Leicestershire & Rutland Chess Association is the body recognised by the English Chess Federation as being responsible for chess in the city of Leicester and the counties of Leicestershire and Rutland. The Association is affiliated to the Midland Counties Chess Union.
Congratulations to Mark Hebden, who has won the 2024 County Championship with a perfect score of 5/5. This is Mark's 4th County Championship victory. Congratulations also to John Pattinson who has won the Major tournament,with 4.5 /5
Entries are invited for the Classical Atkins Congress, taking place from Friday 27th September, until Sunday 29th September. Places are starting to go!
Please support your local congress
Places are limited and late entries will cost an extra £5 - so please enter ASAP!
The Team Blitz and Awards Evening, the traditional fun opener to the new league season, will take place on Tuesday 24th September at 19:30 at the Syston club. Team entries will be £8 per 4 board team. All money raised will go to 'LOROS'.
Important to note that individual players are more than welcome and will be allocated a team to play in if their club isn't entering a team. Please support this local event!
Brian Foreman adds his tribute to Neil Beasley who died recently. Full article
Congratulations to Rene Butler of the Mkt Harboro Club,
in winning the weekend Yates U1500 tournament section,
of the British Chess Championships 2024, held in Hull.
John Oliver
I report the sad news that Neil Beasley died recently at the age of 88, following some recent poor health.
Neil had various roles within the LRCA in the 60s and 70s – President, League secretary, Adjudication secretary, H.E. Atkins Congress controller, and County Captain. Ironically, as the non-playing County Captain he achieved his best over-the board result against Nottinghamshire in 1968. The Leics Board 1, Phillip Wallis, had broken down on the way to the match so, after waiting for half an hour and with all of the other matches in progress, Neil stepped in on Board 1 against K.B Richardson – whose equivalent rating today would be around 2300 – and got a draw. Leicestershire also won the match.
He was an active member of the Wigston Club, as a player and administrator, for 62 years, joining the club in 1960 on leaving Leicester University. His contribution to the Wigston club was immense, and the club has lost a great club member, and a very friendly and approachable man.
Neil was also a keen bridge player, and unlike chess, he was able to do this with his wife Pat as his partner. They both continued to play right up until Neil’s health deteriorated , and both also had roles in local Bridge administration.
Personally, I learnt a lot from Neil on matters of Chess Administration, including following him as the H.E Atkins congress controller. Neil was the Chief Controller of the first tournament in 1972, and continued until 1978 – years when the number of entries in the tournament exceeded 300.
His funeral will be held on Monday August 12th at the Heart of England Crematorium, Eastboro Way, Nuneaton, CV11 6WZ.
Andy Morley
The LRCA organised ‘Leicester Rapidplay’ took place at The Cedars Academy, Birstall on Saturday 13th July with a little over 100 entrants. The playing hall was airy and spacious and proved an excellent venue. Notable amongst the results were Leicestershire Juniors Tara Tamilselvan (8), who won the Inter U1750, and Zayn Patel (10), who won the Improvers U1300 section with a perfect 6/6 score.
Prize Winners
Open
1st Finlay Bowcott-Terry 5.5pts
2nd Michael Dougherty 5pts
3rd= Mark Hebden, Lewis Turner 4pts
Rating (U2050) Michael Green 4pts
Major (U1950)
1st Patrick Reid 4.5pts
2nd= Paul Colburn, Amrik Singh, Robert Taylor 4pts
Rating (U1825) Nigel Towers 3.5pts
Inter (U1750)
1st Tara Tamilselvan 5pts
2nd Joshua Pimm 4.5pts
3rd= Kirk Harrison, Arav Ajaykumar, Alex Shen, Phil Watkinson 4pts
Rating (U1600) Kirk Harrison, Arav Ajaykumar, Alex Shen
Inter (U1550)
1st= Stellio Jerome, Omar Oliveri 5pts
3rd Vassily Sagyaman 4.5pts
Rating (U1400) Yvon van Neerven 4pts
Improvers (U1300)
1st Zayn Patel 6pts
2nd Joey Griffiths 5pts
3rd Yingxin Chen 4.5pts
Following yesterday’s event, the ‘HE Atkins’ Standardplay Congress returns this year and will be staged at the same venue on Friday 27th-29th September. Online entry is open on this link https://congress.org.uk/congress/434/home
Open
Major U1950
Inter U1750
Minor U1550
Improvers U1300
Online Entry is now open for an LRCA organised 6 round ECF rated rapidplay - Late fees apply from Friday so enter now!
Sections: Open, Major (U1950), Inter (U750), Minor (U1550) and Improvers (U1300) to be held at The Cedars Academy, Birstall on Saturday 13th July.
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CONGRESS!! A lot of effort goes in to organising the events, please support them!
The 'Atkins' Standardplay congress also finally returns this year and will be held on 27th-29th September also at The Cedars Academy. Full details and online entry to follow
The report from the Rating Officer and Webmaster is now available. Full article