Newspaper Articles 1845 - 1899

21 June 1845, West Kent Guardian

‘Another game of chess between the Maidstone and Rochester clubs has just terminated, after a long and arduous struggle carried over a period of seven months. This is the third game which has been played between these two societies, two of which were won by the former and one by the latter gentlemen; thus deciding the match in favor of the Maidstone club. A match is now pending between six players from either side, to be played over the board. The result of this match, wherein face to face the power of each in this mimic warfare will be attested, is anxiously looked forward to by both parties.’ 

10 July 1882, The South Eastern Gazette

‘Chess Match at Rochester

A match at chess has been played at Rochester between six members of the Maidstone Chess Club and six of the Gundulph (Rochester) Club. The Maidstone players were Dr. Oliver and Messrs. Hodgson, Sandland, Ridley, Seeley, and Rook. Rochester was represented by the Rev. Canon Colson, the Rev. L. W. Lewis, Messrs. Look, Pepper, McLellan, and Harris, who won 12 games to their opponents’ 2, and were consequently the victors. A return match will probably take place at Maidstone shortly.’ 

16 May 1887, The Morning Post

‘The result of the match between Maidstone Church Institute and the Canterbury Chess Club is, it appears, still in abeyance. Mr John Oxbrow, the hon. secretary of the first-named club, claims a tie on the ground that although one of the Maidstone players was absent there was also an absentee on the other side, and Canterbury was allowed a substitute. Perhaps the best way of settling this matter satisfactorily would be to play off the uncontested game.’ 

18 July 1887, The Morning Post

‘The closing match of the season among the members of the Maidstone Church Institute Chess Club was played on Wednesday evening on the lawn of Warden House, Maidstone, the residence of Mr Frank Fremlim.  A garden party was given, chess tables being arranged on the lawn for the competitors, who numbered 20. Sides were chosen by Mr J. Hodgson, president of the club, and Mr Fremlim, each pair playing three games. The result was a victory for Mr Fremlin’s side by a majority of three games – 16 to 13.’ 

31 October 1887, The Morning Post

‘An interesting match took place on Wednesday at Maidstone between Maidstone Church Institute Chess Club and the Gundulph Chess Club, Rochester, resulting in a victory for the former by one game, the final score being – Church Institute, 11½; Gundulph, 10½.’ 

20 February 1888, The Morning Post

‘At a meeting of the Maidstone Church Institute Chess Club last Tuesday, the president (Mr J. Hodgson) presented to Mr C. F. Stedman, on behalf of the members, a handsome set of Staunton chess men and board, together with a book containing a list of the subscribers, on the occasion of his leaving the town and as a token of their regard and esteem.’ 

14 May 1888, The Morning Post

‘Mr Blackburne paid a visit to the Maidstone Church Institute Chess Club on Wednesday and played 24 games simultaneously, of which he won 20, lost 2, and drew 2. The two successful players were the president (Mr John Hodgson) and Mr J. H. Biggs, and the two who succeeded in drawing were Captain Godfrey and Mr G. F. Whiteman.’ 

1 October 1888, The Morning Post

‘On Wednesday last a match was played between the Maidstone Church Institute Chess Club and Ashford Chess Club, at the Whitfield Hall, Ashford, resulting in a victory for the former by 11½ games to 3½.’ 

26 November 1888, The Morning Post

‘On Tuesday a match was played between the Maidstone Chess Club and the Gundulph Chess Club, Rochester, at the Church Institute, Maidstone, resulting in a victory for the latter by a majority of one game.’ 

6 January 1890, The Morning Post

‘An interesting match between the City of London Chess Club (second team) and the Kent County Chess Association was played on Monday at the Salutation, in Newgatestreet. It may be remembered that about a year ago the City Club defeated Kent by 15 games to 5, but the county team has since improved. It included representatives of Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Dover, Folkestone, Ashford, Canterbury, Maidstone, Chatham, Rochester, Gravesend, Woolwich, Lewisham, and Lee. Their leader was the Rev. L. W. Lewis, of Rochester, and Mr C. G. Cutler was captain of the City team. Play began at 7 p.m. and at nine o‘clock the score stood 5 to 4 in favour of the City, and at ten o’clock the latter had won 10 games to their opponent‘s 5. An exciting struggle then ensued, and was kept up to the finish when it was found that the City had won the match by 13½ to 9½.’ 

27 October 1890, The Morning Post

‘At the annual meeting of the Maidstone Church Institute Chess Club, held on Tuesday, Mr John Hodgson was elected president for the ensuing year, in the room of the Rev. Canon Searth, who has resigned through ill-health.’ 

11 March 1893, The Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald

‘A MODEL WORKHOUSE ENTERTAINMENT - LIVING CHESS

Thirty-two children of the Maidstone Union Workhouse were participators in a game which “passed their understanding”, but which, nevertheless, gave great amusement to themselves as well as their onlooking fellow inmates on Wednesday. It was three games of chess played on the floor of the dining–hall, with the above number of children acting as living pieces, between Mr Bates, deputy clerk (through the sad domestic bereavement of the clerk) v the master, Mr Moys. The children were artistically and characteristically attired and went through their duties with becoming decorum and evident pleasure, as they preferred another game to going to bed. The games ended in favour of Mr Bates. There were a number of ladies and gentlemen present some of whom remarked that if similar occurrences were more frequent there would be less inclination of the general public to imagine that all workhouses are semi-prisons.’ 

24 July 1893, The Morning Post

‘Mr E. Goodwin writes: - “It is with deep regret I have to inform you of the death of Mr John Hodgson, of Maidstone, which occurred unexpectedly at his residence on Tuesday last. He was an enthusiastic chess player, and had done more to encourage the game in this neighbourhood than any other individual. He always took a special delight in assisting beginners, many of whom owe to him their knowledge of the game. His loss will be keenly felt by a large circle of chess players, as, besides being President of Maidstone Church Institute Chess Club he was a well-known member of several London and provincial clubs,. He commenced to solve the Morning Post problems as far back as No. 36, and continued to do so, with few intermissions, up to the time of his death, having on more than one occasion been successful in solving all the problems during the year”. We fully sympathise with the regret expressed by our correspondent. Mr Hodgson was a member of the British Chess Club, and his loss will be deeply felt in London as well as in Maidstone.’ 

15 March 1895, The Evening Telegraph and Star

‘IS THIS A RECORD

Mr I. Gunsberg played simultaneously against 22 members of the Maidstone Chess Club, at Maidstone, the other day. After two hours‘ play the single player had succeeded in winning every game. In the two hours Mr Gunsberg made about 600 moves, that is at the rate of 10 each minute. This reads like a record.’ 

10 August 1895, The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer

‘CHESS CHAMPIONS AT HASTINGS

GREAT INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

The great International Chess Congress promoted by the Hastings and St’ Leonards Chess Club was opened at the Brassey Institute on Monday last under most auspicious and encouraging circumstances….

PATRONS, PLAYERS, AND PRIZES

As has already been stated, such a representative Chess Tournament has never been held before, the list of competitors including all the great players of the world, no really famous Master of any country being absent. The contestants and the countries from which they hail are as follows:-

America – W. Steinitz, A. Albin, and H. N. Pillsbury

Austria – G. Marco and C. Schlechter

Canada – W. H. K. Pollock

England – E. Lasker, J. H. Blackburne, H. E. Bird, A. Burn, I. Gunsberg, J. Mason, R. Teichmann,

and S. Tinsley

France – D. Janowski

Germany – Dr. Tarrasch, E. Von Bardeleben, J. Mieses, and A Walbrodt

Italy – B. Vergani

Russia – M. I. Tchigorin and E. Schiffers

Reserve – N. W. Van Lennep (Holland)

Of the above names no less than seven, viz., Dr. Tarrasch, Steinitz, Blackburne (who by the way, is the consulting Master of the local club), Gunsberg, Burn and Tchigorin, have won first prizes at previous great international meetings. The prizes for which these champions are competing are:

1st, £150; 2nd, £115; 3rd, £85; 4th £60; 5th, £40; 6th £20; 7th, £20.

… The Tournament is under distinguished patronage, the list being as follows:

Royal Patron, H.R.H. the Duke of York, K.G; President, Mr John Watney…Mr F. Fremlin, president of the Maidstone Chess Club;…’ 

7 December 1895, The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer

‘On Wednesday last the first match ever contested between the Hastings and Maidstone Chess Clubs was played at Ashford. The Hastings side were, by arrangement, drawn from the three teams of the Club, the captaincy for the match being (in the unavoidable absence of the caption of the club) given to Mr Aloof, and the secretaryship to Mr Tuddenham. A quarter of an hour after play started, Hastings secured a victory by 11½ to 8½. Score:-

HASTINGS v MAIDSTONE

A. E. Aloof (captain) ½ ½ W. Goodwin (captain)

F. W. Womersley ½ ½ J. Oxbrow

A. H. Hall ½ ½ S. Richards

F. S. Tuddenham 1 0 J. R. Betts

J. Perkins 0 1 F. Fremlin

Rev. W. J.  Ayling ½ ½ H. A. Hughes

F. J. Kahn 1 0 A. T. Goodwin

H. King 1 0 Canon Searth

J. E. Watson 1 0 Colonel Gully

A. C. Jenour 0 1 H. R. Honey

J. A. Watt 0 1 S. Harman

H. H. Mackeson 1 0 G. B. Blackett

F. J. Mann 1 0 E. A. Foord

J. Hallaway 0 1 H. Smythe

Miss Watson ½ ½ F. G. Wickings

A. R. Henry 1 0 C. T. Craven

G. W. Faulkner 1 0 E. J. Rook

G. McCormick 0 1 G. A. Youngman

A. G. Ginner 0 1 E. Sharp

G. F. Caffyn 1 0 A. T. Harris’ 

1 February 1896, The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer

‘Hastings and St. Leonards Chess Club

The biggest chess match ever played in this part of the country takes place at Ashford next Wednesday, between the Hastings and St. Leonards Chess Club and East and Mid Kent, 50 a side. The Kent team will be drawn from Ashford, Dover, Canterbury, Rochester, Maidstone etc. and it is expected to be a strong combination for a single Club to meet.’ 

8 February 1896, The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer

‘Great Chess Match

Fifty A Side

By far the most important and interesting match ever played by the Hastings and St. Leonards Chess Club took place at Ashford, on Wednesday evening. The local Club had the temerity to propose a contest with East and Mid Kent, and the challenge being accepted, 50 players travelled from Hastings to Ashford to meet 50 opponents drawn from the Clubs at Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone, Margate, Rochester, Broadstairs, Maidstone and Tonbridge. The bulk of the match commence at five o’clock, and as all the players knew their number in the team there was a heavy throng in search of the boards with the corresponding numbers. There was a great variety of openings selected by the players; the first three boards being Vienna Game, the Ruy Lopez being adopted at 15 boards, Giuoco Piano at five, Queen’s Pawn at four boards, while the Evans Gambit, Centre Counter Defence, Philidor’s Defence, Two Knights Defence, Scotch Game, Four Knights’ Game, French Defence, Sicilian Defence, Petrov’s Defence, King’s Fianchetto Opening and irregular opening and defences all had their supports. The match was most exciting from beginning to end. Hastings had a slight lead all along, which they maintained to the end, winning the match by 25½ to 22½; two games being still undecided. The captains adjudicated some games, but two had to be sent to Mr Gunsberg for his decision. The captain on the Kent side was Mr W. M. Gattie, a celebrated player, who has held the Amateur Championship of England. The Kent men warmly congratulated the Hastings Club on putting a team of 50 in the field for an “not” match, and in winning against a team drawn from the towns, with a total population so immensely in excess of Hastings and St. Leonards. The local players were agreed that they had a most successful and enjoyable outing.

