Stourbridge Chess Club was founded in 1852. This is an ongoing project to document the history of the club. If you have any information that you think may be relevant please send it to the webmaster.
Simultaneous display 1940
England international A.J. Butcher of Wolverhampton gave a simultaneous display to raise funds for soldiers' comforts. He defeated the following members of the club: A.L.Homer, R.E. Hooper, A. Grove, C.E. Bache, G. Hodgkiss, T.E.L Chataway.
AGM 1940
The club's AGM was held on 5th October.
The following members were present
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Hon. Treasurer | Mr A. Grove |
| Member | Mr A.L. Homer |
| Hon. Secretary | T.E.L. Chataway |
| Member | B.C. Ashford |
| Member | R.E. Hooper |
Points of interest
- Past seasons activities were restricted by the war.
- The club "night" was changed from Friday evening to Saturday afternoon because of transport difficulties and air raids.
- Subs were 15/- (75p) per annum
- It was decided to keep the club's chess sets and boards in the homes of individual members to lessen the chance of them being destroyed.
- Service men billeted in the town will be invited to visit the club.
- It was decided to carry on as long as practical to keep the club in existence.
AGM 1941
The club's AGM was held on 4th October.
The following members were present
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Hon. Treasurer | Mr A. Grove |
| Hon. Secretary | T.E.L. Chataway |
| Member | S.H. Willetts |
| Member | G. Hodgkiss |
Points of interest
- Members decided it was essential to keep the club in existence during the war as it would be difficult to restart later.
- The institute had agreed to let the club have the use of a room on Saturday afternoons at a reduced rent of £5 5s (£5.25) for the season.
- As only two or three members were attending the club regularly, it was decided to approach the institute to ask if they could use the room once a month for a reduced rent.
- The institute subsequently said it would be a guinea for each month. This was declined by the club and all activity ceased.
Special meeting 1944
The reduction of civil defence duties, stand-down of home guard, restoration of street lighting and the expectation of an early end to hostilities led to a renewed demand for the resumption of chess activities..
In consequence of this a special meeting was held and the following chess players were present: D.W. Wooldridge, A. Grove, A.J. Homer, R.E. Hooper, S.J. Willetts, E. Sammons, B.C. Ashford, T.E.L. Chataway.
Points of interest
- It was decided unanimously to restart the club with weekly meetings.
- Matches would still be impossible because of transport difficulties.
- The tournament for the president's trophy would provide practice.
- W. Ashford would try to publicise the club in the "County Express".
- Member's subs would remain at 15/- (75p)
- Grammar school boys would be encouraged to join with a reduced subscription rate.
- Some keen but rather scrappy chess was played - the first for three years.
Clock repair 1945
One of the chess clocks needed repairing. Thanks to Mr Homer's
influences with the Admiralty and his well-known ingenuity in
evading awkward inquiries the repairs were given the highest kind of
priority (as part of some secret weapon presumably) and were
completed in an unbelievably short space of time at the expense of
H.M. government as written in the attached ticket.
AGM 1945
The club's AGM was held on 4th October.
The following members were present: D.W. Wooldridge, A. Grove, A.J. Homer, R.E. Hooper, S.J. Willetts, E. Sammons, B.C. Ashford, T.E.L. Chataway, F.S. Bridgwater, Andrews
Points of interest
- It was confirmed that the rent of the room included the use of boards and men.
- The officers were re-elected except for president
- TIt was decided that the office of president vacated by the death of Mr Boyt, would not be filled.
- The decision about what teams to enter in the Worcestershire league would be deferred until the Worcestershire AGM.
Worcestershire league division 1 1945-46
The club won against Worcester City, Worcester royal grammar school and Malvern. The club lost against Stourport and drew with College for the blind.
The team came second to Worcester City who had a superior game average. Home matches were usually played on a Thursday or Saturday.
The following players played for the team: D.W. Wooldridge, A.L. Homer, S.H. Willetts, R.E. Hooper, F.S. Bridgwater, E. Sammons, J.C. Wordsworth, T.E.L. Chataway, B.C. Ashford
Cobham trophy 1945-46
The club won against Stourport and Worcester Royal Grammar school and Malvern and drew with College for the blind and Worcester City.
The team came second to College for the blind who have a superior game average
The following players played for the team: E. Sammons, A. Grove, S.C. Waterton, G.B. Hill, Mrs Willetts, T.E.L Chataway, J.C. Wordsworth, J. Page, G. Cole, Parkes
Lightning tournament 1946
The end of the season was celebrated with a lightning tournament. The players were split into 4 sections and a three round knock-out tournament was played in each section. The results were as follows:
| Grade | winner | prize |
| I | D.W. Wooldridge | 3/- (15p) |
| II | J. Wooldridge | 2/6 (12½p) |
| III | E. Sammons | 1/- (5p) |
| IV | G.B. Hill | -/6 (2½p) |
AGM 1946
The club's AGM was held on Thursday 3rd October.
