Details of adult chess are in the left hand column, junior chess in the right hand column below.   Watford teams compete in the national league, local leagues and other over-the-board events, as well as online.

 

 
OLD PULLER CUP, 19 OCTOBER 2024
 
OPEN:   Watford 13.5, St Albans 10, Hertford 6.5
 
STARS BARRED (U1750):  Hemel Hempstead 15.5, St Albans 10.5, Watford 10, Enfield 8, Watford Juniors 6
 

 

4 NATIONS CHESS LEAGUE, 9-10 NOVEMBER   In round 1, Watford A play Castell Nedd (Wales) while Watford B meet Warrington Mates.

 

 
CLUB INFORMATION
 
 

Watford Chess Club's venue is Herts Bowling Club, Bellmount Wood Avenue, Watford, WD17 3BT. Club nights are on Mondays for both adults (7.30 onwards) and juniors (6.0 onwards).   The club is assessed as a 'Centre of Excellence' on the English Chess Federation's junior development pathway.

 

The club's Adjourned Annual General Meeting took place on 16 September.   Agenda, and Minutes of the July AGM, appear below with September's draft minutes. 

 

Club nights are from 6.0 until 10.45 (but no obligation to stay late!) on Monday evenings at Herts Bowling Club in West Watford, a comfortable and spacious venue.   As well as the playing area, there's normally an overflow lounge area where parents can sit and relax while their progeny checkmate one another.   The bar isn't usually staffed but there are three admirable vending machines (cash only) respectively dispensing coffee, cold drinks and nibbles.

 

Intending new members of all levels and abilities (with the obvious proviso that they know how to play chess) are welcome - but, if it's your first visit, we recommend contacting us first to let us know you're coming.  That way, we know to expect you.  Club policy is that newcomers are allowed two visits (as from 1 September, one free visit) as guests to sample the atmosphere and decide whether they wish to apply to join the club.  This website aims to give full information about the club but, if you find there is anything not covered here, please use the "Contact Us" facility and a committee member will get in touch. 

 

Adults and juniors play competitively.  League match programme for 2024-25 is as follows:

4 Nations Chess League (4NCL) - two teams, dates on fixtures list

Junior 4 Nations Chess League (J4NCL) - to be decided

Hertfordshire League - two teams, dates to 31 January on fixtures list 

Hillingdon League - two teams (juniors only), dates to follo

World Chess League.live - one junior 6team (Chess.com)

Online 4NCL - one team (Lichess), dates to 31 December on fixtures list

Online Junior 4NCL - one team (Lichess), dates to 31 December on fixtures list

6

 

We have to report the sad news that Keith Hylands has died. Keith's membership of Watford Chess Club goes back to at least 2005 and he last played in a club match on 29 April. Keith was never a star player but he was a thoroughly nice guy, genuinely well-liked by those who knew him. As well as club chess, he was a regular at weekend tournaments, most recently playing in the Isle of Wight Congress earlier in April. 

 

We also learn of the death of former club member Edwin Kalerwa.   Edwin last played for the club in 2015, having been granted asylum in the UK after fleeing oppression in his home country in Africa.   A memorial service is planned, details to follow.

 

And, giving credence to the notion that deaths happen in threes, we receive confirmation that former club member Simon Charles has also passed away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 4 NATIONS CHESS LEAGUE

In the 2023-24 season, Watford "A" finished 10th out of 27 teams (+5 =1 -5) in Division 4.   This was a disappointing result compared to previous years, largely attributable to the loss of several of the club's middle-ranking players although the playing locations (Warwick and, worse still, Telford) did not help.  Consequently we had difficulty raising a "B" team which took part in only one of the five weekends.  

For 2024-25, the venues are somewhat better - 9-10 November at Peterborough, 11-12 January at Coventry, 15-16 February and 12-13 April at Peterborough, and 3-5 May at Coventry.   As a result, the club will again run a "B" team.

One (long) game per day.  Time control in this event is first 40 moves in 90 minutes with another 30 minutes for all remaining moves plus 30-second increments per move starting at move 1. 

 

Above - the 4NCL scene before the action starts

 

4 NATIONS CHESS LEAGUE ONLINE 

See above.  Contact Paul Litttlefair if interested.

 

HERTFORDSHIRE CHESS LEAGUE

 

See above.   Use "Contact us" tab if interested.

