Last updated 6 January 2018

About Worcestershire Chess Association

Introduction

Worcestershire Chess Association promotes the game within the old boundaries of Worcestershire that include Dudley, Halesowen and Stourbridge.

You can play for Worcestershire if you: were born in the county; are currently resident or have resided for more than 4 years in the county; you are attending full-time education in the county; you are a member of a chess club affiliated to the county.

The association organises:

The association affiliates to:

The association individual champion is currently awarded to the best placed Worcestershire player in the Open tournament at the July Worcester weekend congress. The current Worcestershire champion is Brian Turner (Malvern) and you can view a list of former champions since 1920.

Officers

President: Peter Kitson, 39 Shaw Lane, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove B60 4DY. Tel 01527 833 721
Hon General Secretary: Ray Collett, 7 Ogilvy Squiare, Worcester WR3 7LU. Tel. 01905 454 754
Hon Treasurer: Brian Turner, 124 Fruitlands, Malvern Wells, Worcs. WR14 4XB. Tel. 01684 568 398
Competitions Secretary and Grading Officer: Paul Sharratt, 10 Foley Street, Kinver, Stourbridge, Worcs DY7 6 EP. Tel. 07515 688 795
Junior Organiser: Vacant
Safeguarding: Paul Sharratt, Tel. 07515 688 795. Please note that clubs are responsible for making own arrangements for safeguarding and are recommended to follow the association's policy, code of conduct and procedures.
Team Knock-out Cup Controller: Laurence Wheatley, 25 Hobbis House, Redditch Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 8LS. Tel for text messages. 07752 328 267. Assistant controller Maurice Bissell and KO Tournament Secretary Ray Collett, 7 Ogilvy Square, Worcester WR3 7LU. Tel 01905 454 754.

Team Captains

  • Open Team: John Wrench 07913 227 402
  • Under-140 team: Paul Sharratt 07515 688 795
  • Under-120 Team: Richard Collett 0121 458 7617
  • Correspondence Chess Team: Jim Keene 01905 458 417

Life Vice-Presidents: Maurice Bissell, Dr Ray A Collett, Jeff Heath

Vice-Presidents: Richard Collett, Andrew Farthing, Eric Horwill, Peter S Keate, Dr Anthony J Pearce, Paul B Sharratt, W (Bill) W Watson, John Wrench, Tim Yates

Delegates

  • English Chess Federation Delegate: Paul Sharratt, 10 Foley Street, Kinver, Stourbridge, Worcs DY7 6 EP. Tel. 07515 688 795
  • Midland Counties Chess Union Delegates: Ray Collett, and Paul Sharratt
  • Birmingham & District League Delegate: Laurence Wheatley
  • Dudley & District Chess League: Paul Sharratt
  • Worcester & District Chess League: Maurice Bissell

Affiliated Clubs and Leagues

Affiliated clubs are: Droitwitch, Greenlands (Longbridge, Birmingham), Hagley, Halesowen, Kidderminster, Malvern, Olton, Redditch, Shirley & Wythall, Stourbridge, Worcester City. Use the "Chess Clubs" menu button on the left to see information about these clubs. Dudley & District Chess League and Worcester & District Chess League affiliate to the association. Affiliation entitles chess organisations to participate Worcestershire Chess Association. For information about league and affiliation fees please click here.

County Team Chess

Worcestershire County field an Open 16-board team playing in the Minor-Open section, and a 12-board U120 team in the Midland Counties Chess Union competitions. If you would like to be selected for these county teams, please go to the first link above for details.

Junior Chess

The county organises the Worcestershire Megafinal for UK Chess Challenge with the help of Alex Holowczak. Ray Collett organises the Worcestershire Junior Chess Academy, which meets Saturday mornings at King's School, Worcester during school terms. There are three English Chess Federation chess coaches who tutor junior players in Worcestershire: Pavel Besedin, Malcolm Hunt, and John Wrench.

Correspondence Chess

Worcestershire play in the ECF Correspondence Chess competition. Results and further information about county teams are available using the "Corres Chess" button on the left hand side menu. If you would like to play correspondence chess by post or by e-mail, please contact the team captain Jim Keene (Worcester City).

Worcester Individual Trophy Holders

The Worcestershire Individual champion is Kevin Hurney (Greenlands and South Birmingham), who was the best scoring Worcestershire player in the August 2017 Closed tournament in Worcester. View the roll of honour for previous county champions.

Woodcock Prize

Annually an award is made for the 'most enterprising' game played by a Worcestershire player during the season. Jim Keene (Worcester) was awarded the 2015 prize. This competition is open to players of affiliated clubs. To enter, send a copy of the game score to honorary secretary before the end of April. Read more...

Administration  

The administration page contains links for administrative documents including Constitution, League Rules, reports of WCA meetings, reports from WCA delegates.

Safeguarding

Worcestershire Chess Association acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people aged up to 18 years and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice. The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children and young people are paramount in all circumstances as enshrined in the Children Act 1989. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or identity, or socioeconomic background, all children (a) have a positive and enjoyable experience of chess in a safe and child centred environment (b) are protected from harm and abuse whilst participating in chess or outside of the activity. It also aims to provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection. The association has adopted the policies, code of conduct and procedures recommended by the English Chess Federation. A downloadable copy of them is available here.