York Chess Club

[Anthony Ibbitson]

I'm potentially moving to York within the next 6 months so I'm hoping to join York Chess Club. Ideally in the Yorkshire League and a York team in the evening league from September onwards. Does anyone have a main contact for enquiries in the area? I've not played OTB for quite some time but I am hoping to return next season.

[John Upham]

See https://www.yorkchessclub.co.uk/

[Anthony Ibbitson]

Thanks John. I did use the contact form on that page some months ago and never received a response so I wondered if it was still active.

[John Upham]

Perhaps try

https://www.facebook.com/p/York-Chess-C ... 955401969/

They have not made things easy for anyone attempting to join or contact them.

Alternatively

07952 162865

[email protected]

[Anthony Ibbitson]

Thank you!

[MJMcCready]

Who was York's strongest player ever?

[John Upham]

Who was York's strongest player ever?

James Adair must be "up there" I guess.

[MJMcCready]

Ah yes, I'd say so.

[MartinCarpenter]

Likely James Adair, yes. Richard Palliser and Simon Ansell for fairly close competition.

Before then it was apparently David Adams & Paul Townsend on the top boards for ever. No idea about way back in history but I'd be surprised.

Anyway there are loads of Woodhouse teams (3 for adults currently, 2 juniors) and also a very much alive evening league. Maybe try and contact an evening league team in the first instance?

The Woodhouse teams are a slightly emphemeral set up outside the league matches.

[John Upham]

You could also consult

https://mannchess.org.uk/

to look for strong players based in York.

[Matt Mackenzie]

I don't suppose York still play the annual "Roses Match" against Lancaster?

Started as an annual thing (originally in September) in 1983 and was still going strong in the noughties.

[Alan Borwell]

York Chess Club was active post WW2 when W A Jagger was its main organiser and President in early 1950s. The I M Brown team was headed by top player Dr H P Rickman. In 1956 York ventured into Yorkshire’s top league, the Woodhouse Cup after several promising school leavers joined the Club. The first Woodhouse match was in October 1956 against a powerful Harrogate team losing - 6.5/3.5 The York team was 1,D W McGough, A. P. Borwell, Dr. H. P. Rickman, J. M. Myers, H. Lydon, J. R. Chapman, E. Winn, Rev. E.A. Bailey. T. A. Blacker and T. A. Liddell. The first victory was secured in just their second match against Hull 5.5/4.5, with the redoubtable R.P.Ross on board 8 for Hull! After those early matches York CC became established in Yorkshire’s top league for decades to come.York won the National Club Championship in 1965 beating Oxford University headed by Dr Jonathan Penrose 4-2 in the final a memorable success.
York v Lancaster matches were initiated in I980s although having moved to Scotland in 1965 I donated a Trophy for annual presentation!

[MartinCarpenter]

Impressive history, thank you! Also for helping to found the club

It looks like you'll have left slightly before David Adams joined, but maybe there was overlap with another of the very first team.

David played right through until Covid, so we'd not need many generations to give continuity.

I never realised we'd won the national club championship. The first Woodhouse win was 2004. Plenty in the decades since.

[Alan Borwell]

Yes, the Club has thrived since those early days playing in Picture House Cafe in Coney Street. David and Richard great ambassadors!
I have all my game scores from 1953. I remember showing legendary Paul Keres around York in 1962 and winning Simul game in evening!
In 1959 we organised the British Chess Championships in the Assembly Rooms when our printed Programme was highly commended!