 

 
Minutes of the Annual General Meetings held on 5 September 2022 and 11 September 2023 (and Adjourned AGM on 18 December 2023) and the Extraordinary General Meetings held on 19 September 2022, 13 February, 28 August 2023 and 8 January 2024 have been moved to the 'Club Constitution' page of this website.
 
 
MINUTES OF AGM HELD ON 22 JULY 2024
 
1.   Appointment of chair and minute-taker
 
 There was a quorum at the meeting which appointed Roger Lancaster as chair and Ushma Chadha as minute-taker. 
  • Roger Lancaster (RL) appointed as Chair
  • Ushma Chadha (UC) appointed as minute taker
2.   Apologies for absence 
None.      
 
3.   To approve the minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 11 September 2023 (these minutes appear on the club website and will not be read aloud at this AGM, the presumption being that all will have read them in advance) and deal with any matters arising therefrom
Nothing to consider.
 
4.   To approve the minutes of the Adjourned General Meeting held on 18 December 2023 (these minutes appear on the club website and will not be read aloud at this AGM, the presumption being that all will have read them in advance) and deal with any matters arising therefrom
Nothing to consider.
 
5.   To approve the minutes of the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 8 January 2024 (these minutes appear on the club website and will not be read aloud at this AGM, the presumption being that all will have read them in advance) and any matters arising therefrom
Nothing to consider.
 
6.   To consider the club's accounts for the previous financial year.   Due to the financial year-end change and the club's well-publicised banking difficulties at the turn of the year, full consideration of the accounts will necessarily be deferred until a later meeting. 
Agreed to defer review of accounts until a later meeting.
 
7.   To receive a report on the previous year's activities from the committee.   This has already been circulated and will not be read aloud at the meeting but matters arising therefrom will be discussed.
Received and nothing to consider
 
8.   To receive the committee's recommendations for annual subscriptions and fees for the year beginning 1 October 2024
      (a)   For the general membership, being those who attend club nights, £85 due on 1 October discounted to £80 for those whose payments are made by 1st Sept
      (b) A new category of junior membership introduced  - "temporary membership" at £25 for three months - during which period a junior's performance and behaviour will be monitored by the committee.   If satisfactory, the junior will be offered a conversion to full membership at the appropriate rate less the £25 already paid.    This would apply more or less immediately to new juniors (unless a sufficient ECF rating already achieved) and to a minority of existing junior members once their present annual subscriptions expire on 30 September 2024.  Attendance is limited club nights only.
      (c)   For those who do not attend club nights or are social members only, £20 along with a per board fee for events.
  • It was also agreed that the committee would meet again in September to discuss fee structures and junior member engagement for matches representing the club. 
  • Free "trial" visits for those wishing to join the club are limited to one visit and thereafter membership
9   To elect Officers and committee for the year beginning 1 October 2024 (although, to ensure smooth transition) these become effective immediately.   Current postholders are:
 
President - vacant
Secretary - Ushma Chadha
Treasurer - Sagar Patel
Juniors Secretary - Roger Lancaster
Membership Secretary - Ewan Davids
Other Committee Members - Amit Salvi, Maya Saujani (4 permitted by constitution)
 
We welcomed the addition of new committee members Jaymini Ichharam and Ishaan Chadha.
 
10.    To discuss appointment of team captains/managers.   Current situation appears to be as follows:
 
4NCL:   One or both teams = Roger Lancaster
Hertfordshire League:    Watford 1 = Amit Salvi, Watford 2 = Ewan Davids
Hillingdon League:   One or both teams = Roger Lancaster
Online 4NCL = Paul Littlefair
Online Junior 4NCL = Neelima Mn
 
11.  To agree Monday 16 September for an Adjourned AGM to receive and approve the club's accounts - see item 6 above - and deal with any other relevant matters arising in the intervening period
Agreed
 
12.  Any other business
Review of whether insurance required for Watford Chess Club Committee - Ushma Chadha to review
Safeguarding policy to be reviewed and whether a safeguarding officer needs to appointed - Ushma Chadha to review
Attendance Register - Jaymini Ichharam and Ewan Davids jointly to review.
Review coaching and charges for members - with a focus on juniors and participation in events. - All to review
Affiliate with local schools for coaching. - Ewan Davids to review.
 
