Geof Tyrrell Best Game Prize 2025

DEADLINE 15/3/26

 

After last year’s catch-up exercise, we are now reverting to the usual annual timetable. The deadline for nominating entries of the 2025 competition is 15 March. Games need not have been played by the person making the nomination. The detailed rules can be found here but briefly to qualify for consideration, a game must be played to classical time limits and a win or a draw by a player qualified to represent Wales in a FIDE competition at the time the game as played against a non-Welsh opponent graded over 2250 and FIDE-rated at least 150 points above the entrant at that time.

The judges, Stuart Hutchings and Howard Williams, have so far identified the 11 games in the database as meeting the above criteria, six by Jose Camacho Collados, three by Iwan Cave and one each by Tom Brown and Olivia Smith. Only two of these games have a positive outcome,

Any notes to these games (and any other qualifiers) submitted by 15 March will be taken into account by the judges in reaching their decision. These games have been taken from the weekly bulletins on the website of ‘The Week in Chess’ which total about 400,000 for 2025. But games from less well-publicised British/European tournaments do not necessarily reach TWIC. So would players please check that games they feel qualify are in the list and, if not, send them to Howard Williams
(howard.swnynant@btinternet.com).

News

(Old news articles are now accessible via the Other Archives tab)

 

 

Upcoming Events

2026
Feb
14thWelsh Blitz ChampionshipBest Western
Heronston Hotel,
Ewenny Road,
Bridgend CF355AW
Info
15thWCPL and U1850 League Round 3.Best Western
Heronston Hotel,
Ewenny Road,
Bridgend CF355AW
Info
27th – 1st MarchCaernarvon CongressInstitute Building,
Pavillion Hill,
Caernarvon LL551AS
Info
28thStroud Spring Rapid TournamentSt Matthew’s Church Hall,
St Matthew’s Church,
Stroud GL54JE
Info
March
7th – 8thWelsh Spring Congress and Junior Championships (U 18, 16,13, 11, 9)Mecure Cardiff North Hotel,
Circle Way Eat,
Llanedeyrn,
Cardiff CF239XF
Info
21stWelsh Primary Schools ChampionshipEVENT POSTPONED
New date and venue to be announced shortly
Apr
3rd – 6thWelsh ChampionshipMercure Cardiff North Hotel,
Circle Way East,
Llanedeyrn,
Cardiff CF239XF
Info
18th – 19thWelsh Junior Championship (U14, 12, 10, 8)Mercure Catdiff North Hotel,
Circle Way East,
Llanedeyrn,
Cardiff CF239XF
25th 1st Fishguard RapidplayThe Market Hall,
Fishguard Town Hall,
Market Square,
Fishguard SA659HE
Info

WCU Fees 2024-2025

Please note that the WCU fees for season 2024-2025 remain the same as season 2023-24.

These are:

Existing WCU members

Seniors /  Adults: £20      Juniors (U-18 on 1/9/2024): £10

New WCU members

Seniors /  Adults: £10      Juniors (U-18 on 1/9/2024): £5

WCU Ratings Alignment

Dear WCU Chess Colleagues,

As you know FIDE have uplifted sub-2000 players to counter inflation over a period of time.

We have done extensive analysis to remedy this effect on our ratings.

On balance, we are adopting Plan B of the 2 options outlined in the document shown in the link found here:

Please see the above link to document which explains the current situation and conclusions therein.

David Norris

International Rating Officer

 

 

 

Kevin Staveley B.E.M.

It is with great pleasure that the WCU can announce that Kevin has been awarded the BEM in this year’s Birthday Honours list, for services to chess. I am sure you will join me in congratulating Kevin, on this well deserved award. 

ECU E-Magazine September 2020

This can be viewed here.

Amabel Moseley bio

The bio of  Amabel Moseley (a previously unknown Welsh-born British Champion) can now found on the History page.

The Check Weekly 25/9/20

This can be viewed here.

Barry Chess Club

A history of Barry Chess Club edited by Martyn Griffiths is now available on the Club Histories page.