Wolverhampton Chess Club banner

 

'Chess At The Heart Of The City and wider community...'

Home Safeguarding Policy Obituaries Contacts About Our Club

   
 

Main Menu

javascript DHTML Drop Down Menu Powered by dhtml-menu-builder.com

 

New Members & Registrations

Club chess play resumed, September 2021.

 Recruitment is continual whether you're a beginner or at higher standard, a junior or senior.  

Wolverhampton Chess Club Membership  Subscriptions 2024/25 as agreed at our 2024 AGM, £15, if paid before the end of September; £20 thereafter.

New members;

£15 September-December

£8 January-February

£5 March-May

Along with the above, members will need to pay £20.50 membership to The Forty Four Club, payable in January. Plus, ECF membership of at least bronze level, if playing league chess, as opposed to social chess only. .

  Note: a member may be allowed to skip ECF registration when joining late in the ECF year on the understanding that they will pay any board fees incurred in playing in rated League chess matches,  and

 However, prospective members can attend a couple of times for free and if you decide to join:

Choose your membership option.

Who do I pay club subs to?

Will Giddings, chess club treasurer.

Welcome to our new members:

|Tim Berry, Frank Jones and Steven Walker.

Note : Bronze ECF Membership can be upgraded to Silver, Gold, Platinum on request or deducting from subscription if anyone already holds ECF Membership

Pro rata subs throughout the season.


Website Updates

 

Note: Match results are added as soon as possible.

  • 30 April 2024 Chess 960 charity event update, news and contact table
  • -27 February 2022: main page reorganised, restructured  and archived
  •  an  July: Club announcement re expected reopening.
  • 2019:  BDCL, WDCL results added.  Events and trophy update.
  • 19/10/2018 WDCL Div 1 and 3 team results added from 18/10/2018 res21/09/2018 Humphrey's Cup round 1 results added.
  • 17/09/2018
  • New members welcome;  WDCL results added from 06 and 13/10/2018
  • 29/01/2018 WDCL Div 4 results added.
  • 18/01/2018 WDCL results added.
  • 16/11/2017 BDCL Div 2 S Birmingham A results added.
  • 10/11/2017 BDCL Results added.  Robert Marshall. 20/10/2017 CDCL results added from 19/10/10/2017
  • 13/10/2017 WDCL Div 4 results added and Club Rapidplay details
  • 07/10/2017 BDCL Div 2 results added from 05/10/2017
  • 22/09/2017 WDCL Div 4; BDCL Div 2 results added and Club Championship 2017/18 update
  • Some previous Updates

 

Welcome

Welcome to our Wolverhampton Chess club website. You can find out more about our club here and those who are already chess club members will also find this website useful.

Wolverhampton Chess Club reopened

Thursday 9th September 2021.

Still here with everlasting memories of those who have sadly passed away, and will be dearly missed. And now meets at The Forty Four Club, 44 Spring Road, Wolverhampton, WV4 6LQ every Monday from 7.30pm onwards. 

Wolverhampton Chess Club provide opportunities to play chess socially, and or competitively. The club runs teams in the Birmingham, Cannock and Wolverhampton leagues. Club Secretary as of the 2022 AGM is Phil Bull, and Rajeev Raghavan is the chess club's new chair. Please don't hesitate to contact us via our contacts page or visit the club for further information or chat.

Please note the chess club now meets on Mondays at The Forty Four Club, 44 Spring Road, Wolverhampton, WV4 6LQ 

So how much is it to join Wolverhampton Chess Club?

£15 for existing members, if paid before the end of September, £20 thereafter, and £15 for new members and pro rata throughout the year. Plus, a Forty Four Club membership, and ECF membership, if you want to play league chess. ECF membership isn't needed to play social chess. More details in Registrations section on this page.

Fancy joining?

Visit us at the Forty Four Club, 44 Spring Road, Wolverhampton, WV4 6LQ and ask a chess club member about joining.

How do I pay my membership fee?

