray Collett and Andrew Farthing are joined by Alex Holowczak. Minor County Team Captaincy is taken over by Ray Collett while Giles Stanton and Richard Turner remain in charge of u140 and u120 teams respectively.
Bushbury out of National Club Championship
Bushbury, Wolverhampton, Staffs lost 1½ - 3½ to Swindon based Brown Jack in their quarter finals fixture.
Bolton Congress results: 14-year-old Joseph qualifies for British Championship
25 Apr: Don Mason (Warks Select) was first on 4½ pursued by Adam Ashon (3Cs, Oldham) on 4. Joseph McPhillips on 3½ (Bolton, Gtr Man) qualifies for British. Other winners were: Major (u170) Clive Davies (Rose Forgrove) 5 ponts; Knights (u135) Lawrence Harold (Eccles) 4½ points. In the Busy Person's 10-minute section Ali Jaunoobi (Denton, Gtr Man) was first with 7 from 8. Another successful congress for organisers Harry Lamb and Rod Middleton. For further details reported by Rod Middleton click here.
Eight players with chance to be Midlands Individual Champion
23 Apr. Mick Norris reports: "With 2 rounds to go at Bolton Easter, Adam Ashton and Don Mason lead on 3/3"
17 Apr. After the Nottingham Open, GM Mark Hebden leads the field. Only one event at Bolton now remains for pursuers Tomasz Syngowski, Martin Burrows, David Coates, Anthony Hynes, Ali Jaunoobi, Ryszard Maciol and Mike Surtees, to overtake Mark. Use the Grand Prix menu button above to get to the leader board.
Three Midlands counties through to the quarter finals of county team championships
16 Apr. Warks u180, Notts u160 and Greater Manchester u160 teams progress. Use County Match and then National menu button to see the scores and link to most of the full results.
ECF Council poll favours membership scheme
16 Apr. At the annual Finance Council meeting, a majority of attenders voted that the Board should prepare plans for a membership scheme. Representatives voted a down a Board proposal that fees should remain the same for the 2011-12 season. Instead they agreed a 7.5% increase in game fee and similar increases of membership fees to help reduce the large deficit caused by the Government's abrupt withdrawal of the £60k grant. A summary of the main decisions is on Andrew Farthing's Chief Exec's blog.
Mark Hebden wins Nottingham Open
10 Apr. The Leics GM won all 5 games in the Open Tournament. There was a four-way tie in the Major: Andrew Garside (West Notts), Tim Poole (Nott Univ), Anthony Sadler (Solihull) & Darren Lee (S Birmingham) all got 4 points. The Intermediate was won by John Huthwaite and the Minor by Tobias Stables (West Notts). Other Midlands prize winners were: Brandon Clarke (Leics), junior; Alex Combie (Newark), u185; Mark Carter (Spondon), u145; Neil Milson (Louth), Isaac Stables (West Notts), & Chris Sargent (Nott Univ), u120; Tobias Stables (West Notts), u110; Chris Fraser (West Bridgford), u90. The congress attracted nearly 150 players and was directed by Robert Richmond. Full results are on the Notts website.
Three Cs, Oldham win Bolton Jamboree
9 Apr. The 3Cs team scored 19/20 to take first prize. Bolton 3 were top in the u130 and Bolton Girls in the Junior sections.
Midland juniors shine in England Team under-11 trial
3 Apr. Aloysius Lip (Birmingham) led the field with 5 points. Other successful Midland juniors were David Abbas from Manchester and Ashwin Kalyana from Birmingham.
Harry Brooks dies
21 Mar. Mick Norris and ECF report the sad loss to chess of Harry Brooks, Great Lever, Gtr Manchester. See ECF website for more.
Midlands Junior League winners
21 Mar. Magdalen College School, Oxford won the Midlands Junior League team jamboree at Malvern College, Malvern.
Under-140 county Team places for national stages decided
20 Mar. Leaders, Worcestershire fell to Nottinghamshire. Staffs beat Warks and Derbys beat Shrops. Use the County matches menu button above for more.
UK Chess Challenge Megafinal dates announced
15 Mar. The UK Chess Challenge county stages are being held around Easter. Use the congress menu button above to see dates and contact details for Midlands organisers of the world's largest chess tournament.
Leics beat Derbys in Minor Counties to qualify
14 Mar. Leics had a clear 10-6 victory at Croft. Use the menu ' County Matches' and 'Minor' to view details.
Midlands home to oldest chess club outside London?
