John Day RIP

The death of John Day, the President of the NSDCA was announced on July 13th. John played for Newcastle under Lyme Chess Club and its predecessor, Penkhull for many years. John was also a stalwart of Newcastle Bridge Club and would have been instrumental in Newcastle’s tenancy at the Bridge Club.

As well as his playing and being treasurer at Newcastle, John was a was a great supporter of Staffordshire Chess, not only as a player, but as a host of county matches at Newcastle Bridge Club. Everything was properly set out and with his wife Frances provided drinks and refreshments with great hospitality

John was a kind and generous man, and I am sure all players from the NSDCA will join me in expressing their condolences to Frances and the family.

If anyone has further memories or tributes, please contact the webmaster and they will be published as soon as possible.

Attention Club Secretaries and Treasurers

 This a message to warn all club secretaries and treasurers. A club in the NSDCA has today been informed by its bank that the club’s bank account has had no transactions for a year and therefore faces closure.

With no league fees or room hire costs to pay and an understandable reluctance to ask members for annual subscription with no chess matches, other clubs will probably not have used their bank account. If a club gets a similar letter, advice from the bank is to make a transaction or two.  Maybe pay your own subscription or pay in any cash float.

Abbots Bromley Chess Festival! Sunday 25th July from 5pm

 The Abbots Bromley Club and Jonathon Blackburn are holding a "Chess Festival" on Sunday 25th July at the Coach and Horses, High St, Abbots Bromley, WS15 3BN. Weather permitting, the event will take place in the large pub garden. Anyone and everyone of all ages and abilities welcome! 

The program is as follows: 

 5pm: Masterclass coaching session starring Wales Chess Champion and FIDE Master Jonathan Blackburn for juniors and beginners   

6pm: Casual & Friendly games  

7pm: Online ‘Hybrid’ Chess match vs. Dundee City  

8pm: FM Jonathan Blackburn plays a simultaneous match against all challengers, with prizes for winners!  

Interested or any questions? Feel free to invite people from beyond Abbots Bromley, and stay for as little or as long as you like!  

For further information please contact Club Captain by email Peter Hornsby  or call him on 0752866522 

Online Congress Winners

 The winners of the online congress are are available for publication.

Open/ Under 150   Winner Alan Paling (Newcastle-under-Lyme),   Joint Second Roger Edwards (Cheddleton and Leek)  and Ken McNulty (Stafford).

Under 120   Winner Ryan Wood (Stafford)  Joint Second Neville Jones (Alsager) and Kobus Nienaber (Crewe)

Under 90  Winner  Dominic Cooper (Newcastle-under-Lyme)  Joint Second George Bulbeck (Crewe) and Peter Evans (Stafford)

An interesting combination of both youngsters and veterans. Thanks are due to Alberto Gissi, David Price and David Hulme for all their work with the online competitions. Full details of all online competitions may be viewed on the LMS.