Updates will be provided to the committee members by email and in the Adjourned AGM in Sept
 

 
 
ADJOURNED AGM, MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER, 7.30, AGENDA
 
1.   Appointment of chair and minute-taker
 
2.   Apologies for absence 
      
3.   To approve the minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 22 July 2024 (these minutes appear on the club website and will not be read aloud at this AGM, the presumption being that all will have read them in advance) 
 
4.    Matter arising from paragraph 8 of the 22 July minutes.   
 
5.    Other matters, if any, arising from the 22 July minutes.   
6.    Membership forms.  
7.    Latest accounts.  
8.    Safeguarding. 
9.    Update on operational matters.  
10.  Any other business  
 
DRAFT MINUTES OF AGM HELD ON 16 SEPTEMBER 2024 - subject to proof-reading etc
 
1.   Appointment of chair and minute-taker - 
Roger Lancaster: Chair, Minute Taker: Ushma Chadha
 
2.   Apologies for absence 
None received.   There was a quorum present.
 
3.   To approve the minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 22 July 2024 (these minutes appear on the club website and will not be read aloud at this AGM, the presumption being that all will have read them in advance
Minutes Approved
 
4.    Matter arising from paragraph 8 of the 22 July minutes.   
 
The committee proposes to amend this as follows:
(i) In section (a) replace "1st Sept" by "30th Sept" as, due to passage of time, the earlier date is no longer workable.  Also add, "As last year, a 20% discount will apply to the second and subsequent members of the same family".
(ii) In section (b), delete the final sentence
(iii) in section (c), the board fee to be £4 for all events.   This is per day and, where an event consists of multiple events on the same day, the charge remains at £4.
The committee also wishes to clarify that Watford is a competitive chess club and that juniors who are regularly present on Monday evenings but are rarely if ever available for club matches at other times risk having their memberships discontinued once they expire.   Juniors whose parents fail to comply with the club's safeguarding policy are similarly at risk.
All in Agreement
 
5.    Other matters, if any, arising from the 22 July minutes.   
None
 
6.    Membership forms.  
The committee wishes to regularise and improve its membership record-keeping and has introduced membership application forms for Juniors and Adults.
Membership procedure will now be as follows:
(a) Completion and submission of membership application form.
(b) Vetting by committee member(s) of application.  This will normally be straightforward, apart from anyone about whom the committee has serious concerns, and each application will be allocated a serial number.   These serial numbers are needed to distinguish between payments made by persons with similar names - this has caused confusion in the past.
(c)  The applicant member will be advised, normally within 48 hours, of his/her serial number and the club's bank details
(d)  The applicant can then make payment which, in the case of Full Membership, may be reduced by £5 if received on or before 30 September
 
7.    Latest accounts.  
Accounts reviewed.  The Barclays banking disruptions have means that the Barclays Savings Account statements are inaccessible.  The accounting periods of 2023 and 2024 demonstrate that more is spent on league fees and venue hire than income generated.  Obviously this cannot continue as cash reserves are depleted.
 
8.    Safeguarding. 
(a) Committee recommendation that this be amended to show compliance with the ECF policy which, in turn, would enable the club to obtain insurance via the ECF's brokers, should the committee so decide.  
(b) Committee intends that, save in exceptional circumstances, all juniors under 12 years old must be accompanied by a parent.  In the case of older juniors, parents must as a minimum be immediately contactable by mobile phone.   
All agreed
 
9.    Update on operational matters  
 
Matches:   Herts fixture list is now known.   Match captains Amit and Ewan have copies.  Junior matches are scheduled - an away match at St Albans immediately followed by two Hillingdon League matches.  October sees the opportunity to play in the Global League (4 October) if there is sufficient interest and the Hertfordshire League rapidplay will be held at ASDA, North Watford.  Either one or two teams will compete in the 4 Nations Chess League.
 
Future additions to membership application forms:  Sibling tracking to be introduced to ensure that sibling discount is correctly applied
 
Other developments:  Much of what Roger had to say here was off-the-record (confidentiality reasons) but he could publicly state that he match with the UK Parliamentary Chess Club was, at best, on "hold" due to the composition of UKPCC having drastically changed following the General Election.  Entirely separately, he had met with Watford's Elected Mayor (Peter Taylor) in August and they had had a positive meeting.  Peter Taylor would visit the club on 11 November, by which time Roger hoped (although this was far from guaranteed) that some progress would have been made over the key issues they had discussed.
 