Scores :-

HASTINGS v EAST & MID-KENT

H. E. Dobell (captain) (a) Gattie (captain) (Tonbridge)

A. E. Aloof (a) Stevenson (Ashford)

H. F. Cheshire 0 1 Williams (Dover)

F. W. Womersley ½ ½ Fishwick (Margate)

Rev. W. J.  Ayling ½ ½ Godfrey (Canterbury)

W. Coupe ½ ½ Wiseman (Canterbury)

G. Herrington 0 1 Stadman (Ashford)

F. S. Tuddenham ½ ½ Busbridge (Ashford)

J. Perkins 0 1 Hall (Folkestone)

J. Fitzpatrick ½ ½ Taylor (Canterbury)

Miss Colborne ½ ½ Middlemas (Broadstairs)

H. C. Colborne 0 1 Dixon (Rochester)

W. H. Polgar 0 1 Goodwin (Maidstone)

A. C. Jenour 1 0 Brackenbury (Rochester)

F. J. Kahn 1 0 Betts (Maidstone)

H. King ½ ½ Hughes (Maidstone)

J. A. Watt ½ ½ Lane (Canterbury)

J. Martin 0 1 Swinton (Folkestone)

J. E. Watson 1 0 Mockridge (Folkestone)

H. H. Mackeson 0 1 Jones (Dover)

P. S. Hallett ½ ½ Sellon (Folkestone)

F. J. Mann 1 0 Symonds (Folkestone)

C. Chambers 1 0 Rev. Frater (Ashford)

W. H. Atkins 1 0 Goodwin (Ashford)

C. J. Skyrms 1 0 Busbridge (Ashford)

J. Hallaway 0 1 Rev. Hale (Canterbury)

Miss Watson 1 0 Dellett (Ashford)

T. Mumford 1 0 Adkins (Dover)

A. R. Henry 0 1 Canon Searth (Maidstone)

H. Orridge 0 1 Hedlinge (Canterbury)

I. F. St. John 0 1 Colonel Gully (Maidstone)

G. W. Faulkner 1 0 Rev. Brown (Ashford)

H. Braised 0 1 Hearnder (Ashford)

H. C. White 0 1 Pearson (Ashford)

G. W. Bradshaw 1 0 Dorster (Canterbury)

H. C. Deane 1 0 Stone (Canterbury)

G. Henry 0 1 Robson (Ashford)

A. Taylor 1 0 Bourne (Dover)

A. Wisden 1 0 Adams (Dover)

C. McCormick 1 0 Collard (Canterbury)

R. J. McCormick 0 1 Sayer (Ashford)

J. Stuart 1 0 Hart (Dover)  

W. Taylor 1 0 Hughes (Ashford)

G. F. Caffyn 1 0 W. B. Atkins (Dover)

A. G. Ginner 1 0 Hoday (Maidstone)

Captain Gardner 1 0 Chocoman (Ashford)

R. Taylor 0 1 Col. Campbell (Ashford)

Miss Thomas 0 1 Stuart (Canterbury)

W. Fold 0 1 Salt (Canterbury)

T. Wallis 1 0 Star (Ashford)

 (a): To be adjudicated’ 

21 November 1896, The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer

‘CORRESPONDENCE MATCH Sussex v Kent

In the inter-county chess match by correspondence, which has just started, the Hastings players are matched as follows:-

Mr H. E. Dobell v Mr J. Roe (Chatham)

Mr F. W. Womersley v Mr P. Hart-Dyke (Eynsford)

Dr. Colborne V Mr C. E. Williams (Dover)

Mr G. Harrington v Mr J. C. Waterman (Tenterden)

Mr A. E. Aloof v Mr J. Oxbrow (Maidstone)

Dr. Ballinball v Mr E. Goodwin (Wateringbury)

Mr P. Powell v Dr. Meredith (Maidstone)

Dr. H. Colborne v Mr C. H. C Richardson (Lee)

Mr L J. Jukes v Mr C. Johnson (St. Mary’s Cray)

Mr J. A. Watt v Mr A Horsey (West Grinstead)

Miss Colborne v Mr J. Evling (Chatham)

whilst Mr C. D. Locock, a well known member of the Hastings Club, but who now resided at Burwash, meets Mr W. F. Latter (South Norwood).

It will probably take about two months to play the shortest game’ 

5 March1898, The Hastings and St Leonards Observer

Maidstone v Hastings at Ashford: board 5 played on 2 March 1898

Col W. Gully – G. A. Herington 

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.Qa4 d6 5.Bb5 Bd7 6.O-O a6 7.Be2 Ne7 8.Qc2 Ng6 9.d4 exd4 10.Nxd4 Be7

11.f4 c6 12.Na3 d5 13.e5 Ne4 14.Bd3 c5 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Qxe4 cxd4 17.cxd4 Bc6 18.Qe3 Qd5 19.Qd2 Bb4 20.Qf2 Nh4 21.Nc2 Be7 22.Ne3 Qxd4 23.Rd1 Qe4 24.Bd2 Bc5 25.Re1 Nxg2 26.Re2 Nxe3 27.Qg3 Nd1+ 28.Be3 Qh1# 0-1 

13 February 1899, The Morning Post

‘The Hastings Club contested two matches at Ashford on Wednesday, the ladies playing a return match with Biddenden, and the rest of the Club being represented by a team which met the Maidstone Club. Unfortunately three of the ladies did not arrive, and the games were forfeited to their opponents, who had travelled to Ashford to meet them. Notwithstanding this handicap the ladies scored five out of the seven games actually played, a very creditable performance, which made the match a draw. Meanwhile against the Maidstone team Hastings was winning one game after another in decisive fashion. After some adjudications the result was a win for the seaside club by 14 to four. Hastings has now played 13 matches this season, winning 10, making two draws, and losing only one.’

Newspaper Articles 1900 - 1924

17 February 1900, The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer
HASTINGS v MAIDSTONE
This annual match was played at Ashford Institute on Wednesday evening last. The travellers were favoured by better weather than has hitherto attended this out match. Hastings were represented by a fairly strong mixed team, whilst Maidstone put forth the best strength they could muster. The strong and steady play of our Club members soon manifested itself, and after a pleasant, but rather one-sided, match, the score was 13 to 4 in favour of our Club.

Hastings v Maidstone

H. F. Cheshire 1 0 E. Goodwin

H. E. Dobell 1 0 S. C. Smith

J. E. Watson 0 1 E. E. Stockens

F. J. Mann ½ ½ F. A. Richardson

R. G. Drake ½ ½ J. R. Betts

H. R. Mackeson 1 0 G. A. Youngman

A. G. Ginner 1 0 A. T. Goodwin

P. S. Hallett ½ ½ H. J. C. Malins

F. A. Toyne 1 0 H. Stanford

H. King 1 0 E. Elgar

J. Ruchon 1 0 E. J. Rook

I. E. Mannington ½ ½ T. T. Grant

General Bengough 1 0 E. Burr

N. Party 1 0 W. Webb

H. Hele Bate 1 0 G. T. Evenden

J. Potter 1 0 B. F. Boorman’ 

30 March 1901, The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer

‘HASTINGS AND MAIDSTONE

A match was played on Wednesday, at the Institute, Ashford, between the Maidstone Chess Club and a team of Hastings players of varied strength, which were selected so as to make a fairly even match. The train times did not allow of a protracted contest, and after three hours’ play, some few games had to be adjudicated, giving the result:- Hastings 12; Maidstone 8. The Club will have a short rest of three weeks before playing the remaining eight matches on the card.

Hastings v Maidstone

I. M. Friedberger 0 1 E. Goodwin

F. W. Womersley 1 0 J. Oxbrow

G. Shories 1 0 J. R. Betts

G. Herrington ½ ½ H. J. C. Malins

P. Shaul Hallett 10 A. T. Goodwin

F. J. Mann 1 0 S. C .Smith

H. R. Mackeson 0 1 R. J. Sargent

F. A. Toyne ½ ½ E. A. Foord

I. E. Mannington ½ ½ F. C. Crisp

H. Luntley 0 1 F. J. Wickings

Miss Hallaway ½ ½ C. E. Buss

Angelo Lewis 1 0 C. G. Winterton

C. McCormick 0 1 A. E. Gasson

B. Perrot Smith 0 1 G. T Crook (junior)

N. Parry ½ ½ H. Stanford

Miss Watson 1 0 E. Nixon

Mrs Stevens 1 0 G. W Tillett

Mrs Jobling ½ ½ E. Winterhalter

Miss Thomas 1 0 B. F. Boorman’ 

15 March 1902, The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer

‘Chess

The Hastings and St. Leonards Chess Club meets at the Central Hall on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from three to eleven p.m. Visitors are always welcome. 

HASTINGS AGAINST MAIDSTONE

The seventh annual contest between these Clubs was played at Ashford Institute on Wednesday last, and with the usual success to our local players, who have always won, but on this occasion with a larger majority than before, much to the regret of the Maidstone gentlemen, who, although they did not expect to win, hoped to make a good fight.

Hastings v Maidstone

H. E. Dobell 1 0 E. Goodwin

H. F. Cheshire 1 0 J. Oxbrow

F. W. Womersley ½ ½ V. A. Parnell

I. M. Friedberger ½ ½ J. R. Betts

G. Herrington ½ ½ G. A. Youngman

F. J. Mann ½ ½ S. C .Smith

E. R. Willett 0 1 H. J. C. Malins

R. J. McCormick 1 0 A. T. Goodwin

A. Harsip 1 0 F. Fremlin

Angelo Lewis 0 1 E. A. Foord

Mrs Stevens 1 0 H. Stanford

Miss Watson 1 0 C. G. Winterton

H. Hore 1 0 R. Lake

Albert White 1 0 G. T. Cock

A. R. Henry 1 0 H. C. Thew

L. C. Chown 0 1 H. N. Cioognani

S. Maddison 1 0 J. Clifford

Miss Thomas 1 0 G. T. Evenden

P. F. J. Barrett 1 0 F. K. Clifford

Capt. R. D. Vincent 1 0 G. W Tillett

Totals: Hastings 15: Maidstone 5 

Game played in the match:

Annual Friendly.

Maidstone v Hastings at Ashford: board 2

J. Oxbrow v H. F. Cheshire

1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4 d5 (a) 4.Bxd5 Qh4+ 5.Kf1 g5 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.d4 Ne7 (b) 8.g3 (c) fxg3 9.Kg2 Nxd5 10.hxg3 (d) Nxc3 11.Rxh4 Nxd1 12.Bxg5 Nxb2 13.Nf3 Nc6 14.c3 Nc4 15.Bf4 Nd6 'and Black won' (e). 0 1 

(a)   This is now generally adopted, to give up the pawn, but obtain excellent development and attack.

(b)   Up to this point the game has followed the usual course, and the position may be regarded as the normal, from which spring many variations.

(c)   An extraordinary move. Nf3 or Bc4 is probably best at this point; White quite misses his way.

(d)   The only reasonable course now seems to be exd5; the text move loses two pieces, a very grave error.

(e)   The game was continued by some further play, but was quite futile on Whites part.’ 

22 March 1904, The South Eastern Gazette

‘KENT ASSOCIATION OF WORKING MEN’S CLUBS

INDOOR GAMES’ COMPETITION

A meeting of the Kent Association of Working Men’s Clubs was held at the Town Hall, Maidstone, on Thursday afternoon, when the chair was taken by the President of the Association, Mr George Marsham. There were also present:—Messrs. C. H. Scott (Hildenborough), H. G. Davis (Hoo), T. Hilder (Snodland), G. Woodward (Teston), W. A. Daw (Loose), J. Cronk (Banning), W. Rayner (Hailing), Frederick Daniell (Linton), W. Cook (Maidstone), S. Manley (Strood), J. McQuillan (Gillingham), and F. Andrews (Chatham), together with the Hon. Secretary (Mr W. T. Frost) finance. The Secretary stated that there was a balance of £60 6s. 1d. at the Bank, as against £73 6s. 6d. last year. THE INDOOR GAMES’ COMPETITION. Mr Frost stated that 28 out of the 29 Clubs entered for this competition had paid their entry fee. It was decided to debar the one defaulting Club from playing in the draw. The draws for the preliminary rounds were then taken, with the following results:-

Northern Division

·        Billiards

o   Eccles v. Burham, Gillingham v. Snodland, Strood v. Chatham, New Brompton v. Aylesford, Hailing v. Northfleet, and Hoo a bye.

