Download History of Chess in Nottinghamshire: 1932-1938 and more Summaries Mechanics in PDF only on Docsity!
IN THE YEARBOOKS 1932-
Yearbooks began as an SCCU venture in 1930-31. This expanded to become a combined Unions publication, with the first MCCU entry in 1931-32 and Nottinghamshire 1932-33. This included a report on the season in question, and a list of officers, affiliated clubs, vice-presidents and members. The report was written in arrears so the officers and clubs relate to the following season.
The Notts Chess Association owes its inception and establishment to a group of the members of the Nottingham Mechanics’ Chess Club, very ably led by J W Broadbent, who became its first hon. Secretary and held that post for the period 1922-29, being succeeded by H W Histon.
J.N.Derbyshire, J.P. has been president from the beginning. We owe much to his valuable aid and influence for whatever success we have so far achieved. Our most successful year was probably 1929-30, when we defeated Oxfordshire, Leicestershire, and Warwickshire, thus winning the Midland Counties Championship. Mr Derbyshire presented a silver rook to be competed for each year, the winner becoming the County Champion; also a Silver Shield for the Junior Championship for players under 18. He has generously promised a Shield for the winners of our County League, which will probably be ready for the season 1933-34.
Nottingham Mechanics is the premier club. For some years it was the only club in Nottingham [wrong]. It was started in 1849 and is thus 84 years old, and now has upwards of 100 members, not all active players, however. It has headed the County League since its inception six years ago, and may claim to be the model and fountain-head of organised chess in this area. We are glad to record that we are now not alone and have two lively and promising competitors in West Bridgford and Boots’ Chess Clubs. West Bridgford is now in its fifth year, and in spite of ill-fortune, bravely continues its battle for life. Boots CC, now in its fourth year, is using its opportunities to good purpose. Both now give Mechanics a well contested match. Derby is affiliate with us, in the absence of a Derbyshire Association. Coming from a city of the size of Derby, they are a fairly strong side, and might assume the lead at any time. Riddings, situated on the border of Notts & Derbyshire, draws members from either county. They have been affiliated with us since 1924-25. They naturally have an uphill fight but adhere to it with commendable tenacity. A newcomer to our list is Nottingham University College, consisting of young men of student age; they have a good supply of nerves and application, and now and again furnish a surprise.
The County Champion for the year 1932-33 is P.Rowland of the Mechanics C.C.
Footnote: West Bridgford problems were finding premises. In 1933-34 the club met at 9 Fox Road (a private residence) having already lost two venues.
The Notts Chess Association had a normal season for 1933-34, it membership remained practically unaltered and the finances are in a sound condition. We now have seven clubs affiliated. The Mansfield club, which dropped out for a season or two, having been revived, had the effect of increasing our matches and adding to the interest of our League contest. We have reason to anticipate the affiliation of the newly formed club at Worksop, and are informed that a club is being formed in Retford.
The activities of the Association have undoubtedly done much to create and revive interest in chess and stimulate the formation of clubs in Nottinghamshire, at least this becomes apparent when it is stated that in 1920-21 there was only one club in Nottingham and one in Derby; we now have four in Nottingham, and efforts are being continued to increase them. Derby has remained stationary, and Riddings is the only other Derbyshire club affiliated. We understand that Chesterfield has a fairly strong club, but distance prevents their joining our contests.
J.N.Derbyshire has presented us with a new trophy for contests in the Notts-Derby League. It takes the form of a silver mounted casket containing a set of pieces, and is accompanied by a full-sized board. The casket was designed and made at the Nottingham School of Art by L.C.Collier and the board and pieces were supplied by Jacques of London. The whole makes a very fine trophy, of which we are proud, and the fight for which will be keen.
In our County matches for the M.C.C.U. Championship we were not as successful as we might wish, being defeated by Leicestershire 12 - 4 and Staffordshire 9½ - 2½. A friendly match with Leicestershire was lost 15 – 5, but two with Lincolnshire were won 8 – 5 and 10½
The Championship (Notts-Derby Individual) has been won for the second successive year by P.Rowland, with a score of 6½ out of a possible 7. C.L.Haddon was second with 5½.
