Worcestershire Chess Association
Worcestershire Chess Association |
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Last updated 28 Agust 2012
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Worcestershire chess news 2011-12More recent news see 2012-13 page.
2-15 Aug. Headless Cross junior Ashley Davis represents Wales at the World Junior Chess championships in Athens, Greece. Lateefa Messam-Sparks and Henrik Stepanyan, who played in the Worcester Open a few days ago are also there representing England. 5 Aug. Halesowen is club with the mostest!
1 Aug. James Friar (Hagley) shared the second prize with 4 points in the Soanes weekend tournament at North Shields. Brother Joseph scored 2½ points as did father Jim, playing in the Atkins weekender. 27 July. Worcestershire players in the British Championships at North Shields. Four senior players are present: GM Keith Arkell (formerly Droitwich) is in the Championship: Alan Agnew (Warley Quinbourn) and Jim Friar (Kidderminster) and Stephen Crockett (Redditch) are in weekend tournaments along with two of the juniors James & Joseph Friar (Hagley). Ashwin, Aroun, and Anish Kalyana (Hallfield Sch), Aloysius Lip (S Birmingham), and Andrew Fergusson (Birmingham Checkmates) are playing in age-limited tournaments. 21, 22 July. Worcester Congress raised over £900 for St Richard's Hospice. Main winners were: Richard Jones in the Open, Jerry Hendy in the Major, Stephen Katona in the Intermediate and Stephen Crockett (Redditch) in the minor. See details on congress website. 4 July, Stewart Fishburne reports. The annual Tony Evers Memorial match was the usual friendly but competitive affair. Stourbridge won, for the second year running by 7½- 3½. See Halesowen website for details. 23 June. Joseph Friar, aged 13¾, Hagley Club Champion. Joseph, a thirteen year old England junior international player, beat his former coach Andrew Moore to win the Hagley Club Championship. 9 June Giles Stanton reports. Worcestershire u140 team lost to Hertfordshire in the national u140 county semi-final. Visit the MCCU site for details. 31 May. At Worcester City AGM, officers were unchanged and intends to enter the same number of teams in the District and County leagues next season. 30 May. Viswanathan Anand retains the World Championship with 2½-1½ win in the rapidplay games after the standard play games were drawn 6-6. 27 May. Joseph Friar (Hagley) continued his excellent form by winning the under-17 to under-13 tournament at the UK Chess Challenge Worcestershire Megafinal coming ahead of older players with higher grades. 26 May. Annual General Meeting. Richard Collett was elected captain of Worcestershire's u120 team. Richard Turner, his predecessor, has led the team to to win the Midlands championship and into the national finals is taking a rest now he has retired from full-time work. The association is investigating whether it can enter a further team in the Midlands county championships and Paul Sharratt will be the u160 captain if Midlands Union representatives report back favourably to the Executive Committee in August. Andrew Moore stepped down from the Junior Organiser position and other officers were unchanged. 15 May. Halesowen Club AGM celebrated several trophy wins and the club said farewell to Jorge Zavaleta, visiting young Mexican player, who donated a board to the club. Main officers and captains of Worcs League teams were re-elected. 13 May. Congratulations to Giles and the Under-140 team who beat Yorkshire convincingly at Nottingham. 12 May. James Friar (Hagley) won the Worcester Junior Chess Academy qualifying tournament for the Worcestershire Megafinal. 11 May. Halesowen do the League double! With results from adjourned games now in, Halesowen II confirm their Division II championship win and making Halesowen double champions holding both league and Division II titles. 10 May. Opening of Gelfand-Anand World Championship Match today in Moscow The opening ceremony is today and play will continue until the end of May unless the match is very one-sided. Information and results are on the match website. As part of the build up to the event, RT.com television broadcast a downloadable interview with 14th champion Vladimir Kramnik this morning. 7 May. In the World Schools Championship in Iasi Under-15 Open, Joseph Friar (Hagley, Worcs) was placed 27-31st on 4 points from 9 games. After an unrewarding start, he showed true grit to win two games in succession and finished mid-table. 1 May. Joseph Friar scores at Iasi In the Individual under-15 Schools Championship in Iasi, Romania, Joseph Friar (Hagley) was placed 5-8th in the Blitz under-15 Open with 4½ points. Halesowen trophy cupboard requires upgrade (28 Apr). Stewart Fishburne reports that Halesowen teams have won Dudley & District Division 2, Birmingham & District Division 4, as well as the earlier reported Worcestershire League Championship. The club are also on the way to winning Worcestershire League Division II because they lead 2 - 1 in their match with Kidderminster II. Joseph Friar selected for England in Romanian tournament (12 Apr). Hagley junior star plays in the under-15 World Schools Individual Chess Championship in Lasi 28 April to 26 May County u140 team through to England quarter-finals (12 Apr). Captain Giles Stanton reports that his team is paired against Yorkshire in the quarter finals. Halesowen in running for up to seven trophies this season (9 Apr). Stewart Fishburne reports that the club's teams have already bagged the Wolverhampton & District League's Division 2A title and are in the running for a further six. Halesowen are League Champions (4 Apr) Halesowen