·        Draughts

o   Northfleet v. Snodland, New Brompton v. Hailing, Chatham v. Ditton, Aylesford v. Hoo, Gillingham v. Burham, and Higham a bye.

·        Chess

o   Northfleet v. Gillingham, Aylesford v. Hailing, Chatham v New Brompton, and Snodland v. Hoo. 

·        Whist

o   Eccles v. Higham, Burham v. Lower Halstow, Northfleet v. Strood, Hailing v. Gillingham, Snodland v. Chatham, Aylesford v. New Brompton, Ditton v. Sittingbourne, and Hoo a bye.

·        Cribbage

o   Ditton v, Snodland, Hoo v. Aylesford, Burham v. Eccles, Northfleet v. Lower Halstow, Gillingham v. Strood, Higham v. Sittingbourne, New Brompton v. Chatham, and Hailing a bye.

·        Dominoes

o   Northfleet v. Snodland, Eccles v. Aylesford, New Brompton v. Burham, Higham v. Strood, Lower Halstow v. Hoo, Chatham v. Gillingham, and Hailing v. Ditton.

·        Euchre

o   Ditton v. Hailing, Higham v. Eccles, Northfleet v. Gillingham, New Brompton v. Hoo, Strood v. Chatham, Burham v. Aylesford, and Snodlaud v. Lower Halstow. 

Southern Division

·        Billiards

o   Loose v. West Borough (Maidstone), Wateringbury v. Tovil, and Tonbridge v. Brewer-street (Maidstone).

·        Draughts

o   Hunton v. Wateringbury, Teston v. Plaxtol, and Tovil v. Brewer-street (Maidstone).

·        Chess

o   Wateringbury v. Brewer-street (Maidstone).

·        Whist

o   Tonbridge v. Hunton…’ 

23 November 1905, The Evening News

‘KENT DEFEATS HANTS

Two matches in the Southern Counties’ Union Championship Competition were played last Saturday at the City of London Club, Surrey defeating Sussex by 12 to 4, and Kent almost securing the same score against Hants. Owing to the absence of players from several important centres in the county the Hampshire team was not up to its proper strength – Basingstoke, Winchester, and the Isle of Wight being unrepresented, and Bournemouth and Portsmouth only providing two players each. The Petersfield and Southampton players did well, seeing that they were responsible for the whole of the points scored.

HANTS 5 v KENT 11

Mr J. H. Blake (Southampton) ½ ½ Mr O. C. Muller (Lewisham)

Mr F. J. H. Elwell (Southampton) 1 0 Mr E. Raymond (Tunbridge Wells)

Mr T. Crassweller (Portsmouth) 0 1 Mr E. Creswell (Lee)

Absent def 1 Mr C. H. Lorch (Sydenham)

Mr W. C. Kenny (Southampton) 0 1 Mr C. Chapman (Sevenoaks)

Mr W. N. Neve (Bournemouth) 0 1 Mr W. B. Dixon (Rochester)

Mr A. Thomson (Bournemouth) 0 1 Mr R. F. B. Jones (Dover)

Mr A. Asher (Southampton) ½ ½ Mr G. A. Felce (Bromley)

Mr J. R. Waldron (Southampton) 0 1 Mr T. C. Connan (Tunbridge Wells)

Mr G. Wood (Portsmouth) 0 1 Mr G. Metzler (Chatham)

Mr G. H. Barclay (Andover) 0 1 Mr A. J. Prichard (Lee)

Mr D. H. H. Wassell (Petersfield) 1 0 Mr B. W. Hamilton (Lee)

Mr W. S. Fenwick (Southampton) ½ ½ Mr H. Storr-Best (Bromley)

Rev. A. T. Richardson (Petersfield) ½ ½ Mr F. Clayton (Chatham)

Mr H. J. Penwill (Southampton) 1 0 Mr V. A. Parnell (Maidstone)’ 

26 February 1907, The South Eastern Gazette

CHESS

COUNTY CUP

The following match in the Kent Chess Association competition was played at the Church Institute, Maidstone, on February 16th, the visitors winning by one game:-

Maidstone v Tunbridge Wells

J. Oxbrow ½ ½ E. L. Raymond

S. C. Smith (a) 1 0 T. C. Connan

E. A. Foord 1 0 H. Butler
H. Stanford 0 1 W. M. Brooke

A. T. Goodwin 0 1 G. Read

H. J. C. Malins 0 1 B. T. Stevenson

H. N. Cioognani 1 0 W. A. Happell

F. I. Wickings 0 1 J. D. Garside

Totals: Maidstone 3½: Tunbridge Wells 4½ 

In the friendly match played at the same time Maidstone Chess Club was successful, as below:-

Maidstone II v Tunbridge Wells II

H. G. King 1 0 H. Macpherson

F. E. Douse (a) 1 0 J. Saxby

E. J. Rook ½ ½ R. H. S. Stevenson

J. A. C. Waterman 0 1 W. H. Clifton

A. Le Messurier 1 0 H. A. Honey

C. E. Wright 0 1 C. S. Kent

Totals: Maidstone 3½: Tunbridge Wells 2½

(a) adjudicated. 

KRIEGSPIEL TOURNEY.

Maidstone Chess Club held their first Kriegspiel chess tourney with 16 entries at the Church Institute on February 20th. In this the players have separate boards and do not know their opponent’s moves. Most of the games were closely contested, the score in full being as follows:-

First Round

H. Stanford lost to L. S. Pascall

E. Winterhalter beat C. F. Whibley

C. C. Leaver beat D. M. Johnston

A. C. Waterman beat S. C. Smith

A. Le Messurier beat. S. Hunt

J. Oxbrow beat J. H. Youngman

H. N. Cioognani beat E. A. Foord

G. A. Youngman and C. E. Wright, stalemate

Second Round

E. Winterhalter and L. S. Pascall, stalemate

G. A. Youngman beat C. C. Leaver

J. Oxbrow lost to H. N. Cioognani

A. 0. Waterman beat A. Le Messurier

Semi-final

E. Winterhalter lost to H. N. Cioognani

A. C. Waterman beat G. A. Youngman, on replay after stalemate

Final

H. N. Cioognani (2nd prize) lost to A. C. Waterman (1st prize).’ 

23 July 1912, The Devon and Exeter Gazette

‘Mr S. W. May has won the Championship of the Maidstone Chess Club. The same player was also successful the previous year.’ 

12 November 1919, The Courier

‘Kent County Championship Tournament. The following is the pairing in the first round of this tournament, entries for which have now closed:-

1. Capt. F .F. Harding (Broadstairs) v Rev. D. R. Fotheringham (Charing)

2. S. G. Howell Smith (Hythe) v Very Rev. Mgr. Coote (Folkestone)

3. F. C. Dundock (Ashford) v M. Wilson (Maidstone)

4. T. W. Fenwick (Maidstone) v T. L. Hutchings (Chatham)

5. G. A. Youngman (Maidstone) v N. F. Holmes (Swanley)

…

12. F. A. Richardson (Maidstone) v J. W. G. Jamieson (Tunbridge Wells)’ 

16 January 1920, The Courier

‘County Championship Tournament. First round result - F. C. Dundock (Ashford) has defeated M. Wilson (Maidstone).

Kent County Cup. Sections I and II – The Maidstone and Chatham Clubs have agreed to decide the East Kent Semi-Final by the best of three matches. In the first game, played on January 3rd at Maidstone, the Chatham Club was weakly represented owing to illness and the holidays, and suffered a severe defeat. Full score as follows:-

Maidstone v Chatham

L. C. G. Dewing ½ ½ T. L. Hutchings

C. G. Spicer 1 0 E. W. Newport

H. Stanford 1 0 J. P. Ingram

M. Wilson 1 0 Default

A. T. Goodwin 1 0 J. Graham

T. M. Fenwick 1 0 F. Brettell

H. J. C. Malins 1 0 M. Lott

T. Cloke 1 0 Mrs Lott

Totals: Maidstone 7½: Chatham ½’ 

7 May 1920, The Courier

‘Kent Cup Tournament. The outstanding game at board 5 in the Final tie between Bromley and Maidstone has been awarded a win for Mr Youngman (Maidstone), so the Maidstone Club win the match by 5-3, and the Cup for the first time in their history. We congratulate them upon their excellent form. 

Local Club News.

• Maidstone - The Club Championship has ended in a win for Mr G. A. Youngman

• Broadstairs – The Hon. Secretary of the local Club writes hopefully of the prospects of holding a successful Congress in the town next Easter.’

18 June 1920, The Courier

‘Correspondence Match. Kent v “National News” – Mr W. G. Goble (Maidstone) has drawn with Mr Bothwell at board 25.’ 

30 July 1920, The Courier

Chess

‘Personal Notes

We much regret to notice the death of Major-General C. E. Cumberland, C.B. an Indian Mutiny veteran, and a keen supporter of Maidstone Chess Club for many years.’
 

10 December 1920, The Courier

‘Kent Cup Tournament. Section II Played at Maidstone

Maidstone v Chatham

C. G. Spicer ½ ½ W. T. Hurley

J. P. Ingram 1 0 T. L. Hutchings

M. Wilson 0 1 A. Lee Gardner

H. Ransom (a) D. M. Polley

H. G. King (a) E. W. Newport

H. J. C. Malins ½ ½ A. Kimmins

T. M. Fenwick (a) C. E. Buss

H. Stanford 0 1 J. Davis

Extra Boards

A. T. Goodwin 0 1 A Phillips

T. Cloke 1 0 A. Hammond

C. C. Leaver 1 0 F.G. V. Lott

W. G. Goble 1 0 H. Reed

E. J. Rook 1 0 W. Evans

Totals: Maidstone 6: Chatham 4

(a): To be adjudicated 

World’s Record Chess Match. A match has been arranged between Kent and Surrey, to take place on Saturday April 16th 1921 at the Central Hall, Westminster. Four hundred players will compete - 200 a side. All members of the Kent County Association are asked to reserve this date, as the full strength of the County will be required.’ 

17 December 1920, The Courier

‘County Championship Tournament. First round results:- F. C. Bundock beat G. A. Youngman (Maidstone), and M. Wilson (Maidstone) beat G. Wicker (West Malling). 

Kent Cup Tournament. Mr Blackburne’s adjudications in the game between Maidstone and Chatham, published last week, decided the match in favour of Maidstone 4½-3½ :-

H. Ransom ½ ½ D. M. Polley

H. G. King 1 0 E. W. Newport

T. M. Fenwick 1 0 C. E. Buss’ 

30 June 1922, The Courier

‘Correspondence Chess. Kent v Philatelists. Latest results.

The Rev. A. Howell Smith has lost at board 3.

H. Stanford (Maidstone) has drawn at board 10.

Dr. R. W. Diver (Eltham) has won at board 17.

H.P. Hosgood (Preston) has won at board 27.

Totals: Kent 9: Philatelists 5.’ 

9 March 1923, The Courier

‘Kent Cup Tournament. Section II – In this Section Maidstone are winners with three wins and one draw.’ 

8 June 1923, The Courier

‘Kent Cup Semi-Final. Played at Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells v Lewisham St. Mary’s

T. C. Connan 0 1 W. Skillicorn

B. T. Stevenson 0 1 J. E. D. Moysey

E. L. Nichols 0 1 Rev. W. R. Greenhalgh

W. M. Brooke 0 1 P. F. J. Barrett

Dr. N. Grace 0 1 R. H. S. Stevenson

F. H. Jacobs 1 0 E. S. Tinsley

C. J. Ranger 1 0 Mrs Stevenson

A. E. Naish 1 0 F. J. Dennis

Totals: Tunbridge Wells 3: Lewisham St. Mary’s 5

This success places Lewisham St. Mary’s in the Final with the Maidstone Club.’ 

