2015 British Chess Championships - in our 'back yard'

The 2015 British Chess Championships will take place at the University of Warwick from 25 July to 8 August. (No excuses for not being there).

Apart from the main championship there are many competitions to suit all tastes including ones of varying length and catering for various grading bands. (Information on who can play is shown here). There will also be shopping and other draws for those who are in the vicinity ...

So, if you might want to play or watch then don't book your holiday in that period.

The website for more information is http://britishchesschampionships.co.uk/ (currently showing mostly information about the 2014 event - this will give you an idea of what you could be in for).  Note that there is a downloadable file about the 2015 tournament covering the accommodation options on campus here.

Maybe this would be a good opportunity to publicise the club? I would be up for making us a banner  to display if Nigel and Bob don't think that is too tacky :-)

July 2014 Grading List Published

The July 2014 grading list has been published here today.

A copy of the club data is here in case the ecf site is busy.

Reminder about the importance of supporting club venues with your custom

COPIED FROM CDCL WEBSITE:

Recently at a Nuneaton Club match a member of staff there spotted a visiting player (not one of ours) who had a drink not bought on the premises. You are reminded that all the venues we use expect you to buy your drinks while there rather than bringing them along with you.

Some chess clubs have in the past been required to change venue because of this happening and also because, frankly, chess players don't buy a lot at the bar even when they are buying all their drinks there. We are not the most profitable sort of club to host.

Even bringing your own water/soft drinks into the venue could be considered a problem so please don't do it. We have some very supportive venues and we need to support them. Your active co-operation is required. Thanks.

(Posted on behalf of Mike Johnson - wording is mine rather than his).

Jamie Kearneys game v Cov A

Jamie Kearney played a wonderful game last week in the match between Rugby A and Coventry A. The Queen sac is lovely to see. He had to get everything right in the last few otherwise he was mated himself !

Warwickshire Open Chess Congress 2014

Details and an entry form for the 2014 Warwickshire Open Chess Congress on 1st and 2nd March are online at http://congress.warwickshirechess.org/  .

New Grading List Published

The January 2014 grading list has been published here today.

The site seems to be struggling with traffic right now, so here is a copy of  the club data from one occasion when I got through.

Jonathan Payne: Notice of funeral arrangements

Some of you may already know the very sad news about Jonathan Payne (14), a member of the Junior Chess Club over several years and regular player for the past few seasons in club matches (CDCL and Leamington League). He died in a fatal accident shortly before Christmas. An obituary notice from the Coventry Evening Telegraph including information about his funeral arrangements is copied below.

As Bob Wildig (Club Secretary and organiser of the Junior Chess Club) noted in a message to Jonathan's dad Mark, Jonathan came to our club without fail ever since we started and it was great to see him getting better and better. The Junior Club and the teams he played for will miss him so much.

As one of his teamates (in Rugby C) I can say that it has been great to see him playing so strongly in matches this year, frequently as Board 1. He was always willing to turn out for games (something that Captain Jim particularly appreciated) and he clearly loved playing chess. This year his hard work was rewarded with some notable successes in Junior tournaments, winning second place in the Northamtonshire championships and also qualifying for the Gigafinal. He was a player of great promise and impressive dedication.

The club extends its sympathy to Jonathan's family at this very sad time.

Note that donations rather than flowers are requested and the club will donate from club funds.