Junior Chess Opportunities and Training for the Last week of the School Holidays

 Jonathon Blackburn, The Junior Secretary of the Staffordshire Chess Association, is organising two events for Juniors in the final week of August.  

Wednesday 27th August - Newcastle Bridge Club, King Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1EL

Thursday 28th August - Mount Pleasant Village Hall, Scholar Green, ST7 3LG

The events will begin at 09:30 with an anticipated 1pm finish.

For Further details, please contact Jonathon or check out the detailed description on the Staffordshire Chess Association Website.

AGM Report: Julian takes the chair and Northwich join the League

 At the AGM held on July 16^th, Julian Cook of Kidsgrove Chess Club has been elected Chairman of the NSDCA. He has been assisting retiring Chairman Robert Milner over the last two years. Julian’s term as President of the Association has come to an end and it is hoped that Robert will accept the Presidential role so that his wisdom and experience are not lost to the league.

Next season we will have a new club joining. The request of Northwich Chess Club to enter the league has been accepted. It is not yet agreed which division they will enter. This is the first new club entering since the return of Crewe Chess Club in 2014.

The meeting was well attended, and the association would like to thank Meir Chess Club for giving up their regular club night so the meeting could be held.

Late News: Robert Milner has become NSDCA President.

Local Success at Crewe Congress - Congratulations to Jacob

 The 2025 Crewe Chess Congress was held this weekend. There was success for two NSDCA players in the Open Section of the Crewe Congress. Jacob Connor Boswell, who began his chess career as a junior at Cheddleton and Leek,  won the section with a score of four wins and a draw from 5 rounds. Among the runners up was Jonathan Blackburn of Alsager Chess Club with four points.

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