21 September 1923, The Courier

‘The Autumn Council meeting of the Kent Chess Association takes place at Anderton’s Hotel, E.C.4 on Saturday 29th September at 3.15 p.m. The principal business to be dealt with is the grouping of the Clubs entering for the Kent and Lewis Cup Tournaments, The arrangement aimed at by the Committee is as follows:-

Kent Cup.

o   Section I. – Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone, Herne Bay

o   Section II. – Chatham Institute, Maidstone, Rochester and Chatham

o   Section III. – Bromley, Sevenoaks, Sydenham, Tunbridge Wells

o   Section IV. – Eltham, Lee, Lewisham St. Mark’s, Lewisham St. Mary’s

Lewis Cup.

o   Section I. – Broadstairs, Margate, Old Langtonians, Ramsgate (possibly two clubs)

o   Section II. – Dartford, Erith, Erith “Magnet”, Gravesend, Northfleet Factory

o   Section III. – Bromley II, Orpington, Penge and Beckenham Liberal, Sydenham II, Tunbridge Wells II

o   Section IV.- Lee II, Lewisham St. Mark’s II, Lewisham St Mary’s II, Woolwich Arsenal’ 

28 December 1923, The Courier

‘Mid-Season Review.

o   In the Kent Cup Tournament, matters are not very far advance in Section 1. Canterbury being ahead. In Section II. Maidstone have scored against both Rochester and Chatham Institute Clubs. In Section III…

o   The County Championship Tournament is shaping for the third round as follows:

§  C. G. Spicer (Maidstone) v H. W. Bryceson or G. G. Homan

§  W. M. Brooke (Tunbridge Wells) v A. G. Hargreaves or G. A. Youngman

§  Mrs Holloway (Bromley) v H. Storr-Best (Sydenham)

§  E. A. Coad-Pryor or C. H. Taylor or J. B. Shaw v L. W. Dodds’

Newspaper Articles 1925 - 1949

18 March 1938, The Dover Express and East Kent News
‘The Dover Chess Club, with a score of 34½ games, to Canterbury’s 31 (possibly 31½), has won the East Kent Division of the County Cup competition, and will play Maidstone, winners of the Mid-Kent Section, in the semi-final, at Ashford, on April 2nd.

Although Dover’s wining position is settled, the question of second place depends on the adjudication upon an unfinished game in the match Ramsgate v Canterbury played on Saturday. The score in this is at present: Canterbury 4, Ramsgate 3, and a win on adjudication to Ramsgate, would give second place to them’ 

15 April 1938, The Dover Express and East Kent News

‘KENT COUNTY CUP. The semi-final in the Kent County Chess Association Cup Competition was played at the Ashford Institute on Saturday between Dover and Maidstone, and resulted in a win for Maidstone by 5½ games to 2½. Dover lost three games very quickly, but still had some chances until nearly the close of play. The scores were:-

Dover v Maidstone

R. F. B. Jones ½ ½ C. G. Spicer

A. W. Hughes 0 1 Capt. L. Hammond

P. Gardiner ½ ½ A. H. Knight

A. F. L. Benning (a) 0 1 W. B. Robinson

R. Killick ½ ½ H. Stanford

T. Buckle (a) 1 0 T. Coke

A. Newing 0 1 G. E. Wilcock

A. W. Killick 0 1 J. F. Westley

(a): adjudicated’ 

7 October 1938, The Dover Express and East Kent News

‘At the annual meeting of the Dover Chess Club, held last week, the minutes were confirmed of a special meeting held at the end of last season, when it was decided to reduce the subscription to 10s. 6d. per annum.

The Hon. Secretary and Treasurer (Mr A. W. Hughes) presented the accounts for the past year, which showed a balance of slightly over £1 in hand, the expenditure almost entirely being devoted to the hire of rooms for weekly play. It was arranged to conduct a tournament in which the players will all meet, but so arranged that a prize is open to players who are not in the strongest class. Another tournament on handicap lines is also being arranged.

The Match Captain (Mr R. F. B. Jones) was able to report that last season was one of the most successful in the Club’s history, as it reached the semi-final of the Kent Senior cup, after a strenuous contest with all the Clubs in East Kent. Dover won both matches with Ramsgate, and against Canterbury, Folkestone and Margate scored wins on in one of the two matches played against each other and losses in the other. As a result, though Dover and Canterbury tied in match points, Dover led in game points by 34½ to Canterbury’s 31½. In the semi-final, Maidstone won by 5½ to 2½. Most points in the matches were scored by Mr T. Buckle…’ 

27 January 1939, The Courier

‘Kent Cup Match at Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells v Maidstone

E. L. Nichols 0 1 T. F. Lawrence

W. M. Brooke ½ ½ C. G. Spicer

A. E. Naish 0 1 Captain L. Hammond

Captain D. F. Vines 1 0 A. H. Knight

P. R. S. Brooke ½ ½ W. B. Robinson

H. Joad 1 0 T. Captain H. S. Knowles

Captain H. J. S. Brooke 1 0 H. J. C. Malins

D. E. Heasman 0 1 H. Stanford

Totals: Tunbridge Wells 4: Maidstone 4

Having won the first match by 4½ to 3½, Tunbridge Wells wins Section II. and pass into the semi-final round.’ 

22 September 1939, The Dover Express and East Kent News

‘The Kent County Chess Association has suspended all activities for the present, such as inter-club and county matches. The Dover Chess Club is not meeting, though members not having duties to perform will, no doubt, arrange for private chess gatherings. In the event of anyone serving at Dover wanting to get in touch with chess players in Dover or East Kent, information would be given by the Hon. Treasurer, Kent County Chess Association, 45, Park Avenue. Dover.’ 

26 March 1948, The Dover Express and East Kent News

‘The Kent Junior Cup semi-final, between Dover and Maidstone, was played at Ashford on Saturday last, and after a very keen struggle Maidstone won by one game. Scores:-

Dover II v Maidstone III

A. Foster ½ ½ C. F. Clifford

A. E. Lawes 0 1 H. Stanford

H. Pratt 0 1 H. A. Matthews

B. White 1 0 F. J. Reynolds

K. White 0 1 J. Knight

W. H. Overton 1 0 T. P. Lever

The games at the first and last boards were unfinished, and subsequently adjudicated. 

At Maidstone during the weekend, the semi-final of the Kent Individual Championship was played when Mr A. H. Knight, winner of the Mid-Kent Section, defeated Mr R. F. B. Jones, winner of the East Kent Section.’ 

16 February 1949, Chatham Standard

Game published from the Kent County Cup match played on 29 January 1949

Rochester v Maidstone at Maidstone: board 1

W. W. Hunt – C. G. Spicer 

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bg5 O-O 7.e3 Qe7 8.Bd3 h6 9.Bh4 e5 10.d5 Na5

11.O-O Bxc3 12.Qxc3 b6 13.Nd2 g5 14.Bg3 Nh5 15.f4 Nxg3 16.hxg3 f5 17.fxe5 dxe5 18.e4 f4 19.gxf4 gxf4 20.Nf3 Re8 21.Qe1 Nb7 22.b4 Nd6 23.a4 a5 24.c5 bxc5 25.bxc5 Nb7 26.Bb5 Qxc5+ 27.Kh1 Re7 28.Rc1 Qe3 29.Qh4 Rg7 30.Rc6 Qxe4 31.Re1 Qxd5 32.Rxe5 Qd1+ 33.Re1 1-0 

25 March 1949, The Dover Express and East Kent News

‘In the semi-final round of the Kent Junior Cup, Dover lost to Maidstone, at Ashford on Saturday, 6-0.

Dover v Maidstone

A. Foster 0 1 J. D. Small

H. Pratt 0 1 E. V. Scott

W. H. Overton 0 1 Dr. Wallerstein

H. White 0 1 S. Harrison

E. S. Alexander 0 1 F. J. Reynolds

A. E. Thomson 0 1 E. W. Browne’ 

Newspaper Articles 1950 - 1974

10 April 1954, The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer

Correspondence game published

The game started in November 1953 and was completed in about April 1954.

Maidstone Chess Club - Hastings Chess Club  

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.Bxd5 cxd5 13.d4 Bd6 14.Re1 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Qf3 Bg4 17.Qxd5 Rad8 18.Qg2 Qh5

19.Bd2 Bf3 20.Qf1 f5 21.Na3 f4 22.Bxf4 Rxf4 0-1 

3 October 1961, ??

‘Photograph:

·        The President of the Maidstone Chess Club, Mr H. F. Reed, presenting 17-years-old Martin Wood with the champion’s cup, at the annual meeting on Monday

Chess champion at 17.

The Maidstone Chess Club’s youngest ever was presented with a trophy at the club’s annual meeting at the Royal Star Hotel, Maidstone on Monday.

He was 17-years-old Martin Wood, a Grammar School boy who lives at 25 Square Hill Road, Maidstone. A member of the club for two years, the new champion has taken an interest in chess for the last five years.

The presentation was made by the President, Mr H. F. Reed.

Mrs H. Wilding became the first person to win the Reynolds’ Trophy awarded to the member with the most points at the end of the year, and Mr J. D. Small, the Match Captain won the champion’s Runners-up cup.

Mr R. Jolley, Secretary, reported that membership remained at 31. It was hoped more members would be joining in the coming year.

Tribute was paid to three members who had recently left the district by Mr R. Jolley. They were Mr C. G. Spicer, who had been a prominent figure in Maidstone chess for 40 years, Mr K. Mosely, Secretary of the club for a number of years, and Mr R. J. Williams.

Mr R. Jolley also expressed the club’s gratitude to Mr F. Reynolds for his presentation of 14 match boards and sets, which he made by hand.

One of the sets and boards is to be used as a trophy and will be awarded annually to the member who has made the greatest contribution in matches during the previous season.

Officers elected were: President, Mr H. F. Reed; Chairman, Mr R. A. Barrand; Secretary Mr R. Jolley.’ 

?? ?? 1961, ??

‘Photographs:

·        3 no - Former British Champion Leonard Barden took on 23 members of Maidstone Chess Club simultaneously on Saturday and defeated 19 of them He drew two other games and lost two.

The 32-years-old English international player was giving a simultaneous display in the Royal Star Hotel, Maidstone. Club Secretary Mr R. Jolley, of Wolfe Road, was one of the losers. “Barden was too good for me,” he admitted.’ 

?? ?? 1961, ??

‘He beat 19

23 players oppose chess master

Photograph:

·        Former British Champion Leonard Barden, took on 23 members of Maidstone Chess Club simultaneously and defeated 19 of them He drew two games and lost two.

Mr Leonard Barden visited Maidstone Chess Club on Saturday and gave a simultaneous display against 23 opponents.

Mr Barden, an English international and former British Champion, is well known for his profound knowledge of the openings, and moving with great speed, soon had many players in trouble.

At the tea interval, after 90 minutes’ play, 26 moves had been played and although few games were finished most players were pessimistic about their chances.

Mr Barden, in spite of having had to make nearly 600 moves, appeared completely unperturbed. He discussed the play on several boards and appeared to be carrying the course of each game clearly in his mind.

When play was resumed, resignations began to follow thick and fast, and the tempo for the remainder became increasingly hectic.

After three and a half hours all games had been completed, and Mr Barden’s final score was the impressive one of 19 wins, two draws and two losses.

Mr Barden, who showed not the slightest sign of strain and indeed appeared considerably fresher at the end than some of his opponents, remarked that the club had made him “work very hard” and said that he was particularly impressed by the strong resistance offered by some of his schoolboy opponents.

Wins were scored by E. Smith (Rochester Chess Club) and J. D. Small (Maidstone Chess Club) and draws by R. A. Barrand and O. J. Fox of Maidstone Chess Club.’ 

?? ?? 1962, ??

‘Chess club calls for more members

Photograph:

·        Trophy winners who received their awards at Maidstone Chess Clubs’ A.G.M. on Monday. Left to right: Mr P. G. Sussman, Mr Martin Wood and Mr M. A. MacCallum

Mr R. Jolley, Secretary of Maidstone Chess Club, stressed the need for more members at the annual meeting at the Royal Star Hotel, Maidstone on Monday.