destroyed Worcester City in Division I of the county league to win the Championship - their first since 2006 - with two matches to spare. Fallowfield brothers in British Blitz (24 Mar) Nick and Jeremy scored 6 from 11 and were the best placed Worcs players in this tournament held at Quinton, Birmingham. The field included 6 FIDE titled masters and GMs. For full results see English Chess Forum. Steve Crockett wins Minor at High Wycombe (24 Mar) Steve continued his winning streak with 4½ points from 5 games. Under-140 County team retain Midlands title (10 Mar) After last weekend's win for Warks over Notts, Worcestershire can't now be caught. Halesowen Promoted in Wolverhampton League (7 Mar) Stewart Fishburne reports that their first team in the WDCL will be promoted to the first Division next season. Redditch net Townsend Trophy in BDCL (6 Mar) Michele Clack reports that Redditch are on a bit of a roll at the moment. Giles Stanton's team in Birmingham League Div 4 won the final of the Townsend Trophy last night against Mutual Circle 4a. Redditch players score in Warwicksire Congress (4 Mar) Redditch players Tom Robinson, Andrew Wiggins, Giles Stanton, Michele Clack, and Stephen Crockett won both team and individual prizes at the Warwickshire Congress held at Arden School, Knowle, Solihull. Other county players who were in the prize lists were Ray Collett and Rob Sutton from Worcester City. Full results are on the MCCU web site.
Halesowen sure of promotion from BDCL Div 4 (1 Mar) Windsor Peck reports that his team will go up a division in Birmingham & District next year. Stourbridge reach Terrill Final in Birmingham League (18 Feb) For the first time since 1991, Stourbridge have reached the final of Birmingham & District League's prestigious Frank Terrill Memorial Trophy knock out team championship. Dave Scriven reports that the match will be at a neutral venue during the week commencing 5 March. Stourbridge reach Terrill Final in Birmingham League (18 Feb) For the first time since 1991, Stourbridge have reached the final of Birmingham & District League's prestigious Frank Terrill Memorial Trophy knock out team championship. Dave Scriven reports that the match will be at a neutral venue during the week commencing 5 March. Stourbridge Chess Club News (18 Feb) The multi-storey car park opposite the Stourbridge venue is now closed ahead of its demolition. Visiting teams will need to use the road side parking available in High Street, Lower High Street and Market Street. The venue will then be a 2 minute walk. Please note each of these streets is one-way and can not be accessed using the multi-storey exit from the ring-road. If you need help with directions please contact Dave Scriven (01384 423642). Worcestershire's u-120 team beat Notts (11 Feb) The county side won 7-5 at home keeping their 100% record for the season, but must beat Staffs Terriers to retain their Midlands title. ECF releases January Grading list (28 Jan) Pavel Besedin (Worcester City & Latvia) is the county's highest graded player at 191. Worcestershire lose Minor Counties' tussle with Leicestershire (28 Jan) going down 7-9 to a side headed by a GM and including three players graded over 200. The Minor counties team has an outside chance to net the championship. Worcestershire u-140 team (21 Jan) walkover Derbys, that were unable to field a side. Worcestershire u-120 team (7 Jan) beat Staffs Bulldogs maintaining their 100% record. Paul Turberfield funeral (15 Dec). Paul died suddenly at home on 1 December after a long illness. The funeral was held at Worcester Crematorium and donations for Midlands Air Ambulance may be sent to AV Band Funeral Directors (01905 22892). For more details about Paul, please view the Worcester City site. Worcestershire beat Staffordshire in Midlands Under-140 Championships (10 Dec). For further details use "Under-140" menu button on the left. Tom Robinson third in Bury Major Rapidplay (4Dec). Tom (Redditch) scored 4½/6 in this under-170 event. Meanwhile fellow club member Steve Crockett was stashing away points so that he now leads the Midlands Rapid Grand Prix. Wheatley Cup draw published (4 Dec). Six teams have entered with a hearty welcome to Shirley & Wythall. Please visit Worcestershire Chess League to see the draw Worcestershire beat Greater Manchester (3 Dec). In the third match of the campaign for the Midlands Minor Counties Championship at Newcastle-under-Lyme Worcs won 8½ -7½ in spite of Manchester fielding an IM on board 1. On board 2, Carl Hibbard (Evesham) scored a good win against his 210-rated opponent. County teams ride high in MCCU championships (19 Nov). With an emphatic win against Lincolnshire in the under-120 competition, county teams remain unbeaten. Use the "Under-120" menu button on the left for details. Worcestershire draw second match in the MCCU Minor Counties (5 Nov). Worcestershire just held Derbyshire after going 2 points down at one stage. Worcestershire are now second to Lincolnshire in the table and face Greater Manchester in the third round on 3 Dec. Full details on MCCU website. Joseph Friar wins Minor at Birmingham Rapidplay (24 Oct). Talented Hagley junior Joseph confirmed his progress with 5½/6 and sole first place out of a field of 46 in the under-125 section. Kidderminster player John Wrench was placed 2-4th in the Major (under-175) with 4½/6. Other Worcestershire players were Pavel Besedin (Worcester) 3½/6 in the Open; Jim Friar (Kidderminster) 3½/6 and Gary Jackson (Redditch) 2½ in the Major. Mark Riley (Kidderminster) scored 4/6 in the Inter (under-150). Jason Pereira (Hagley) and Peter Seeley (Redditch) scored 4/6 in the Minor.