14 Mar. Intrepid art-sleuths Martin Smith and Richard Billett of Streatham & Brixton Chess Club paid a field visit to Hereford to unearth more of the history of an oil painting "Gentlman Players of Hereford Chess Club". Visit their blog to read more.
North Midlanders win in New East Manchester Rapidplay
6 Mar. Held in the magnificent City of Manchester Stadium, this event was organised by Sport4life for Eagle Chess Club in association with Manchester Chess Federation. Sponsors were New East Manchester Ltd, Street Games and Equity Solutions. Alan Walton and Alex Longson (both 3Cs Oldham) shared first place with 5 from 6 in the Open. Farshap Ai (Phoenix, Sheffield) was first in the u160 tournament, and Joshua Pendlebury (Worsley, GMC) and Dean Madden (Spondon, Derbys) shared first in the u120. The entry of nearly 90 players was controlled by Fiona Green, Julian Clissold, and Rod Middleton. Full results are expected on Tuesday.
Warwickshire win first contested Midlands Under-100 title
5 Mar. Warwickshire ran out winners 7 - 4.
Nottinghamshire win under-180 Championship
27 Feb. With a clear 10½ - 5½ win, Notts lift the under-180 title.
Worcestershire look set for under-140 team title
26 Feb. In the match between the two leaders of the under-140 championship, Worcestershire ran out winners 9-7.
John Nunn wins solvers' tourney
26 Feb. John Nunn was first at the Winton Capital British Chess Solving Competition tournament held at Oakham School, Rutland.
Worcestershire look set for under-140 team title
26 Feb. In the match between the two leaders of the under-140 championship, Worcestershire ran out winners 9-7.
John Nunn wins solvers' tourney
26 Feb. John Nunn was first at the Winton Capital British Chess Solving Competition tournament held at Oakham School, Rutland.
New joint leaders of Midlands GP
15 Feb. The provisional table shows Martin Burrows (Wigston, Leics) and Ryszard Maciol (Warks) share the lead on 7½ followed by GM Mark Hebden (Leicester) on 5.
Warwickshire Open winners
12-13 Feb. Ryszard Maciol (Warks), Tomacz Sygowski (West Bromwich) and Richard Weaving (Solihull Checkmates) shared first on 4 points in the Open. Ed Goodwin (Coventry) and Tom Robinson (Redditch, Worcs) were joint first on 4 in the u170; Dean Hartley (Amber Valley, Derbys) first on 4½ in the u145; and Matt Trigg (Solihull, Warks) was first in the u120 tournament. Attended by 120 players, this tournament was controlled by Dave Thomas.
Allan Beardsworth wins Stockport Rapidplay
13 Feb. Over 150 players took part in this event organised by Peter Taylor of Stockport Club. Allan Bearsworth (Stockport, GMC) was first in the Open with 5½. Joao Rita (Chorlton, GMC) won the Major (u170) also with 5½. The Intermediate (u140) was shared between Brendan Brown (Clitheroe, Lancs) and Ben Scattergood (Holmes Chapel, GMC) on 5. Cheddleton & Leek's young player Jacob Boswell and G Jones shared first place in the Minor (u110). For full results visit Stockport & District League website.
Staffordshire team champions second year running
13 Feb. With official notification that Notts have withdrawn from the team championship, Staffs are undisputed Midlands Team Champions.
Quickest league win?
Halesowen Club Worcs reports Windsor Peck's two-and-a-half move win.
Bushbury Club, Staffs face quarter-final tussle
2 Feb. In the National Club Major Championship Bushbury beat Gloucester 3-2. Their opponents in the Quarter-Final match are the winners of the Brown Jack (Swindon) Forest of Dean (Glos) fixture.
Tony Robson of ChessPoints
14 Jan 2011. The death is announced of Tony Robson, Northampton. Tony was the founder of ChessPoints that pioneered using community venues for chess and encouraged players to train as Chess coaches. View Chairman of Northamton CC Alan Brown's appreciation of Tony's contributions to chess here.
Shropshire players win at Wrekin Congress
8-9 Jan 2011. Local players dominated the prize list in this popular congress at Madeley, Telford. In the Premier (under 211) Gavin Cooper (Durham Univ and Newport, Shrops) was first on 4 from 5. Andy Baruch (Warks) and Don Mason (Shirley) followed on 3½. Five players shared first in the Major (under 161) tournament with 3½ points: Phil Bull (West Bromwich), Tim Lane (S Birmingham), Brendan O'Gorman (DHSS), Tom Robinson (Redditch) and Adrian Walker (Leamington). Roger Brown (Shifnal & Telford) scored a straight 5 from 5 winning the Minor (under 126). The congress was organised by Richard Thompson and controlled by Dave Thomas. For further details and pictures, visit the Shrops website.