Membership for the season was only 28 and while it was pleasing to note the increasing interest of juniors the number of adult members was still low.

As a result of the low membership, the club showed a considerable deficit this year.

“This cannot be allowed to happen during the coming season” Mr R. Jolley emphasised. “A real effort is needed by every member to increase membership.”

“There has been a chess club in Maidstone for over 80 years and it is our responsibility to see that it continues.”

Mr R. Jolley said that the highlight of the season was the simultaneous display by Mr L. W. Barden. His score of 19 wins, two draws and only two losses testified to the quality of his performance.

He gave a special word of thanks to Mr P. G. Sussman for all that he had done to assist the club during the past year.

Busy season

Giving his report, Mr J. D. Small, Secretary, said that although the club had rather indifferent success in the County Cup and Stevenson Cup tournaments, the season had been a busy one. New features included friendly matches against Canterbury, Maidstone Technical and Senacre schools.

A team was entered for the Chess Correspondence tournament and gained second place.

For the second year running. M. L. Wood, and 18-years-old former Maidstone Grammar School pupil, won the club tournament and was presented with the Stanford Cup. Runner-up was M. A. MacCallum.

The Reynolds Trophy was won by Mr Sussman, who scored four points out of a possible six in club matches.

The presentations were made by the President, Mr H. F. Reed.

Mr H. F. Reed was re-elected President, Mr R. A. Barrand, Chairman, Mr R. Jolley, Secretary and Treasurer, and Mr J. D. Small Match Captain.

Mr E. W. Baker, a member of the committee thanked Mr R. Jolley for the tremendous amount of work he put in during the past year.

Mrs H. Wilding, Mr E. W. Baker, Mr O. J. Fox and Mr P. G. Sussman were re-elected on to the committee with the addition of Mr A. A. Maris.’ 

?? November 1962, ??

‘Photograph:

·        Mr R. A. Barrand giving a simultaneous display

Main object of Maidstone Chess Club’s “Open Night” at the Royal Star Hotel last night was to stimulate greater interest in this fascinating game and encourage more people to join the club. The fact that only 35 people attended reveals once again that many people are not aware that a chess club exists in the town.

Mr R. Jolley, Secretary, told a reporter that while the number of people attended was low, he was however quite satisfied, “This is the first time that we have held an open night and while I expected to see more people attend I was reasonably satisfied with the attendance. At least it encourages us to do a little bit more next year”.

The club meets two nights a week - on Mondays and Thursdays - in the Princes Hall and anyone interested is welcome to come along.

Membership is 30s a year, which works out less that 6d a night. Membership for juniors is only 7s 6d.

“The Open night” – part of National Chess Week (November 4th - 10th) – involved a simultaneous exhibition by Chairman, Mr R. A. Barrand: a lightning tournament, with limited time for moves: a consultation game, where several players participate on either side: and Kriegspiel – a variation of the unusual game.’ 

?? ?? 1963, ??

‘Maidstone Chess Club

Secretary beaten by guest player

Maidstone Chess Club opened the new season with their annual friendly match over eight boards against the local Grammar School at the Royal Star Hotel on Monday.
The home team won by the narrowest possible margin, 4½-3½.

As the Grammar School team was one short, the home team “lent” them young David Wigg (a pupil from another local school) and as so often happens in such cases the “borrowed” player conducted a finely played game against the popular Secretary R. Jolley, to register the first win of the evening for the school.

O. J. Fox, playing against a Sicilian Defence of the Grammar School’s captain, A. R. Philips, who had to sacrifice a bishop for a pawn to allow the escape of his queen, and, indeed was in danger of losing it altogether, but for an injudicious rook-move which enabled O. J. Fox to fork his opponent’s king and rook with a knight. Faced with the loss of a whole piece Philips resigned on the spot, thus levelling the score.

A. E. Aldridge’s king-side attack was gaining ground against H. D. Hancock’s very cramped game. In a position which cried out for a full-scale attack, he faltered just long enough for general exchanges to be made, and at the adjudication had to be content with a draw.

Meanwhile E. (“Ted”) Ransom was winning his game against D. J. Rust, and D. A. Tame and Peter Flambard had agreed a draw.

The unfinished games at close of play were adjudicated by the two captains, in consultation with their teams. These resulted in a win and two draws for each side.

In the absence of Maidstone’s long-standing captain, Mr J. D. Small, Mr H. D. Hancock stood in.

Full score of the match:

Maidstone v Grammar School

H. D. Hancock’s (adj) ½ ½ A. E. Aldridge

O. J. Fox 1 0 A. R. Philips

D. A. Tame ½ ½ P. Flambard

A. A. Maris (adj) ½ ½ P. J. Carpenter

P. Sussman (adj) 0 1 J. S. Harris

E. W. Baker (adj) 1 0 R. D. Fridd

E. Ransom 1 0 D. J. Rust

R. Jolley 0 1 D. Wigg’ 

?? ?? 1963, ??

‘Chess Club Subs may be increased.

Photograph:

·        Mr H. D. Hancock with the trophy

Members of Maidstone Chess Club were warned at Monday’s annual meeting at the Royal Star Hotel that the time was not far distant when subscriptions would have to be increased in order to cope with the current spiralling expenses.

Secretary Mr R. Jolley explained that Thursday evening meetings during the winter would be discontinued because the club could not afford the room rent and that affiliation fees to the Southern Counties Chess Union and the British Chess Federation had been increased.

“But” he added reassuringly “owing to our increased in membership the financial statement shows a profit of £5 17s 6d which compares well with our £10 4s 4d deficit in the previous season”.

Membership for the season was 44 which included 18 new members.

Mr R. Jolley congratulated members on the very pleasing result to their efforts in response to his appeal for new members.

Ten of the new members were juniors whose numbers had more than trebled over the past two seasons.

Club captain Mr J. D. Small said that the County Cup team has a rather unsuccessful season, winning only one game out of eight. By contrast, the Stevenson Cup team won the Mid-Kent section with seven wins out of eight matches.

The Reynolds Trophy was won by Mr H. D. Hancock who scores six points from nine games.

Twenty-two players entered for the club tournament which was played in three sections of equal strength. Section winners were Mr O. J. Fox, Mr H. D. Hancock and Mr J. D. Small.

The play-off resulted in a tie between Mr O. J. Fox and Mr H. D. Hancock. The second play-off resulted in a 2-0 win for Mr H. D. Hancock and Mr J. D. Small congratulated him on winning the championship at the first attempt.

Winner of the Lightning Tournament was Mr A. J .Cook, with Mr R. A. Barrand runner-up.

In the simultaneous exhibition by the club champion, the club won by 11½ points to 3½.

During National Chess Week, commencing October 28th, Mr H. D. Hancock will give another simultaneous display.

After three years as Secretary Mr R. Jolley said that he did not wish to stand for re-election because he was getting married at the end of the year. Mr O. J. Fox was elected the new Secretary.

Mr H. F. Reed was re-elected President and Mr J. D. Small Match Captain.

The following were elected to serve on the committee: Mrs H. Wilding, Mr E. W. Baker, Mr A. A. Maris, Mr P. G. Sussman, Mr R. Jolley and Mr H. D. Hancock.’ 

?? ?? 1963, ??

‘Chess club

Maidstone Chess club’s annual friendly match against Hastings Chess Club was played at Hastings on Saturday. As usual, the Hastings club produced a formidable team, and won the match by 8½-1½.

On board two, R. J. Cook obtained a winning position against H. G. T. Matchett, but blundered and had to be content with a draw. The only winner for Maidstone was Mrs H. Wilding, who scored a quick win over H. G. White on board eight.

Results:

Maidstone v Hastings

J. D. Small 0 1 W. A. Winser

R. J. Cook ½ ½ H. G. T. Matchett

D. A. Tame 0 1 R. St. G. Upton

H. D. Hancock 0 1 G. F. Ramsay

E. W. Baker 0 1 J. R. Cheshire

P. G. Sussman 0 1 E. Peck

R. Jolley 0 1 C. V. W. Lucas

Mrs H. Wilding 1 0 H. G. White

D. Wigg 0 1 A. C. Hopkinson

Miss M. Goodwin 0 1 F. A. Busbridge’ 

?? October 1963, ??

‘Invitation from the Chess Club

Next week is National Chess Week. This is an annual event, the object of which is to encourage interest in one of the few games which are played to the same rules throughout the world. So many young people in this country learn the moves and then give up. They miss a fascinating game and intellectual exercise, which to the average player is absorbing.

To launch the week locally, the Maidstone Chess Club are” At Home” on Monday next at 8 p.m. at the Royal Star Hotel, when the club champion Mr H. D. Hancock, will give a simultaneous exhibition.

Anyone interested - beginner or expert - will be most welcome to take a board against Mr H. D. Hancock and try to beat him. Members of the club will be at hand to give details of the excellent facilities available for local players.’ 

?? October 1963, ??

‘He took on odds of 25-1

Photograph:

·        Mr H. D. Hancock

Maidstone Chess Club champion Mr H. D. Hancock took on no less than 25 opponents in a simultaneous exhibition at the Royal Star Hotel on Monday.

The final result, after his marathon performance which involved some 500 moves in two-an-three-quarter hours, was three wins for Mr H. D. Hancock, with 13 draws and nine losses.

The event is normally confined to club members, but to mark National Chess Week this year it was decided to make it an open one.

Mr H. D. Hancock adopted a wide variety of openings, including King’s Pawn, Queen’s Pawn and even, on one board 1. f3 but the English opening appeared to be one of his favourites.

He was soon involved in the complications of the middle game, but managed to keep up a remarkable speed throughout.

Observers noted that the average “lap time” was seven minutes, which represented a time of only 17 seconds per move - a speed which might surprise those who think chess is a slow game.

Whether dealing with a solid French Defence or a wild Fegatello or “Fried Liver” attack Mr Hancock appeared equally unperturbed.

When play finished at 10:30 p.m. the club champion still appeared to be quite fresh, if possible somewhat foot-sore. Unfinished games were adjudicated by the Secretary and Match Captain.’ 

9 November 1963, ??

‘Adjudication to decide result.

Maidstone Chess Club enjoyed their visit to Tunbridge Wells on Saturday. Both clubs were at full strength and an even and exciting match resulted.

In the County Cup match, H. D. Hancock was soon in difficulties against J. W. Ecelson, one of Kent’s strongest players, and finally succumbed to a King’s side attack. A win by R. A. Barrand on board two redressed the balance.

Tunbridge Wells players were successful on board three, and on board four, where O. J. Fox overlooked a simple mate by his opponent. On board five, J. D. Small pressed home a successful attack after his opponent had weakened his king’s wing with pawn moves.

A. E. Aldridge, on board seven, gained the material advantage of rook and pawn against S. J. H. Tydeman and spectators watched with interest the latter’s attempt to obtain a draw by stalemate.

With A. A. Maris, himself a former Tunbridge Wells player drawing on board eight, the match ended with a score of 3½ points to each side. One unfinished game has been sent to the County adjudicator.

In the Stevenson Cup match A. R. Philips was an early winner for Maidstone. E. V. Ransom gained material advantage over V. C. D. Elvey, who resigned at the close of play.

The final score was 2½-1½ in Maidstone’s favour, with one game sent for adjudication.

Results:

County Cup: Maidstone v Tunbridge Wells

H. D. Hancock 1 0 J. W. Ecelson

R. A. Barrand 1 0 R. E. Smith

E. J. Smith 0 1 J. Murrell

O. J. Fox 0 1 E. A. Horn

J. D. Small 1 0 J. Sellens

D. A. Tame (adjudicated) R. W. Fox

A. E. Aldridge 1 0 S. J. H. Tydeman

A. A. Maris ½ ½ H. J. Galbraith

Stevenson Cup: Maidstone v Tunbridge Wells

H. F. Reed 0 1 I. Morris

P. G. Sussman ½ ½ C. C. Coussens

E. W. Baker (adjudicated) W. J. Coulstock

A. R. Phillips 1 0 W. J. Miller

E. V. Ransom 1 0 V. C. D. Elvey’ 

22 November 1963, ??

‘Tail wags the chess dog.

