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.
British Universities Individual Championship
Stourbridge's Brian Dudley represented Birmingham university at the British universities individual championship
Twenty-four players from ten different Universities contested an 11-Round Swiss
Brian finished 12th on 5½
Download the full bulletin here.
Competitors in the British Universities chess championship at Cambridge with officials
Front row (left to right): R. O. Powis (Bristol), D. J. Youston (Oxford.) M. J. Egginton (Birmingham) O. Penrose (Cambridge) B. H. Wood (President), L. W. Barden (Oxford) D. V. Mardle (Cambridge), G. D. Parbrook (Birmingham, retiring Secy.) R. J. Tayler (Cambridge, 1950-51 Secretary).
Middle row (left to right): P. J. Oakley (B’ham), L. J. Cannon (Durham) H. A. Samuels (Cambridge) J. E. Littlewood (Sheffield) J. H. Hancock (Exeter), A. F. Truscott (Oxford), J. H. Beaty (Leeds), O. H. Hardy (Sheffield), B. G. Dudley (B’ham).
Back row (left to right): M. B. Harris (Nottingham), E. Spratt (Nottingham), R. O. Selby (Cambridge), P. B. Dodson (Nottingham), S. Usher (Swansea), E. R. Reifenberg (Cambridge), L. C. Carpenter (Swansea). J. H. Kliskey (Bristol).
Worcestershire league division 1 (Lyttelton) 1950-51
The club won all their matches and the Lyttelton trophy.
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, B.G. Dudley, F. Bridgwater, T.E.L. Chataway, E. Sammons, and J.C. Wordsworth.
Friendlies 1950-51
The club played 7 friendly matches throughout the season.
| Against | Stourbridge score | Opponent's score |
| KE.S. | 4½ | 1½ |
| Wolverhampton | 7 | 4 |
| Coventry | 4½ | 7½ |
| Coventry | 5 | 7 |
| Birmingham | 5½ | 9½ |
| Wolverhampton | 5 | 7 |
| Birmingham | 7½ | 4½ |
Cobham trophy 1950-51
Early in the season, the southern section of the competition collapsed owing to the withdrawal of Bonham and Claines who were more interested in the Worcester City league. The remaining clubs played in a single division. Stourbridge won against Stourport, Worcester Royal grammar school. Kidderminster, Redditch and Evesham.
They lost against Steatite and King Edwards School. These results meant they were in a triple tie with K.E.S and Redditch but won the title based on game average.
The following players played for the Stourbridge team: E. Sammons, S.C. Waterton, J.C. Wordsworth, CC Manley, G. Horwill, W.A. Tibbetts, F.L. Tatler, A Thatcher, F. Yarnold, A. Grove, G.A. Rowley
Report & AGM 1951
The club's AGM was held on 4th October.
The following members were present: A. Grove (chair), A.L. Homer, B.C. Ashford, S.H. Willetts, E. Sammons, A. Thatcher, J. Harris, F.S. Bridgwater, J.C. Wordsworth, F. Yarnold, G.B. Hill. G.F. Harris, F.L. Tatler, T.E.L. Chataway, G. Horwill, E. Horwill, S.C. Waterton, B.G. Dudley, E.A.W. Pritchard, C.C. Manley
Points of interest
- This has been the club's most successful post-war season.
- 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 1950-51.
- It was decide to change the format of the club tournament as it had never been completed in it's current double round robin format. The tournament would be organised into 4 sections of roughly equal strength. A double round robin would be played in each section and the 4 winners would play off in a final pool.
- Twelve Stourbridge players played for Worcestershire.
- The morale, and enthusiasm and friendly spirit in the club has never been higher.
- Brian Dudley had an amazing match record for the first team of won 7 drawn 3.
- The subscription was kept at 17/6 (87.5p) but in addition there would be a match fund that members would be invited to subscribe up to 10/- (50p) to. This was to meet increased match costs.
- A committee was formed to decide how to celebrate the club's centenary.
- Mr Homer raised the question of purchasing 3 chess clocks but there was little support for this due to the financial straits of the club.
Centenary celebrations 1952
The club's centenary was on 20th may 1952 but the actual celebration was held on 20th September at the Pedmore parish room. The club did their own catering relying on members and their wives with boys from King Edwards school clearing the tables and washing up. . Tickets cost 7/6 (37.5p).