Midlander wins York Congress
Jan 8-9 2011. Steve Mellor (Worcester City) won the York congress to qualify for the British.
Hardy North Midlanders brave snow for Bury Rapidplay
5 December report from Mick Norris. Open David Jameson (Colwyn Bay) won the Open with 5 from 6. Miroslav Gruca (Widnes) and Mike Surtees (Bolton) followed with 4 from 6. The U195 prize went to Harry Lamb (Bolton); U180 prize to Martin Sheard (Barnsley). In the U170 tournament, Nicholas Barnaby (Bolton/Widnes) was first with 5½ followed by David Patrick (Courier Halifax) and George Peters (Chesterfield) on 4. In the U170 tournament Sheraz Khalil (Bury), John-Paul Taylor (Warwick University), and Brendan Brown (Clitheroe)were top scorers with 3½. In the U130 first was - Harry Brooks (Great Lever) with 5½ followed by Brian Slater (Bolton) with 5. The U120 grading prize was won by Michael Horne (Crusaders) with 4 points and the U105 prize by Lee Baron (Bury) with 4. The Ludwig Gruchlik Memorial Trophy for the best score by a Bury club member went to Robert Moneagle and Lee Baron (4 out of 6). The event was sponsored by Metcalfe, Accountants and controlled by Rod Middleton, Julian Clissold and Anthony Lee.
Juniors stun county players at Nottingham
27 & 28 November. Michael Fletcher, aged 11, won the u160 section in Nottinghamshire's county tournament. Four other young teenagers also took second places in other sections. Nottinghamshire's 2010 Champion is Abel Yap (Nottingham university) who finished on 4½ ahead of David Coates (Grantham). Under-135 winner was Alan Kenyon (West Nottingham) who finished just ahead of his son Mark Kenyon. Charlotte Atwood (Radcliffe & Bingham) was first in the u110. Read more at the Notts county website.
Richard Weaving receives Tony Miles Award at Warks Junior Congress
27 November. Richard not only received the award for his contributions to junior chess in Warks, he also won the Warwickshire under-18 title. Other Warwickshire junior county champions were: Under-21, Faraz Malik (South Birmingham); Under-16, Henrik Stepanyan (Sutton Coldfield); Under-14 was shared by three players, Nathan Chung (King Edward Sch Edgbaston), Sam Beardmore (Clayton Hall Sch) and Wesley Blackhurst (King Edward Camp Hill Sch); Under-12 was shared by Ashwin Kalyana (Hallfield Sch) and James Keaney (Causton Hall Sch); Under-10, Ibraheem Malik (Blue Coat Sch, Harbourn); and Under-8 Arjan (Hallfield Sch). Over 140 junior players took part. Hallfield School coached by Malcolm Hunt scooped the school team prizes for all three age groups: U-12, U10 and U-8. For further details see Warks website.
Two Juniors top Midlands Under-150 Rapidplay Grand Prix Leaderboard
22 November. After three events, the leader to beat is junior player Leo Tsoi from Boldmere St Michael's, Warks. He is closely followed by Kim Gilbert of Shirley & Lucas, Warks and third placed is another junior, James Friar, from Hagley, Worcs.
Bolton Rapidplay
14 November. Mike Surtees (Bolton) dominated in the Open scoring 6 from 6. James Walsh (Leyland, Lancs) and Richard Burton (Colwyn Bay, Wales) shared top position in the Major (u166). In the Knights section (u136), Ben Scattergood (Holmes Chapel, Cheshire) was first with 5½/6. Over 70 competitors participated.
National Youth Chess Association County Championships
13 Nov. In the Under-16 Championship, Yorkshire were first with 25. Best placed Midlands county was 4th placed Warks on 18½ followed by Greater Manchester on 12 and Staffs on 8½. Sussex won the Under-12 Championship with 34½ closeley pursued by Greater Manchester on 34 placed 3rd to 4th. Warks were 7th to 8th on 23½ and Staffs were placed 1oth on 16½. These championships were held at Abraham Darby Academy, Madeley, Telford, Shrops.