  • Paypal, cash on a chess club night to Will Giddings, Phil Bull or Rajeev Raghavan, or by bank transfer.

But, you can attend a few times for free. So, why not visit, play a game or two, then decide?

Events

Pre-season Rated Blitz 12th August 2024


Wolverhampton Chess Club will be hosting a Pre-Season, 10rd, 5m, Rated Blitz on Monday 12th August, 7.30pm at the Forty Four Club, Spring Road, Wolverhampton, WV4 6LQ.

�2.50 entry.

All entry fees will go into the prize fund & be split as follows;

1st 35%
2nd 20%
Grading 1 15%
Grading 2 15%
Grading 3 15%

(Based on entries on the night... Grading 1 lowest 25% of participating players. Grading 2 will be up to lowest 50%. Grading 3 will be up to 75%)

August 2024 ratings will be used in the following order, Blitz, Rapid, Standard, (P) ratings will be ignored.

Everyone Welcome!

Phil Bull

 

Chess 960 charity event at The Forty Four Club

On 15th April Wolverhampton Chess Club held their first 960 Charity Cup, which saw 14 members battle it out over five rounds of Fischer Random.
We raised £70 from entry fees for a charity of the winner's choice, and with a kind donation from Andy at the Forty Four Club means we were able to donate £100 to Diabetes UK.

Congratulations Rajeev on a perfect 5/5

Phil Bull WCC Hon Sec Ches960Charity at Wton CC

 

 

 

Gordon Sands

Gordon Sands

A tribute to one of the finest I’ve ever known.
It is with immense sadness I share news that Gordon Sands has passed away, 29th January 2024. 
It was an honour to be on the same team, playing many chess matches for Wolverhampton 
Chess Club. And in the Wolverhampton Summer League, particularly when we became
 WSL Div 2 champions in August 2010, with other team mates Richard Dawson and
 Steve Wilson, and were featured in The Express and Star. Gordon was always one of the 
first to volunteer to help and play members of the public, for ‘Chess in the Park’ on our chess
 stall for every Wolverhampton Show in West Park from around 2009 to 2013, too. 
 
Like me, Gordon played the Sicilian, and particularly liked the Najdorf. I fondly remember 
testing our opening knowledge and exploring new ideas in friendlies, that were always
 interesting and fun as Gordon had a fantastic sense of humour. 
He liked a beer or two and enjoyed social chess, and was quick to console or congratulate 
fellow players with phrases like ‘canny move’. I learned so much from Gordon. But most
 of all I’ll remember him as a great captain, who nurtured his players. The best a chess
 team player could wish for, a charming, jovial, easy-going friend it was a pleasure to know,
 who brightened the lives of so many, who I admired, proudly, 
and affectionately called Captain Sands.
 
By Paul Walters, former Wolverhampton Chess Club team mate. 

I knew Gordon for some 30 years as I think we joined Wolverhampton chess club around the same time, he straight from school and me in partial retirement. At the time he was torn between playing hockey and chess. We always got on well and shared car journeys for some years throughout the West Midlands with club teams and much further afield to county matches and chess congresses. The one I remember particularly was in Telford. After making the effort to be there early on a January morning (1996?) we eventually found that our respective opponents had defaulted and we were obliged to play each other. 

Neither of us has been a club member continuously but when I returned in 2012 I was pleased to find Gordon back playing and he continued to support the club as a loyal player and team captain. During the Covid lockdown he played regularly in the club online tournaments and when restrictions were relaxed he continued to play at the West End club and the Clarendon. A change in work schedules then made availability difficult and following our move to the 44 Club he eventually joined Mercia where I played him for the last time just before last Christmas. As Paul says, he is sadly missed.

Geoff Rosser

 

To send your tributes in memory Gordon Sands please email Phil Bull, via contacts page.

 

The Frank Wood Memorial Trophy and Wolverhampton Chess Club Championship 2023/24:  

Well done to Steve Tarr on progessing to round 5. Will Rajeev Raghavan prevail in the final to remaiin Wolverhampton Chess Club Champion?

