tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83521516961199976932024-03-16T01:10:31.851+00:00North Staffs & District Chess AssociationWelcome to the website of the North Staffs & District Chess Association. The purpose of this site is to provide news, views and information on chess in North Staffordshire and beyond. Please use the tabs below to navigate the website.
NSDCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14006439055819485673noreply@blogger.comBlogger2375125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-42799071951508896922024-03-06T15:53:00.001+00:002024-03-06T15:53:32.896+00:00Crewe Chess Congress 2024<p><b style="font-family: arial;">The hugely popular, and highly successful, Crewe Chess Congress will be taking place over the weekend of 28th/30th June. Entries are now being taken and you can click here for full details and an online entry form - <a href="https://crewechessclub.co.uk/congress-entry/">https://crewechessclub.co.uk/congress-entry/</a>. If past experience is anything to go by it is likely to be over subscribed, so get your entry in early to avoid disappointment.</b></p>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-55305022375108043022024-03-06T15:46:00.001+00:002024-03-06T15:46:25.522+00:00British Rapidplay Championship<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Many congratulations to Jacob Boswell of Cheddleton on taking joint 3rd place out of 219 entrants in last weekend's British Rapidplay Championship. Jacob finished on 8.5/11, just a half point behind the winner. He also beat GM Mark Hebden in the final round.</b></span></p>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-83922122985663864702024-02-29T15:10:00.002+00:002024-02-29T15:16:53.277+00:00Crewe 'G' Win Division 4<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Crewe 'G' have become the first Divisional Champions of the season. Fenton's loss against Meir on Tuesday evening means that they cannot now be caught, so congratulations to them.</b></span> </p>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-10784849284377195542024-02-20T11:55:00.001+00:002024-02-20T11:55:20.233+00:00MCCU County Championship - U1850 Section<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Staffordshire played Lincolnshire in the U1850 section of the MCCU County Championships on Saturday afternoon. The match ended in an 8-8 draw, but Lincolnshire won on board count. As the only two Counties to have entered a team in this section, this was actually the Final. As runners-up Staffordshire have now qualified for the National stage of the competition. This will be held sometime in May and we are likely to be the Away team.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>North Staffs were well represented in the Staffordshire team, with players from Newcastle, Alsager, Fenton and Stafford taking part. Please click <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CvwNtMedQ0lCtgqPkAunbcFbi5-Kty2s/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a> to view the full match score card.</b></span> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>If you are interested in playing for Staffordshire, then please contact Peter Evans, the Team Captain. He can be reached by email at <a href="mailto:peterfkevans@live.co.uk">peterfkevans@live.co.uk</a>, or by telephone - 01785 601928.</b></span></p>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-36309376267035322662024-02-20T11:23:00.001+00:002024-02-20T11:56:13.447+00:00RIP Oliver Horrocks<span style="font-family: arial;"><b>I have received the following from Alsager Chess Club:</b></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"Alsager Chess Club recently received the sad news of the passing of Oliver Horrocks. </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>He died peacefully on the 2nd February 2024 at the grand old age of 93 years.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>A very good player in his time, some current Members struggle to recall when he was first associated with Alsager, but we think it was since the 1960's.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Away from his chess hobby, Oliver was a community leader, formerly he was the Rector of Barthomley.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>He was the dearly loved husband of Pam and loving father of Joe and Clare.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>He will be sadly missed."</b></span></div>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-5772806735393252402023-12-04T15:38:00.003+00:002023-12-04T17:17:46.565+00:00UK Open Blitz Finals<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Congratulations to Jacob Boswell of Cheddleton on finishing in 8th place in this weekend's UK Open Blitz Finals. A score of 8/15 put him ahead of 4 IM's and a GM. Click <a href="https://chess-results.com/tnr851244.aspx?lan=1&art=4&flag=30" target="_blank">here</a> to view the final ranking cross table and results.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Congratulations also to Carmel Barwick of Crewe, who finished 8th in the Women's Fnal, with a score of 7.5/15. Click <a href="https://chess-results.com/tnr851246.aspx?lan=1&art=4&flag=30" target="_blank">here</a> to view the final ranking cross table and results.