Carlsen withdraws
13 November. Malcom Pein and Leonard Barden report that Carlsen is not taking part in the FIDE World Championship Candidates matches. Is the chess world in for another period of confusion, only recently resolved from the Short-Kasparov breakaway? A breakaway could be good for headlines, but less so for sponsorship.
Under-120 MCCU county match Results
18 October. Staffordshire Bulldogs and Worcestershire teams victorious. Use County matches button above for more.
Manchester junior winners at Broad Oak Congress
14 October. Nathan Taylor was first in the Kings tournament. See other winners' names on the MCF website.
Leamington Rapidplay
3 October. The first results for the new Midlands Under-150 Rapidplay Grand Prix from the Leamington rapidplay are now in. Visit the Grand Prix page and take links from there to see more.
Ukraine win Olympiad Open in Khanty-Mansiysk
3 October. International Chess News. Ukraine wins gold, Russia silver, and Isreal bronze medals in the open section at the Khanty-Mansiusk Olympiad. England, despite having its strongest men's team, was placed 24th (seeded 12th). Leonard Barden reports (with game score) that Micky Adams beat world title challenger Magnus Carlsen in the England-Norway match. In the women's section, Russia 1 win gold, China win silver, and Georgia bronze medals. The English Women's Team was placed 21st (seeded 39th). For full coverage visit the Olympiad website.
Kirsan checkmates Karpov at World Chess Federation General Assembly
29 September. International Chess News. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was re-elected World Chess President defeating Anatoly Karpov. ECF President de Mooi denounces vote as "a farce". The UK dailies Guardian, and Telegraph, carry reports on their websites.
Leamington Rapidplay attracts 140 Entries
27 September. Veteran IM Mike Basman (Surbiton) shared the Open prize with James Jackson (Bath Univ) on 5/6 with Richard Weaving (Solihull Checkmates, Warks) on 4/6 best placed Midlander. Midlands players were edged out of top places in the high graded sections, but did well in lower sections. In the u175, Richard Edwards (Battersea) was first on 5/6 with Ammar Karim (Birmingham) and Gregory Smith (Northampton) on 4½. In the u150, Nathanael Paul (Coddon, Shrops) was first followed by junior player Leo Tsoi (Boldmere St Michaels, Warks) and Ian Andrews (Kenilworth, Warks). In the u120, Mark Burnham (Kenilworth, Warks) and Zaime Zainuddin (Leicester) were first with 5/6. For full results, visit the Leamington & District website.
Guidance for MCCU county matches
26 September. Julie Johnson, Controller for the MCCU county matches has published guidance on interpretations of the MCCU rules. Use the left-hand-side menu to visit MCCU Stage Matches for further information.
Chesspoint, Northants Jamboree Results
25 September. Greg Smith and Frank Kamau shared honours with 5 points each at the Chesspoint junior Jamboree on 25 September. For full results visit the Chesspoint webpage.
Manchester Autumn Congress sets ball rolling in Midlands GP
24 September. Manchester Autumn Congress Open Tournament was dominated by Greater Manchester players. The Open was won by Adam Ashton (Three Cs, Greater Manchester) with 4½/5. Pete Kobryn (Great Lever, Greater Manchester) came first and scored a straight 5/5 in the Major tournament and the Knights tournament was won by T Hilton (Three Cs, Greater Manchester) with 4½/5. Nearly 90 players competed and the event was controlled by Rod Middleton. This congress gives first results for the 2010-11 Midlands Grand Prix. Read and see more about the Manchester Congress here.
New MCCU Junior Director & support team announced
14 September. After a long search, MCCU has appointed David Levens (Notts) as new Junior Director. He will be supported by Alex Holowczak (Worcs & Warks) as Junior Events Secretary and Cyril Johnson (Leics), MCCU's current Events Director.
MCCU counties fixtures dates
13 September.The controller has distributed the dates for inter-county matches. These are now subject to negotiation between team captains who may not have been able to include all constraints on their choices of dates. A more final version will be published when information is to hand. Julie, a former experienced county captain has written some very useful notes for captains.
High entry for county team tournaments
2 September. All counties have submitted their entries by the deadline! Notts and Warks will have the heaviest programme because they have entered teams in every section. This season, there will be a match for the u100 section. The webmaster understands that their are consultations to determine whther the u160 tournament should be zoned.
MCCU 2010-11 Grand Prix entries
2 Sep 2010. The Atkins Leicester, Bolton, Manchester Autumn, Nottingham, and Warwickshire Congresses are in the 2010-11 Midlands GP.
Read archived news from the 2009-10 season