Online:  The Online J4NCL team required a captain in order for Watford to take part.   Peeyush Bahl has now kindly filled this vacancy.
 
10.  Any other business  
  • Future items for consideration can we improve tracking of membership and payment by use of software.
  • Membership renewal reminder emails will be sent earlier in the future.
  • Recruitment of new members to be reviewed.
  • The committee needs to meet to discuss how to attract new members.  The Facebook page itself has certainly attracted paid dividends in this space.
 
 
 
 

 

JUNIOR CLUB NEWS, OCTOBER 2024:

 
Watford Juniors drew 5-5 with Konstanz University, Germany, in round 2 of World Chess League.   Round 3 match will be against Cardiff University on 18 November.
 
17 juniors, 3 adults, played in 4 November rapidplay
 
Two Watford teams confirmed for 4NCL, 9-10 November
 
Akyra was joint winner (5/6) and top girl in the Barnet LJCC u-8 qualifier on 8 September, repeating that performance in the Bucks qualifier on 22 September.
 
Harshith scored 5/6 as joint winner of the Uxbridge u-1200 rapidplay, 15 September 
 
In the UKCC terafinal challengers, 21-22 September, Gautam scored 6.5/9 (joint 4th) in the u-10 section, Advait 7/9 (joint 2nd) in the u-12 where Ananya was top girl.
 
    

Most Monday evening sessions start with group coaching (6.0 to 6.40) following which training games take place.  The length of playing sessions means that we can stage classical games (typically 45' + 15") as well as rapidplay.  Some evenings instead have matches against other clubs.  We aim to ensure that all rated training games at the club, whether rapidplay or classical, count towards juniors' ratings by the ECF within 7 days of being played. 

 

14 August 2023 (see above) saw a departure from normal club nights with WIM Natasha Regan and NI Matt Ball giving a presentation of "Zwischenzug - a comprehensive guide to intermediate moves" based on their Chessable course. Go to https://www.chessable.com/zwischenzug-a-comprehensive-guide-to-intermediate-moves/course/139623/ for an 18-minute preview video. The session was targeted at players in the 1200-1600 bracket as those below/above that range might find it too advanced/basic

Watford Juniors play over-the-board matches in the Hillingdon League and, together with adult members of the club, the main 4 Nations Chess League (4NCL) and the Hertfordshire League *as well as online.  See details of these competitions below and past results by clicking 'Latest Results [OTB]' tab.

 .

We strongly recommend juniors (under-18) join the English Chess Federation because ECF membership is mandatory for all competitive events..  Junior membership of the ECF is inexpensive - see https://www.englishchess.org.uk/ecf-membership-rates-and-joining-details/ for details - and sometimes free. 
 
Full junior membership (expiring 30 September 2025) of Watford Chess Club costs £85 and is subject, in the case of new members, to their already being able to play chess at a reasonable level, taking age into account.   New juniors may be offered an initial three-month membership (£25).   "Online only" membership will be £20.   Please use the "Contact Us" facility if wishing to enquire about joining the club.
 
Main competitive activities are described opposite with a fixture list on the separate 'Fixtures' page. 
 

Ramsey Dairi (below) became joint British u-12 champion (and sole English u-12 champion) with 6/7 at Leicester in July 2023

 
                                                                                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

4 NATIONS CHESS LEAGUE

See opposite. 


JUNIOR 4 NATIONS CHESS LEAGUE 

The over-the-board Junior 4NCL has not operated since the 2021-22 season, when Watford Juniors finished sixth in the top division.   If and when J4NCL restarts, the intention is that Watford Juniors will compete again.

