Details of adult chess are in the left hand column, junior chess in the right hand column below.   Watford teams compete in the national league, local leagues and other over-the-board events, as well as online.

 

 
Watford Chess Club will be among the exhibitors at the Bucks Country Show, 4-5 May.  See the English Chess Federation website for more information
 
An Extraordinary General Meeting of the club will take place 7.15 on Monday 26 May.
 
CLUB INFORMATION
 

Watford Chess Club's venue is Herts Bowling Club, Bellmount Wood Avenue, Watford, WD17 3BT. Club nights are on Mondays for both adults (7.30 onwards) and juniors (6.0 onwards).   The club is assessed as a 'Centre of Excellence' on the English Chess Federation's junior development pathway.

 

Club nights are from 6.0 until 10.45 (but no obligation to stay late!) on Monday evenings at Herts Bowling Club in West Watford, a comfortable and spacious venue.   As well as the playing area, there's normally an overflow lounge area where parents can sit and relax while their progeny checkmate one another.   The bar isn't usually staffed but there are three vending machines (cash only) dispensing coffee, cold drinks and nibbles.

 

Intending new members of all levels and abilities, with the obvious proviso that they know how to play chess, are very welcome. Club policy is that newcomers are given a free visit as guests to sample the atmosphere and decide whether they wish to apply to join the club.  [It is very strongly recommended that, before visiting, you first contact the club so that someone is there to greet you.  There are evenings when other activities such as matches can make this difficult.] This website aims to give full information about the club but, if you find there is anything not covered here, please use the "Contact Us" facility and a committee member will get in touch. 

 

Adults and juniors play competitively.  League match programme for 2024-25 is as follows:

4 Nations Chess League (4NCL) - two teams, dates on fixtures list

Junior 4 Nations Chess League (J4NCL) - not participating 2024-25, will review in 2025-26

Hertfordshire League - two teams, dates on fixtures list 

Hillingdon League - two teams (juniors only), dates on fixture list

World Chess League.live - one junior team (Chess.com)

Online 4NCL - one team (Lichess), restarted January 2025

Online Junior 4NCL - one team (Lichess), restarted January 2025

 

 
The club was privileged to receive a visit from the Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, accompanied by Councillor Tim Williams, on 11 November.
 
"I was thrilled to hear the club is competing in the 4 Nations Chess League against other competitive clubs," he said.. "Watford Chess Club is seeking sponsorship to help fund future participations and provide even more opportunities for local talent."
  
 
OLD PULLER CUP, 19 OCTOBER 2024
 
OPEN:   Watford 13.5, St Albans 10, Hertford 6.5
 
STARS BARRED (U1750):  Hemel Hempstead 15.5, St Albans 10.5, Watford 10, Enfield 8, Watford Juniors 6
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 4 NATIONS CHESS LEAGUE

In the 2023-24 season, Watford "A" finished 10th out of 27 teams (+5 =1 -5) in Division 4.   This was a disappointing result compared to previous years, largely attributable to the loss of several of the club's middle-ranking players although the playing locations (Warwick and, worse still, Telford) did not help.  Consequently we had difficulty raising a "B" team which took part in only one of the five weekends.  

For 2024-25, the venues are somewhat better - 9-10 November at Peterborough, 11-12 January at Coventry, 15-16 February and 12-13 April at Peterborough, and 3-5 May at Coventry.   As a result, the club will again run a "B" team.

One (long) game per day.  Time control in this event is first 40 moves in 90 minutes with another 30 minutes for all remaining moves plus 30-second increments per move starting at move 1. 

 

Above - the 4NCL scene before the action starts

 

4 NATIONS CHESS LEAGUE ONLINE 

See above.  Contact Paul Litttlefair if interested.

 

HERTFORDSHIRE CHESS LEAGUE

 

See above.   Use "Contact us" tab if interested.

