English Chess Forum

Last year it was only two, Peter Roberson being the unlucky third. IIRC Roberson did partipate last year in the playoff, but was eliminated before the playoff final. (It being a knockout format.) That's right, Peter did participate, at least. He and Conquest played for the right to face Adams, who ...

Graham Borrowdale wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2026 10:22 am

I couldn’t see a bar of any kind near to the playing hall,

There is an open bar in Warwick Arts Centre where AM/PM and blitz are played. But it closes by 8pm. The Scarman Hotel is open for longer.

New York Mayor reports having a chess rating at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/videos/cg74nxkdpd7o

The championship was won by Queen Elizabeth School, Barnet. Only one other state school has won since 1987 - Reading School in 2016 and 2018.

24 teams fhave converged on the University of Nottingham for this year's finals of the English School Chess Championship. With one IM and 40 players rated over 2000 there promises to be some great games. They are being live streamed : https://www.chess.com/events/2026-english-schools-chess-champions...

Alex, thanks for your reply, from which I am glad to read of the initiatives of Neill Cooper, Andrew Martin, and others. It would seem from what you said that help is needed in restoring local schools chess to its earlier prosperity. Help is needed but it needs to be local, creative and sympathetic...

I hope someone is watching to see that the ECF is adding value to schools chess as well as receiving subscriptions from it. I recall chess was flourishing in Berkshire schools in the 1970s when my son played and I provided occasional transport. The enthusiasm of the teachers was highly commendable....

this is the main motion and what is people views? 10. Proposed Membership Fees for 2026-27 Current Proposed Rates for 2026/27 £ £ Junior Bronze 7.50 9.00 Junior Gold 14.00 16.00 Junior Platinum 80.00 82.00 Bronze 21.00 22.00 Gold 37.00 38.00 Platinum 80.00 82.00 Supporter 9.99 10.00 Congress Pay to...

How many juniors play in leagues for their school There are almost no leagues (as you would think of them) left, except for the Briant Poulter League. In any event, we are likely to adapt Schools Membership for 2026/27 to cover that off, to make it more convenient for schools chess. Alex forgets to...

Thanks Mike, that is useful to know.

What happens in the following situiation: A player joins a club in Autumn 2024 and plays in the club championships. They join the ECF in Spring 2025 so all isfine. They play in the club championships in Autumn 2025 but then disappear and do not renew their ECF membership in Spring 2026. Presumably t...

Having done too much volunteering in the past, and hating management BS, the phrase "volunteering opportunities" caused me some distress... Fortunately we have some younger folk (school pupils, University students, parents with chess playing children) who have not been put off by the "volunteering ...

We had an internal match this year and one player was not a member, this was known beforehand and both players agreed the game would not be rated. I think that non-members can play up to 3 standardplay (or 7 rapidplay) games within any club without incurring the pay to play fee. (see https://www.en...

It has been nice for me to find that within half a day we have a choice of folk volunteering for roles which I have had problems finding the time (and energy) to do.

My annual review of potential game fees as a league treasurer today. The stupid admin I am doing myself and passing onto our clubs always puts me in bad mood. Is not this the responsibility of the clubs themselves? They are more likely to know who has played more 4 or more standard play games for t...