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No Chess Club on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Back at 7.30 on January 7th.
Still at the top
Still at the top
Meir end the first half of the season at the top of their division in the Stoke League. 6 wins and one draw from seven fixtures give us a four point lead over second-placed Cheddleton D. Cheddleton D have two games in hand, but we have a better proportion of games won than they have achieved (similar to "goal difference"), so they can catch us on points but not overtake us. On Wednesday, 17 December, we welcomed an enthusiastic team of very young players from the Gables in the Stoke League's Perry Cup. We won 3-1.
Getting ready for our home match against Cheddleton D - photo by Dan, from Cheddleton.
The Staffordshire Chess Congress will be back in 2026
The Staffordshire Chess Congress will be back in 2026
There will be another impressive venue for the next local Congress - the Victoria Hall at Kidsgrove Town Hall. Put Friday evening, 27 March and the days of Saturday and Sunday 28 and 29 March in your diary. More information to follow.
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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