Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton
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Name:	Wolverhampton Chess Club
Venue:	The Forty Four Club, Spring Road, Wolverhampton, WV4 6LQ
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Night:	Monday
Start:	7:15pm
Secretary:	P.Bull eMail
Parking:	Yes
Facilities:	The venue has disabled facilities. Non members (visiting team players) can order drinks at the bar but they must be consumed in the playing area & not the small lounge, which is a members only area.

Foreword

One of the oldest clubs in the area, formed in 1895 and a member since 1952.

Honours

• League Champions 1953-54 and 1960-61
• Div Two champions 1965-66, 1979-80, 1983-84, 1989-90, 1991-92, 1995-96 and 2015-16
• Div Three champions 1982-83, 1985-86, 1999-00 and 2018-19
• Div Four champions 1991-92, 1993-94, 1996-97 and 2017-18
• Div Five champions 1991-92
• Div Six champions 1976-77
• Pittaway Cup winners 2003-04 (Div Two), 2008-09, 2009-10, 2012-13 (Div Two) and 2013-14
• Humphreys Trophy winners 2010-11, 2017-18 and 2018-19
• Lightning Tournament champions (Trophy section) 1984-85, 1996-97, 2000-01, 2003-04 and 2006-07
• Lightning Tournament champions (Major section) 2000-01
• Lightning Tournament champions (Minor section) 1995-96
• Summer League Div Two champions 1977, 1990, 2010, 2011 and 2012
• Summer League Div Three (south) champions 1994, 2008 and 2012

Player Statistics

• 2019/20
• 2018/19
• 2017/18
• 2016/17
• 2015/16
• 2014/15
• 2013/14
• 2012/13
• 2011/12

History

On Wednesday 28 November 1895 a piece in the Wolverhampton Chronicle. "A preliminary meeting of chess players was held at St John's Clergy-house, Bond Street on Friday night with the subject of endeavouring to re-form the old Wolverhampton Chess Club. There were present Rev. J Roberts, Messrs. Johnston, Dr Helas, E Hands, Fras. H Hinde, H J Doughty, Fellows Kinvig, Westworth, Whitehouse &c. - Mr Johnston was elected as chairman, and stated that although an old member of the late club, he had not anticipated being asked to take the chair." He was exceedingly pleased to find that an effort was being made to revive the old chess club, as he thought that a town of 85,000 surely ought to find sufficient players to form such a club." The new chairman went on to state during the past few days he'd looked up some of the old members and was gratified to find the "spirit of chess" was only dormant in the town and not defunct and with a little effort from the gentlemen present might rise the club like a phoenix out of the ashes of its old existence.

Wolverhampton Chess Club has been based at a number of locations within Wolverhampton. At this current research stage various venues have came to be known. In the period 1926-1929 meetings were held at 33 St John's Street and Mr A Hinde was club Chairman. In 1930 the club's annual meeting was held at 100 Lord Street and again Mr A Hinde was elected as Chair. The club then met twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays. Committee meetings were sometimes held at Mr Norman's office (Hon Secretary) 45 Queen Street.

Wolverhampton Chess Club closed during the second World War from August 1939 until September 4 1945. On this September date the club reopened. The club secretary Mr Boyden was still serving in H. M Forces. This time heralded a new era where the club would next reside for almost 35 years September 1945 until February 1980 meetings were held at the Vine Hotel, 186 Stafford Street. Nowadays local people are more familiar with the Varsity pub that's opposite the Hog's Head pub that is where the Vine Hotel used to be. Several elderly citizens of Wolverhampton who've helped with research have spoken of the George Hotel being opposite the Vine Hotel many years ago. The Chess club certainly had a long period at the Vine. A personal recollection from Phil Porter reminiscing about the Vine Hotel days. "I think in 1963/1964 and I remember the club room was home to the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) with all its paraphernalia. It felt a strange room! I believe I went to arrange a game against one of its players as opposed to play in a match."

Notable members

• ✝ J.Holt former league President
• ✝ A.Schroeder Rock Cup winner
• R.C.Evans Harold Bidgood Trophy winner
• G.Thurman Harold Bidgood Trophy winner
• ✝ L.G.Hesbrook Harold Bidgood Trophy winner
• B.Lewis Harold Bidgood Trophy winner
• G.Rosser Harold Bidgood Trophy winner
• P.R.Eastwood former league President
• ✝ P.D.Porter Rock Cup winner and first Harold Bidgood Trophy winner (with Hobsons)
• ✝ F.Wood former Tournament Secretary and former league President
• D.R.Wightman Rock Cup and Harold Bidgood Trophy winner
• G.G.Sands Harold Bidgood Trophy winner
• P.Walters former league webmaster
• ✝ R.J.Marshall Rock Cup winner and former league team captain
• ✝ F.D.Field-Hyde
• ✝ J.Fellows
• ✝ R.J.F.Ward

External Links

• Wolverhampton Chess Club