 

 
Minutes of the all General Meetings, whether Annual or Extraordinary, held between 5 September 2022 and 16 September 2024 (both dates inclusive) have been moved to the 'Club Constitution' page of this website.
 
 
 
An Extraordinary General Meeting was convened on 16 December 2024 at Herts Bowling Club:
 
AGENDA & MINUTES
 
1.   To appoint a chair and minute-taker
 
Roger Lancaster appointed as Chair
Ushma Chadha appointed as minute taker
 
2.    Apologies for absence
None received
 
3.   To receive and approve the club's accounts for the period to 31 May 2023
 Unanimous approval
 
4.   To receive and approve the club's accounts for the period to 31 May 2024
 Unanimous approval
 
5.   To amend the club constitution through inclusion of the following paragraph with effect from the end of the present meeting:
 
"5.2.1.a   Notice of any motion for discussion at the Meeting shall be given in writing to the Club Secretary, proposed and seconded by two Members of the Club who are eligible to vote, not less than 14 days prior to the Meeting"
Unanimous approval
 
6.   To move a vote of thanks to Sagar Patel for dealing with the outstanding accounts and to Guy Cain for his assistance examining these accounts.
Thanks recorded
 
 
 
 

  

JUNIOR CLUB NEWS, APRIL 2025: 

Online, Watford Juniors drew 4-4 against Catsu (Philippines) in the World Chess League on 27 April.

Watford Juniors "A" beat their Harrow counterparts 4-1 (24 April) and win Division X of the Hillingdon League with a match to spare.  The "B" team beat Harrow Juniors "B" 4-3.

Six Watford juniors took part in the St Albans Congress, 5-6 April.  Pride of place goes to Advait with 3 wins, 1 draw, from 5 games in the 'open to all" section where he finished joint 4th in a field, almost all adults, of 31,.  In the "challengers", Ramsey and Gautam each scored 2.5/5 (including a last round draw against one another) although Jacob had two off days.  Finally, in the "minor", Leandro scored 3.5/5 to finish joint 7th of 71 competitors with brother Luis - also playing his first tournament - scoring 1.5.

 

The club rapidplay on 7 April was won by Ananya with 4 straight wins, ahead of Sujan (adult), Jeremy and sister Aashna all on 3/4.

 

London junior championship finals (December 2024):  Under-8:  5th Harry Chan, 5.5/7,  25th Akyra Dave 4,  29th Alexander Parascandalo 4,  60th Snithik Vanga 3,  84th Taran Bahl 2.  Under-10 minor:  27th William Curtis 4/7,  38th Jeremy Pang 4.   Under-10 major:  54th Shlok Lath 3/7,  77th Hithesh Avala 2.   Under-12 minor:  2nd and London champion Advait Keerthi Kumar 7.5/9,  64th Shlok Lath 3.5.  Under-14 minor:   5th Gautam Sriram 4.5/6,  37th Aashna Patel 2.5.  Under-14 major: 7th Advait Keerthi Kumar 4.5/6, 47th Ananya Patel 2.  

 

 

The Bucks Country Show, which this year takes place on the Penn Estate, Beaconsfield (near Amersham), on 4-5 May is a substantial event which typically attracts some 20,000 visitors. A word of warning - there are several shows with very similar names and this is the one where details appear at https://www.buckscountryshow.co.uk/and also at https://www.quintessentiallybritisheven ... ows-venues.

As one would expect, it's primarily an agricultural event - dogs, horses, sheep, cattle as well as a smattering of more exotic creatures - which has expanded into many other areas such as, to give just one example, motor-cycling. It runs from 10 until 5 each day - check either website for more information - and is an attraction in its own right. Ample parking. There's a range of ticket options but, as a rough guide, visitors' daily tickets for adults are £11.80p, children (age 5-15) £5, infants (under 5) free, if purchased in advance. "On the day" tickets are slightly pricier.