Double victory over Medway.

Maidstone Chess Club were well pleased with their visit to the Medway Chess Club on Saturday, when they won their matches in the County Cup and the Stevenson Trophy of the Mid- Kent Chess League tournament.

In their to previous matches this season they have had to await the outcome of adjourned games to know the final result but this time no games had to be sent away for adjudications.

At first the outlook was bleak for the visitors. R. A. Barrand on board two was pressing home a full-scale king side attack against C. Honet’s Queens’s Indian Defence and perhaps over confident with a win in sight overlooked a mating attack which Honet carried through successfully.

On board one H. D. Hancock for some time defended well against R. A. Holmes variation of attack against the Sicilian and then blundered away a pawn. Holmes capitalised on his advantage and later won another pawn, and then coasted comfortably home on a massive king side pawn-roller.

J. D. Small (captain) declined W. Coombes’ Queen’s Gambit on board five and appeared to be under pressure from a strong pawn-centre. This, though, proved to be illusory, as, with a well-timed counter-attack, Small was able to break up the centre and carry through his own attack.

E. J. Smith’s Caro-Kann Defence was successful against R. D. Browning, and, with O. J. Fox, D. A. Tame, A. E. Aldridge all winning their games, it only needed A. A. Maris to draw his game against N. Belt to make Maidstone winners by 5½-2½. Truly the tail was wagging the dog on this occasion.

In the Stevenson Trophy match the visitors were unbeaten, conceding only three draws (A. E. Baker v L. Wilson, Mrs H. Wilding v…’ 

December 1963, ??

‘Chessmen’s strong opposition

Maidstone Chess Club visited the Rochester club on Saturday. Rochester are the present holders of the County Cup, and although drawing on the top three boards, their strength on the lower boards proved decisive and they won the match by 5½-2½. D. A. Tame, on board six, was Maidstone’s only winner.

Maidstone’s Stevenson Cup team suffered their first defeat of the season by 1½-3½, and their hopes of repeating last season’s success, when they won the Mid-Kent section of this competition, have been somewhat dampened. T.J. Cooper, Senacre School’s top-board player, was the only winner for Maidstone.

Results:

County Cup: Maidstone v Rochester

H. D. Hancock ½ ½ J. Allen

R. A. Barrand ½ ½ J. N. Kemp

E. J. Smith ½ ½ T. H. Stonehouse

O. J. Fox 0 1 R. G. Ambler

J. D. Small 0 1 R. C. Middleton

D. A. Tame 1 0 T. C. Comber

A. E. Aldridge 0 1 C. H. Armstrong

A. A. Maris 0 1 D. L. L. Springate

Stevenson Cup: Maidstone v Rochester

P. G. Sussman 0 1 G. G. Homan

A. R. Phillips 0 1 F. Gailer

E. W. Baker ½ ½ K. Robbins

T.J. Cooper 1 0 A. Hobbs

Mrs H. Wilding 0 1 Miss J. Steele’ 

?? 1963/64, ??

‘Local club opens chess season

Chessmen’s strong opposition

Maidstone Chess Club opened their Mid-Kent League season with matches against Sevenoaks Chess Club at the Royal Star Hotel on Saturday.

The County Cup is played over eight boards in the senior league and the Stevenson Cup over five boards in the junior league.

In the junior event, Mrs H. Wilding opened the scoring for the home team with a back-rank mate against P. Hirsch. With wins from P. G. Sussman, A. R. Phillips and E. V. Ransom, and a draw from E. W. Baker, Maidstone were easy winners by 4½-½.

Favourite Game

D. A. Tame, playing against S. Allen soon made up Maidstone’s deficit by default on Board 4, by a 21-move brevity resulting from his French Defence and soon captain J. D. Small put them ahead with his favourite Two Knights Defence against W. E. Busbridge.

As befitting three times club champion, R. A. Barrand played a classic-style king-side attack from his Colle System opening against Sevenoaks captain E. G. Creek. With his centre secure he pressed home a fierce onslaught with cavalry and heavy pieces.

After enduring constant pressure along his queen-bishop’s file, A. A. Maris was proposing a draw to E. F. Harding only to find he had left a rook en prise and promptly resigned.

Two of the hardest fought games were on boards 1 and 3, and at close of play were still unfinished. On board 3, the game between O. J. Fox and R. M. Phillips was adjudicated by the captains a win for Sevenoaks. After the forced exchange of queens, analysis showed that Phillips passed pawn advantage would force the loss of a piece in the end-game.

On board 1, H. D. Hancock was left with only drawing chances against J. F. S. Rumble’s Réti Opening (Barcza System) which Rumble had played in masterly fashion with some pretty knight-manoeuvring, backed up by his long ranging fianchettoed king’s bishop culminating in the win of a pawn.

As no decision could be reached by the two captains, and as the match depends on this one game, the position has been sent to the Kent panel of adjudicators for their decision.

Full score of the match:

County Cup: Maidstone v Sevenoaks

H. D. Hancock (adjudicated) J. F. S. Rumble

R. A. Barrand 1 0 E. G. Creek

O. J. Fox (adjudicated) 0 1 R. M. Phillips

Default 0 1 M. L. Jones

J. D. Small 1 0 W. E. Busbridge

Default 0 0 Default

D. A. Tame 1 0 S. Allen

A. A. Maris 0 1 E. F. Harding 

Stevenson Cup: Maidstone v Sevenoaks

P. G. Sussman 1 0 E. B. Abraham

E. W. Baker ½ ½ D. G. Falconer

A. R. Phillips 1 0 P. Bromley

E. V. Ransom 1 0 M. Sayers

Mrs H. Wilding 1 0 P. Hirsch’ 

18 January 1964, ??

‘Just one of those days!

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing seems to go right? Maidstone Chess Club had just such a day on Saturday when they met Tunbridge Wells at the Royal Star Hotel in their Mid-Kent County Cup League match.

It was known that the Wells team was a strong side and at the tea interval Maidstone’s hopes were high, for the positions of the adjourned games looked mostly in favour of the home team.

Two draws.

On resumption, Match Captain J. D. Small, as black, soon agreed a draw in his Ruy Lopez game, and always-hard-to-beat A. A. Maris also drew his Colle System opening game.

Playing black on top board, R. A. Barrand equalised with his Caro-Kann Defence in a game where both sides castled on the queen’s wing. His counter-attack was beaten back though, at the cost of the exchange. With control of the centre files his opponent was knowable to exchange off all the pieces down to a won pawn ending for white.

And so went the rest of the games in similar fashion. Not one win could the home side produce from what looked, at one time, favourable or at least equal positions.

Better!

Fortune smiled on the Stevenson Cup team when Maidstone ran out winners by the odd game in five.

A fine win by the youngest member of the side was registered by Senacre schoolboy T.J. Cooper, with his Four Knights’ Game.

Full scores:

County Cup: Maidstone v Tunbridge Wells

R. A. Barrand 0 1 J. W. Ecelson

H. D. Hancock 0 1 E. A. Horn

E. J. Smith 0 1 J. Murrell

O. J. Fox 0 1 R. E. Smith

J. D. Small ½ ½ J. Sellens

D. A. Tame 0 1 R. W. Fox

A. A. Maris ½ ½ H. J. Galbraith

Totals: Maidstone 1: Tunbridge Wells 7 

Stevenson Cup: Maidstone v Tunbridge Wells

H. F. Reed 1 0 S. H. Colman

E. W. Baker 1 0 I. Morris

P. G. Sussman 0 1 W. J. Coulstock

A. R. Phillips 0 1 F. A. Gardner

T. J. Cooper 1 0 W. J. Miller

Totals: Maidstone 3: Tunbridge Wells 2’ 

25 January 1964, ??

‘Younger players do well

Maidstone Chess Club were at home to Medway on Saturday when they hoped to repeat their away success against the same club earlier in the season.

The home team were without their regular captain this time, so they knew it would be a tough fight. On this occasion the captaincy was taken over by R. A. Barrand.

First to finish was President H. F. Reed, who drew his Slav Defence game. Meanwhile D. A. Tame, who had started off in slow, positional style with his English Opening was now making use of his two fianchettoed bishops to nurse home a pawn to a queen-promotion.

Two queens proved too strong and Tame was the first to put Maidstone ahead.

Promise

It is always gratifying to see how well younger members of the club face up to competitive chess.

Grammar schoolboy A. E. Aldridge always shows sound judgement in his games, and this soundness was to the fore in the way he combined with rook, bishop and knight to force a checkmate. After a run of draws lately, A. A. Maris brought his Colle System to a definite conclusion to push Maidstone further ahead.

The Budapest Defence to the Q.P. opening is always risky, but this was the defence adopted by H. D. Hancock, and the gamble paid off. With the centre safely locked, he was able to swing the heavy pieces over to the attack of the barely defended white king. Again, the advantage of the two bishops was in evidence.

The Reason?

Perhaps because of it being Burns’ night, or because of his ancestry (or both), E. J. Smith played an enterprising Scotch Game and at close of play looked to have the best of the rook and pawns ending, but adjournment analysis could show no lines that could not be countered successfully by black, so a draw was agreed.
In the Stevenson Cup match, A. R. Phillips, another Grammar schoolboy, won for Maidstone while E. W. Baker drew. With a win by default on board five, this match tied.

Full scores:

County Cup: Maidstone v Medway

R. A. Barrand 0 1 R. A. Holmes

H. D. Hancock 1 0 C. W. Houet

E. J. Smith ½ ½ W. Coombes

O. J. Fox 0 1 J. Gilbert

D. A. Tame 1 0 A. H. Webber

A. E. Aldridge 1 0 S. Burgusz

A. A. Maris 1 0 M. Belt

H. F. Reed ½ ½ A. Bird
Totals: Maidstone 5: Medway 3 

Stevenson Cup: Maidstone v Medway

E. W. Baker ½ ½ Rev. D. Cox

P. G. Sussman 0 1 L. W. Wilson

A. R. Phillips 1 0 B. Gilbert

E. V. Ransom 0 1 A. Smith

Mrs H. Wilding 1 0 Default

Totals: Maidstone 2½: Medway 2½’ 

29 February 1964, ??

‘Maidstone Chess Club

Maidstone Chess Club was at home to Rochester Chess Club at the Royal Star Hotel on Saturday, when the County Cup match was a hard-fought one; only half the games being finished by the close of play. Wins by R. A. Barrand and J. D. Small and a draw, by perpetual check, by O. J. Fox gave Maidstone a lead of 2½ points to 1½ at this stage.

The Match Captains agreed wins for T. H. Stonehouse of Rochester, on board two and E. J. Smith, of Maidstone on board three, a distant passed pawn being found to be the decisive factor in each case.

The two remaining games have both been sent to the county adjudicator.

In the Stevenson Cup match Maidstone team was in good form and gained revenge for their away defeat against Rochester. They conceded only one draw, to win 4½-½. 

County Cup: Maidstone v Rochester

R. A. Barrand 1 0 J. Allen
D. Hancock 0 1 T. H. Stonehouse

E. J. Smith 1 0 R. G. Ambler

J. D. Small 1 0 J. N. Kemp

O. J. Fox ½ ½ R. C. Middleton

A. E. Aldridge (adjudicated) D. L. L. Springate

D. A. Tame 0 1 C. H. Armstrong

 A. A. Maris (adjudicated) F. Comber 

Stevenson Cup: Maidstone v Rochester

H. F. Reed ½ ½ G. G. Homan

E. W. Baker 1 0 F. Gailer

A. R. Phillips 1 0 K. Robbins

T.J. Cooper 1 0 A. Hobbs

P. G. Sussman 1 0 C. Dadds’ 

2 May 1964, ??
‘Chess club’s victory
Maidstone Chess Club’s annual friendly match against Canterbury was played at the County Hotel, Canterbury, on Saturday.

The match was over 15 boards and produced some lively and entertaining chess. Canterbury had a slight edge on the top boards, but Maidstone‘s strength lower down, where several new members acquitted themselves well, was sufficient to give the club a narrow victory by eight points to seven.