The following members were present: A. Grove, A.L. Homer, E. Sammons, S.H. Willetts, R.E. Hooper, B.C. Ashford, J. Wordsworth, R.J. Hill, J. Wooldridge, G.B. Hill, Dr Waterton, K. Parkes, T.E.L. Chataway
Points of interest
- The club agreed to pay the 5 shilling affiliation fee to the county plus the requisite sixpence for every adult member of the club.
- Mr Ashford offered to pay the registration fee for the four King Edwards boys so that they could play for the club in emergencies.
- The officers were re-elected except for treasurer.
- Mr Grove stood down as treasurer and Mr S.H. Willetts took his place.
- The president's trophy was presented to Mr R.E Hooper winner of the club tournament 1945-46
- Disappointed that only 2 Stourbridge players were selected to play for Worcestershire in their two county matches.
Match versus POWs
The club played a friendly match against German POWs from Bromley Lane. It was by no means as one sided as the score suggests! On the first three boards the visitors put up really tough resistance. The German POWs created a very favourable impression and seemed to enjoy the entertainment they were afforded.
| Stourbridge | Score | Score | POWs |
| D.W. Wooldridge | 1 | 0 | Steinhoff |
| A.L. Homer | 1 | 0 | Pracht |
| S.H. Willetts | 1 | 0 | Brieso |
| G.B. Hill | 1 | 0 | Balzer |
| Dr Waterton | 1 | 0 | Krauser |
| K. Parkes | 1 | 0 | Witt |
| 6 | 0 |
Worcestershire league division 1 1946-47
The club won against North Worcestershire, Worcester royal grammar school and College for the Blind, drew against Worcester City and lost against Stourport and Malvern
The team came second to Worcester City who had a superior game average. Home matches were usually played on a Thursday or Saturday.
The following players played for the team: D.W. Wooldridge, A.L. Homer, S.H. Willetts, R.E. Hooper, B.C. Ashford, J.C. Wordsworth, E. Sammons, T.E.L. Chataway, R.J. Hill, J. Wooldridge
Cobham trophy 1946-47
Kidderminster made their first appearance for eight years but were beaten 5-0 by Stourbridge. The club won against College for the blind and Kidderminster but lost against Redditch, Stourport and Worcester Royal Grammar school and Worcester City.
The following players played for the team: E. Sammons, T.E.L Chataway, E.J. Page, G.B. Hill, S.C. Waterton, K Parkes, B. Dudley, J. Wooldridge, Eccleshill, L.C. Foulston, G.M. Clarke
AGM 1947
The club's AGM was held on Thursday 2nd October.
The following members were present: D.W. Wooldridge, A.L. Homer, E. Sammons, R.E. Hooper, J. Wooldridge, R.J. Hill, Dr Waterton, S.H. Willetts, F.S. Bridgwater, J.C. Wordsworth, Yarnold, K. Wilkins, G.B. Hill, L.C. Foulston, Russell, Page
Points of interest
- It was decided to approach the Institute about using a larger room in view of the club's growing membership
- The club decided that the new 2/6 (12½p) BCF affiliation fee would be paid out of the subscriptions. (Half of this fee would go to the county association)
- The officers were re-elected
- There are now 23 members with 12 or more attending each Thursday club night.
- The president's trophy was presented to Mr S.H Willetts winner of the club tournament 1946-47
- Worcestershire won the MCCU championship for the fifth time. 4 Stourbridge players played for Worcestershire.
- Mr R.J. Hill's Lye team now leads the 2nd division of the postal league and is in the running for the Brabazan trophy.
Worcestershire league division 1 (Lyttelton) 1947-48
The club won against Malvern and Worcester royal grammar school . he club drew against Stourport and College for the Blind. The club lost against Worcester City A and B
Home matches were usually played on a Thursday or Saturday.
The following players played for the team: D.W. Wooldridge, A.L. Homer, S.H. Willetts, R.E. Hooper, J. Wooldridge, F. Bridgwater, R.J. Hill, J.C. Wordsworth, T.E.L. Chataway, B.C. Ashford, E. Sammons,
Cobham trophy 1947-48
The division was split into north and south divisions. Stourbridge won all their matches in the northern division but lost in the final against Worcester City.
There were several new teams playing including Dudley, Dudley grammar school, Steatite (Porcelain) and King Edwards school.
Future Stourbridge presidents Brian Dudley and Eric Horwill both played for King Edwards.
The following players played for the Stourbridge team: E. Sammons, J. Wooldridge, G.B. Hill, L.C. Foulston, S.C. Waterton, T.E.L Chataway, F. Bridgwater, K Parkes, Curry
In the match against Dudley grammar school, the Dudley top board distinguished himself by making only 17 moves in 2¼ hours to the exasperation of his opponent, In the absence of clocks nothing could be done about it.
Report & AGM 1948
The club's AGM was scheduled to be held on Thursday 30th September but it was then adjourned until 7th October because most of the committee could not attend.