This year, Watford Chess Club has been invited as a new exhibitor. Club juniors, accompanied by parents and coaches and with club treasurer Sagar Patel as lead organiser, will be there to talk about chess and take on allcomers in blitz/rapid games. We'll be looking for some rotation so that the juniors can spend a couple of hours playing chess then take a break to investigate what else is on offer at the show. It's a new venture for the club which it accepted in the twin belief that it would be an interesting activity for club members, particularly juniors who have never been to this type of event before, and that it would raise the profile of the club, and chess generally, among attendees at the show.

 
 
    

Most Monday evening sessions start with group coaching (6.0 to 6.40) following which training games take place.  The length of playing sessions means that we can stage classical games (typically 45' + 15") as well as rapidplay.  Some evenings instead have matches against other clubs.  We aim to ensure that all rated training games at the club, whether rapidplay or classical, count towards juniors' ratings by the ECF within 7 days of being played. 

 

14 August 2023 (see above) saw a departure from normal club nights with WIM Natasha Regan and NI Matt Ball giving a presentation of "Zwischenzug - a comprehensive guide to intermediate moves" based on their Chessable course. Go to https://www.chessable.com/zwischenzug-a-comprehensive-guide-to-intermediate-moves/course/139623/ for an 18-minute preview video. The session was targeted at players in the 1200-1600 bracket as those below/above that range might find it too advanced/basic

Watford Juniors play over-the-board matches in the Hillingdon League and, together with adult members of the club, the main 4 Nations Chess League (4NCL) and the Hertfordshire League as well as online.  See details of these competitions below and past results by clicking 'Latest Results [OTB]' tab.

 .

We strongly recommend juniors (under-18) join the English Chess Federation because ECF membership is mandatory for all competitive events..  Junior membership of the ECF is inexpensive - see https://www.englishchess.org.uk/ecf-membership-rates-and-joining-details/ for details - and sometimes free. 
 
Full junior membership (expiring 30 September 2025) of Watford Chess Club costs £85 and is subject, in the case of new members, to their already being able to play chess at a reasonable level, taking age into account.   New juniors may be offered an initial three-month membership (£25).   "Online only" membership will be £20.   Please use the "Contact Us" facility if wishing to enquire about joining the club.
 
Main competitive activities are described opposite with a fixture list on the separate 'Fixtures' page. 
 

Ramsey Dairi (below) became joint British u-12 champion (and sole English u-12 champion) with 6/7 at Leicester in July 2023

 
                                                                                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

4 NATIONS CHESS LEAGUE

See https://www.4nclresults.co.uk/2024-25/media/4ncl/prog-div4.html for standings after 6 rounds. 


JUNIOR 4 NATIONS CHESS LEAGUE 

The over-the-board Junior 4NCL has not operated since the 2021-22 season, when Watford Juniors finished sixth in the top division.   If and when J4NCL restarts, the intention is that Watford Juniors will compete again.

 

 

Below - Advait Keerthi Kumar, London u-10 champion (+6 =1 -0, December 2022)       
 

                                                        

HILLINGDON & DISTRICT LEAGUE - JUNIOR DIVISION

 

Two Watford teams played in this competition in 2023-24, the second team aiming to give match experience to our newer and younger juniors  The "A" team finished as runners-up (+7 =0 -3) while the "B" team finished fifth of the six competing teams - Harrow and Uxbridge provided the opposition - with a record of +3 =0 -7..  

 

WEST LONDON CHESS ACADEMY:
 
The seventh WLCA session took place at Uxbridge Chess Club on Sunday 9 June with a 6-round rapidplay tournament combined with inter-round coaching.  Final cross-table below.  More details of future events to follow here shortly.  
 
Watford Chess Club joins with partner clubs in the area for WLCA purposes.      The object of WLCA is to act as a bridge between club-level and national-level coaching with a view to enabling juniors, if they have the necessary drive and ability, to progress to approximately candidate master (CM) level.  It is not intended, certainly at this point, as a substitute for good-quality club-level coaching.   Participation is open to members of Watford and partner clubs. 
 
