Draw for Under 1650 Team

 The Staffordshire Under 1650 team visited the neutral venue of St. Hilda’s Church in the pleasant Leicestershire village of East Goscote to play our rivals from Lincolnshire. The match was played with 14 players aside. Staffordshire, with three debutants, won a close match by 7.5 to 6.5.

However, when the player rating history was checked it transpired that one of the Staffordshire players had exceeded the rating limit in the qualifying month and the scores were amended to a draw of 6.5 to 6.5.

We return to Leicestershire next month to play the home county, if any eligible Staffordshire player who wishes play should contact skipper Connor Whetnall.

Staffordshire Junior Championships 2026 Entry is now open

 The Staffordshire Junior Chess Championship is taking place on Saturday 21st November at Painsley Catholic College, Cheadle, ST10 1LH.

For a entry form and further details please check here.

Staffordshire Under 1650 Team wins first match of season

 The Staffordshire Under 1650 team visited Warwickshire at Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday 19th September and came away with a convincing 7.5 to 3.5 win. Congratulation to new captain Connor Whetnall of Lichfield Chess Club who had to contend with the loss of a number of last season's regulars who now exceed the rating limit, player holidays and celebrations, late withdrawals and finally the closure of the M42 which made travel harder.

The team featured players from the following clubs: Potteries Juniors, Lichfield, Meir, Brewood, Rushall and Stafford. The full result may be seen on the ECF LMS.

New SCA Secretary - Alberto Gissi

 The Staffordshire Chess Association Committee met on Wednesday 2nd September. The officials provisionally elected: President Stephen Smithson, Secretary for Junior Chess Chris Hankey, and Treasurer Peter Evans, were all confirmed in post. Alberto Gissi of Newcastle-under-Lyme Chess Club becomes General Secretary of the Association. The post of Social Media Secretary has been renamed to Publicity Officer and David Blower continues in the role.

Congratulations to Alberto and we wish him all success in the position.

Congratulations to Malcolm

 

Malcolm Fletcher of Stafford continued his highly successful 2026 in chess with his debut for England in the Glorney Gilbert International Chess Tournament in Limerick. Malcolm played in the Under 14 Robinson Section and scored a magnificent 4.5 out of 5, helping England to win the section.

This concludes a brilliant 2025-6 season which saw Malcolm move up to top board in the adult Staffordshire Under 1650 team. Here is a picture of Malcom with his trophy.

 

2026 Staffordshire Junior Championship 21st November 2026

 The Staffordshire Junior Chess Championship will be held on Saturday 21st November at the same venue as last season, Painsley Catholic College, Cheadle, Staffordshire, ST10 1LH. Full entry forms and payment details will be available in September. As in previous years there will be sections for boys and girls and different age ranges.

Congratulations to Jonathon

 Jonathon I. B. Blackburn, who stepped down as Secretary for Junior Chess last month has accepted the award of Life Vice President of the Staffordshire Chess Association. Jonathon has accepted the post of Development Director for the Welsh Chess Union and we wish him good luck in his new role and thank him for all his work for Staffordshire.