The Staffordshire Under 1850 Team has been drawn away to Yorkshire in the preliminary round of this season's ECF Counties Championship. The match will take place on Saturday April 27th in Sheffield at the Sheffield Chess Centre. There are still vacancies in the team so please contact Peter Evans.
If victorious then a quarter final against Hampshire follows on Saturday May 11th.
The Under 1450 Team, Midlands Champions in their division have been rewarded by be drawn directly into the Semi Final.
It’s not too late to enter the Cannock League’s 25th Anniversary celebration rapid play on Saturday 20th April. Please check out the competition details and entry form here.
If the longer format is more to your taste, then you may still apply to the Crewe Chess Congress which will be held on weekend of 28th/30th June.
Walsall Kipping Chess Club have announced that Kevin Moore who represented them from 1996 until 2023 has died at the age of 87. His funeral will held at Mercia Forest Crematorium, Broad Lane, Essington, Wolverhampton, WV11 2RJ. on Friday 8th March 24 at 12.00 hours (noon).
Kevin represented the county at Under 125 and Under 100.
Please see this tribute from his teammate Peter Nixon.
Kevin was a longstanding member of the club since 1996. He turned up regularly to play most Thursday nights to play league and social chess. In my opinion he was the most dependable player that a captain could have. He played in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley and the Cannock leagues during his time at the club and also played for Staffordshire in the national county competitions.
Outside of chess he was a keen swimmer, swimming regularly every week. But at the club he was known for being a keen angler. It was his Angling that probably inspired his unique sartorial style, he would turn up in the winter months with a hooded fleece, scarf and waterproof jacket on. Nothing unusual in that, until you looked down below where he was barefoot in open toed sandals and sported shorts that would put most posties to shame.
He will be fondly remembered by me and everyone who knew him through chess.
It is believed that one of his club matches was published by Raymond Keene in a Times Column.
The Staffordshire Under 1850 Team faced a strong Lincolnshire side in the MCCU Under 1850 Championship on Saturday 17th February. After a bit of a last minute scramble a team of sixteen players was assembled and made the journey to the Leicestershire village of East Goscote. The team included two senior debutants to Staffordshire Chess, Bill Kimberely of Lichfield and Michael Andrews of Fenton. Its never too late to represent the county.
The match was a 8-8 draw with several of the games nearing the time limit. As a champion had to determined the Championship was awarded to Lincolnshire on board count. With Staffordshire winning on boards 14 and 16, that result was inevitable.
Captain Peter Evans would like to thank all the players and the match details may be seen here.
The death of Oliver Horrocks of Alsager Chess Club has been announced. Oliver placed for Alsager Chess Club for many years and he represented Staffordshire in the era when there were two County Under 120 teams. Oliver was a quiet, polite gentleman and it was a pleasure to play against him whatever the result.
A Service to celebrate the gift of his life will be at 11.15am on 22nd February at St Bertoline's Church, Barthomley, Crewe CW2 5PE.
The Staffordshire Chess Association sends condolences to Oliver's family and friends.
Gordon's Funeral will be held at Bushbury Crematorium at 12:15pm on Tuesday 12th March
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Cannock League, a celebration rapid play tournament has been arranged for Saturday 20th April at Ryecroft Community Hub. Entry forms and further details may be found here. Please support the CDCL by supporting the event.