The Notts Junior Championship for boys under 18 was won by G.Allcock of the Mansfield club.
In Class A Knock-out W.J.Hickling and W.T.Haskard tied for first place. Class B was won by A.Crecroft.
W.Winter visited Nottingham and contested 30 boards, winning 20, drawn 8, lost 2, the winners being P.Rowland (Notts Champion) and S.P.Kirkby.
Preparations for an active season 1934-35 are being made, and a successful one is anticipated. The League will be the chief source of interest, in which upwards of 100 players will have opportunities of taking part. The M.C.C.U. Championship involves matches with Leicestershire and Staffs.
The Notts Championship will be on the Lancashire system of a league and knock-out, the winners of which will play off; whilst Class A contest will be in groups of 4, each playing all
We look forward with pleasurable anticipation to the great International Masters’ Tournament and Annual B.C.F. Congress to be held in Nottingham in 1936, and are confident our players and friends will do all required of them to make it a success.
H.W.H
The Notts-Derby League continues to be the main source of chess activities, providing fourteen matches for each club participating in the major section and four in the newly formed Northern section.
The leaders in these two sections play off for the J.N.Derbyshire Trophy. Derby were for the second time leaders in the 1st and Chesterfield in the 2nd, Derby finally winning for season 1936-
County Matches. In the Mid-Counties Union Championship we lost to Worcestershire 4- 12; to Oxfordshire 5-12 and to Leicestershire 5-16. In friendly matches we won twice against Lincolnshire and drew with Leicestershire.
County Championship (Individual). F J Hingley won this title for the third time, having previously won it in 1928-29 and 1930-31. Runner-up L.Chaplin
Class A (knock-out). Winners: 1st^ J. E. Middleton 2 nd, B. Cirket Junior Championship: 1st^ N.H.J.Wood, 2nd^ M.Dewberry For this season, 1937-38, we have a similar programme except we do not meet Worcestershire and with the addition of a contest for players under 14, in the hope of encouraging chess among the schools. Needless to say we hope to improve our County match record, though strong players are scarce with us at present.
H.W.H.
As in the past our Vice-Presidents furnish the greater part of our financial resources: the individual members contribute a smaller but important amount and may be said to be the workers and Chief playing members; together these two groups form the backbone of the Association.
G.A.Peck who captained our county team for 4 or 5 years very successfully has removed to Kingston-on-Thames, but is generously continuing a vice-president. Our good wishes were accorded him by a suitable presentation.
Notts-Derby League. Nottingham Mechanics won the championship of the major section with 25 points, one point over Mansfield who scored 24; Derby, last year’s winners, are 3rd^ ; Boots have improved their position in the League. West Bridgford have retained same place at No.5. Sutton have not maintained the promise of last season, whilst Riddings have improved slightly and University College are at the bottom of the table.
Chesterfield have won the northern section, Worksop are 2nd^ , and Retford 3rd. The final between Nottingham Mechanics and Chesterfield resulted in a win for the first named.
County Matches. Our scores have shown considerable improvement over the last few years, but still not enough to bring us within reach of the Midland Counties Championship.
We defeated Oxfordshire by 8½ to 7½; lost to Leicestershire by one game, 9½ to 10½; won two friendly games with Lincolnshire, 7 to 5 and 8½ to 3½; lost to Leicestershire, 9 to
Thirty-three different players have taken part in these matches, the following showing excellent form: - W.A.Davidson, L Chaplin, P Rowland, F.Matthews, C.H.Blasdale, and A.Green (Mansfield), whilst all regretted the loss of the Rev.W.Benson and have expressed their sympathy with relatives and the Derby club.
County Championship. League section winner, P.Rowland. Knock-out section winner G.Allcock. In the final P.Rowland won, thus becoming Champion for the third time.
Class A. Group winners: E.Beadles, L.Calvert, T.V.Parrott, -.Richardson. Final: E.Beadles,1st; L.Calvert 2nd Junior Championship; 1st^ , L.A.West (High School); 2nd, G.Chambers (W.Crane School) Juniors under 14: 1 st, R.Balchin; 2nd,N.Carrier (both of W.Crane School)
