RIP - London Commercial Chess League

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Chris Rice
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Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:17 am

RIP - London Commercial Chess League

Post by Chris Rice » Fri Jun 29, 2018 2:17 pm

Founded in 1924 the London Commercial Chess League has finally passed away aged 94. It's website reads:

"On June 5th 2018, The Executive Committee of the London Commercial Chess League took the unhappy, but nonetheless necessary decision, to dissolve the League. With the withdrawal of DHSS, BBC and TFL, the League was left with just three clubs, with four, possibly five teams for next season. This is clearly insufficient for a meaningful league, and would only delay the inevitable if we attempted to run for another season.
It is clear that the League has run its course in the face of the changed nature of the modern world. With fewer and fewer commercial enterprises based in London, and even fewer of then having "works teams", which used to be so common for every sport in the past, the League has effectively lost its raison d'être. Add to this the ever increasing security issues surrounding access to company buildings in the evenings, the Committee felt it had to face the fact that the writing, that has been on the wall for some years now, must finally be taken note of.
The League will probably run one final Lightning Tournament before the start of next season, to which all past and present members will be invited to take part.
A final Yearbook will be produced, and made available to past and present clubs, although on this occasion the League will be unable to fund it, therefore all those wishing to receive a copy should order one via their club. This website, which will close down at the end of August, will be made available on CD via clubs to anyone who wishes to have a copy. Further details of these will be made available in due course."

Stewart Reuben
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Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:04 pm
Location: writer

Re: RIP - London Commercial Chess League

Post by Stewart Reuben » Wed Jul 04, 2018 12:51 am

That is sad. I remember there used to be a National Working Men's Club Championship. I may have the wrong wording.

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