 

 

Results of Club Rapidplay, 29 July

 

Final Ranking crosstable after 5 Rounds

 

Rk. NameRtgFED1.Rd2.Rd3.Rd4.Rd5.RdPts.
1   PATEL Ananya 1454 ENG 6w1 4b1 2w1 3b½ 5w1 4,5
2   CHAN Harry 1020 ENG 10w1 6b1 1b0 5w1 3w1 4
3   PATEL Aashna 1295 ENG 8b1 5w½ 7b1 1w½ 2b0 3
4   LATH Shlok 1065 ENG 9b1 1w0 5b0 8w1 7b1 3
5   SHAH Prem 1085 ENG 7w1 3b½ 4w1 2b0 1b0 2,5
6   AVALA Hithesh 891 ENG 1b0 2w0 8b1 9w1 10b0 2
7   DAVE Akyra 820 ENG 5b0 9w1 3w0 10b1 4w0 2
8   KASHYAP Vivaan 826 ENG 3w0 10b1 6w0 4b0 11w1 2
9   BEHL Shiven 699 ENG 4w0 7b0 10w1 6b0 -½ 1,5
10   BAHL Taran 511 ENG 2b0 8w0 9b0 7w0 6w1 1
11   CHAN Marie 0 ENG -0 -0 -0 -0 8b0 0

 

Results of Club Rapidplay, 24 June

 

Final Ranking crosstable after 4 Rounds

  

Rk. NameRtgFED1.Rd2.Rd3.Rd4.RdPts.
1   SALVI Amit (adult) 1634 IND 10b1 7w1 2w1 6b1 4
2   SRIRAM Gautam 1448 ENG 5b1 8w1 1b0 7w1 3
3   KHANDELWAL Akshaj 1480 ENG -½ 14b1 4b½ 9b1 3
    PATEL Aashna 1281 ENG -½ 16b1 3w½ 11b1 3
5   ANAND Reyansh 678 ENG 2w0 15b1 13w1 8w1 3
6   PATEL Ananya 1448 ENG -½ 12b1 9w1 1w0 2,5
7   BANSAL Ayush 1081 ENG 13b1 1b0 14w1 2b0 2
    DAVE Akyra 853 ENG 11b1 2b0 16w1 5b0 2
9   PANKHURST Dylan 0 ENG 18w1 10w1 6b0 3w0 2
10   CHAN Harry 883 ENG 1w0 9b0 18w1 17b1 2
11   AVALA Hithesh 664 ENG 8w0 18b1 17b1 4w0 2
12   ESPASANDIN Maximo 408 ENG 15w1 6w0 -½ -0 1,5
13   KANNADASAN Kirtika 621 ENG 7w0 17b0 5b0 15b1 1
    LUAN Zorian 426 ENG 17b1 3w0 7b0 -0 1
    BAHL Taran 0 ENG 12b0 5w0 -1 13w0 1
    RATHOREE Anaiya 0 ENG -1 4w0 8b0 -0 1
17   DAVIDS Joshua 296 ENG 14w0 13w1 11w0 10w0 1
18   WALLER Lawrence 305 ENG 9b0 11w0 10b0 -½ 0,5

  

 

Below - Advait Keerthi Kumar, London u-10 champion (+6 =1 -0, December 2022)       
 

                                                        

HILLINGDON & DISTRICT LEAGUE - JUNIOR DIVISION

 

Two Watford teams played in this competition in 2023-24, the second team aiming to give match experience to our newer and younger juniors  The "A" team finished as runners-up (+7 =0 -3) while the "B" team finished fifth of the six competing teams - Harrow and Uxbridge provided the opposition - with a record of +3 =0 -7..  

 

WEST LONDON CHESS ACADEMY:
 
The seventh WLCA session took place at Uxbridge Chess Club on Sunday 9 June with a 6-round rapidplay tournament combined with inter-round coaching.  Final cross-table below.  More details of future events to follow here shortly.  
 

Results of WLCA Rapidplay, June

 

Final Ranking crosstable after 6 Rounds

 

