Shrewsbury Chess Club

Fresh research has unearthed activities by Shrewsbury Chess Club dating back several years earlier than the club's previously known existence.

Present-day first team captain Dan Lockett has discovered that the first winner of what is now the club championship was Thomas Challoner Royle back in 1882.

The club is known to be one of the oldest in Shropshire and its existence had been traced back to 1896, the first date on the club championship trophy. The club's apparent centenary was marked a little over a decade ago.

But this fresh information suggests that the club is in fact 144 years old - and that more landmark celebrations are due in 2032 to mark 150 years!

Dan, who has a keen interest in history, made the discovery after researching past winners of the club championship.

He has published articles detailing the winners from 1882 to 1895 and then winners this current century from 2001 to the present day at www.shrewsburychessclub.org

Peter Kitchen, club secretary, said: "We've always known the club was one of the oldest in the county, but it's fascinating to see just how long it has been a fixture in the town.

"We were struggling to stay afloat a few years ago, and to see the cub now thriving once again and continuing that proud tradition is something we are all very proud of."

Preparations are being made for the upcoming Shropshire Chess League season, and the club now has about 30 members, a mix of competitive and social players.

The club meets every Wednesday at Cromwell’s Tap House in Dogpole from 7.30pm and all are welcome.

To find out more about Dan's club championship research visit https://shrewsburychessclub.org/club-championship/club-champions-1882-1895/ and https://shrewsburychessclub.org/club-championship/club-champions-2001-2025/

Shane Greenwood has won the club's inaugural quickplay tournament after a tense playoff triumph tonight (Wednesday).

Greenwood defeated Olusegun Ilesanmi on time with just three seconds remaining himself to claim the title after both finished on 6/7.

It was particularly hard for Ilesanmi who had set the pace throughout the tournament - including a win over Greenwood - until a defeat against Dan Lockett (when finished third on 5.5/7) in round 6.

In total, 16 players took part on what turned out to be a very competitive evening.

Players had five minutes thinking time in each game with no increment.

Massive thanks to Dan for organising the tournament and thank you to everyone for taking part and contributing to a very enjoyable evening!

We'll have the full results for you in the very near future.

It's gone to a playoff.... Shane Greenwood and Olusegun Ilesanmi both finished on 6/7 and are now locked in a tense playoff!

Getting all set up for our club's first summer quickplay tournament this evening!

**QUICKPLAY AND AGM ARE KEY DIARY DATES FOR AUGUST**

A new internal summer quickplay tournament will be held by the club for the first time.

The event will be held at Cromwell’s Tap House on August 19th with a time control of five minutes for all moves in each game.

It is aimed at club members initially, although visitors not belonging to other clubs are also welcome.

In addition, we can confirm that the club's annual general meeting will be held the following Wednesday (August 26th), also at Cromwell's.

Issues up for discussion included captain and officer reports and league teams for the up coming season. Agendas will be sent out to members in advance (once the secretary/publicity officer has sorted out his IT issues 😂)

We look forward to seeing many of you at these events!

**ONE LAST HURDLE AS EDWARDS AIMS FOR COUNTY TITLE**

Shrewsbury's David Edwards is tonight (Tuesday) bidding to go one better in his bid to win Shropshire Minor Individual for the first time.

Edwards will have the white pieces especially against fast-improving junior Prasanna Attada of Newport in the final round of the tournament.

Edwards currently leads the way on 5/6 - but with others in the chasing pack having games in hand he knows he has to focus on his game.

The Shrewsbury B captain narrowly missed out on the title (for players rated below 1640 ECF) last season - the first time he had entered after joining the club in February 2024.

He came joint second then - but even a win tonight won't be enough if Oswestry's Gary Slegg wins his remaining games. Slegg has the better tiebreak having beaten Edwards in round two.

Everyone at the club is rooting for you David - best of luck!

Shrewsbury's very own Mr and Mrs Smith are having something of a battle for supremacy over the summer months.

Kate and Richard Beard both performed strongly in the recent ECF Online Rapid Grand Prix on Lichess, both scoring 3/6 in very strong company.

Both got off to a flyer, with Richard on 2.5 points and Kate on 2 after three rounds. The time control was 10 minutes for all moves with five seconds increment per move. Although the pair found the going tougher in the second half of the event, they still recorded very respectable scores considering they were coming up against opponent's with online ratings several points higher.

After tiebreaks were applied, Kate finished 29th out of the 82 competitors, while Richard placed 48th. Round 1 to Kate...

The battle between husband and wife will continue in the final round of Shrewsbury Club Championship - where they've been drawn to face each other... 😬

**FINISH LINE IN SIGHT AS FINAL ROUND DRAW MADE**

Shane Greenwood needs to avoid defeat in the final round to become the sole winner of this year's Shrewsbury Chess Club Championship.

Greenwood - who has lit up the tournament with four wins from four games - will have the white pieces against Fred Bennett as he looks to secure the trophy for the first time.

The former Newport and Telepost man is already guaranteed a share of first place after results in round four left him a point clear of the chasing pack. But with it not yet being known if a tiebreak will be held if needed, Greenwood will no doubt be going all out to end the tournament in style.

The round five draw was published on www.shrewsburychessclub.org this morning - and with the next 10 players behind Greenwood being separated by just half a point, there are some juicy ties.

There are five players in the immediate chasing pack on 3/4. While Bennett will face Greenwood, first teamers Olusegun Ilesanmi and Dan Lockett will do battle in the final round and there is also an intriguing tie that will see David Edwards have the white pieces against top seed Peter Kitchen.

Mark Smith will take on Ivor Salter in the headline tie involving the five players in 2.5/4.

The draw was made after the final three games in round four were played on Wednesday evening - and it proved to be a good night to have the white pieces.

Kate Beard was given a very tough game by Lee Holyoake before winning the ending to move on to 2/4.

Kitchen defeated Smith in a battle of the A teamers, and there was a real scrap between David Walton and Chris Warrilow that was eventually won by the former after more than 60 moves of play.

The full draw is available here: https://shrewsburychessclub.org/club-championship/

Players have until September 30 to play their games. Best of luck everyone!

Shrewsbury Chess Club Shrewsbury Chess Club is open to everyone. From beginner to expert, all are welcome. From here you can find out who we are and where we play.

Club members are reminded that the 2nd Shrewsbury Pirates Online Arena will be held tonight (Thursday).

Players need to be club members and sign up to the Shrewsbury Pirates Lichess team, where details for tonight's event are available.

Games roll be played over a time control of five minutes for all moves with five seconds increment per move.

The club's first event of its kind at Christmas proved extremely popular among members, we're hoping for more of the same tonight!

The event will get under way at about 7.30pm. Enjoy your chess everyone!

Tonight's club night has been called off owing to tonight's World Cup semi final between England and Argentina and an expected busy night at our venue.

COME ON ENGLAND!!!