At 6:30pm the company sat down, 54 strong at tables decorated with flowers and displaying the trophies held by the club. They were served a more scrumptious meal that post-war Britain can often provide (rationing was still in force) of large helpings of ham with tomatoes, lettuce and cucumber, rolls and butter. This was followed by bowls of fruit in jelly and later by cheese and biscuits washed down by orange and lemon squash. Then glasses were filled with wine and after the president (Mr A. Grove senior member) had proposed a toast to the queen, cigarettes and pipes were produced. Then Mr. W. Harrison who had played in every Birmingham vs. Stourbridge match since 1918 proposed the toast of the evening to "Stourbridge Chess Club " in a witty speech. Mr Grove then entertained the guests with his reminiscences of the jubilee dinner in 1902. He was the only surviving witness and thereby a link with the founding members of 1852. Mr W. Terry president of the Worcestershire chess association also spoke. Mr Grove then cut the birthday cake which was in the shape of a chess board.
The tables were cleared and the entertainment began with solos form G.R. Gibbs and Miss Anne Chadwick who was accompanied by R.F.C. Edwards. A colour film "American journey" was then shown by Mr Garnet-Peirson, taken on a recent visit to the USA.
Further songs then brought the entertainment to a close.
Seating plan
| Mr Harrison | Mr Terry | Mr Grove | Mrs Wooldridge | Mr Wooldridge |
| Mr Woodcock | Mrs Bland | |||
| Mr Roberts | Mr Hindley | Mrs Akehurst |
Mr Hooper |
|
| Mr Bonham | Mr Wordsworth | Mr Manley | ||
| Miss Bonham | Mrs Sammons | Mr S. Willetts | Mrs Manley | |
| Mr Homer | Mr Sammons | Mrs Willetts | Mr D. Manley | |
| Mrs Banks | Miss Sammons | Mr H. Willetts | Mr G.R. Gibbs | |
| Dr Waterton | Mr A.J. Harris | Mr Garnett Pearson | Miss Chadwick | |
| Mrs Waterton | Mrs Andrews | Mr Harley Smith | Mr Edwards | |
| Mr Hill | Mr Andrews | Mrs G. Horwill | Mr Harmsham | |
| Mrs Hill | Mrs Tatler | Geoffrey Horwill | John Harmsham | |
| Mr G. Harris | Mr F. Tatler | Miss Marsh | Mrs Harmsham | |
| Mrs Thatcher | Mr Bridgwater | Mr E. Horwill | Mr Chataway | |
| Mr Thatcher | Mr J. Wooldridge | Mr Dudley | ||
AGM 1952
The club's AGM was held on 2nd October.
The following members were present: D.W. Wooldridge(chair), A.L. Homer, B.G. Dudley, S.H. Willetts, F.S. Bridgwater, T.E.L. Chataway, J.C. Wordsworth, E. Sammons, G. Horwill, E. Horwill, J. Harris, G.F. Harris, W.S. Andrews, F.L. Tatler, C.G. Manley, W.A. Tibbeth, E.A.W. Pritchard, J.E.H. Taylor, A. Thatcher,
Points of interest
- There has been an increase in numbers.
- A whip round was held to cover the deficit of £3 1s 6d arising from the centenary celebrations.
- officers were re-elected "en bloc".
- The president's trophy was presented to B.G. Dudley winner of the club tournament 1951-52.
- Wooldridge, G.F. Harris (Lye), Homer, Dudley and Willetts were regular members of the county team (20 boards) in MCCU matches.
- Many other players played in the C.C.A. (100 aside) matches.
End of Season report 1953
Points of interest
- Stourbridge won division 1 of the Worcestershire league and King Edwards school won division 2.
- 7 friendly matches were played 3 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, including 2 wins against the new Bridgnorth club.
- 6 members played regularly for Worcestershire and 10 others played in the 100 a side matches.
- 7 members played for the county in the War-Higgs correspondence championship
- Geoff Harris finished 8th out of 32 in the British championshps with 6/11.
- Brian dudley won the presidents trophy in the internal championship
- A.L Homer is the president of Worcestershire chess.
AGM 1953
The club's AGM was held on 1st October at Stourbridge Institute.
