Peter Wells Simultaneous 30/5/25 on 14th May, Stroud Chess club had a successful evening with their first Grand Master Simultaneous. Grand Master Peter Wells, one of England’s top players and chess authors, took on close to 30 challengers at once in the fun and relaxed setting of Star Anise cafe. Congratulations to Alex Carey of Stroud club and Jim Beaty of Cheltenham who both manage to score victories against their illustrious opponent.
Cotswold Congress 2025 30/5/25 Congratulations to Zack Norris, who won the 55th Cotswold Congress held at King’s School at Gloucester over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. In winning the tournament out right, with an impressive score of 5/6, Zack also won the title of 2025 Gloucestershire Individual Champion. It’s believed that Zack is the youngest ever winner of the tournament. Runners up were Oliver Stubbs and Joe Varley. In the Major First place was shared between Tommy Wilkins and Hayden Grifiths who both finished on 5/6. The Minor was a 3 way tie with Aviraj Bhaduri, Paul Foster and Dexter Wildsmith all finishing on 5/6.
Phil Meade - updated 14/4/25 The sad news of the death of Phil Meade reached us on 22nd February. Phil was a true stalwart of chess in North Gloucestershire, a long standing member of Cheltenham Chess Club, a strong player and qualified arbiter. Phil was often to be found arbiting at The Cotswold and other local Congress. For many years he helped with the running of the North Gloucestershire Individual Championship, a tournament which he won in 2017. Phil also undertook the job of drawing up the North Gloucestershire league fixtures, something he did with his characteristic care and attention to detail. He will be greatly missed. Phil’s funeral will be held at Cheltenham Crematorium, Willow Chapel at 3.30pm on Wednesday April 23rd. No flowers, but donations to The Woodland Trust or English Heritage
Indy Southcott-Moyers FM 30/5/25 Congratulations to Stroud junior Indy Southcott-Moyers who at the recent Fagernes in Norway, scored 4.5/9 including draws against no less that 4 GM’s and a victory over an IM. In the process he also managed to push his FIDE Elo rating over the critical 2300, and in so do secured himself the title of Fide master. At the time of writing, Indy’s international success is continuing at the Norway Open, where he’s currently on 4/6 with 4 more draws against GM’s and two victories, one against IM Marta Garcia Martin
Stroud Summer Rapid 5/7/25 Stroud Chess Club ran another successful rapid tournament last Saturday. The event was full booked up weeks in advance, but with two last minute withdrawals a total of 58 players competed in the pleasant surroundings of St Matthew's Church Hall. Congratulations go to local junior and rapidly rising star, Zack Norris who won with an impressive, unbeaten 5.5/6. Stroud Chess Club are planning on running another tournament this autumn and with numbers, once again, limited to 60 players, make sure you get your entry in as soon as the date is announced! Stroud Chess Club would like to acknowledge the financial support of Stroud Town Council in making this tournament possible.
2024-25 Season Ends 19/7/25 With the end of the Summer league, the last club games of the 2024-25 season have been played. There’s now just the North Gloucestershire Individual Rapid Tournament scheduled for 12th and 19th August (contact Ian Gambles for details) before the AGM on Monday 8th September. Winners of the winter season tournaments were as follows… Super League - Wotton Hall Division 1 - Cheltenham Knights Division 2 - Wotton Hall Rhinos Division 3 - Cheltenham Gambits Division 4 - Cheltenham Chessers Peter Harrison Knockout - Gloucester Unicorns Summer League - Wotton Wombats Congratulations to all the winners and commiserations to everyone else!
Cotswold Congress 2025 30/5/25 Congratulations to Zack Norris, who won the 55th Cotswold Congress held at King’s School at Gloucester over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. In winning the tournament out right, with an impressive score of 5/6, Zack also won the title of 2025 Gloucestershire Individual Champion. It’s believed that Zack is the youngest ever winner of the tournament. Runners up were Oliver Stubbs and Joe Varley. In the Major First place was shared between Tommy Wilkins and Hayden Grifiths who both finished on 5/6. The Minor was a 3 way tie with Aviraj Bhaduri, Paul Foster and Dexter Wildsmith all finishing on 5/6.
Peter Wells Simultaneous 30/5/25 on 14th May, Stroud Chess club had a successful evening with their first Grand Master Simultaneous. Grand Master Peter Wells, one of England’s top players and chess authors, took on close to 30 challengers at once in the fun and relaxed setting of Star Anise cafe. Congratulations to Alex Carey of Stroud club and Jim Beaty of Cheltenham who both manage to score victories against their illustrious opponent.
Phil Meade - updated 14/4/25 The sad news of the death of Phil Meade reached us on 22nd February. Phil was a true stalwart of chess in North Gloucestershire, a long standing member of Cheltenham Chess Club, a strong player and qualified arbiter. Phil was often to be found arbiting at The Cotswold and other local Congress. For many years he helped with the running of the North Gloucestershire Individual Championship, a tournament which he won in 2017. Phil also undertook the job of drawing up the North Gloucestershire league fixtures, something he did with his characteristic care and attention to detail. He will be greatly missed. Phil’s funeral will be held at Cheltenham Crematorium, Willow Chapel at 3.30pm on Wednesday April 23rd. No flowers, but donations to The Woodland Trust or English Heritage
Indy Southcott-Moyers FM 30/5/25 Congratulations to Stroud junior Indy Southcott-Moyers who at the recent Fagernes in Norway, scored 4.5/9 including draws against no less that 4 GM’s and a victory over an IM. In the process he also managed to push his FIDE Elo rating over the critical 2300, and in so do secured himself the title of Fide master. At the time of writing, Indy’s international success is continuing at the Norway Open, where he’s currently on 4/6 with 4 more draws against GM’s and two victories, one against IM Marta Garcia Martin
Stroud Summer Rapid 5/7/25 Stroud Chess Club ran another successful rapid tournament last Saturday. The event was full booked up weeks in advance, but with two last minute withdrawals a total of 58 players competed in the pleasant surroundings of St Matthew's Church Hall. Congratulations go to local junior and rapidly rising star, Zack Norris who won with an impressive, unbeaten 5.5/6. Stroud Chess Club are planning on running another tournament this autumn and with numbers, once again, limited to 60 players, make sure you get your entry in as soon as the date is announced! Stroud Chess Club would like to acknowledge the financial support of Stroud Town Council in making this tournament possible.
2024-25 Season Ends 19/7/25 With the end of the Summer league, the last club games of the 2024-25 season have been played. There’s now just the North Gloucestershire Individual Rapid Tournament scheduled for 12th and 19th August (contact Ian Gambles for details) before the AGM on Monday 8th September. Winners of the winter season tournaments were as follows… Super League - Wotton Hall Division 1 - Cheltenham Knights Division 2 - Wotton Hall Rhinos Division 3 - Cheltenham Gambits Division 4 - Cheltenham Chessers Peter Harrison Knockout - Gloucester Unicorns Summer League - Wotton Wombats Congratulations to all the winners and commiserations to everyone else!