</b></span></p>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-40780874259411520502023-12-04T15:25:00.003+00:002023-12-04T15:26:16.235+00:00Yorkshire Rapidplay 2023<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Many congratulations to Jacob Boswell of Cheddleton on finishing joint first, along with GM Gawain Jones, in the Open Section of the Yorkshire Rapidplay, with a score of 5/6.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Click <a href="https://chess-results.com/tnr855133.aspx?lan=1&art=4" target="_blank">here </a>for final ranking cross table and results.</b></span></p><p> </p>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-66643221771377902732023-12-04T15:12:00.003+00:002023-12-04T15:12:34.729+00:00Staffordshire Club Of The Year<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Many congratulations to Meir Chess Club on being voted Staffordshire Club Of The Year at last week's County AGM.</b></span></p>NSDCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14006439055819485673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-88409811016342915832023-12-04T15:10:00.007+00:002023-12-04T16:49:19.667+00:00League Playing Rules Update<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The League Playing Rules have been updated to include the addendum, proposed by Colin Abell, allowing players rated U1325 to play in Division 4, regardless of what board they may have previously played on in a higher Division. This addendum was proposed by Colin after the AGM and agreed by all Clubs that replied to him.</b></span> </p>NSDCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14006439055819485673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-3251289586478725022023-11-08T22:08:00.001+00:002023-11-08T22:08:43.780+00:00National Youth Championships<p><b style="font-family: arial;">On the 4th November 2023 Staffordshire sent 3 teams to the
National Youth Championships in Oxford. We were represented in all 3 sections
under 12, under 14 and under 18. Thanks go to Jays Travel & Daughter
minibuses who got most of the players there as well as a number of travelling
parents this was one of the biggest contingents to play in such an event for a
long time.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;">Our under 12 side was very much a development team as most
had hardly played many tournaments and the results showed. We knew this before
going and the majority will still be under 12 next year so we have time to
improve.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The under 14 team had mostly started playing pre-covid and
were much more experienced, and we had some new exciting additions. With a
resounding 6/6 in the last round we managed to shoot up the rankings and come
joint 4th which is an amazing achievement. Isaac Stanley scored 3/3 on board 2
as the team's top performer.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;">The stars of the show were our under 18 team where we were
very strong, we even turned up with a reserve which was rotated round. Our top
2 boards Dylan & Joe took the brunt of the opposing team's best players and
allowed Stephen & Sean to mop up the middle order. Momin, Julian & Rhys
did great jobs on the lower boards and if you include the reserve match Rhys
came away with 3/3.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;">WIth 2 teams running away with it at the top we went into
the last round joint 4th with a team half a point ahead of us, both those teams
scored badly in the last round as we picked up 4 points to overtake them and
come away with 3rd and a trophy for each player! Well done to the under 18's in
this national event!</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;">Ou top performance though goes to a 'junior' who isn't
going to be a junior much longer playing on board 4 scoring 3/3 was Sean
Tavener... we wish him well as he moves on to adult life! Before he does though
we might see all of these players fight it out in the Staffordshire junior
championships on November 19th.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">If you haven't entered yet: <a href="http://www.staffsjuniorchess.co.uk">www.staffsjuniorchess.co.uk</a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></b></o:p></p>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-24720356286046553462023-09-23T14:39:00.002+00:002023-09-23T18:15:31.477+00:00Chess In Libraries<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Nigel Hancock of Alsager Chess Club has continued to use the opportunity
available from Chess in Schools and Communities to further his local library
initiative.</b></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Sets were first provided at Sandbach and the sessions are
ongoing with the continued support from Neil Hankey.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Alsager followed some five weeks ago and Tunstall began
on Friday 22nd September with a 2-4.30pm timing. The fourth library hosting
chess will be Kidsgrove from Saturday 7th October from 9.30-12pm. </b></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>These sessions are free of charge and are open to people of all age groups and abilities.</b></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The library
authorities clearly see the benefits of chess to all age groups (including