The following members were present: D.W. Wooldridge, S.C. Waterton, F.S. Bridgwater, A. Grove(chair), T.E.L. Chataway, S.H. Willetts, F.L. Tatler, G.F. Harris, W.A. Tibbetts, B.C. Ashford, A. Thatcher, A.L. Homer, E.A.G. Pritchard and visitor from Germany Herr Wagner.
Points of interest
- Balance in hand £5-5-3 (£5.26p)
- Officers were re-elected "en bloc".
- The president's trophy was not awarded due to finalists failure to complete the tournament.
- The tournament will now be a round robin in 2 sections. Players who do not appear by the allocated date for each round will forfeit.
End of Season report 1954
Points of interest
- A disappointing season caused partly by the loss of our 2 strongest players: B.G. dudley and Eric Horwill.
- The first team finished 4th in division 1 of the Worcestershire league; won 3 drew 1 lost 3.
- The second team came =3rd with 3 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw.
- 7 friendly matches were played 4 wins, 1 draws and 2 losses (against a strong Birmingham club).
- D.W. Wooldridge was match captain of the Worcestershire side.
- Geoff Harris finished 6th in the B.C.F. championships.
- Worcestershire won the B.H. Wood trophy by defeating Staffordshire and Warwickshire in the 100 a side matches.
AGM 1954
The club's AGM was held on 7th October at Stourbridge Institute.
The following members were present: Albert Grove(chair), D.W. Wooldridge, A.L. Homer, S.H. Willetts, F.S. Bridgwater, W.A. Tibbetts, S.C. Waterton, T.E.L. Chataway.
Points of interest
- Balance in hand £2-13-9 (£2.68p)
- The club questioned the county collecting a B.C.F. capitation fee in addtion to the registration and affilation fees
- Officers were re-elected "en bloc". D.W. Wooldridge match captain; S.H. Willetts treasurer T.E.L Chataway secretary .
End of Season report 1955
Points of interest
- The match record was slightly worse than the previous season.
- The first team finished 5th in division 1 of the Worcestershire league; won 2 drew 1 lost 3.
- The second team came =4th with 3 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw.
- The poor results were casued by two of our best young players being on national sevice and some of the second team players not always being available becuase of other interests.
- Membership numbers are dropping
- Geoff harris elected Worcestershire match captain
AGM 1955
The club's AGM was held on 6th October at Stourbridge Institute.
The following members were present: Albert Grove(chair), Stringer, F.S. Bridgwater, C.C. Manley, A.J. Harris, A.L. Homer, S.C. Waterton, S.J. Willetts, T.E.L. Chataway.
Points of interest
- Treasurer's statement revealed a deficit of £2-13-3 (£2.66p) due to non-payment of subs and increased costs of refreshments.
- The club questioned the county collecting a B.C.F. capitation fee and voted to cease paying it. As the BCF was making poor use of the money.
- Officers were re-elected "en bloc". D.W. Wooldridge match captain; S.H. Willetts treasurer T.E.L Chataway secretary .
End of Season report 1956
Points of interest
- A sad year due to deaths of E. Sammons and G. Horwill. Also W.Wooldridge was seriously ill and Mr Wordsworth retired from the game.
- Other commitments prevented several members from playing regularly.
- The first team won division 1 of the Worcestershire league; won 5 drew 1.
- The second team in division 2, lost their first 4 matches and then got reinforcements and won their last 4 matches.
- The club needs more reserve players.
- Future at the institute was uncertain due to new "Rating and Valuation" scheme.
AGM 1956
The club's AGM was held on 4th October at Stourbridge Institute.
The following members were present: Albert Grove(chair), S.C. Waterton, W. Tibbetts, A.L. Homer, D.W. Wooldridge, Geo Horwill, Eric Horwill, H. Jones, R.L. Werts, F.S. Bridgwater, S.H. Willetts, R.C. Gordon, R.M. Sayer, J Macalister, G.F. Harris, T.E.L. Chataway.
Points of interest
- Treasurer's statement revealed a balance of £1-8-3 (£1.42p) .
- Officers were re-elected "en bloc". D.W. Wooldridge match captain; S.H. Willetts treasurer T.E.L Chataway secretary .
- The club will endeavour to revive the friendly matches.
- The club championship will be a swiss tournament with one round each month.
- The club questioned the county collecting a B.C.F. capitation fee and the compulsory registration of players and decided to inform the county association that they were against both.