Rk. NameRtg1.Rd2.Rd3.Rd4.Rd5.Rd6.RdPts.
1   DESHPANDE Anay 985 16b1 18w1 3w½ 8b1 10w1 4b1 5,5
2   NEDUNGADI Vedant 1017 20b1 5w0 14b1 9w1 3w1 6b1 5
3   AGGARWAL Aashi 1172 15b1 4w1 1b½ 5w1 2b0 9w1 4,5
4   DUDHE Arjun 1230 12w1 3b0 13w1 7b1 8w1 1w0 4
5   ASTRAKHANTCEVA Elizaveta 998 13w1 2b1 10w1 3b0 6w0 12b1 4
6   YEO Alex 976 9b0 19w1 18b1 11w1 5b1 2w0 4
7   AHMED Zaydan 763 8b½ 15w½ 21b1 4w0 11b1 10b1 4
8   SATHEESWARAN Kavish 1024 7w½ 12b1 11w1 1w0 4b0 15w1 3,5
9   BEKAKHMET Tauyekel 936 6w1 10b0 17w1 2b0 13w1 3b0 3
10   TSE-FONG-TAI Lucas 872 17b1 9w1 5b0 15w1 1b0 7w0 3
11   GADGIL Max 408 19b1 21w1 8b0 6b0 7w0 -1 3
12   BELLARY Soham 836 4b0 8w0 19b1 21w1 18b1 5w0 3
13   ALI Ismael 695 5b0 20w1 4b0 19w1 9b0 18w1 3
14   HUSSAIN Ibrahim 605 18b0 16w1 2w0 17b0 21b1 20w1 3
15   ADAMS Billy 785 3w0 7b½ 16w1 10b0 17w1 8b0 2,5
16   HABBA Maxim 665 1w0 14b0 15b0 -1 20w1 17b½ 2,5
17   HABBA Sebastian 552 10w0 -1 9b0 14w1 15b0 16w½ 2,5
18   TSE-FONG-TAI Oscar 582 14w1 1b0 6w0 20b1 12w0 13b0 2
19   HUSSAIN Amira 413 11w0 6b0 12w0 13b0 -1 21w1 2
20   BAJAJ Anay 316 2w0 13b0 -1 18w0 16b0 14b0 1
21   MUTHUKUMAR Kavin M 511 -1 11b0 7w0 12b0 14w0 19b0 1
 
Watford Chess Club joins with partner clubs in the area for WLCA purposes.      The object of WLCA is to act as a bridge between club-level and national-level coaching with a view to enabling juniors, if they have the necessary drive and ability, to progress to approximately candidate master (CM) level.  It is not intended, certainly at this point, as a substitute for good-quality club-level coaching.   Participation is open to members of Watford and partner clubs. 
 
Selection of juniors to take part will ultimately rest with coaches at the partner organisations subject (at any rate, as a general rule) to a maximum of 8-10 participants from each.   As a rule of thumb, Watford reckons to restrict participation to juniors with an ECF rating of at least {100 x attained age} with a minimum rating for this purpose of 1000.   However, given the maximum already mentioned, it is unlikely that all Watford juniors meeting this formula will be invited on every occasion.   

 

 
 

Ernest club champion

Jennifer Hurrell presents Ernest Karumazondo, joint 2019 winner with Andrew Stone, with the Price Cup

 

CLUB PRIVACY POLICY - FORMAL NOTICE

If you are a member of Watford Chess Club (the "Club"), your personal data will be processed by the Club for the purposes of Club and membership administration and to facilitate your participation in club competitions and similar events.  For fuller information, click "Privacy Policy" link under "Policies and Procedures". 

 

Everyone is welcome (to access, click on pictorial below) at Geir Erik Nielsen's YouTube channel at

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Leela

Tired of playing the boring old computers that always beat you or play so weirdly you can't understand what is going on, asks webmaster Geir Erik Nielsen? Read our article on Artificial Intelligence and how you can install it at home

Also embedded in the updated article is now a video of how to get the best of Arena and Leela at home.

  

USEFUL CONTACTS AND WEBSITES

 

Watford Chess Club email address

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

(allow up to 2 days for reply)

English Chess Federation

www.englishchess.org.uk/ 

Hertfordshire Chess Association

http://www.hertschess.com/ 

Hertfordshire Chess League results

http://ccgi.stevelaw0.plus.com/chess-results/

Hertfordshire Schools Chess Association

http://hsca-chess.com/ 

4 Nations Chess League (incl. J4NCL)

http://www.4ncl.co.uk/ 

Tournament chess results (main site for this)

http://chess-results.com/Default.aspx?lan=1

 ARCHIVE:

Article in Watford Observer, 19 February: https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/18247132. 

watford-chess-club-looking-sponsors-ahead-international-tournament

Club rapidplay, 30 December 2019, results at  http://chess-results.com/Tnr501649.aspx?lan=1

3rd Watford Junior (u-12) Rapidplay, 29 July 2019, results at http://chess-results.com/tnr457143.aspx?lan=1

Club rapidplay, 8 July 2019, results at http://chess-results.info/tnr453784.aspx?lan=1

Price Cup (2018-9 club championship), October 2018 to June 2019, results at  http://chess-results.com/tnr382758.aspx?lan=1

