NSDCA AGM Wednesday 16th July at Meir Chess Club

 The AGM of North Staffs and District Chess Association will be held the home of Meir Chess Club on Wednesday 16th July starting at 19:30. The venue address is The John Marston, 44 Longton Hall Rd, Stoke-on-Trent ST3 2NQ. Any member of a club playing in the league is entitled to attend. Trophies will be presented to winners of the 2024-25 competitions.

You are never to late to improve your chess!

 Jonathon Blackburn of Alsager Chess Club is  running a chess training day for adults on Sunday June 22nd. 10am-4.15pm at Newcastle's venue, Newcastle Bridge Club, King Street Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1EL.

The cost is £50 and with it being Sunday there will probably be free parking on King Street.

As there are only 12 spaces available please email Jonathon for any more info and to book

Jonathon states; I ran some of these sessions in previous years and thoroughly enjoyed them and had great feedback, depending on demand I want to add more sessions to the calendar after this - so even if you can't make it but are interested please let me know.

Ideal rating for 1000-1800, a mix of model games which encapsulate positional ideas and tactics including how to apply them. Practical training. Send in your games before the event to have them featured.

Season Review and Summer Congresses

 The 2024-25 winter season of the NSDCA has finished and in most of the Divisions and Cup Sections Crewe Chess Club has been triumphant. With the exceptions of Macclesfield’s triumph in Division 2 and Stafford’s victory in the Major Cup, Crewe have made a clean sweep of the leagues and cups. Congratulations to Crewe Chess Club on the tenth anniversary of their re-entry to the NSDCA as Crewe Rooks and Crewe Bishops. Please see the honours list for more details.

There is still a lot of chess to play this summer. The Staffordshire Under 1450 Team face Essex in the County Championship Semi-Final. Also, there are two local Congresses to enter, the Crewe Congress from Friday 27^th to Sunday 29^th June and the Staffordshire Congress celebrating the Centenary of the City of Stoke on Trent will be held on Saturday 16^th and Sunday 17^th of August.

Dick Martin Funeral

 Dick Martin, formerly of Alsager Chess Club has died at the age of Ninety Seven. His funeral will be held on Thursday 8th May at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Crewe Road, Alsager at a time of 13:30. The will be a wake at the Wilbraham Arms later.

Dick represented both Alsager and the old chess club at the Broughton Arms. He was active and independent until recent years and although he could no longer attend the club he would welcome his former teammates for a game over the board.

Geoff Laurence Funeral Details and Macclesfield Tribute

 Geoff's funeral will be held at Macclesfield Crematorium (Prestbury Road, Macclesfield, SK10 3BU) on Thursday April 24th at 3:30pm and then afterwards at the Cock and Pheasant (15 Bollington Road, Bollington, SK10 5EJ). 

Macclesfield Chess Club have recorded a moving tribute to Geoff on their website which is well worth reading.

More Trophies Decided

 As a fitting tribute to Geoff Laurence his Macclesfield Team secured the Division Two Championship with a home win over Crewe E.  

Crewe have also won the Open Cup (six boards) after a close win against Alsager. The scorecard may be seen on the LMS.

Geoff Laurence RIP

The sad news that Geoff passed away at the weekend has been received. It is understood he died suddenly at Macclesfield Hospital.

Geoff had been the secretary at Macclesfield Chess Club for many years, guiding the club through a number of venue moves and captaining the club's team in the NSDCA.

When funeral details are known they will be published along with a fuller tribute.

All clubs, players and friends of the NSDCA will join me in sending condolences to his widow Lesley and his family and friends.

PE

Junior Chess Event at Alsager Sunday 25th May

Alsager Chess Club will host a 10 board junior event on Saturday May 25th at Alsager Cricket Club. Juniors from Crewe and Gables have accepted invitations to compete with Alsager's own Juniors or Owls as they are known. For further details please contact the club.

Further Congratulations to Crewe

 Yet more congratulations are due to Crewe who have won the Intermediate (U1600) away to Kidsgrove last week. Kidsgrove won the top two boards but Crewe's greater strength on the lower boards gave them a 3-2 victory. For a report see here.

Congratulations to Crewe

 Congratulations to Crewe Chess Club, with the season not due to end until May the club has won both the First and Fourth Division of the North Staffs and District Chess League.

Crewe B have won the First Division with their club-mates Crewe A as runners up.

In Division four, Crewe H cannot be caught after their home win against Fenton B.