A O Jones Rapidplay Results

The joint winners were Friedemann Brock (2241 Germany), currently working at Swansea Uni & Ian Jones 4.5/5, so Ian receieved the A O Jones trophy.

34 players entered, 2 failed to show, but 2 new entrants turned up on the day.

Continue reading A O Jones Rapidplay Results

Steve Christmas RIP

Sad news has reached us that Steve Christmas (Pontypool and Nelson Chess Clubs) passed away on 6th March.

Those who knew Steve might also have known his oldest daughter Rose Christmas, a keen chess player like her father. Steve also leaves a wife Theresa, and younger daughter Cherry.

The Management Board wish to extend their sincere condolences to Steve’s family and friends at this very sad time.

The funeral will take place on 1st April 2019 2.15pm at Thonhill Crematorium.

As the 2019 WCU AGM is on 7th April, would all WCU members please note that the following Management Board posts will be vacated at the meeting and that volunteers are required to fill these vacancies.

National Rating Officer

Publicity Director

Would anyone interested in filling either of these posts please inform the Executive Director (email – executive director@welshchessunion.uk) as soon as possible.

WCPL Round 4

The games can now be downloaded from the Games page.

Welsh Primary Schools Championships Results

The Welsh Primary Schools Championships took place at Merthyr Tydfil on 9th March. The Championship attracted 24 teams and also 32 individual players.
Prize winners are as follows:

Champions      St John’s College, Cardiff
2nd                  Rhydypenau Primary School A
3rd                  Rhydypenau Primary School B

Further prizes were awarded to:

Rhydypenau Primary School C
Cwrt Rawlin Primary School
Birchgrove Primary School A
Gwaelod y Garth Primary School A

The Individual Championship was won by Anshul Swamy.
Evan Lewis, Ali Amar and Hassan Amar were equal 2nd

Photos of the prize winners below:

[Show slideshow]

Fischer’s Catch at the 4NCL

The report by Olivia Smith can be viewed here.

First Rank Newsletter Edition 21

The newsletter can be viewed here.

2019 Dyfed Congress Games

The games from the Dyfed Congress are now available on the Games page.

South Wales Schools shine at the EPSCA West of England regional qualifier

On Saturday the 2nd of March St John’s College hosted the south west regional qualifying round for EPSCA (English Primary Schools Chess Association). St John’s college and Caedraw participated in the under 11 category while the Dell took part in the U9 category.

In the under 9 category Dell did very well by comfortably winning their age category with 14.5 points and qualified for the semifinals. In the U11 category 12 teams consisting of 10 schools took part. St John’s college scored 21.5 points out of a possible 25 points and pipped Brookfield school of Swindon to 1st place. Both teams went into the final round, tied on first place with 16.5 points each. St John’s won all their games in the last match whilst Broadmead faced the debutante school Caedraw. The match went into the last game on board one where Tabitha Ryan secured an unexpected win against Broadmead’s board 1 player Zoha Ashraf who has an ECF grade of 121.

Caedraw meanwhile finished joint fifth and secured a qualifying place for the semi finals.

Photo of St John College winners of U11 and Dell the U9 Winners