The Chess Club
| 1950-51 | |
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| The Chess Club was reformed in September after a lapse of many years. At first we had to rely on members' own sets but we are now the proud possessors of six sets and six boards. Each year we run a tournament under handicap conditions and present the winner with a cup. This year's winner was Allsop, with Allbrook a close second. Our membership at first was small but it has slowly risen to about two dozen; of which the juniors are most enthusiastic, probably because they cannot go to some of the other societies which are also held on Fridays. Girls have very little interest in Chess, but we have three girls in the club who began from scratch and have become most proficient. We would like to thank all members of the staff who have helped and supported the club. Lodge, K., L6S. | |
| 1951-52 | |
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| When the Chess Club commenced its meetings again last September, it was clearly to be seen that the attendance had diminished somewhat. The Chess Club has now almost doubled its membership on the previous year, and every form is represented except the Seconds. Having exhausted most of our own ideas, it was decided that we should arrange fixtures with other schools. We have played six matches and lost, both at home and away, to Pontefract and Barnsley. The experience thus gained did, however, prove most valuable in the matches against Castleford, whose team we defeated on two occasions. B. Ward defeated Allsopp, the holder of the championship cup, in the semi-final and overcame Allbrook in a most interesting final. Congratulations to the new champion. We should like to thank all members of Staff who have attended meetings and given us advice, special mention being given to Mr. Lloyd who has been a constant source of inspiration to us all. Allbrook, R. U6A (Sec) | |
| 1952-53 | |
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| The Chess Club commenced its activities again last September. Many of the former members had left School, and although there was great enthusiasm in the Middle School, support from Seniors was not forthcoming. Competition from all other societies has had its usual damaging effect on the attendances, yet very rarely have there been any of our seven boards free during the meetings. The Chess Team has again played several matches with other schools, but, however, the results have not been very encouraging. We have drawn with Pontefract King's School away and with Wakefield Grammar School at home, while losing twice to Barnsley Grammar School (6-0 and 5½ - ½ ) and to Wakefield Grammar School (6-0). In spite of these results, the players have not become discouraged, even when they themselves have been narrowly beaten. I feel certain that in a few more years the team will more than hold its own with rival schools. The Chess Cup has not yet been fought for, but it may be assumed that it will be keenly contested as usual. This year we are planning to have a less severe handicap system than in previous years. The former system was found to be rather unfair. We are now the proud possessors of five or six chess books written by such masters as Lasker and Nimzovitch. Interesting to the beginners as well as to those more advanced, they have been very useful to us in our endeavours to reach a higher standard of chess. Last year we were unfortunate to lose the services of Mr. Lloyd. On his departure he was presented with a book token with best wishes for his success in his post at Leeds, specially with the Chess Club of that school. His place was taken by Mr. Senior who has done admirable work for us. On behalf of the Chess Club I would like to thank him and Mr. Leonard also for invaluable help. Allbrook R. U6A (Sec.) | |
| 1953-54 | |
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| At the beginning of the year, membership declined, and attendance throughout the year has been poor, particularly, on the senior side of the school, possibly due to the clash with other Friday night activities. Last session, the Chess Cup was won by Allbrook, R., the retiring secretary when he beat Allsop A. in the final, after a handicap tournament. The Chess Team this year has so far lost to the Pontefract Chess Team by 44 to 14 after some keen games. Fixtures have been arranged with Barnsley Grammar School, and we are hoping for a success in this match. I should like to thank Mr. Senior and Mr. Leonard on behalf of all the members of the Chess Club for their work and encouragement to us all. Allsop, A. A. (Secretary) U6S. | |
| 1954-55 | |