Selection of juniors to take part will ultimately rest with coaches at the partner organisations subject (at any rate, as a general rule) to a maximum of 8-10 participants from each.   As a rule of thumb, Watford reckons to restrict participation to juniors with an ECF rating of at least {100 x attained age} with a minimum rating for this purpose of 1000.   However, given the maximum already mentioned, it is unlikely that all Watford juniors meeting this formula will be invited on every occasion.   

 

 
 We have to report the sad news that Keith Hylands has died. Keith's membership of Watford Chess Club goes back to at least 2005 and he last played in a club match on 29 April. Keith was never a star player but he was a thoroughly nice guy, genuinely well-liked by those who knew him. As well as club chess, he was a regular at weekend tournaments, most recently playing in the Isle of Wight Congress earlier in April. 

 

We also learn of the death of former club member Edwin Kalerwa.   Edwin last played for the club in 2015, having been granted asylum in the UK after fleeing oppression in his home country in Africa.   

 

And, giving credence to the notion that deaths happen in threes, we receive reports that former club member Simon Charles has also passed away.

 
 

Ernest club champion

Jennifer Hurrell presents Ernest Karumazondo, joint 2019 winner with Andrew Stone, with the Price Cup

 

CLUB PRIVACY POLICY - FORMAL NOTICE

If you are a member of Watford Chess Club (the "Club"), your personal data will be processed by the Club for the purposes of Club and membership administration and to facilitate your participation in club competitions and similar events.  For fuller information, click "Privacy Policy" link under "Policies and Procedures". 

 

Everyone is welcome (to access, click on pictorial below) at Geir Erik Nielsen's YouTube channel at

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Also embedded in the updated article is now a video of how to get the best of Arena and Leela at home.

  

USEFUL CONTACTS AND WEBSITES

 

Watford Chess Club email address

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

(allow up to 2 days for reply)

English Chess Federation

www.englishchess.org.uk/ 

Hertfordshire Chess Association

http://www.hertschess.com/ 

Hertfordshire Chess League results

http://ccgi.stevelaw0.plus.com/chess-results/

Hertfordshire Schools Chess Association

http://hsca-chess.com/ 

4 Nations Chess League (incl. J4NCL)

http://www.4ncl.co.uk/ 

Tournament chess results (main site for this)

http://chess-results.com/Default.aspx?lan=1

 ARCHIVE:

Article in Watford Observer, 19 February: https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/18247132. 

watford-chess-club-looking-sponsors-ahead-international-tournament

Club rapidplay, 30 December 2019, results at  http://chess-results.com/Tnr501649.aspx?lan=1

3rd Watford Junior (u-12) Rapidplay, 29 July 2019, results at http://chess-results.com/tnr457143.aspx?lan=1

Club rapidplay, 8 July 2019, results at http://chess-results.info/tnr453784.aspx?lan=1

Price Cup (2018-9 club championship), October 2018 to June 2019, results at  http://chess-results.com/tnr382758.aspx?lan=1

2nd Watford Junior (u-12) Rapidplay, 27 May 2019, results at http://chess-results.com/tnr435032.aspx?lan=1

Club rapidplay, 13 August 2018, results at http://chess-results.com/tnr374277.aspx?lan=1

1st Watford Junior (u-12) Rapidplay, 30 July 2018, results at http://chess-results.com/tnr373197.aspx?lan=1           

 
REPORT ON PAST YEAR'S ACTIVITIES
 
The past year, starting 1 October 2023, was one of the most unsettling in the club's recent history.   It began with an abrupt reduction in the number of adult members, a group of whom had decided to play elsewhere, which created some uncertainty over the club's ability to meet its league commitments.   Fortunately, others have more than adequately filled the gaps and Watford's first team was noticeably stronger in 2023-24 than it had been in 2022-23.   Then came the totally unexpected news that Barclays Bank were closing the club's bank account - this was not unique to Watford Chess Club but an experience shared by a number of non-profit organisations.   It took some three months to set up a new account elsewhere and, naturally, the fact that the club had no bank account during this period created further difficulties.   Fortunately, the club has now moved on and the committee can report as follows.
 