Results:

Maidstone v Canterbury

H. D. Hancock 1 0 E. H. K. Beecher

R. A. Barrand 0 1 G. F. Steele

 C. G. Spicer 0 1 T. Bean

J. D. Small ½ ½ J. M. McK. Finch

O. J. Fox 0 1 A. K. Henderson

D. A. Tame ½ ½ F. W. Chambers

A. R. Phillips 1 0 Lt.-Col. W. H. Knox

A. A. Maris ½ ½ G. K. Head

D. Wigg 0 1 T. Woodman

R. Jolley 1 0 A. C. Pearsom

P. G. Sussman 1 0 J. McQuire

Mrs H. Wilding 0 1 Mrs K. de Vere

D. Kimber 1 0 M. G. Amos

D. Hone ½ ½ R. Bean

Miss M. Goodwin 1 0 J. T. Head’ 

June 1964, ??

‘Chess

Cup win ensured by young players

The overall standard of play in the Maidstone Chess Club has been high during the last few years, and this has been reflected in the good results achieved by the reserve team in the Stevenson Cup competition.

Last year the team won the Mid Kent section, but lost to Canterbury in the semi-final. This year, having again won the Mid Kent section, they defeated Ashford in the semi-final, and on Saturday took on West Wickham, winners of the Metropolitan section in the final.

Although without the services of A. R. Phillips, the Maidstone team was a strong one, containing the experience of E. W. Baker, P. G. Sussman and the President H. F. Reed, with the youthful enthusiasm of two of the club’s schoolboy members T. J. Cooper and D. Wigg.

On this occasion it was the youngsters who decided the issue by scoring wins on boards three and four. With draws on boards one and two, and a win for J. Y. Skinner of West Wickham on board five, Maidstone won the match 3-2. Maidstone last won the cup in 1949.

Results:

Stevenson Cup: Maidstone v West Wickham

H. F. Reed ½ ½ C. Harding

E. W. Baker ½ ½ A. K. Manning

T. J. Cooper 1 0 J. D. Baxter

D. Wigg 1 0 E. C. Gordon

P. G. Sussman 0 1 J. Y. Skinner ’ 

?? June 1964, ??

‘He helps beat his own side

Maidstone Chess Club’s annual friendly match against Hastings Chess Club, at the Royal Star Hotel on Saturday [6 June], pitted them against one of the strongest clubs in the south-east. Their strength on the lower boards proved decisive.

Ironically enough, the first player to finish was R. Jolley, a Maidstone player loaned to Hastings. He pressed home a successful mating attack against his opponent’s queen-side castled position.

At the tea interval, E. V. Ransom was two pawns to the good in a rook and pawn ending, and won comfortably. D. A. Tame on board four was a pawn down but with the better position, was also a winner for Maidstone.

On the top board H. D. Hancock secured a draw against the new Sussex champion H. G. T. Matchett, and A. R. Phillips drew against the Hastings match-captain G. N. Sinden.
The final score was 8-4 on favour of Hastings.

Results:

Maidstone v Hastings
H. D. Hancock ½ ½ H. G. T. Matchett

E. J. Smith 0 1 R. St. G. Upton

J. D. Small 1 0 G. F. Ramsay

D A. Tame 1 0 R. C. Winter

A. R. Phillips ½ ½ G. N. Sinden

A. A. Maris 0 1 J. M. Gorton

E. V. Ransom 1 0 A. A. Angel

D. Wigg 0 1 J. R. Cheshire

P. G. Sussman 0 1 E. Peck

Mrs H. Wilding 0 1 R. Jolley

Miss D. Levy 0 1 F. A. Busbridge

Miss C. Ditcher 0 1 F. A. Bristow’ 

October 1964, ??

‘Your move now!

The membership of the Maidstone Chess Club is 30, half of whom are juniors. This is a very modest number for the County Borough. Surely, there must be many more players who seek to improve their game and enjoy the spirit of competition?

The club meets on Monday evenings at the Royal Star Hotel and in the winter most members play in the annual competition run in three sections. The club competes for the County Cup, the premier Kent trophy, and the Stevenson Cup, the junior event and both have been won by Maidstone in recent years. Such matches are unusually played on Saturday afternoons in winter.

The annual subscription is £1 10s, with juniors paying a modest 10/-. The Secretary, Mr O. J. Fox, Leeds near Maidstone will be pleased to deal with any inquiries, while intending members will be most welcome to attend the annual meeting to be held at the Royal Star Hotel on September 21 at 8 p.m.

Chess is international and is the finest game of pure skill, without any element of luck. Contrary to general belief, it is a young man’s game as evidenced by the low average of the World’s Masters. On the other hand the greater experience of older men and women often triumph at club and county levels.

The Maidstone Club will welcome beginners as well as experienced players. Both will find enjoyment and help to keep up the record of one of the strongest chess clubs in Kent.’ 

23 October 1964, Kent Messenger

‘Marriage wins Captain in Chess match

After eight years of captaining the Maidstone Chess Club, J. D. Small relinquished the post in his recent marriage and subsequent moving away from the town centre. However, he is still in the spearhead of the attack in the County cup matches and on October 19 he was the first to chalk-up a win for his new captain, D. A. Tame, in the match against Sevenoaks at the Royal Star Hotel.

At the tea interval he was struggling with a piece down for two pawns with the black pieces in his Reversed Sicilian game, but his opponent, intent of devouring another pawn, overlooked a divergent bishop check by John, which lost a rook and the game.

Maidstone won the toss and took the white pieces on the odd-numbered boards, with Mr H. D. Hancock leading the attack on top board in a fiercely fought French Defence. Both players attacked against the opposite side castled kings, but both got into severe time trouble and missed their chances.

At call of time they were the only players still battling and in spite of a slight advantage of rook and two pawns against bishop and four pawns, black could easily hold the draw by repetition of moves.

E. J. Smith attacked well against a Sicilian Defence, but allowed his king to be harried too much into the open, and had to be content with a draw.

At board four, R. A. Barrand played his favourite Caro-Kann Defence but allowed his counter attack to be blunted too much. Interest centred on whether he could make anything of the fight for the tempo in the ensuing

K and P endgame, but here, too, white cleverly found a drawing line.

A. E. Aldridge at board five was unfamiliar the with little-played Benoni Defence (Blumenfeld Counter Gambit) to his Q. P. game and soon fell victim to an overwhelming king-side attack.

The Secretary, O. J. Fox, at board six, played his Nimzo-Indian Defence confidently and made good use of his opened Q. R. file after the exchange of queens, and chalked up the home side’s second win. Meanwhile, D A. Tame had come out well from his opening and was soon a piece ahead, but found difficulty in forcing the win even with material advantage. Eventually his steady play was rewarded.

The home team had now reached the half-way mark and needed only another half-point to win. A. A. Maris at board eight was a pawn up in a minor piece ending but his pawns were impeding his bishop’s scope, so, although having a minimal advantage, he sportingly agreed a draw to win the match. With the match won the result of the remaining game at board one made little difference and was then agreed drawn.

Details are as follows:

County Cup: Maidstone v Sevenoaks

H. D. Hancock ½ ½ J. F. S. Rumble

J. D. Small 1 0 E. G. Creek

E. J. Smith ½ ½ J. L. Jones

R. A. Barrand ½ ½ R. M. Phillips

A. E. Aldridge 0 1 E. F. Harding

O. J. Fox 1 0 B. A. Howard

D. A. Tame (capt.) 1 0 S. Allen

A. A. Maris ½ ½ P. Hirsch 

On Monday John Small was back at the helm again, captaining the club at short notice in their annual friendly match against the Grammar School.

In spite of some promising players experience told, and the home side ran out comfortable winners by 4-2. What advantage there was in the unfinished games at close of play probably lay with the club, but in a match of this nature unfinished games are generally agreed drawn, unless on side has a clear-cut win.

Full score:

Maidstone Chess Club v Grammar School

H. D. Hancock ½ ½ A. E. Aldridge (capt.)

J. D. Small (capt.) ½ ½ J. Harris

O. J. Fox ½ ½ P. Carpenter

A. A. Maris ½ ½ R. Fridd

E. W. Baker 1 0 D. Brocklehurst

R. Jolley 1 0 P. Sadler 

The Grammar School won the toss and played white on the odd numbers.’ 

26 October 1964, ??

‘Quite a problem…

Photograph:

·        Maidstone Chess Club champion, H. D. Hancock, makes a move during the tournament on Monday when he took on 13 opponents simultaneously in an exhibition at the Royal Star Hotel.’ 

30 October 1964, Kent Messenger

‘They were so many pawns in his hands

Maidstone chess champion for two years running, Mr H. D. Hancock, took on 13 opponents simultaneously in an exhibition at the Royal Star Hotel on Monday night.

And he won by the convincing margin of 9½ to 3½, including eight wins, 3 draws and two losses.

His opponents included club members and visitors who must have been impressed by his speed of play. After two hours – about 10 minutes’ playing time for Mr H. D. Hancock – he had five wins to his credit!

The display was held in connection with National Chess Week.

Nothing seemed to escape the eagle eye of Mr H. D. Hancock, not even a subtle back-rank mate, set by one of his crafty opponents. Sir Edward Sharp, once a Maidstone player, caught the great Sir George Thomas in this way, in a simultaneous display.

Still fresh.

When play finished at 10 p.m. the champion was still fresh and almost trotting at the double, or so it appeared to the stubborn tail-enders. His score then was six wins, one draw and one loss.

His one blunder of the match gave Bob Jolley a win, and Mrs H. Wilding gained a win on adjudication.

Mr E. J. Smith then took on six late-comers and found the going a lot tougher. With a more leisurely stride that

Mr H. D. Hancock’s, he managed to secure one win and two draws against three losses.

A Gold for Mr H. D. Hancock; Silver for Mr E. J. Smith.’ 

31 October 1964, ??

‘Chess club beaten

Visiting Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, Maidstone Chess Club with a weakened team knew they were in for a tough time, especially as they had not beaten their opponents in the County Cup competition since 1957, the year Maidstone won the cup.

And so it proved to be – after a gruelling but enjoyable contest, Maidstone lost by 2½ to 5½ points.

J. D. Small, in his game against R. E. Smith, on top board, came up against the Tarrasch Defence and eventually lost a knight when mate was threatened. He had little chance after this and was finally mated with queen, knight and pawn.

The experience campaigner R. A. Barrand thought he would try something new on move three of his Caro-Kann Defence. But this innovation allowed his opponent to harry him with an advanced pawn.

His defence became cramped and difficult, and he finally resigned being three pawns down in a rook ending.

D A. Tame managed to pull off a win against the reserve player W. J. Coulstock. His Sämisch Variation attack against the King's Indian Defence became rather blocked by the pawn formations.

After much manoeuvring with knights the king’s rook file was opened, the heavy pieces exchanged off and the remaining rook penetrated to the seventh rank. Two passed pawns were obtained against one and the game was adjudicated a win for white.

A. A. Maris, an old Tunbridge Wells player himself, went all out for a win, lost a vital pawn in the late middle game and then lost his rook to a queen fork, and that was that.

On board five, H. F. Reed had the white pieces against a French Defence. He had a complicated middle game position from which he emerged with an extra pawn, but had to offer a draw, with a bad knight against a threatening bishop.

Young Tim Cooper, fresh from his triumphs in the Stevenson side last year (six wins in six games) met his Waterloo in the person of R. W. Fox, a man with considerable chess experience. Tim came adrift with his Sicilian Defence, being the exchange down at the tea interval and losing soon afterwards.

The Ruy Lopez opening was played by E. W. Baker and after much hard work a pawn was won. But some tricky middle game play secured his opponent a passed pawn on the queen’s rook file. In the end game Mr Baker resourcefully gave up a knight to get two passed pawns, but these were held back by the black king.

The game was adjudicated a win for black, chiefly because the white king was far away from the battlefield. A well-fought game this!

Young blood triumphed on the bottom board when David Wigg trounced his opponent in a Queen's Gambit Declined (Orthodox Variation). David was a bishop to the good at the tea interval and soon after won a rook as well when his opponent resigned.

