Under 1650 Season Concludes

 The Staffordshire Under 1650 team travelled to Peterborough Bridge Club to meet Surrey in the Quarter Final of the Counties Championship. For some of us it was the second successive weekend in Peterborough. Selection had been difficult, as well as the conflicting claims of the F.A. Cup Final and Eurovision, we had to contend with holidays and a “stag weekend” at one Staffordshire Club. Illness and sporting injury reduced the team further and we ended up with only 13 players.

The result was a clear win for Surrey by 13½ to 2½. Congratulations to Matty Blackwell (Rushall), our only winner and to Ken McNulty (Stafford), Peter Oliver (Tamworth) and Connor Whetnall (Lichfield) who drew their games.

Good luck to Surrey in the next round. They were sporting opponents who were patient with Staffordshire’s struggles to find a full side.

Thanks to everyone who has played in Staffordshire’s teams this season.

Annual General Meeting 2026

 The AGM of the Staffordshire Chess Association will be held on either Wednesday 17th June or one the following Wednesday 24th June. Venue to be confirmed. There are vacancies for President and General Secretary. Nominations to Peter Evans.

Under 1450 lose on last board to finish

 The Staffordshire Under 1450 team made their way to Peterborough to face Norfolk in the quarter finals of the ECF Counties Championship on Saturday 9^th May. We met at Peterborough Bridge Club where there was plenty of room to spread ourselves at spacious tables.

The match was close, Staffs lost two boards and then recovered. Norfolk took a two board lead and Staffordshire equalized the match at 5½  each. This gave Staffordshire two winning chances, a win with a victory on the board or a draw would have given Staffs a victory on board count. It was not to be, the Norfolk player put in his attack to win the quarter final.

Congratulations to Norfolk and we wish them luck in the semi-finals. Thanks to Peterborough Bridge Club for the use of the venue. The Staffordshire Under 1650 side are back in Peterborough on Saturday 16^th September to face Surrey, so if any eligible Staffordshire who wishes to help please contact captain Peter Evans.

Staffordshire Congress Results

 Congratulations to Neil Hankey and his team of organisers who ran a great Staffordshire Congress at Kidsgrove Town Hall on the last weekend of March. A great effort to hold the event so soon after the August 2025 Congress.

Alsager’s Jonathon Blackburn won the Open Section winning all five of his matches with former Cheddleton player, Jacob Connor Boswell in second place with 4 wins.

The Higher Section (Under 1850) was another Welsh triumph as Janie Roberts of Crewe took first place with 4 points. Also, with 4 out of 5 were Chris Hankey of Gables and David Hulme of Crewe. Just to prove that running a chess club needs not affect a player’s form.

The Standard Section (Under 1550) was won by U. Kachak, with 4.5 points ahead of Crewe’s Nigel Gardener who scored 4 points.

Thanks to the Arbiter team of Matthew Carr, David Price and Colin Abell.

Excellent photos of the event by Lilija Bekisa may be seen here, and the full results may be viewed.

Paul Sharratt RIP

 The Staffordshire Chess Association would like to send condolences to the family and friends of Paul Sharratt who passed away suddenly this week. Paul was a giant of Midlands Chess, he was currently the Fixtures Secretary of the Wolverhampton League, having formerly been Treasurer. He held many roles in both the Worcestershire County Chess Association and at the time of his death he was Chief Executive of the Midlands Counties Chess Union. Additionally he had worked with the English Chess Federation formulating safeguarding policy.

Away match in our own County!

 Staffordshire’s Under 1650 team completed their Midland Championship Program with an away match against Worcestershire. We played in the pleasant village of Kinver which is southernmost part of Staffs.

The match was at the home venue of the Wolverhampton League’s newest entrant, Kinver Chess Club. 

Worcestershire were the victors by 7 points to 5 and this has left the Championship wide open. Staffordshire currently top the table with 5 points, two wins and a draw, but we may be overtaken when Worcestershire and Derbyshire complete their program.

The match score may be seen here.

For the exploits of the Under 1450 and Under 1850 teams in Nottinghamshire may be viewed in this article. The Under 1850 team complete their program on Saturday 21st February. Please contact Peter Evans for further information.

Norton Canes Chess Club Match venue information and new Wednesday meeting site.

 Norton Canes Chess Club are joining the trend of playing at different venues on different days of the week. The new venue for Wednesday evenings is Grangemoor Working Men's Club, 112 Cannock Rd, Burntwood, WS7 0BG.

Grangemoor WMC will also host the club's home Cannock League matches on Tuesday evenings from February 10th until the end of the 2025-6 season.

The regular Tuesday club night will continue at the existing venue of the Lido Working Men's Club, 58 School Road, Norton Canes, Cannock WS11 9SQ.