All county teams win in first round of Midlands Team Championships (16 Oct). The Open team scored its first win for two years beating Shropshire. Giles Stanton's Under-140 team also beat Shropshire in their opening home match. Richard Turner's u-120 team beat Warwickshire. See MCCU website and follow link to "County matches" for details. Derek Digger's funeral (14 Oct). Nearly 100 mourners including 15 chess players from three counties and all parts of Worcestershire gathered at Stourbridge Crematorium to pay their last respects to Derek. The congregation overflowed the seating in the chapel to hear a celebration of Derek's life. After the ceremony, mourners exchanges reminiscences at the Hasbury Conservative Club, where Derek's chess club, Halesowen, used to meet. Worcs under-140 team beat Shrops (8 Oct). Use the "Under 140 team" left hand menu buttons for result and link to full details. Bert Foord receives award from county association (8 Oct ). Andrew Farthing, CEO English Chess Federation, presented Bert with the county's award for his 25 years' service as the association's honorary treasurer. Bert has played for Redditch, Bromsgrove and Droitwich clubs as well as representing the county in correspondence and over-the-board chess. For a report visit Worcester News. Derek Digger loses fight against cancer (5 Oct). I understand from Stourbridge players that Derek's funeral will take place on Friday 14 October at 11 am at Stourbridge Crematorium. Details from Co-operative Funeral Service, Stourbridge 01299 879 458, donations to Cancer Research UK or the Parkinson's UK. The death of former Worcestershire Grading Officer and player for county, Kidderminster and Halesowen teams was announced 28 September. Derek was resolute and positive to the end. A doughty opponent over-the-board and faithful servant to a wide chess community that includes clubs in three counties through grading for the Worcester & District and Dudley and District Leagues, he is much missed. I know players' thoughts will be with his family. (Ray Collett) St John's team withdraws from district league (22 Sep). Nick Harris, captain, has written to district league officials to withdraw the team from division 1 because two key players are unavailable for matches before the New Year. The team have won the District League several times, most recently in 2009-10. Nick tells the webmaster that the club is going into hibernation and hopes to resume in the future. Joseph Friar wins at Leamington Rapidplay (11 Sep) Joseph Friar (Hagley) was placed first with 5½ ponts from 6 games in the Minor Tournament at Leamington Rapidplay. Nigel Towers and Mike Doran (both Warley) in the Major and John Varilone (Kidderminster) in the Intermediate tournament were just behind the winners with 4 points. Manchester Autumn Congress (2-4 Sep) John Pitcher (S Birmingham) was first equal in the Open, Alan Ruffle (Worcs/Derbys) won the u145 grading prize and Peter Kearns (Warley) the u110 grading prize. Worcester Bishops first to score in District League (17 Sep) The first result is in. Visit Worcester & District Division 1 page. County teams' fixtures dates announced (7 Sep) All three county team in the MCCU team tounaments will be in action in the first half of October. First in action is the under-140 team at home to Shropshire on 8 October. The open team has five matches starting 15 October against Shropshire. The under-120 team also starts on the same day playing Warwickshire at home. For details and all dates use the "Open Team", "Under-140 Team" and "Under-120 Team" buttons on the left hand menu. Use the MCCU website to see dates and match scores for other Midlands counties. John Edge knocks out Windsor Peck (26 Aug) John Edge has retained the Halesowen Summer Knock-out Tournament. Visit Halesowen's website. Worcs CA supports ECF membership plan (23 Aug) At a well-attended meeting all except one of the club representatives voted in favour of the ECF plan and asked the county ECF representative to back it. The vote came as a surprise because only a few months ago representatives had voted against. Are you up for Gold or Bronze? (23 Aug) The English Chess Federation (ECF) publishes latest proposals to fund English Chess after the withdrawal of the Government grant. Three categories of membership 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 ECF delegate, is aware of your opinions before the September ECF meeting when decisions will be made. Redditch promoted, Paul Sharratt is new Competitions Secretary (23 Aug) At the Executive and Fixtures meeting Redditch accepted promotion to Division I of the county league and Kidderminster I were allowed to remain in Division I. Visit Worcester League page for more. Worcestershire Open donates £650 to Age Concern (19 Aug) See picture of organiser Andrew Farthing presenting the cheque to Age Concern Sandwell. For older news, visit the 2010-11 page
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