The official score sheet:

Tunbridge Wells v Maidstone

R. E. Smith 1 0 J. D. Small

J. W. Ecelson 1 0 R. A. Barrand

W. J. Coulstock 0 1 D. A. Tame

J. Sellens 1 0 A. A. Maris

I. Morris ½ ½ H. F. Reed

R. W. Fox 1 0 T.J. Cooper

S. J. H. Tydeman 1 0 E. W. Baker

T. A. Dyos 0 1 D. Wigg’ 

?? ?? ~1965, ??

‘Chess club wait for cup results

Maidstone Chess Club visited the Medway club at Chatham on Saturday, when the County Cup section finished with the score at 3½-3½, the deciding game being sent for adjudication.

Maidstone had three good wins on boards 3, 7 and 8.

R. A. Barrand was in good form with the white pieces and he won a bishop when he saw one move further than his opponent W. Coombes in a tricky exchange.

After exchanging off the queens he eliminated the enemy pawns and was left with a clear win.

On board 7 H. F. Reed was in trouble for a long time, being a bishop down for a pawn. However, by advancing his passed pawn to the seventh rank he was able to turn the tables on his opponent and was seen to have a forced win on adjudication.

Tim Cooper scored a fine won on board 8, again playing the Sicilian Defence. His opponent launched an attack on the king’s rook file which was repulsed, and in the endgame Tim had two rooks and a knight against the queen with equal pawns.

To avoid mate the queen had to be exchanged for rook and knight, and the game was over.

Tony’s half-hour

Medway Club retaliated by gaining three clear wins on boards 1, 2 and 4. The most interesting game was on the top board where “Tony” Hancock with his Reversed Stonewall could make little impression on Match Captain R. A. Holmes.

White’s opening was countered effectively and by a daring but well calculated pawn attack Holmes broke open the king side. “Tony” lost the exchange and resigned soon afterwards.

As A. A. Maris’ game resulted in a draw the scores were level and the result of the game to be adjudicated will be eagerly awaited.

In the Stevenson Cup match, Maidstone lost 1½ to 3½. Maidstone’s’ only win being that of N. Whitmore, another promising young member of the club.

One notable feature of the match was the shortage of chess clocks, which led to one or two slow games, but thank goodness the days of Staunton are a thing of the past, when games lasted for eight hours or longer.’ 

?? ?? ~1965, ??

‘Chess club end their season

Maidstone Chess Club’s Stevenson Cup team travelled to Hoo on Friday for their fixture with British Petroleum Chess Club, a recently formed and enthusiastic club playing in their first season in this competition.

The result was a 4-1 win for Maidstone.

On Saturday, the club were away to Sevenoaks for the last match of the season. In the County Cup match, at close of play, Maidstone had only gained a solitary half-point out of six games, from a draw by E. J. Smith on board two.

Subsequent adjudication of two unfinished games gave them a further 1½ points from a win by D. A. Tame on board six and a draw by O.J. Fox on board four. Sevenoaks were therefore the winners by 6-2.

In the Stevenson Cup match, the two top matches were won by Sevenoaks. However T. J. Cooper scored a win for Maidstone on board three, as did D. Wigg, another of the Club’s rapidly improving schoolboy players on board four.

With P.G. Sussman winning by default on board five, Maidstone were the winners by 3-2. 

Stevenson Cup: Maidstone v British Petroleum

H. F. Reed ½ ½ R. Roots

E. W. Baker 1 0 J. Taylor

A. R. Phillips 1 0 W. Brine

D. Wigg ½ ½ P. Phillips

P. G. Sussman 1 0 H. McGrath 

County Cup: Maidstone v Sevenoaks

H. D. Hancock 0 1 J. F. S. Rumble

E. J. Smith ½ ½ E. G. Creek

J. D. Small 0 1 S. J. Ridout

O. J. Fox ½ ½ J. W. Llewellyn-Jones

A. E. Aldridge 0 1 R. M. Phillips

D. A. Tame 1 0 B. A. Howard

A. A. Maris 0 1 W. E. Busbridge

A. R. Phillips 0 1 S. Allen 

Stevenson Cup: Maidstone v Sevenoaks

H. F. Reed 0 1 E. F. Harding

C. Phillips 0 1 P. R. Creek

T. J. Cooper 1 0 E. B. Abraham

D. Wigg 1 0 M. Sayers

P. G. Sussman 1 0 Default’ 

September 1966, ??

‘Photograph:

·        Mr H. F. Reed, President of Maidstone Chess Club, hands over the Club Champion trophy to E. J. Smith at the annual meeting held at the Bridge House Hotel, on Tuesday, Mr Smith is giving a simultaneous display against all comers on Tuesday.

Chess players welcome.

Officers re-elected at the annual meeting of Maidstone Chess Club at the Bridge House Hotel, Broadway on Tuesday were: President - Mr H. F. Reed; Chairman - Mr R. A. Barrand; Match Captain - Mr D. A. Tame; Secretary and Treasurer – Mr O. J. Fox.

The club meets at the Bridge House Hotel on Tuesday evenings from 6.30 to 10.30 p.m. and welcomes players of any age or strength.

It caters for both strong players of county standard and for beginners. The club has won the Kent County and Stevenson trophies and holds its own championship contest in classes of varying strength.

Chess is the one game which knows no language barrier and can be played anywhere in the world under the same rules. The best players are to be found in the U.S.S.R. and Central Europe - but generally speaking English players regard chess more as a relaxation than as a grim and uncompromising contest for national prestige.’ 

30 September 1966, Kent Messenger

‘Chess Champion plays 12 at once

It is now traditional that Maidstone Chess Club opens the season with a simultaneous display by the current club champion. This year it was given by Ewart J. Smith at the Bridge House Hotel on Tuesday 27, when he took on 12 members.

Not only was this Ewart’s debut as a simultaneous player, but it was also a “temporary” farewell performance, for he is shortly taking up a year’s teaching appointment in the Midlands. Meanwhile, the club will miss him at top-board in their forthcoming matches for the County Cup this season.

Long Walk

After two-and-a–half hours of play, and about half-a-mile of walking round the boards, his tally was three wins, four draws and five losses, with no games unfinished. (Readers should note the “simul” player, if the games are to be finished when time is called, must make his move almost immediately on arrival at his opponents’ board).

Smith’s wins were from F. van Scheepen, B. F. Stock and D. Walker. He drew with D. B. Davies, C. W. Phillips, H. Ransom, J. D. Small and lost to R. J. Goldsmith, T. Hancock, W. F. Preston, N. Whitmore and Mrs H. Wilding.
The club meets every Tuesday evening at the Bridge House Hotel (6:30 – 10:30).’

1 November 1966, ??

‘Chess club off to flying start

Two good wins were registered by Maidstone Chess Club in their opening match of the season against Tunbridge Wells.

The County Cup team, which has been strengthened by the presence of M. P. Cook from Portsmouth at top board, won convincingly by 6-2 while a strong Stevenson Cup side won 3-2.

This augurs well for the local club, and they should have a good run in these competitions this winter.

Promising

There are several promising players, notably R. J. Goldsmith, who won his game before the tea interval at top board for the Stevenson side.

F. van Scheepen, from Holland, another useful member, drew after being a pawn down, and W. F. Preston, a good player from the last two seasons, won at bottom board.

For the County cup match, M. P. Cook, not feeling too grand after a sickness bout in the morning, had a difficult game from his opponent’s Grűnfeld Defence.

But with the aid of tablets and skilful exchanges, he managed to get into a promising end game when time was called.

On analysis afterwards the win could not be shown in the time available, and a draw was agreed.
Fine run

J. D. Small, at board three, won his game nicely, being three pawns to the good at the finish. This is his ninth successive match game without defeat.

Good wins were recorded by D A. Tame, R. A. Barrand and N. Whitmore.

H. F. Reed’s game was adjudicated in his favour, while O. J. Fox agreed to a draw.

The next match is against Sevenoaks on Saturday, when it is hoped that concentration will not be impaired by “bangers” in the vicinity. The venue will not be disclosed until later.’ 

13 December 1966, The Gazette
‘Chess club record intact

Playing at Chatham on Saturday, Maidstone Chess Club scored two good wins against the Medway club, so preserving their unbeaten record this season.

The County Cup team were almost at full strength, with M. P. Cook leading the side at board one, and he gained the first win when his opponent lost a piece through a knight fork.

R. J. Goldsmith followed with a good win after a well-sustained king side attack.

Meanwhile, Maidstone players had secured the advantage on boards four, six and eight, but after the tea interval, started playing lightning chess with detrimental results.

Fortunately, time was called shortly afterwards and the unfinished games adjudicated.

Advantage

“Tony” Hancock had a won game with two pawns advantage and the better position, while Colin Phillips was given a win by virtue of a remote passed pawn in a rook and pawn ending.

Draws on board three and eight gave Maidstone the match by five points to three.

The Stevenson Cup side won by 3½-1½ having two wins by default. F. van Scheepen had an even struggle and eventually drew, while Ray Tylor won after losing his queen!

Thus at the halfway stage the Maidstone club are leading in the County and Stevenson Cup tournaments of the Mid-Kent section.’ 

?? ?? 1969, ??

‘Display lures more chess enthusiasts

Photograph:

·        Chess is a game for young and not so young as these club members proved on Saturday at a chess exhibition at the Corn Exchange, Maidstone

Chess enthusiasts turned up on force for a display staged by Maidstone Chess Club at the Hazlitt Theatre on Saturday. They were treated to exhibitions of five different kinds of chess – straightforward, five-minute, blindfold, “Kriegspiel”, and demonstration commentaries. Sixteen people pitted their expertise against club champion Mr M. P. Cook. Fourteen lost, one drew and one won.

The event was planned to draw attention to Maidstone Chess Club’s activities, and, according to Secretary, Mr O. J. Fox, it did just that. “We were very pleased with the response and with the number of people who expressed interest in joining the club.” he said.

The club, which has 35 members, meets every Tuesday evening at the Bridge House Hotel, the Broadway, Maidstone. It has a small library of chess books.’ 

14 October 1969, The Gazette

‘Concentration

Photographs:

·        Studies in concentration at the Maidstone Chess Club’s Exhibition at the Corn Exchange on Saturday, when members of the public were invited to play club members.

·        Afternoon sunlight outlines the chessmen as players study the problems of their game.

·        Up-and-coming young chess player is 11-year-old Mark Blundell, of Yeoman Lane, Bearsted.’ 

?? ?? 1972, ??

‘We’re the champs – mate!

Photograph:

·        Mr Michael Flannery (left) with the Stanford Cup and Mr H. D. Hancock with the Section Two Cup

Maidstone Chess Club is short of money. But Secretary, Mr O. J. Fox put forward a novel solution at Wednesday’s annual meeting.

All the members ”should be invited to become vice-presidents, who pay a £3.50 subscription instead of £2.50,” he said, “and all the normal members should be done away with.”

Members, however, decided they wanted to remain in being.

The club’s cups were awarded at the meeting.

The Stanford Cup for the club champion was won by Mr M. Flannery, from Allington Park Estate, Maidstone.

Mr T. Hancock, of King Edward Road, Maidstone won the cup for the class two players.

The cup for the best performance in inter-club matches was won by Mr J. Hawkes, of Godden Road, Snodland.

Mr H. F. Reed, of East Sutton, was re-elected as President.

Mr R. A. Barrand of Holtye Crescent, Maidstone was re-elected Chairman of the committee. Mr J. Spencer of London Road, Ditton was elected Match Captain, and Mr O. J. Fox of Leeds was re-elected Secretary.

Also elected to the committee were Mr M. P. Cook of Bower Mount Road, Maidstone, Mr T. Hancock, of King Edward Road, Maidstone, Mr R. Rootes, of Corner Farm Road, Staplehurst, Mr N. Whitmore, of Back Street, Leeds and Mr V. Finnis of Hillary Road, Maidstone.’

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Newspaper Articles 1975 - 1999