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New Members & Registrations

Club chess play resumed, September 2021.

 Recruitment is continual whether you're a beginner or at higher standard, a junior or senior.  

Wolverhampton Chess Club Subscriptions 2023/24 as agreed at our 2023 AGM, £15.

 

Chess club membership for season 2022/23 costs £20 (if paid before 30th September) £25 thereafter, and pro rata. 

Junior membership £10.

 Note:  ECF membership isn't included, and you'll need to buy this separately to play in our league teams.

 Bronze ECF Membership can be upgraded to Silver, Gold, Platinum.

Note: a member may be allowed to skip ECF registration when joining late in the ECF year on the understanding that they will meet any board fees incurred in playing in League  matches, and

 However, prospective members can attend a couple of times for free and if you decide to join:

Choose your membership option.

Who do I pay club subs to?

John Lee, chess club treasurer.

Welcome to our new members:

|Tim Berry, Frank Jones and Steven Walker.

Note : Bronze ECF Membership can be upgraded to Silver, Gold, Platinum on request or deducting from subscription if anyone already holds ECF Membership

Pro rata subs throughout the season..


Website Updates

 


Note: Match results are added as soon as possible.

 

  • 31 January 2024
  • -27 February 2022: main page reorganised, restructured  and archived
  •  an  July: Club announcement re expected reopening.
  • 2019:  BDCL, WDCL results added.  Events and trophy update.
  • 19/10/2018 WDCL Div 1 and 3 team results added from 18/10/2018 res21/09/2018 Humphrey's Cup round 1 results added.
  • 17/09/2018
  • New members welcome;  WDCL results added from 06 and 13/10/2018
  • 29/01/2018 WDCL Div 4 results added.
  • 18/01/2018 WDCL results added.
  • 16/11/2017 BDCL Div 2 S Birmingham A results added.
  • 10/11/2017 BDCL Results added.  Robert Marshall. 20/10/2017 CDCL results added from 19/10/10/2017
  • 13/10/2017 WDCL Div 4 results added and Club Rapidplay details
  • 07/10/2017 BDCL Div 2 results added from 05/10/2017
  • 22/09/2017 WDCL Div 4; BDCL Div 2 results added and Club Championship 2017/18 update
  • Some previous Updates

 

Wolverhampton Chess Club Member and ex-member Obituaries and Tributes

Welcome to our Wolverhampton Chess club website.

 

Gordon Sands

Gordon Sands

A tribute to one of the finest I’ve ever known.
It is with immense sadness I share news that Gordon Sands has passed away, 29th January 2024. 
It was an honour to be on the same team, playing many chess matches for Wolverhampton 
Chess Club. And in the Wolverhampton Summer League, particularly when we became
 WSL Div 2 champions in August 2010, with other team mates Richard Dawson and
 Steve Wilson, and were featured in The Express and Star. Gordon was always one of the 
first to volunteer to help and play members of the public, for ‘Chess in the Park’ on our chess
 stall for every Wolverhampton Show in West Park from around 2009 to 2013, too. 
 
Like me, Gordon played the Sicilian, and particularly liked the Najdorf. I fondly remember 
testing our opening knowledge and exploring new ideas in friendlies, that were always
 interesting and fun as Gordon had a fantastic sense of humour. 
He liked a beer or two and enjoyed social chess, and was quick to console or congratulate 
fellow players with phrases like ‘canny move’. I learned so much from Gordon. But most
 of all I’ll remember him as a great captain, who nurtured his players. The best a chess
 team player could wish for, a charming, jovial, easy-going friend it was a pleasure to know,
 who brightened the lives of so many, who I admired, proudly, 
and affectionately called Captain Sands.
 
By Paul Walters, former Wolverhampton Chess Club team mate. 

To send your tributes in memory Gordon Sands please email Phil Bull, via contacts page.

 

 

 

                               

 

   


 

 

 
 

Obituary section, members who've sadly passed away

 

Frank Wood  

Thank you Geoff and Phil for the following.

Frank Wood 2011

With great sadness, I write this brief,  interim post and I'm sure there will be tributes soon, an obituary and more.

Club chair of many years and in more recent years, WDCL Tournament secretary, Frank Wood sadly passed away Monday 28th December 2020 and will be missed by so many and remembered forever, too, as one of Wolverhampton Chess Club's greatest.

 

Tributes

I am saddened by the loss of Frank Wood, who was not only a good administrator and good player. He was also a lovely bloke. Condolences to his family (Barry Smith).

                                             -----------------------------------

I’m stunned by the news. Frank did an enormous amount for the league and for Wolverhampton as you know. Please pass my condolences to the family (David Fone)

                                            ----------------------------------

 A sad loss, a wonderful man who'll be missed greatly. (Phil Bull)

                                             -----------------------------------

Phil has called me with the news and it is indeed sad and a great shock.

Frank is such a gentleman and simply does not deserve such a cruel deal. I am completely taken aback despite the fact that this is my job day in and day out seeing and dealing with cases such as this. (Rajeev Raghaven)                                                --------------------------------------

 I’ll always remember Frank as he chaired meetings and awarded chess club trophies with Barry Lewis at Wolverhampton Chess Club.  His great sense of humour, friendly manner too and the privilege of experiencing Frank’s formidable ,Morra gambit and how he supported outdoor door chess club events.  Frank was always there at the helm and will be missed by so many.  Sincere condolences to Frank’s family, (Paul Walters)

                                           -------------------------------------------

Would you be kind enough to convey our condolences to Wolverhampton CC members re Frank. (Ann and Alan Ruffle)                                           --------------------------------------------

 Messages of shock and sadness have also been received from Chris Cox, Gordon Sands, Paul Walters, Eddie Badger, Dave Wightman and Steve Wilcox among others.