The following members were present: D.W. Wooldridge, A. Grove (chair), F.S. Bridgwater, A.L. Homer, R.E. Hooper, S.H. Willetts, J.C. Wordsworth, Dr Waterton, G.B. Hill, T.E.L. Chataway, G. Horwill, F. Yarnold, K. Parkes
Points of interest
- The institute has been very co-operative in meeting the requirements of the club with a larger room.
- Membership remains at around 24 members.
- The officers were re-elected
- The president's trophy was presented to Mr T.E.L. Chataway winner of the club tournament 1947-48, thanks mainly to a series of unscrupulous swindles.
- 10 Stourbridge players played for Worcestershire in a 50 board match versus Warwickshire.
- The Lye club has now been revived by R.J. Hill.
- Mr D.W. Wooldridge was elected president of the Worcestershire chess association
Stourbridge vs Lye
Stourbridge played against Lye in the Lyttelton trophy. Lye did much better than expected. Board 2 lost after 13 moves, mated by 2 knights.5 of the Lye team were ex-members of the Stourbridge club.
| Stourbridge | Score | Score | Lye |
| D.W. Wooldridge | 1 | 0 | R.J. Hill |
| A.L. Homer | 0 | 1 | W.S. Andrews |
| S.H. Willetts | 0 | 1 | J. Wooldridge |
| R.E. Hooper | 1 | 0 | G. Harris |
| F.S. Bridgwater | 1 | 0 | L. Heathwick |
| J.C Wordsworth | 0 | 1 | H. Purcell |
| 3 | 3 |
Cobham trophy 1948-49
The division was split into north and south divisions. Stourbridge won all their matches in the northern division except for a draw aganst Kidderminster. Theylost in the final against Bonham.
The following players played for the Stourbridge team: E. Sammons, S.C. Waterton, G.B. Hill, K Parkes, J. Yarnold, B.G. Dudley, G. Horwill, T.E.L Chataway, A. Grove
Report & AGM 1949
The club's AGM was held on 6th October.
The following members were present: D.W. Wooldridge, A.L. Homer, S.H. Willetts, F.S. Bridgwater, J.C. Wordsworth, E. Sammons, T.E.L. Chataway, G. Horwill, F. Yarnold, S.C. Waterton, B.G. Dudley, Ash
Points of interest
- Membership fell slightly mainly due to the formation of the Lye club.
- The league results were disappointing.
- The officers were re-elected - Match captain D.W. Wooldridge, Secretary T.E.L. Chataway, Treasurer S.H. Willetts
- The president's trophy was presented to Mr A.L. Homer winner of the club tournament 1948-49.
- Many Stourbridge players played for Worcestershire in a 50 board match versus Warwickshire and 60 aside versus Staffordshire and a 40 board match versus Gloucestershire for the revived Brian Hartwell fixture.
- It was decided not to enter a team in the BCF national competition as the conditions were too vague.
Worcestershire league division 1 (Lyttelton) 1949-50
The first team finished 3rd. The club won against Stourport, College for the Blind and Worcester royal grammar school . he club drew against Lye, Malvern and Worcester City B The club lost against Worcester City A
Home matches were usually played on a Thursday or Saturday.
The following players played for the team: D.W. Wooldridge, A.L. Homer, S.H. Willetts, J.C. Wordsworth, B.C. Ashford, F.S. Bridgwater, T.E.L. Chataway, E. Sammons, B.G. Dudley
Cobham trophy 1949-50
The division was split into north and south divisions. Stourbridge won the northern division, Stourbridge won 5, drew 2 and lost against King Edward's school. Eric Horwill won on board 1 for King Edward's school.
In the final for the Cobham trophy, they won against Redditch, the southern champions 4½-1½. This match was the first one played using chess clocks.
The following players played for the Stourbridge team: E. Sammons, B.G. Dudley, G. Horwill, C.C. Manley, J. Yarnold, S.C. Waterton, A. Thatcher, A. Grove, W.A. Tibbetts
Report & AGM 1950
The club's AGM was held on 6th October.
The following members were present: D.W. Wooldridge, A.L. Homer, S.H. Willetts, F.S. Bridgwater, J.C. Wordsworth, E. Sammons, B.G. Dudley, G. Horwill, W.A. Tibbetts.C.C. Manley, A. Thatcher, S.C. Waterton, F. Yarnold, T.E.L. Chataway, F. Tatler
Points of interest
- The club currently only has 16 members and needs to increase this number.
- It was decided to appoint a publicity secretary. Mr Manley was elected to this position.
- The league results were good.
- The officers were re-elected - Match captain D.W. Wooldridge, Secretary T.E.L. Chataway, Treasurer S.H. Willetts
- The president's trophy was presented to B.G. Dudley winner of the club tournament 1949-50.
- Stourbridge players represented Worcestershire in the MCCU championship. Worcestershire were unlucky to come second on game average.
- Brian Dudley also played in the British universities championship and finished midway up the table which contained such strong players as Barden and Penrose.
- 19 year old Brian Dudley had an amazing match record of won 10 drawn 2 in the Worcestershire league.
- King Edwards came second in the newly formed Worcestershire schools league.