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Return leg of our friendly match against Newcastle
Six Meir players travelled to Newcastle Bridge Club for the return leg of our friendly match against Newcastle. On the top board, Alberto, Newcastle's captain, played the Sicilian Defence, slowly pushing Martin's pieces into a congested formation around the king, before capturing a rook. Martin resigned.
On board four, Roger, from the Meir, deployed a poisoned bishop fork to secure a victory. On board six, Newcastle's Margot was a minor piece down but played carefully to hold her own in the game. With his clock running down, Mark swapped off rooks, leaving him with a knight. Just before his time ran out, Margot resigned, and the overall match ended as a draw, 3-3.
An excellent evening's chess; the top three boards going to Newcastle and the bottom three going to the Meir.
England's highest ranking women's chess player - at 11 years old
Last month eleven year old Bodhana Sivanandan became England’s highest ranked female chess player. The numbers of women registering to compete is slowly rising, but the game is still male dominated. Anita Rani spoke on Woman's Hour to two women who work in chess to find out more - Sarah Longson, CEO of the UK chess challenge, and chess player and streamer Sarah El Barbry. Their enthusiasm is clear. The interview stars at 11 minutes and 10 seconds in.
Here is the link: Woman's Hour - incl Chess - BBC Sounds
The winners
Meir has won division 5 of the League, with 18 points; Holmes Chapel C and Cheddleton D close behind us, with 16. Crewe L pulled the cat out of the bag on Friday, April 10, and beat Cheddleton D, 3-1 at Cheddleton. We have enjoyed a good season, with friendly but determined opponents. Thanks to Bob and Ray and to all who have played for our team.
Nail-biting end to the season
In our final match of the season, the last game to finish - Dave from Meir and John from Holmes Chapel - looked as if it was heading for a draw. John was a pawn up but had a slightly weaker position; he went down to less than two minutes on the clock and offered a draw. At 1.5 to 0.5, Dave turned him down and carried on playing to see if he could win and make the match result a draw. He had recovered just enough to turn the game when John ran out of time. A very good-natured and enjoyable evening of chess. Here is the league table, showing just how close will be the final positions. ECF League Management System | ECF LMS On their current form, Crewe L are likely to beat Cheddleton D on Friday - nail-biting indeed.
Cup defeat and a League defeat
In the Perry knock-out cup on Friday 13 March, the result was as tight as it could be. Meir lost on boards 1 and 2 but won on boards 3 and 4. The result is decided by "board count". Wins on boards 1 and 2 give a total of 3, while wins on boards 3 and 4 give a total of 7 - Cheddleton go on to the final. Cheddleton fielded players graded higher than ours on each board, particularly on board 3, where Gwyn was rated 100 below his opponent, but scored a win.
A week later, we were away to Cheddleton D, on a busy evening at their base at Saint Andrew's Methodist Church in Cheddleton. It was a key match, as they are "snapping at our heels" at the top of the division. They won - 2.5 to 1.5 - a hard fought evening. Congratulations to their players! We have only one fixture to play - against Holmes Chapel, currently third in the table, but with a game in hand.
A popular Staffordshire Chess Congress for 2026
A popular Staffordshire Chess Congress for 2026
The new venue at Kidsgrove Town Hall proved impressive and comfortable for the recent local Congress . Players enjoyed hot Staffordshire oatcakes at Sunday lunch time (as well as five games of chess). Only one player from the Meir joined in this year. The event was fully booked. Thanks to the organisers, arbiters, and everyone involved in running such a successful congress.
Some of the boards as the friendly match was starting.
Newcastle players visit for a friendly match on 25 March
Newcastle players visit for a friendly match on 25 March
It was great to welcome the players from Newcastle for an enjoyable evening of chess. The games were played according to League rules and will be graded by the ECF. The result is available here: Meir V Newcastle | ECF League Management System
Friendly afternoon chess in Leek
Friendly afternoon chess in Leek
At Leek Baptist Church, Rosebank Street, ST13 6QA
Every Thursday, 2 pm - 4 pm
No membership fees, just £1 per session, tea/coffee included
Further details from Ziggy on 07726 202016
Playing at the Army & Navy Club in Pall Mall, London
Playing at the Army & Navy Club in Pall Mall, London
One of our members, Martin, went down to London for the weekend of 13-15 March to play in a tournament at the Army and Navy Club. His results were mixed, though he did hold his own through most of a long game against the winner of the Minor, before failing to halt a queen attack and resigning. It was an unusual tournament, with a dress code, in a most prestigious location.
A new club for chess players in the north of the City
A new club for chess players in the north of the City
The Tunstall and Burslem Chess Club has opened, meeting at The Old Post Office, next door to the Queens Theatre in Burslem. They meet from 7 pm on Wednesdays at this lively venue; visitors are welcome. For more information, contact Andrew Crosby on 07591 493839.
"Period photo" on the left
Playing for the County
Playing for the County
Bob, Gwyn and Roger turned out for the County Under-1450 side on Saturday, January 24. Two wins out of three, and many thanks to Roger for driving to the match against Nottinghamshire at Bramcote. Staffordshire had to default a board because a player dropped out, sick. Notts won the match with 6.5 - 5.5. The Under-1850 team was also playing - they lost 7.5 - 4.5.
Friendly chess in Leek
Friendly chess in Leek
Ken and Martin often go to play chess at the University of the Third Age (U3A) in Leek. It is one of the groups at U3A, and meets between 2 and 4 on Tuesday afternoons. U3A is run by volunteers for people who are no longer in full-time work, who are retired or semi-retired. All Members pay an annual subscription and members of the Chess group pay £1 at each session (which includes a cup of tea). This is friendly, social chess. One of the members likes the group partly because it meets in the afternoon rather than running late into the dark winter nights. There is a link on the "Links" page.
Staffordshire Chess Congress 2025
Staffordshire Chess Congress 2025
Bob and Martin, from Meir, joined some 90 players at the Staffordshire Congress on August 16 and 17. It marked the centenary of the establishment of the City of Stoke-on-Trent. The Congress was held in the impressive Kings Hall at Stoke Town Hall, thanks to the generosity of the City Council. The congress was opened by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Steve Watkins, who, after a short speech, played the first move on the top board.
Nearly half the players were from local clubs, while others had travelled to the City for the congress. The volunteer organisers worked hard to make the event an enjoyable success. There are more details on the Staffordshire Chess Association web site.
Bob won two games, drew one game and lost two; Martin won one, drew two and lost two. Both played in the Minor section (for players with a grade below 1450).
The Lord Mayor makes the first move on the top board to start the Congress
Chess in City libraries
Chess in City libraries
Martin, from the Meir Chess Club, joined the group that plays chess in Hanley Library every Wednesday afternoon from 2 pm. It is run by volunteers, guided by the charity "Chess in Schools and Communities." Sikhander Ali and Andrew Crosby oversee the group. They also started a group in Tunstall Library on Friday afternoons. Martin played in the first inter-library match, at Tunstall.
Players, from beginners upwards, can drop in, have a cup of tea, and play chess.
Library staff and the group volunteers will make you welcome. It is a sociable way to play chess "over the board."
The encouraging story of an inspiring Nigerian prodigy
Andrew Crosby, is the editor of "The Gift of Chess: the Ivie Urieto Story." It is a narrative that captures the heart of a young prodigy's journey and the unwavering support of her father who believed in her. It reminds us that every child, if guided by love and purpose can achieve remarkable things, in chess and in much more. The book is available on Kindle.
Andrew Crosby at Tunstall Library
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