2002/3 Chess Season Newsletter

The new season is nearly upon us and your copy of the 2002/03 League Handbook is enclosed. With the triumph of the A team and good results from all the others, last year was a very good one for Stratford Chess Club. It would be great if we could do even better this year. I thought that this newsletter might inspire you to get down to the club and start practising!

Leamington Rapidplay - Sunday 8th September
I have this year taken over as Chairman of the Leamington & District Chess League and would urge you to enter this event organised by the League at the Leamington Spa Centre. Six games in a day with 30 minutes on your clock for each game represents a great chance to sharpen up the tactics ahead of the league season. Contact Colin Searle immediately if you wish to enter (contact details below).

Websites
You should all by now be aware that Carl Hibbard has performed miracles to get a substantial and active website in place for the club at www.stratfordchess.com. The Leamington and District League has also carried out major revisions to its website which is at www.leamingtonchessleague.org.uk. Both should be required regular reading for all members who have access to a computer and contributions to both are welcome. David Jenkins has already posted a couple of superb articles.

2002 Club Summer Season
The club has been continued to be active throughout the Summer. Paul Johnstone again defended his five-minute title with nonchalant ease during a very enjoyable evening. 13 members participated in the five round Summer Swiss Tournament which was won by Colin Searle. The chess ladder has been resuscitated in an unusual new format and is in regular use. It will continue throughout the Winter and current positions are displayed on the club notice board and on the website.

League Jamboree
On 31st August a Stratford Team consisting of Messrs Searle, Chowne and Rashleigh represented the club in the League Jamboree. Teams from Olton, Banbury and Leamington also participated. You will no doubt be delighted (but maybe no longer surprised!) to know that Stratford were the winners.

A New Team
David Bowie has joined the club this Summer having previously played his chess in the Birmingham League for Lucas. He has bravely agreed to captain a newly formed E team playing in Division Four of the league. This should ensure that David, Harry, Alan and William Belfield can get some regular league chess this year which is great news.

Winter Tournament
If there is enough interest, I would propose to run another all-play-all tournament during the next six months on the same sort of basis as last year. Games would be at league time limits and each round would have to be completed within a three week period (allowing time for individuals to fit around league commitments etc). I will put up a notice in the club about this soon. Please add your name or otherwise contact me if you want to play in it. If you have alternative ideas for a different tournament format let me know. I will ensure that the website is kept up to date with details, results etc.

As in the past I append a contacts list to help members get their tournament games played on time and to help team captains needing reinforcements! Please let me know if any of the details are wrong.

Yours in chess

Jonathan Rashleigh