Phil Porter

Writing to  inform you of the death last week of Phil Porter aged 74 who had played in the local chess leagues especially WDCL and BDCL for close on 40 years and will no doubt be remembered by many players in the area. He will be sadly missed by many.

 Phil joined Wolverhampton Chess Club in the late Sixties or early Seventies though after a few years left and joined the Wolverhampton Kipping club sadly now defunct. He rejoined Wolverhampton Chess club in the 1983/84 season along with two other well remembered players, Mike Townsend and Robert Marshall. P

Phil had an aggressive style of play and chalked up a few notable wins against stronger players. Phil had not played in league matches for about a year due to failing eyesight though he was hoping to resume play after an operation which he was on a waiting list for.

 His other main interests were cricket - he was a qualified umpire In local leagues- and real ale which he espoused and consumed with equal gusto!

 Phil’s niece has told me that it is likely that some sort of celebration of Phil’s life will be arranged at some time in the future and that she would let me have details. I will pass any such details on to yourselves in case there are others outside our club who might wish to be involved.

 Best wishes. 

Frank Wood (25th July 2020)

 Wolverhampton Chess Club Chairman


Robert Marshall

It's with great sadness that I announce and write this. Robert Marshall recently passed away age 57.
A great player and one of our club's strongest and finest. WDCL Rock Cup Winner and played on our highest boards for many years. Will be missed by all. Thoughts and condolences to Robert's family.

 Near the end of 2020 Frank Wood passed away.


John Wakelam

And with more sadness, I say John Wakelam passed away in January.  John held the post of records secretary for many years and will be fondly remembered by many AGM attendees as John sat beside Frank and announced AGM Trophy winners and end of season team standings for the various leagues.  Condolences to John's family.


Mr Leslie Hesbrook: Les Hesbrook passed away 6 Nov 2010 at age 88.

Mr Leslie Hesbrook Tribute Page

Colin Bourne Jones passed away peacefully June 3 2011 aged 75 years.  Sadly missed but fondly remembered by all his Friends and Family.


Alf Schroeder

Very sad news filtered through at the start of 2014 regarding Alf Schroeder who passed away Dec 31 2013.  Alf was a longstanding member of Bushbury Chess Club but was a member of Wolverhampton Chess Club years ago and played on high county boards close to Alf Butcher.   Condolences to Bushbury, family and all who knew Alf, a great player who'll missed by so many.


 

 

 

Daily Chess Puzzle


News: Club Publicity and Events:

Attention all members, Chess enthusiasts or interested in Chess:

Sad news: Gordon Sands passed away 29th January 2024. Rest In Peace. (Ref: WDCL website).

Read tribute and email your tributes to Phil Bull, Club Secretary.

Event announcement:  

The Frank Wood Memorial Trophy and Wolverhampton Chess Club Championship 2023/24:  

Well done to Steve Tarr progressing io to round 5.

Congratulations to Rajeev Raghavan, 1st place, with an awesome performance,  and to Andrew Adams and Tony Preece, whom both won grading prizes.
Wolverhampton Chess Club will be hosting a Pre-Season Rated, 5m, 9 round Blitz on Monday 7th August, 7.30pm at the Forty Four Club, Spring Rd, Wolverhampton, WV4 6LQ.

£2.50 Entry.
Congratulations to Rajeev Raghavan for defeating Phil Bull in the final to win the Frank Wood Memorial Trophy 2022/23.
And, to Geoff Rosser defeating Andrew Adams to win the minor trophy.

Main News Archive

News Archive and features 2011/12

News Archive and features 2012/13

News Archive and features 2013/14

Most recent News Archive and features  

 

Some FAQs

 

Please note the chess club now meets on Mondays at The Forty Four Club, 44 Spring Road, Wolverhampton, WV4 6LQ

Fancy joining?

Visit us at the Forty Four Club, 44 Spring Road, Wolverhampton, WV4 6LQ and ask a chess club member about joining.

How do I pay my membership fee?

  • Paypal, cash on a chess club night to John Lee, Phil Bull or Rajeev Raghavan, or by bank transfer.

But, you can attend a few times for free. So, why not visit, play a game or two, then decide?

Can you be the champion? (New page launch!) Wolverhampton Chess Club Championship open to all members, thank you, Chris Lewis. Click here

Online play: Our Lichess online page is here, too, with links to play.       

   

 

About This Website

This site is an exciting venture and project that will extend the club's horizons by bringing a flavour of what our club is about via the world wide web. It is envisaged that this new club site will help promote Wolverhampton Chess and its Chess club as well as helping players and those with Chess interests. As of 26/07/07 website the domain name www.wolverhamptonchessclub.org.uk/ became operational.

29 Aug 2006 This site is now well developed and includes a Club History section and gallery. If anyone has further historic details relating to Wolverhampton Chess Club please email our webmaster.

As of 1 June 2006 this website was constructed but incomplete in parts as some sections required more information and content.

Site Compatibility : This site has been tested with a variety of browsers and should display fine and function flawlessly. If you do encounter problems please email webmaster.

www.regencychess.co.uk/