2nd Watford Junior (u-12) Rapidplay, 27 May 2019, results at http://chess-results.com/tnr435032.aspx?lan=1

Club rapidplay, 13 August 2018, results at http://chess-results.com/tnr374277.aspx?lan=1

1st Watford Junior (u-12) Rapidplay, 30 July 2018, results at http://chess-results.com/tnr373197.aspx?lan=1           

 
REPORT ON PAST YEAR'S ACTIVITIES
 
The past year, starting 1 October 2023, was one of the most unsettling in the club's recent history.   It began with an abrupt reduction in the number of adult members, a group of whom had decided to play elsewhere, which created some uncertainty over the club's ability to meet its league commitments.   Fortunately, others have more than adequately filled the gaps and Watford's first team was noticeably stronger in 2023-24 than it had been in 2022-23.   Then came the totally unexpected news that Barclays Bank were closing the club's bank account - this was not unique to Watford Chess Club but an experience shared by a number of non-profit organisations.   It took some three months to set up a new account elsewhere and, naturally, the fact that the club had no bank account during this period created further difficulties.   Fortunately, the club has now moved on and the committee can report as follows.
 
At date of writing, and subject to recount, the club has 11 adult and 45 junior members although this disregards several persons who have not paid 2023-24 subscriptions but may yet do so.   There's an obvious imbalance but this report is probably not the place to discuss it.
 
4 Nations Chess League
 
In 2022-23 Watford "A" had finished 10th of 12 teams in Division 3 and thus avoided automatic relegation.   However, the subsequent loss of several adults meant that the club could not assemble, in sufficient time, a 2023-24 team capable of performing well in a Division 3.   It was also foreseen that 4NCL weekends taking place in Warwick and Telford rather than Daventry and Milton Keynes would act as a deterrent to some players.   Watford "A" therefore opted for voluntary demotion to Division 4 where it won five and drew one of its 11 matches, finishing in mid-table.   In retrospect, it was a mistake to re-enter Watford "B" as it was possible to assemble a second team for only one of the five weekends.
 
Hertfordshire League
 
Watford's decline in the Hertfordshire League - not so long ago, it regularly had two teams in the top division - has been remarkable.   Its second team now languishes in one of the lowest divisions and the past two years have seen Watford 1 suffer successive relegations to Division 3.    In 2023-24, as a result of the departures mentioned earlier, the Watford 1 team was reconstituted and easily stemmed (+6 =2 -4) the relegation process.   In fact, at full strength, Watford 1 was almost certainly the strongest team in its division and it's a matter of conjecture why it managed to lose four matches and so didn't finish higher than third.   * 
 
The club had some difficulty assembling a Watford 2 team for away matches in Division 4, two of which it defaulted.   Its record (+4 =1 -9) left it tied on match-points with three other teams but the defaulted matches meant that it lost out in the game-point tie-break and was relegated.   If the team had played and drawn just one of those two defaulted matches, it would have survived in Division 4.
 
Hillingdon League
 
Watford Juniors "A" and "B" competed in all-junior Division X against their counterparts from Harrow and Uxbridge.   The "A" team finished runners-up (+7 =0 -3) while the "B" team finished fifth (+3 =0 -7) of the six teams.    Again here, it was often difficult to raise "B" teams for away fixtures.    Our youngest players were just 6 years old.
 
Junior Friendly Matches
 
Playing in matches against Harrow, Uxbridge and St Albans - sometimes over as many as 20+ boards - Watford Juniors generally more than held their own over the top dozen boards but tended to be appreciably weaker than their opponents below the top 12.   Consequently we lost most of these matches, most by quite narrow margins.
 
Watford Juniors were due to play an over-the-board friendly against the UK Parliamentary Chess Club, having played them earlier in an online match, in June but this had to be postponed due to the small matter of a General Election.    It is hoped to revive this after the election is over and it becomes clear which of the UKPCC team are still present in Parliament.
 
Online
 
One Watford team competed in the Online 4NCL, variously two or three Watford Juniors teams played in the Online Junior 4NCL, and one Watford Juniors team took part in the World Chess League.live - an international event featuring a total mix of teams with the most successful including grandmasters and international masters.
 
