Stafford win Major Cup

 Stafford have retained the Major Cup after a close game against Alsager. The match was drawn 2½-2½ and Stafford won on board count, with Stafford winning on board 3 and losing on the fourth board with the remaining ties all drawn. For a fuller description of the match from Stafford's point of view see here.

Alsager A Division 1 Champions

 Congratulations to Alsager A who become NSDCA Champions with their 3-1 victory over Crewe B. Despite having two matches to matches to play Alsager cannot be overtaken. Several teams are in competition for Runners-up. Well played

First Titles of 2025-26 Season Decided.

Congratulations to Holmes Chapel B who are Champions of Division 3 and to Meir who have won NSDCA Division 5. Both Championships were decided on Friday 10th April when the challenging teams in each division dropped points. In Division 5 Crewe L beat Cheddleton D, which confirmed Meir as champions and the third division was decided when Crewe H triumphed over Cheddleton B by a similar 3-1 score. 

Holmes Chapel C are Division 5 runners up. Both Holmes Chapel C and Cheddleton D have won 7 matches, but Holmes Chapel have won more games.

NSDCA Division 4 has  been won by Crewe I after a run of five unbeaten games, including two victories over  as runners up Cheddleton C.

The Open Cup has been awarded to Macclesfield when the Crewe OC1 side withdrew.

Tables and results so far may be seen on the LMS.

Staffordshire Congress Results

 Congratulations to Neil Hankey and his team of organisers who ran a great Staffordshire Congress at Kidsgrove Town Hall on the last weekend of March. A great effort to hold the event so soon after the August 2025 Congress.

Alsager’s Jonathon Blackburn won the Open Section winning all five of his matches with former Cheddleton player, Jacob Connor Boswell in second place with 4 wins.

The Higher Section (Under 1850) was another Welsh triumph as Janie Roberts of Crewe took first place with 4 points. Also, with 4 out of 5 were Chris Hankey of Gables and David Hulme of Crewe. Just to prove that running a chess club needs not affect a player’s form.

The Standard Section (Under 1550) was won by U. Kachak, with 4.5 points ahead of Crewe’s Nigel Gardener who scored 4 points.

Thanks to the Arbiter team of Matthew Carr, David Price and Colin Abell.

Excellent Photos of the event by Lilija Bekisa may be seen here, and the full results may be viewed.

Gables Chess Club & Potteries Juniors Venue Changes

Gables and Potteries Juniors Chess Clubs are no longer using the Gables venue with immediate effect.

Potteries Juniors will meet at the New Finney Gardens, Bucknall Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 6AJ on Saturdays.

The Gables A team already play league matches at the New Finney Gardens on a Tuesday and now the B, C and D teams will play their home games on Monday at the “Gardens”.

For further information please contact Chis Hankey whose details may be found here.

January 22nd 2026

Ian Bates RIP

 Holmes Chapel Chess Club have announced that Ian Bates who served the club as captain, secretary and chairman passed away on December 17^th, 2025. Ian was also an International Arbiter. Ian’s funeral will be held at Birches Crematorium, Lach Dennis, on Friday 23 January 2026 at 2:00 pm.

A fuller tribute may be seen on the Holmes Chapel Website.

Staffordshire Congress Friday 27th to Sunday 29th March

Following success of the Stoke-on-Trent Centenary Chess congress last summer, the organising team  have prepared to run the Staffordshire Congress at Kidsgrove Town Hall on Friday 27th to Sunday 29th March. The entry is now open;  see here.

If you wish to help with preparation for the Congress please contact Neil.

Staffordshire Under 1850 Team

 The Staffordshire Under 1850 Team has two matches in the new year. Firstly against Nottinghamshire on Saturday 24th January at Bramcote Memorial Hall, Church Street, Bramcote, Nottingham NG9 3HD. In February the team will play Lincolnshire on Saturday February 21st at a neutral venue, St Hilda's C of E Church, Ling Dale, East Goscote Leicestershire England, LE7 3XW.

Qualified Players who represent a Staffordshire Club or who were born in the county and are of a suitable rating are invited to contact Peter Evans.

Latest Member Clubs Information

 Macclesfield have a new Secretary, Chris Riley and he may be contacted by email. Meir Chess Club have created a new website that may be viewed here.

Staffordshire Junior Championship Saturday 22nd November

 This year’s championship will be held at Painsley Catholic College, Cheadle, Staffordshire, ST10 1LH on Saturday 22^nd November. The event will be a six round rapid play with sections from Under 8 to Under 18.

For further information please see the website and entry form here or contact Jonathon for further details.