The club hosted an ECF rated Junior Blitz tournament yesterday, featuring 9 junior members, including several taking part in their first competitive event. The 5‑minute + 3‑second increment time control produced fast, tactical games and tested everyone’s ability to handle time pressure.
Despite a few dramatic time‑trouble finishes, the event was played in an excellent spirit throughout, with friendly behaviour and good sportsmanship from all participants.
Congratulations to the prize‑winners and well done to every junior who took part. We also extend our thanks to Charlotte B for her valuable help in running the tournament.
Final standings: 1st – Aditya 2nd – Ryan 3rd – Daniel
Click on table below, to see more detail including individual performance ratings for this tournament.
The 2026 Rapid Tournament was held over three successive warm July Thursday evenings. There were 22 entrants, although many were not able to play all rounds due to holidays.
Above is the start of round 1.
Our 2025 Rapid Champion, Jon Ady started strongly winning his first 3 rounds, as did Steve Harley. Next placed were 7 with 2 out of 3.
In round 4, above, Steve gets ready to reply to Jon’s first move as white, and Bob Wooding cannot believe he is on board 2 (It has never happened to him before) as he takes on Aditya.
The situation after round 5 was Steve on 5 points, Jon on 4 points and Ryan on 3.5 points.
After a tense last couple of last rounds Steve and Aditya agree a draw, resulting in Steve winning the tournament outright and Jon coming second.
There were some outstanding performances particularly by junior Ryan who finished equal 3rd with 3.5 points. This was Ryan’s first club tournament and he had some great games. Aditya, Bob W, Ollie, Sid and Tristan all finished on 3.5 points too. Also a mention for junior Jake M. who performed well in a tough field.
Above, Jon hands the Rapid Trophy to the worthy winner, Steve Harley. On receiving the trophy Steve commented “This is the first trophy I have won since I was 16!” It was a nice surprise to see Steve winning a trophy, rather than more usually handing them out!
Full details are in the cross table above. Click on it to go into more details, e.g. select a player for performance ratings etc.
The annual club blitz championship was held on May 14th.
Janaka said “Congratulations Simon. Thanks for the organisers and special thanks to Thomas, Daniel and Steve. Fantastic tournament and I had the best chess day in my life. The most noticeable thing in the whole tournament is the energy and the vibe that ran throughout the tournament. Also the tournament was very smooth, rapid and fast. I hoped everyone enjoyed it as much as I did irrespective of where you played top or bottom . Thanks again and heartful of appreciation for the organisers again”
Bob S said “Excellent evening. Well done to Simon and to everyone else who played. And to Daniel and Thomas for keeping it all under control.”
Mike M said “Thanks for organising (and running (and playing)) in the event!! Very enjoyable (if a little nerve wracking).”
Our winner Simon said “I suppose I should thank all those who made this victory possible, especially the two who blundered their queen, another two who lost on time, the one who gifted me mate in 1 when possibly winning, and at least 2 more who snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. I’m not sure I really deserve this win!”
The final standings of tonight’s tournament – thanks for playing all!
The Amateur Chess Organisation (ACO) 2026 World Championship was held in Kos, Greece in May 2026.
The whole event was fabulous. It combined a friendly well organised chess tournament, with all the benefits of staying at a luxury 5 star all-inclusive hotel in Greece in May.
One of the features of all the ACO events is the Grandmaster game analysis immediately after each game. This helps you really get to know your own chess strengths and weaknesses. GM Daniel King was on hand after nearly all my games and I learnt a lot from his personal coaching sessions.
Each event is split into sections by rating. My group was and one of the biggest with players rated between 1751 and 1900. Players from Germany, UK, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada, USA and Argentina all came together for the 9 round Swiss tournament. All my games were tough and close, but fun.
In addition to the 9 rounds of standard play chess, there were Grandmaster lectures, Blitz tournaments and a Grandmaster simultaneous event that you could join in on if you wished to.
My starting rank was 22nd out of 25, and so I was pleased to finish 7th.
Players came to the event on their own or with their partners. There was plenty to do between the chess games as the hotel has pools, a beach, cafes and restaurants. The schedule even had a rest day with no chess, so you could go on the organised tour of the island, or go off on your own or stay at the hotel complex. Every evening there was live entertainment in the bar area which could be enjoyed sitting inside or outside, all with inclusive waiter service.
This is the second of these type of events I have been to and I intend to go again.
Held on three Thursdays: 18 July, 25 July and 1 August 2024 (1st postponed to 8th August)
The Club Rapid Championship returns for its second year. This annual event determines our official club rapid champion for the year. Julien Shepley is the reigning champion from 2023.
Format
2 games a night, held on the Thursday club night for three consecutive weeks (6 rounds total)
Time control will be 20 + 10 (20 minutes for each player plus 10 second increment per move)
Results will be submitted to the ECF Rapid rating list
Play begins at 19:30 on each night
HALF-POINT BYES: each player is entitled to take up to two half-point byes in rounds 1-4. To request a bye, let the club know either by email, phone or in-person in advance of the round.
Held on three Thursdays: 18 July, 25 July and 1 August 2024 (1st postponed to 8th August)
The Club Rapid Championship returns for its second year. This annual event determines our official club rapid champion for the year. Julien Shepley is the reigning champion from 2023.
Format
2 games a night, held on the Thursday club night for three consecutive weeks (6 rounds total)
Time control will be 20 + 10 (20 minutes for each player plus 10 second increment per move)
Results will be submitted to the ECF Rapid rating list
Play begins at 19:30 on each night
HALF-POINT BYES: each player is entitled to take up to two half-point byes in rounds 1-4. To request a bye, let the club know either by email, phone or in-person in advance of the round.
Held on three Thursdays: 18 July, 25 July and 1 August 2024 (1st postponed to 8th August)
The Club Rapid Championship returns for its second year. This annual event determines our official club rapid champion for the year. Julien Shepley is the reigning champion from 2023.
Format
2 games a night, held on the Thursday club night for three consecutive weeks (6 rounds total)
Time control will be 20 + 10 (20 minutes for each player plus 10 second increment per move)
Results will be submitted to the ECF Rapid rating list
Play begins at 19:30 on each night
HALF-POINT BYES: each player is entitled to take up to two half-point byes in rounds 1-4. To request a bye, let the club know either by email, phone or in-person in advance of the round.
Held on three Thursdays: 18 July, 25 July and 1 August 2024 (1st postponed to 8th August)
The Club Rapid Championship returns for its second year. This annual event determines our official club rapid champion for the year. Julien Shepley is the reigning champion from 2023.
Format
2 games a night, held on the Thursday club night for three consecutive weeks (6 rounds total)
Time control will be 20 + 10 (20 minutes for each player plus 10 second increment per move)
Results will be submitted to the ECF Rapid rating list
Play begins at 19:30 on each night
HALF-POINT BYES: each player is entitled to take up to two half-point byes in rounds 1-4. To request a bye, let the club know either by email, phone or in-person in advance of the round.