tackling loneliness in the older generations).</b></span><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>For further information please contact Nigel on 07955 827051 or by email - <a href="mailto:nigeljhancock55@gmail.com">nigeljhancock55@gmail.com</a>.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Alternatively, you can contact Neil Hankey on 07747 651145 or by email - <a href="mailto:hankey.neil@gmail.com">hankey.neil@gmail.com</a>, or Andrew Crosby on 07591 493839 or by email - <a href="mailto:atcrosby@icloud.com">atcrosby@icloud.com</a>.</b></span></div><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></p>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-26063183329436408042023-09-19T09:04:00.001+00:002023-09-23T06:42:52.386+00:00Charity Simultaneous Exhibition<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmdZdeORNhC39H4FY_WjOUGS9OgoFvN9OTQwKQXnO79D8dP0BO5zhhO0sIA-vyI09nRiFxQG5b9ZoLd8Qr7Vur7sEXRlnqxGcdqwE6qHESKewyEZxMXAUwrU-cUd5OtI7Jy4MaWCZak2ghlu_Pq5eoNMaMD55VUUZTRoiXYWtL0-Y4dJ_hOXYHrTOyv0Q/s671/IMG_5237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="671" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmdZdeORNhC39H4FY_WjOUGS9OgoFvN9OTQwKQXnO79D8dP0BO5zhhO0sIA-vyI09nRiFxQG5b9ZoLd8Qr7Vur7sEXRlnqxGcdqwE6qHESKewyEZxMXAUwrU-cUd5OtI7Jy4MaWCZak2ghlu_Pq5eoNMaMD55VUUZTRoiXYWtL0-Y4dJ_hOXYHrTOyv0Q/s320/IMG_5237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>FIDE Master Jonathan Blackburn will be giving a simuktaneous exhibition, in aid of the British Red Cross, on Tuesday 26th September at Alsager Chess Club. The entry fee will be £5 and it is open to all NSDCA players. For further information, please contact Jonathan by email - <a href="mailto:jonathan.blackburn1985@gmail.com">jonathan.blackburn1985@gmail.com</a>.</b></span> <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-9134318294600718632023-08-30T10:42:00.000+00:002023-08-30T10:48:42.157+00:00Newcastle-Under-Lyme Invitation ChampionshipThe final results of the recent Newcastle-Under-Lyme Invitation Championship have now been published. Many congratulations to Jacob Boswell of Cheddleton on finishing joint 1st, but actually winning it on tie break against an extremely strong field of players. Click here - for the results and final standings - <a href="https://chess-results.com/tnr798315.aspx?lan=1&art=4&flag=30">https://chess-results.com/tnr798315.aspx?lan=1&art=4&flag=30</a>.NSDCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14006439055819485673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-14388525011182840232023-08-09T22:37:00.000+00:002023-08-09T22:37:13.728+00:00Cheddleton & Leek Chess Club Golden JubileeMany congratulations to Cheddleton & Leek Chess Club on their Golden Jubilee. The Club was founded on the 9th August 1973 by Robert Milner, Phil Birks and Ashley Wood. To celebrate this milestone they are running a crazy chess tournament this Friday 11th August, starting at 19:30. This will be preceded by refreshments and brief speeches by the Mayor of Leek and Robert Milner. Representatives from all other NSDCA Clubs are invited to attend.NSDCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14006439055819485673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-50189203787224698942023-08-09T22:22:00.002+00:002023-08-09T22:22:33.760+00:00Newcastle-Under-Lyme Invitational Chess ChampionshipJonathan Blackburn is organising the above tournament, which will be running from Wednesday 9th August to Sunday 13th August. Please follow this link fior the results - <a href="https://chess-results.com/tnr798315.aspx?lan=1&art=2&flag=30">https://chess-results.com/tnr798315.aspx?lan=1&art=2&flag=30</a>.<div><br></div>NSDCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14006439055819485673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-87596325029794792742023-07-26T17:15:00.005+00:002023-07-26T17:15:36.570+00:002023 AGM Minutes<p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">The Minutes of the 2023 GM are now available to view here - <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XZTsXZ40JJzPKFzd7FzT3xJsMo0xMe9b/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XZTsXZ40JJzPKFzd7FzT3xJsMo0xMe9b/view?usp=sharing</a> - or from the tab at the top of the page.</span></b></p>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-12109758885638367902023-07-26T13:36:00.000+00:002023-07-26T13:36:39.284+00:00Staffordshire Junior Chess ChampionshipsThe Staffordshire Junior Chess Championships will be held on Sunday 19th November at the Co-Op Academy, Tunstall. Click here for full details and an online entry form - <a href="http://staffsjuniorchess.co.uk/" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">http://staffsjuniorchess.co.uk/</a>.NSDCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14006439055819485673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-74014938438046495162023-07-25T07:36:00.001+00:002023-07-25T07:36:26.489+00:00Newcastle Junior Chess TournamentA junior chess tournament is being held at Newcastle Bridge Club, 6 King Street, Newcastle, ST5 1EL. The tournament will be ECF rated and will consist of 2 sections - U11 and U18. Entry fee is £5, payable on the day. It is a 5 round Rapidplay tournament. Please contact Jonathan Blackburn - jonathan.blackburn1985@gmail.com or 07891 600114.NSDCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14006439055819485673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-62844632320911807992023-07-19T00:03:00.002+00:002023-07-19T08:02:36.788+00:002023 AGM<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The 2023 AGM was held at Meir on Monday evening. Several changes to both the Constitution and League Playimg Rules were made. These will be distributed by our new General Secretary, Neil Hankey, along with the Minutes of the Meeting, in due course.