Can you be the champion? (New page launch!) Wolverhampton Chess Club Championship open to all members, thank you, Chris Lewis. Click here

Online play: Our Lichess online page is here, too, with links to play.                                    

 

   

The Frank Wood Memorial Trophy

The Frank Wood Memorial Trophy

The first Frank Wood Swiss memorial tournament held between 14th January 2020 and 25th February 2021 was won by Mike Townsend. Who achieved 1st place on 6 out of 7, just 1 loss in the final round to Tony Preece.  Congratulations.

Also, runners up, Phil Bull 2nd and Tony Preece, both with 5 points and thank you to all participants and to Phil Bull for organising.  

A superb tournament in honour of Frank Wood. 

Well done, Mike Townsend, who led all the way.

The Frank Wood Memorial Trophy and Wolverhampton Chess Club Championship 2023/24:  

Well done to Steve Tarr on progressing to round 5. Will Rajeev Raghavan prevail in the final to remain Wolverhampton Chess Club Champion

The Frank Wood Memorial Trophy and Wolverhampton Chess Club Championship 2022/23:  

Well done to Rajeev Raghavan on beating Phil Bull in the final to become Wolverhampton Chess Club Champion  

Wolverhampton Chess Club Championship 2019/20:  

Well done to Frank Wood on a very well played, great game and progressing to the next round after victory against the reigning champion John Mangwengwende.

Wolverhampton Chess Club Championship 2018/19:  

The Final:  Congratulations to John Mangwengwende Wolverhampton Chess Club Champion 2018/19 after beating Chris Cox in the Final.  Well done to Chris Cox on becoming a finalist as that's a great achievement too.

 

 

Club Events Achievements and Success

 

Exciting Event News

Wolverhampton Chess Club  Christmas Blitz
Monday 11th December, 7.30pm
At the Forty Four Club, Spring Rd, Wolverhampton, WV4 6LQ.
For more details email Phil Bull
  Wton CC Blitz Tournament 07082023
More pics

 

News of Success

BDSL Summer League

Well done all, 4th from top in the Open section behind South Birmingham, West Bromwich, Mutual Circle. BDSL 2019 Fixture link 

BDSL 2019

 

 
Wolverhampton League (WDCL) Trophies:    Humphrey's Cup  (U130 each player)  Cannock League (CDCL): Chase Trophy.  U551 for 4 player team  

2019/20:  Well Wolverhampton win on board count versus Stourbridge in round 1 of the WDCL Humphrey's Cup and beat Mercia 3.5 - 0.5 Wed 26/02/2020 Geoff Rosser, Gordon Sands and Eddie Badger won their games on boards 1, 3 and 4 respectively and Chris Cox drew on board 2. Well done all and on progressing to final which will be against Rushall.
2018/19:  Wolverhampton retain the WDCL Humphrey's Cup after beating Stourbridge, 1 - 3 in the Final. As in the semi final against Rushall, G Rosser and C Cox won their games.  G Sands also won. Well done all, and the entire squad that played at every stage in the competition.  

Final: 
Wolverhampton versus Stourbridge 14th May at Mercia Chess Club.
Well done all, Wolverhampton win the Chase Trophy after beating Rugeley 3 - 1 in the final 16th May 2019.


Humphreys and Chase Trophy finals  
   

                               

 

Champions

2014/15 2013/14 2012/13 2011/12 2010/11  
Club   Phil Bull Dave Wightman Paul D Walters (54.5 points) Oladejo Olaleye (107.5 points)  
             

Spring Rapidplay

    Mike Townsend (4.5/5) Robert Marshall (Quickplay 5/5) Colin Haughton (Quickplay 4/5)  

2011/12 : Club Championship : With the spring Rapidplay taking up the final evening of this year's Club Championship, nobody was able to challenge long time leader Paul Walters' position at the top of the table.  Congratulations to Paul, 2012 Wolverhampton Chess Club Champion, for his hard work during the six months that the competition has run and for some fine wins.  Long time challenger Peter Pearson-Jones came second, with Peter Hubbard taking third place just ahead of Gordon Sands in fourth and Barry Lewis in fifth place.  (See Events 2011/12 Club Championship section for more details and weekly club championship archives)

See Club Honours page for more details of success

Wolverhampton Show Exhibitors 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.