At date of writing, and subject to recount, the club has 11 adult and 45 junior members although this disregards several persons who have not paid 2023-24 subscriptions but may yet do so.   There's an obvious imbalance but this report is probably not the place to discuss it.
 
4 Nations Chess League
 
In 2022-23 Watford "A" had finished 10th of 12 teams in Division 3 and thus avoided automatic relegation.   However, the subsequent loss of several adults meant that the club could not assemble, in sufficient time, a 2023-24 team capable of performing well in a Division 3.   It was also foreseen that 4NCL weekends taking place in Warwick and Telford rather than Daventry and Milton Keynes would act as a deterrent to some players.   Watford "A" therefore opted for voluntary demotion to Division 4 where it won five and drew one of its 11 matches, finishing in mid-table.   In retrospect, it was a mistake to re-enter Watford "B" as it was possible to assemble a second team for only one of the five weekends.
 
Hertfordshire League
 
Watford's decline in the Hertfordshire League - not so long ago, it regularly had two teams in the top division - has been remarkable.   Its second team now languishes in one of the lowest divisions and the past two years have seen Watford 1 suffer successive relegations to Division 3.    In 2023-24, as a result of the departures mentioned earlier, the Watford 1 team was reconstituted and easily stemmed (+6 =2 -4) the relegation process.   In fact, at full strength, Watford 1 was almost certainly the strongest team in its division and it's a matter of conjecture why it managed to lose four matches and so didn't finish higher than third.   * 
 
The club had some difficulty assembling a Watford 2 team for away matches in Division 4, two of which it defaulted.   Its record (+4 =1 -9) left it tied on match-points with three other teams but the defaulted matches meant that it lost out in the game-point tie-break and was relegated.   If the team had played and drawn just one of those two defaulted matches, it would have survived in Division 4.
 
Hillingdon League
 
Watford Juniors "A" and "B" competed in all-junior Division X against their counterparts from Harrow and Uxbridge.   The "A" team finished runners-up (+7 =0 -3) while the "B" team finished fifth (+3 =0 -7) of the six teams.    Again here, it was often difficult to raise "B" teams for away fixtures.    Our youngest players were just 6 years old.
 
Junior Friendly Matches
 
Playing in matches against Harrow, Uxbridge and St Albans - sometimes over as many as 20+ boards - Watford Juniors generally more than held their own over the top dozen boards but tended to be appreciably weaker than their opponents below the top 12.   Consequently we lost most of these matches, most by quite narrow margins.
 
Watford Juniors were due to play an over-the-board friendly against the UK Parliamentary Chess Club, having played them earlier in an online match, in June but this had to be postponed due to the small matter of a General Election.    It is hoped to revive this after the election is over and it becomes clear which of the UKPCC team are still present in Parliament.
 
Online
 
One Watford team competed in the Online 4NCL, variously two or three Watford Juniors teams played in the Online Junior 4NCL, and one Watford Juniors team took part in the World Chess League.live - an international event featuring a total mix of teams with the most successful including grandmasters and international masters.
 
Venue
 
The club played at Herts Bowling Club on Monday evenings throughout the year.   Facilities there were regarded as very good and often commented on favourably by visiting clubs.  Having said that, it was under-used by the adult membership, many of whom appeared only for inter-club matches.   Juniors, on the other hand, were much in evidence.   In the past few months, we have begun to experiment with a satellite venue in North Watford and it is hoped to expand this.
 