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>There were a couple of changes to the NSDCA Officers, with Neil Hankey taking over from Robert West as General Secretary and Colin Abell taking over from Steve Emmerton as LMS Administrator. Steve will, however, continue as Webmaster. All relevant Contact Details have been updated on the NSDCA website.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>We also welcomed a new Club to the league - Gables Chess Club, run by Chris Hankey.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Would all Clubs please notify Colin Abell, by the 31st August, how many teams they will be entering in the coming season, and the likely overall playing strength of each team, in terms of rating. Colin will then allocate Teams to Divisions, in the same way as we did last season. You do not need to let Colin know of your potential Cup Competition entries until the end of December, as the draw(s) for these will not be made until January.</b></span></p>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-987625599783168412023-07-10T19:50:00.002+00:002023-07-10T19:50:32.013+00:00ECF Player Profile<p><b style="font-family: arial;">Your ECF Player Profile is accessed by clicking on your ECF code on the ECF Rating Database. Amongst other things, it shows your rating history from 2020, and all of your ratings (grades) going back to 1994. Grades were re-calibrated in July 2009. </b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>For more information on your Player Profile, and what the various items of information mean, please click here - </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.ecfrating.org.uk/v2/help/help_profile.php">https://www.ecfrating.org.uk/v2/help/help_profile.php</a></b></span></p>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-50238806911738149242023-07-02T21:56:00.003+00:002023-07-02T22:32:23.674+00:006th Crewe Chess Congress<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>This weekend's 6th Crewe Chess Congress was a resounding success, brilliantly organised and run by Dave Price, Nigel Gardiner, Colin Abell and Chief Arbiter, Matt Carr. I've played in a lot of chess congresses and this is up there with the best of them, and the Crewe Alexandra FC stadium is a wonderful venue. If you're looking to play in a chess congress, then look no further than this one. The 7th Congress, I'm told, will be over the same weekend in 2024, so put it in your diary.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Congratulation to those local players who were successful, with Martin Burns (Crewe) winning the Major (U1950) with 4.5/5 and Lukasz Michalek and Julian Hawthorne (both Crewe) finishing joint 2nd in the Intermediate (U1725) with 4/5 and Jonathan Blackburn (Alsager) finishing joint 2nd in the Open with 4/5.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>All of the results can be found on <a href="http://www.chess-resultsa.com">www.chess-results.com</a> - just do a Tournament Search for Crewe.</b></span></p>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-45730799366205410292023-06-13T16:26:00.001+00:002023-06-13T16:26:27.468+00:00NSDCA TrophiesIf any Clubs are still in possession of any NSDCA League or Cup trophies, could they please let Steve Emmerton know ASAP, in order that we can arrange for their return before the AGM on the 17th July.NSDCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14006439055819485673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-49399831017536872352023-06-11T20:34:00.000+00:002023-06-11T20:34:52.282+00:00RIP Derek NorthageKidsgrove are very sad to have to announce the passing of Derek Northage. Derek played for Kidsgrove for many years, playing his last competitive game in late March. He had played chess for over 80 years and continued to play competitive chess well into his 90’s. He had also previously played for Newcastle. Despite developing physical frailties, his chess mind was strong up until the end. NSDCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14006439055819485673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-13847127088626886242023-06-02T16:45:00.003+00:002023-06-02T16:45:50.841+00:00Club Calendars<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Does your Club have a Google account ? ie: a Gmail address and, by definition, a Google Calendar. If so, did you know that you can import your fixtures from LMS directly into your Google Calendar for displaying on your website ? If you would like more information on how to do this, then please contact Steve Emmerton. It really is very simple to do and will give your Members an overview of all of your fixtures from your website.</b></span></p>stalag45http://www.blogger.com/profile/01391185608612036048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352151696119997693.post-39089432185854159022023-06-02T15:17:00.001+00:002023-06-02T15:17:29.688+00:00Crewe On The Move<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Crewe have moved venue, with immediate effect. As from next Tuesday 6th June they will be based at St Marys Caritas Centre, 65 Delamere Street, Crewe, CW1 2JX. Their Club night is also changing from Wednesday to Tuesday. You will need to register your car details on arriving at the new venue. There is no bar but you are welcome to bring your own drinks.</b></span></div>NSDCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14006439055819485673noreply@blogger.com