Wolverhampton Show Page

Website supported 1st Macmillan Rapidplay 2009. Press Release: Read More

 

Obituary section has been moved, see top menu

 
 

 

 

Daily Chess Puzzle


News: Club Publicity and Events:

Attention all members, Chess enthusiasts or interested in Chess:

Pre-season Rated Blitz Monday 12th August 2024 at Wolverhampton Chess Club, the Forty Four Club, Spring Road, Wolverhampton, WV4 6LQ. See mainpage for more details.

15/04/2024 Chess 960/Fischer Random charity event: Rajeev Raghavan wins with 5/5 and donation to Diabetes UK.            `

New Treasurer: Will Giddings takes over from John Lee, treasurer of many years. (April 2024).

Sad news: Gordon Sands passed away 29th January 2024. Rest In Peace. (Ref: WDCL website).

Read tribute and email your tributes to Phil Bull, Club Secretary.

Event announcement:  

The Frank Wood Memorial Trophy and Wolverhampton Chess Club Championship 2023/24:  

Well done to Steve Tarr on progressing to round 5.

Pre-season rated blitz, 7th August 2023.
Congratulations to Rajeev Raghavan, 1st place, with an awesome performance,  and to Andrew Adams and Tony Preece, whom both won grading prizes.
Wolverhampton Chess Club will be hosting a Pre-Season Rated, 5m, 9 round Blitz on Monday 7th August, 7.30pm at the Forty Four Club, Spring Rd, Wolverhampton, WV4 6LQ.

�2.50 Entry.
Congratulations to Rajeev Raghavan for defeating Phil Bull in the final to win the Frank Wood Memorial Trophy 2022/23.
And, to Geoff Rosser defeating Andrew Adams to win the minor trophy.

Main News Archive

News Archive and features 2011/12

News Archive and features 2012/13

News Archive and features 2013/14

Most recent News Archive and features  

 

County Congress and participation

 


 

County Matches and Staffordshire County Congress

Junior Chess and Chess Training site

Bloxwich Junior Chess Club

Sat 2nd February 2013: Simultaneous Display by English Chess Federation President Roger Edwards. V 17 Junior Players of the above Club. Read more

Exciting news : NEW Chess training website for kids. Wolverhampton Chess Club member and resident chess trainer Peter Pearson Jones has created and built a fantastic new Chess teaching/ training website. The site will eventually offer a wide range of chess training; introduction and chess training from the basics to advanced level. It is a privilege to be the first to see this fantastic new website especially prior to the official launch which will occur soon. Thank you and very well done to Peter Pearson Jones. An advanced preview here and the beginners section is operational. www.cyber-chess.co.uk(Site is still subject to some development and addition of further sections)

Cyber-Chess

About This Website

This site is an exciting venture and project that will extend the club's horizons by bringing a flavour of what our club is about via the world wide web. It is envisaged that this new club site will help promote Wolverhampton Chess and its Chess club as well as helping players and those with Chess interests. As of 26/07/07 website the domain name www.wolverhamptonchessclub.org.uk/ became operational.

29 Aug 2006 This site is now well developed and includes a Club History section and gallery. If anyone has further historic details relating to Wolverhampton Chess Club please email our webmaster.

As of 1 June 2006 this website was constructed but incomplete in parts as some sections required more information and content.

Site Compatibility : This site has been tested with a variety of browsers and should display fine and function flawlessly. If you do encounter problems please email webmaster.

www.regencychess.co.uk/