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| On reviewing the school activities, whom do we find most successful Rugby? Tennis? Art? Chess? The Chess Team is unbeaten. The team drew with Pontefract playing 'Away', and beat them 'At Home', but this was probably due to the roaring fire in the Domestic Science room which must have inspired Hemsworth. The old enemy, Barnsley, have at last been tamed; breaking a run of six consecutive defeats, the team drew twice this year. At Barnsley, the team drew only because of Allsop's determination to argue all night over the adjudication, to secure the vital win. (Moral : - Don't learn Chess, learn how to argue). Starting in September with a few stalwarts from last year, the Chess Club has expanded rapidly. Many juniors have joined and there are now several girls at weekly meetings. The Chess Club can claim a major triumph in the school as a whole. The observant members of the school will have noticed little red boxes appearing at school. These are not communist dossiers, but chess sets. But this activity is not confined to the juniors. During odd times in the Library a large crowd at one table suggests a game of Chess. The two players are constantly being advised to "Move the Bishop"; "Watch the Queen". In walks Mr. Stewart. "Move this and mate in 2". It was - for the other side The Club professional, Mr. Stewart, is always to be seen at the meetings and matches, and his readiness to have a game is appreciated by all members. (Especially as it is a sure win for them) A little piece of news for the Chess enthusiast. In the annual tournament, held this year on a knock-out basis, a surprise was the defeat of a seeded player, Dillon, in the quarter final by an unknown. In the final, long delayed (could it be the weather again?), Weaver, who took White, played Nurney. Black played the Sicilian Defence and fianchettoed his black bishop. White attacked on the King side, but, when in a strong position, lost a rook which allowed Black to begin a strong counter-attack which proved too strong for White, and Black, Nurney, won after a few more moves. This is the second year in succession that Nurney has won the Chess Cup. Allsop, U.VI.S | |
| 1955-56 | |
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| In September 1955. the Chess Club reassembled after the Summer Holidays in a rather woeful state for, at the end of the previous Term, four of the School Chess Team left, leaving two regular members plus two reserves (not forgetting Mr. Stewart) to groan and worry over the situation. Hurriedly comparing notes, it was found that we could just scrape a team together, although it was a team whose aspirations were very modest indeed. In fact, we played only two matches, losing to our old rivals, Barnsley, on both occasions (4½ to 1½ away, and 3½ to 2½ at home). Every member of the team pulled his weight, however, and everyone was very pleased with the closeness of each game. (We hurriedly pass over the facts that: (1) We dodged a match with Ackworth, who are very strong; and (2) We tried to arrange a match with Pontefract, who are very weak.) On Friday evenings at the Chess Club, there was never a board left vacant, and those who were unlucky enough not to get a game, passed the time wandering from board to board, offering their (rather loud) opinions, and mostly being told to shut up and go away! Nothing daunted, the 'offenders' might proceed to where the girls (we now have about five female enthusiasts) would usually be involved in a battle of wits over a chess board with Mr. Sale. One surveyed the scene with mixed feelings - on the one hand, depressed by the scarcity of seniors, the defeat of Mr. Leonard by a second-former, and the futile attempts at coaching the fairer sex by Mr. Sale (no fault of his), and on the other, heartened by the enthusiasm of the many juniors, and by the general atmosphere. This year the Chess Cup was won by Horner of 2A (hanging of heads among seniors), who has our hearty congratulations, together with Halstead, the runner-up. On behalf of the Chess Club, I would like to extend our sincere thanks for the efforts of Mr. Stewart and Mr. Sale, and also the hopes that Mr. Leonard will soon be back with us. Appleby, C. (Hon. Sec.) LV1A (Price) | |
| 1959-60 | |
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| This year's meetings were characterised by an almost complete lack of 5th and 6th forms. Only Trueman appeared from the 6th form, and in spite of his sporadic attendances, he had no difficulty in working his way to the top of the ladder. In the knock-out competition Baxendale did well, but was finally beaten by Farrar. J. Fuller. | |
| 1961-62 | |
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| On the whole, the Chess Club has had a much more successful season than last year. The attendance has improved greatly, particularly at the Senior Chess Club, which, last year, was almost devoid of 5th and 6th formers. This success is probably due to the re-introduction of the House Chess Competition, and the knockout tournament, both of which were absent last year. The tournament which received much more support than expected, was organised into Junior and Open sections, the former being won by Dianne Sell, and the latter by Baxendale, who drove home his success of two years ago, when he was beaten only by Farrar. Inter House Chess 1. Holgate 26 pts. 2. Price 17 pts. 3. Guest 16 pts. 4. Talbot 11 pts. Redhead, D., LVIS | |
| 1962-63 | |