Venue
 
The club played at Herts Bowling Club on Monday evenings throughout the year.   Facilities there were regarded as very good and often commented on favourably by visiting clubs.  Having said that, it was under-used by the adult membership, many of whom appeared only for inter-club matches.   Juniors, on the other hand, were much in evidence.   In the past few months, we have begun to experiment with a satellite venue in North Watford and it is hoped to expand this.
 
General
 
In 2023-24, the club did not have an abundance of committee members or team captains.   Any shortage in team captains, in particular, impacts on the number of competitions in which the club can take part.  It also diverts committee members from considering longer-term matters.  This issue will doubtless be discussed on 22 July.
 
At time of writing, 4NCL venues for 2024-25 are still unknown.   Also, the Hertfordshire Chess Association - responsible for running the Hertfordshire League - has its Annual General Meeting on 19 July while the Hillingdon League has its Annual General Meeting on 17 July.    Assuming Watford Chess Club is represented at these meetings, it should be possible to report back to the 22 July AGM any relevant developments at those meetings.   However, this report is a historical record which is unlikely to be affected by those meetings.
 
Within the past few days, the club has made an application to the English Chess Federation to be recognised as a "Centre of Excellence" under the ECF's junior development pathway.   If successful, Watford would appear to be on course to be the first club to attain this status.

 

 
IN THE NEWS: 
 
London u-10 champion Advait Keerthi Kumar (in both pics below, along with BBC presenter Farzana Choudry and Watford coach Roger Lancaster) interviewed at BBC 3 Counties Radio on 26 February.   On 15 April,  Advait went on to beat international grandmaster Keith Arkell while scoring 6/11 in the British rapidplay - see also April issue of 'Chess Moves' 
 
 
Watford Juniors receive intermittent coverage in the local media.  As well as BBC 3CR, they were also mentioned in two pieces about the West London Chess Academy in ECF magazine 'Chess Moves' and at https://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/news/19998200.check-mates-young-players-come-together-uxbridge-chess-academy/
 

 

WATFORD v UXBRIDGE, JUNE 2021.   WATFORD  JUNIORS WHOLLY OR PARTLY VISIBLE ARE [L TO R] DENIS, AARAV, SEB, LEO, DHAIRYA, ISHAAN, JOEL

 
AWARD:  Watford Juniors were 2021 recipients of a British Chess Educational Trust award, having been nominated by the Southern Counties Chess Union.  Each such award, derived through the generosity of the late Sir George Thomas, comprises an engraved board, a wooden set and a DGT3000 digital chess clock.
 

CLUB POLO SHIRTS:  Club polo shirts can be purchased at https://myclothing.com/ in varying sizes costing £6.50 to £7 [juniors] or £8 (adults) with £3.75 delivery charge.   T-shirts available at similar cost but disregard other items 

 

                                                                                                                                       

ONLINE CHESS:
 
4 NATIONS LEAGUE - Season 6, which has just ended, was a difficult experience as most of our stronger juniors seemed to have had their fill of online chess and elected not to take part.   As a result, the 'A' team in Division 3 scored +0 =2 -5 (and 8.5 game-points from a maximum possible of 28) with the 'B' team in Division 5 faring even worse.   Interest in online chess having diminished somewhat, we've entered just one team (Division 3) in season 7 where we've won one and lost five of the first six matches..
 
JUNIOR 4 NATIONS LEAGUE - Season 6 has ended here too with the 'A' team, although again without most of our stronger players, managed +3 =2 -2 (28 game points out of a possible 56) in Division 2 but the 'B' team, which unluckiIy also played in Division 2, suffered seven straight losses.   As with the main 4NCL, we've reduced our entry to a single team (Division 2) in season 7 where we've started with two matches won and four lost.
 
 
WORLD CHESS LEAGUE LIVE :  The 2022-23 international event attracted 108 teams, mainly adults including top grandmasters, chasing a $5000 prize fund.  Joint winners were the two teams from Chess Club Politika from Belgrade, Serbia. Watford Juniors finished in 77th place.
 
For 2023-24, the teams have been divided into 12 groups.   Watford Juniors' group contains Warwick University, two teams from China and one each from Fiji, Mexico, Phillippines and South Africa.   Play starts October,
 
The juniors also have occasional friendly matches, the most recent (below) being against the UK Parliament Chess Club (including Members of Parliament as well as supporting staff such as researchers) on 21 May.