Coronavirus

Just a note on behalf of your committee who are worried about the coronavirus coming to the club. There are a large number of visitors over the course of a week, many of them elderly or infirm, and generally in close interaction, making the building a possible centre of infection for a vulnerable group.

The ECF have repeated the coronavirus rules so please take care, and stay away if you feel there’s any chance you may have it or have been in contact with someone who has. It seems we may all be at risk in the coming weeks.

Thank you

And all the best for staying healthy

John C Henshaw R.I.P.

Some sad news. John Henshaw, a first team player for many years, passed away a few weeks ago. The funeral is to be held at the Woodvale South Chapel on Friday 26th July at 4.30 p.m. I am afraid that I do not have any more information at present, though I understand that his death was sudden.

Dave Springgay

The funeral of former club member, Dave Springgay, is being held at Worthing Crematorium on Wednesday 7th March at 9 a.m. Players of my generation will remember how in the early 1960s Dave was the best player in Sussex. He won the club championship in 1953 at the age of 16 and his first county championship in 1958 when he was 21. Altogether he won the club championship four times and the county championship three times. In 1961 he played in the British Championship at Aberystwyth and came tenth equal. He gave up chess at a relatively young age, but has continued to live in Brighton. 

Christmas Cheer

We will be closed on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve, but fear not there are all these events to go to to get you through the bleak midwinter:

Coulsdon Christmas Longplay Congress
Hastings Chess Club Christmas Party
Hastings International Chess Congress

No more Wednesdays and NB Saturdays

Please note that our Wednesday evenings have come to an end and we are back to just Thursdays and Saturdays.

Also if you are still at the club after 6:00 on a Saturday please check there is a keyholder present - if not you run a slight risk of being locked in until Monday. (Current keyholders are Andrew, Geoff, Rob and Sue. At least one keyholder is normally present and will warn you if they are leaving.)

Wednesday rooms

This Wednesday 18th there will be a meeting in the through room (not ours) and any tournament players should use the poker room. There aren't any team matches being played.

Next Wednesday 25th is the KO semi-final which will be held in the match room - i.e. the back room, now set up with our match tables - and any tournament games can be played at the front. The poker room will be being used by overflow bridge players.

In both cases the library can be used as the analysis/friendly room.

Winter Wednesdays

Just a reminder we are still open on Wednesdays from 7:00 pm until 25th March (in addition to Thursdays and Saturdays). Next Wednesday the second team are playing Lewes 2 and the fourth team are playing Woodpushers 2. All welcome.

Christmas

We are closed on Christmas Day and Saturday 27th. We are open on New Year's Day, although anyone at a loose end may well be at Hastings instead.

Wednesday club nights

So we don't waste our Wednesday nights, which are paid for to the end of March, there will be at least one or two committee members there for the next few weeks for anyone who'd like to come on Wednesday for an ordinary club night. Some home matches are scheduled (12th and 26th November) and other matches or just casual play are welcome. This guarantee extends from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. We're trying the extra night because of the lack of space on match nights last season - so this is a test to see whether we can sustain three meetings a week - at least in winter. Brian Denman also runs a junior class on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 which could still take one or two more younger players. So, if you prefer your fireworks over the chess board....... take refuge on Wednesday.

First match of the season

On WEDNESDAY 22nd October we have our first match of the season when Robin's team - 2nd - are at home to Jan's - 3rd. This is also our first Wednesday match night! Please come and watch if you like and there should be space to play as well. We need to make use of Wednesday nights if we want to keep them.

The following day the first team are playing Crowborough 1.

AGM of the Sussex Chess Association

The Annual General Meeting of the Sussex Chess Association will be held at the Lewes CC, St Mary's Supporters Club, Christie Road, Lewes, at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday 9th September.

The organisation started in 1882 and is responsible for arranging county fixtures and competitions. It also produces a magazine once a year, which coordinates chess within the county.

You do not have to be of county standard or even a strong player to attend. Anyone who is a club member is welcome at the meeting.

Dates for your diary

Saturday 16th August
The club will be transferred to the Brunswick Festival in Brunswick Square - weather permitting. The Bridge Club will be closed for the day.

Saturday 6th September @ 3:00 pm
The Annual General Meeting. Subscription renewal time. All current members will receive the relevant documents in the next couple of weeks.

Saturday 27th September
Home to Dieppe Chess Club for our annual friendly fixture. Score currently level so we are putting out the strongest team we can muster! (And so are they.)

Subscriptions are due

I have added the club's bank details to the Membership Form. Previous members can renew their membership this way but please set up the payment with your name as payee reference. New members please pay with the Membership Form at the club.

Infant tuition

One of the occasional opportunities coming via the website:

Dear sirs,
I am looking for private lessons for my 6 year old son who already plays chess at the very beginning stage. I would appreciate any help and advice as how to proceed. 
Many thanks

(email address available on request)

Please note:

The club will be closed on Thursday 15th and Saturday 17th August.    

However there is the e2e4 Gatwick International Congress on then, running from Wednesday 14th to Sunday 18th August.

Hailsham charity event

Keith Osborne of Lewes Chess Club says there will be a charity chess evening in the centre of Hailsham on the evening of Monday 15 April. He can be contacted directly for further details either by email or on 01323 492158.

Christmas Chess

As the Christmas holiday dates dodge the all important Thursdays and Saturdays we are open all over Christmas.

On Thursday 20th Sylvia has proposed we go for a slight festivity and Julian has granted us use of the oven. Sylvia and I will be bringing in festive things to heat and share so bring a little something if you like. Otherwise just turn up - reindeer headgear etc. optional but bells on them probably a step too far.

After that it's Hastings again with opportunities to play at all levels from 28th December to 6th January, or just go for the entertainment with cheerily brilliant Chris Ward in the commentary room. You can't lose!

Any old mugs?

Are your cupboards bursting with old mugs? Make room for your Christmas presents by bringing your tired old mugs to the club where they will be fully appreciated. We need more to be able to cope on double match nights. Thanks.

New Gallery page and match room

The Gallery is now up and running - see new tab above if you are viewing this on the website and not just the blog. Thanks to Michael for help on setting this up. Most of the pictures up there are his as well. If you have any albums you would like to share send me the HTML code for embedding the album in a website and I'll add it to the page. (This is easy on Picasa.)

The first team and the fifth team are both playing tomorrow so the plan is to have the front and back room as one large, silent match room and chat, friendlies and analysis in the small 'poker' room. If you are playing an internal tournament game you can use the match room as well. Please therefore enter the large room very quietly and be aware of how noise carries even from the small room. This should make all match players happier and might be the way to go all season.

Busy Saturday

The Bridge Club will be busy on Saturday with a party downstairs and rubber bridge in the back room upstairs. Please use the match room and skittles room at the front.