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| Photo from Susan Bristow. Thank you, Susan Back Row L-R: Brian Gainey, Peter Buttle, David Mosley, Norman Tate, Mrs. Williams Front Row L-R: David Miles, Richard Baxendale, Denis Redhead, 4, 5 This season, the Chess Club has continued to draw support, and both the senior and junior meetings have been well attended. The knock-out tournament was run in much the same leisurely way as last year but the standard of play was undoubtedly higher. By far the greatest venture this year was our entry into the Wakefield and District Schools' Chess League. We did not quite reach the top of the League table, but this was somewhat to be expected, for competition in the League is keen and all our players completely lacked match experience. Our results, however, improved towards the end of the season and, if the present rate of progress continues next year, we stand every chance of reaching the upper half of the table. Owing to the very nature of a chess match, it is impossible to give definite figures relating to form, but a high standard has been set by Robinson (won 5, drew 4), Glew (won 6, drew 1), and Baxendale (won 6). We would like to thank Mrs. Williams for organising the practices and home matches, and to extend our thanks also to Mr. Collette who supervises the junior Chess Club. Results. Inter House Chess Competition. Guest 15 points, Holgate 12, Price 12, Talbot 11. Chess Tournaments. Open. 1. Redhead. 2. Baxendale. Junior. 1. Mellor. 2. Mills. Redhead, E. D., U6S (Captain) (Price) | |
| 1963-64 | |
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| The photo above shows the final of the 1964 Chess Competition. T. Moody (left) won from D. Biggs The Chess Club lost many of its experienced players last year so consequently the first Senior team was much younger and less experienced than the other teams in the Wakefield League. The most successful matches were against Castleford and Rothwell, the results indicating the team's steady improvement during the second half of the season. Moody, T., who joined the club at the end of November, has had a successful season - winning 5 and drawing 2 out of a possible 9 games. He is to be congratulated on winning Inter School Chess Cup after' a close final game with Biggs. The Junior Chess Club, supervised by Mr. Collette and Mr. Catley, held their own competition which was won by Irene Fearnley, Danes. Talbot House chess team won the Inter House Competition, narrowly beating the more experienced Holgate players; Guest House were third and Price House fourth. R. Baxendale (Chess Captain) | |
| 1964-65 | |
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| Although results have not been very good, the number of scholars attending the club increased and for the first time the school was able to field a second team. This team was young and lacking in experience, consequently they lost most of their matches. The senior team won more matches than last year, but again the number of matches lost exceeded the number won. Bates won most matches in the senior team and Watson, the youngest member, showed exceptional promise. The knockout competition was won by Edwards who beat Watson after three drawn games. The House Competition was won by Talbot who once again narrowly beat Holgate. Baxendale. R. Captain. | |
| 1965-66 | |
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| The Senior team began the year with a rather unexperienced team and consequently early results were poor. As the year progressed, however, team members gained valuable experience and results began to improve. At the Jamboree, which was held at Hemsworth for the first time, the school finished third. Once again the school was able to field a junior team and because of the tremendous enthusiasm shown by the juniors in the school, competition has been fierce. Attempts have been made, however, to see that all players attending the practices regularly were given at least one game. Gainey, P. has shown considerable promise in junior matches. Price won the House Competitions, narrowly beating Talbot and Guest, with Holgate fourth. Bates won the Individual knockout competition and the prize for the highest aggregate in Senior matches, while Watson was runner-up in both competitions. The prize for the highest aggregate in junior matches was won by Gainey, P. On behalf of the teams I should like to offer our sincere thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Tromans for their coaching and organising of matches and practices. Bates, K. J. L.6.S. Captain | |
| 1966-67 | |
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| Photo from the School Magazine 1967 Back Row L-R: 1, Roger Poole, 3, 4 Front Row L-R: 1, 2, 3, 4 There has been this year a great increase in the enthusiasm of the school for Chess. The School teams, both senior and junior, have enjoyed their most successful season ever, since in fact we joined the Wakefield and District League. As seniors we have had a great deal of difficulty in the past, fighting always against the odds until we were able to establish some kind of tradition in the game. At last we have climbed from the bottom of the Senior League and have finished the season half way up the table. On no occasion was our team demoralised as in the past, all matches were close and our wins include an excellent game against Barnsley in which we took sweet revenge. The juniors were beaten only once in ten games and that by the narrowest of margins. We have many very enthusiastic juniors and competition for team-places has been keen. The prize for the most successful senior was won by Bates, the junior prize went to Hesketh, M. and Watson won the Individual Knock-out Cup. Colours have been awarded for the first time and have gone to Bates, Dianne Sell, Watson and Wright. We thank Mr. and Mrs. Tromans for the many hours they have spent in the organisation and supervision of the club. House Chess: 1. Talbot (33 pts.). 2. Price (30 pts.). Holgate (19 pts.). 4. Guest (18 pts.). Bates, K. J. U6S. | |