General
 
In 2023-24, the club did not have an abundance of committee members or team captains.   Any shortage in team captains, in particular, impacts on the number of competitions in which the club can take part.  It also diverts committee members from considering longer-term matters.  This issue will doubtless be discussed on 22 July.
 
At time of writing, 4NCL venues for 2024-25 are still unknown.   Also, the Hertfordshire Chess Association - responsible for running the Hertfordshire League - has its Annual General Meeting on 19 July while the Hillingdon League has its Annual General Meeting on 17 July.    Assuming Watford Chess Club is represented at these meetings, it should be possible to report back to the 22 July AGM any relevant developments at those meetings.   However, this report is a historical record which is unlikely to be affected by those meetings.
 
Within the past few days, the club has made an application to the English Chess Federation to be recognised as a "Centre of Excellence" under the ECF's junior development pathway.   If successful, Watford would appear to be on course to be the first club to attain this status.

 

 
IN THE NEWS: 
 
London u-10 champion Advait Keerthi Kumar (in both pics below, along with BBC presenter Farzana Choudry and Watford coach Roger Lancaster) interviewed at BBC 3 Counties Radio on 26 February.   On 15 April,  Advait went on to beat international grandmaster Keith Arkell while scoring 6/11 in the British rapidplay - see also April issue of 'Chess Moves' 
 
 
Watford Juniors receive intermittent coverage in the local media.  As well as BBC 3CR, they were also mentioned in two pieces about the West London Chess Academy in ECF magazine 'Chess Moves' and at https://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/news/19998200.check-mates-young-players-come-together-uxbridge-chess-academy/
 

 

WATFORD v UXBRIDGE, JUNE 2021.   WATFORD  JUNIORS WHOLLY OR PARTLY VISIBLE ARE [L TO R] DENIS, AARAV, SEB, LEO, DHAIRYA, ISHAAN, JOEL

 
AWARD:  Watford Juniors were 2021 recipients of a British Chess Educational Trust award, having been nominated by the Southern Counties Chess Union.  Each such award, derived through the generosity of the late Sir George Thomas, comprises an engraved board, a wooden set and a DGT3000 digital chess clock.
 

CLUB POLO SHIRTS:  Club polo shirts can be purchased at https://myclothing.com/ in varying sizes costing £6.50 to £7 [juniors] or £8 (adults) with £3.75 delivery charge.   T-shirts available at similar cost but disregard other items 

 

                                                                                                                                       

ONLINE CHESS:
 
4 NATIONS LEAGUE - Season 6, which has just ended, was a difficult experience as most of our stronger juniors seemed to have had their fill of online chess and elected not to take part.   As a result, the 'A' team in Division 3 scored +0 =2 -5 (and 8.5 game-points from a maximum possible of 28) with the 'B' team in Division 5 faring even worse.   Interest in online chess having diminished somewhat, we've entered just one team (Division 3) in season 7 where we've won one and lost five of the first six matches..
 
JUNIOR 4 NATIONS LEAGUE - Season 6 has ended here too with the 'A' team, although again without most of our stronger players, managed +3 =2 -2 (28 game points out of a possible 56) in Division 2 but the 'B' team, which unluckiIy also played in Division 2, suffered seven straight losses.   As with the main 4NCL, we've reduced our entry to a single team (Division 2) in season 7 where we've started with two matches won and four lost.
 
 
WORLD CHESS LEAGUE LIVE :  The 2022-23 international event attracted 108 teams, mainly adults including top grandmasters, chasing a $5000 prize fund.  Joint winners were the two teams from Chess Club Politika from Belgrade, Serbia. Watford Juniors finished in 77th place.
 
For 2023-24, the teams have been divided into 12 groups.   Watford Juniors' group contains Warwick University, two teams from China and one each from Fiji, Mexico, Phillippines and South Africa.   Play starts October,
 
The juniors also have occasional friendly matches, the most recent (below) being against the UK Parliament Chess Club (including Members of Parliament as well as supporting staff such as researchers) on 21 May.