Herefordshire Chess News

Three Hereford players competed in the 3rd Worcestershire Open Congress. Richard Croot and Gary Rawlings played in the Open, but they were heavily outgraded and ended well down the order. Jack Huffer (Hereford Cathedral School) in his first adult tournament scored a very creditable 2½ points from 5 games in the Minor section.

June 2010, New Hereford Club Champion
At the end of the season the club tournament winners were: Club Champion - Gary Rawlings; the Premier Knock-out - Paul Barker; the Major Knock-out competition - Keith Jones; and Les Collard won the 6-round Leslie Baker Memorial Trophy.

1 May 2010, Mercia Megafinal of UK Chess Challenge
The Mercia Megafinal of the British Land UK Chess Challenge for young players in Herefordshire and Shropshire will took place on Saturday 1 May at Kingstone & Thruxton School, Hereford. For results click here.

15 April 2010, Hereford.
It has been decided not to hold the traditional August Bank Holiday congress in 2010 because no suitable venue in Hereford is available.

18th & 19th July 2009, Oldham
Jacques Teal from Pembridge Primary School, one of Herefordshire's youngest players, was placed second in the under-7 Boys' section of the National Gigafinals of the British Land UK Chess Challenge at Oldham with 5 points out of 6. Other Herefordshire schoolchildren playing at Oldham were: Michael Owens (Pembridge Primary) and Drew Bass (St James' Primary School, Hereford) both on 3 points in the Boys' under-8 section; and Michael Spink (St Paul's Primary School, Tupsley, Hereford) who scored 4 points in the under-11 boys' tournament. The most successful girls were both from St James' Primary School, Hereford: Jasmin Stanley (4 points in the under-9) and Kerrie Bramwell (4½ points in the under-10).

May 2009, Hereford
At the end of the season the club tournament winners were: Club Champion - Nigel Beveridge; the Division 2 Tournament was won by Adam Innes and Alan Leary; the Premier Knock-out competition by Les Collard; the Major Knock-out competition by Alan Papier; and John Waterfield won the 6-round Leslie Baker Swiss Tournament.

2 May 2009, Kingstone & Thruxton School
The Mercia Megafinal for the UK Chess Challenge saw over 100 youngsters from Shropshire and Herefordshire battle for places in the National Gigafinals. The boys' section winners - Supremos - were Jacques Teal (under-7), Drew Bass (under-8), Harold Nock (under-9), Owain Davies (under-10), Michael Spink (under-11), Athar Mehmood (under-12), Mark Richards (under-13), Jonathen Newey (under-14), Peter Mellor (under-15), Chris Lovejoy (under-16), Nathanael Paul (under-17) and Alex Taylor (under-18). The winning girls - Supremas - were: Polly Dontenville (under-7), Jessica Harrison (under-8), Jasmin Stanley (under-9) Laura Newey (under-10), Maisy Spalding (under-11), Tamara Herbert (under-12), and Angelica Dean (under-13).

2nd March 2009, Hereford
In a 6-board match Hereford Chess Club lost 1½-4½ to Worcester City Chess Club. In the home team, Les Collard won his board 2 game and on top board John Waterfield drew.

9th August 2008, Liverpool
In two tense tie-break 20-minute games Grandmaster Stuart Conquest beat Grandmaster Keith Arkell to become British Chess Champion at Liverpool. Keith picks up the English Championship title. British Ladies Champion is Jovanka Houska. For further information, viewable games, results of all sections, and scores of all games played in the Championship and the Major Open Tournaments, go to the ECF British Championship website.