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2 September. High Entry for County Team Tournaments
All counties have submitted their entries by the deadline! Notts and Warks will have the heaviest programme because they have entered teams in every section. This season, there will be a match for the u100 section. The webmaster understands that their are consultations to determine whther the u160 tournament should be zoned.

2 September. 2010-11 Grand Prix Entries
The Atkins Leicester, Bolton, Manchester Autumn,Nottingham and Warwickshire Congresses are in the 2010-11 Midlands GP.

Leading Midlanders at UK Chess Challenge Terafinal
Brandan Clarke (Littleworth, Leics) was among the leaders with 5/6 at Warwick held 21-22 August. He was followed by Joseph McPhilips (Bolton, Gtr Manchester) and Craig Whitfield (Cheddleton & Leek, Staffs) who scored 4/6 in this leading junior event. In the Challengers, five Midlands players scored 4/6: Chris Smith (Warley Quinborne, Worcs), Michael Fletcher (Nottingham High Sch, Notts and under-10!), James Friar (Hagley, Worcs), Leo Tsoi (Boldmere St Michael, Warks) and Astghik Stepanyan (Sutton Coldfield, Warks). This two day event with first prize £3000 is organised by Mike Basman and sponsored by British Land plc. For detailed scores...

24 August. ECF Council Meeting: Andrew Farthing Bids for CEO Post
The English Chess Federation Council will meet 16 October to elect officials and decide policy for next year. Closing dates for nominating direct members (27 August), directors (8 September), proposing policies (8 September) are fast approaching. For links to more information click here. If you would like to stand for an elected post or would like to propose a policy further information is available here. Four elected officials are not standing for re-election so new volunteers are needed for the post of Chief Executive Officer, Chair of Finance and two Non-executive directors. Andrew Farthing, a Non-executive Board member of the MCCU and current Strategic Planning Officer for the ECF, has thrown his hat in the ring for the post of CEO. He has been nominated by the MCCU, Worcestershire and the ECF Board. You can read Andrew's statement about his intentions if elected here.

23 August. Midlands Grand Prix and NEW U150 Rapidplay Grand Prix 2010-2011
It is the last week for congress organisers to request their event is included within the Midlands Grand Prix. The rules for the new under-150 grade Rapidplay Grand Prix are here.

21 August. Attention Club and Association Secretaries!
Andrew Walker at ECF headquarters is updating the database of English chess clubs. Please send him information giving: name of the club; contact name; and contact email address; contact phone no.

8 August. Mickey Adams and Jovanka Houska Win British Titles at Canterbury. Top Midlands players were: Stephen Gordon (Oldham, Gtr Manchester), and Don Mason (Shirley, Warks) on 7 from 11; Paul Cumbers (Grantham, Lincs) and Ali Jaunouby (Oldham, Gtr Manchester); Alex Crombie (Newark, Notts) and Pablo Padillo (Ashfield, Notts) 5 from 11. Brendon Clarke (Littleworth, Leics) is joint under 15 champion. Former Midland GM Keith Arkell (ex Droitwich, Long Eaton, and MCF) scored 7 and Adam Hunt (Woodbridge, Suffolk) scored a GM norm in the championship. Read more...

4 August. CEO Julie Johnson awarded ECF President's Award
Congratulations! The webmaster understands that the last ECF Management Board approved the award to Julie Johnson. Julie has served on the ECF Board as well as being the current Chief executive of the MCCU and a long time officer of her local club in Syston, Leics. The presentation will be at the ECF Meeting in September. Read the full citation here.

31 July. British Championship Canterbury
At the end of the first week Michael Adams leads with 5½ from 6. Players from the Midlands are Stephen Gordon (Oldham, Gtr Manchester) on 4½ points; Don Mason (Shirley, Warks) on 4 points; Ali Jaunouby (Oldham, Gtr Manchester), Paul Cumbers (Grantham, Lincs) on 3½ points; Pablo Padillo (Ashfield, Notts) 3 points; Brendan Clarke (Littlethorpe, Leics) and Alex Combie (Newark, Notts) on 2 points. Former Midlands GM Keith Arkell (ex Droitwich, Long Eaton, and MCF) was on 3½ points after a poor start.

The 2nd Worcestershire Open was held on 24-25 July at Worcester University, attracting 110 players. First in the Open section was Lawrence Cooper (Stafford) winning the playoffs against Jane Richmond (Swindon) and Derek Pugh ( Bristol). For pictures, other results, and details of the massive 7-way tie in the Minor Tournament read more...

17 July. Midlands Grand Prix and NEW Rapidplay Grand Prix 2010-2011
The Midlands Grand Prix is expanded this year with a new Rapid Play GP as well as the Standard Play GP.
Midlands Standard Play Grand Prix. Winner receives title if Individual Midlands Champion and a bursary to the British Championships in 2011 in Sheffield for the best score in competing standard play events in the GP. Rules for the 2010-11 MCCU Grand Prix are here.
Midlands Rapid Play Grand Prix. For the first time, MCCU offer a £50 prize for the best score in participating rapidplay congresses organised in the MCCU Area by clubs, counties or individuals eligible for County Chess in the Midlands.
Congress Organisers. Your congress will be contacted, but if you wish to be proactive and send your details in now to Cyril Johnson, MCCU Events Director (Tel: 0116 2609012. e-mail) marking them "MCCU GRAND PRIX", the Controller would be very grateful. Last date for organisers for congress entry into the standard play Midlands GP is 31 August 2010 and for the new U-150 Rapidplay is 14 calendar days before the event.

Bushbury win Minor Plate in National Club Finals
Bushbury, Staffs with two teams, and Leamington League associated Chipping Campden teams made it to the finals. In the Minor Plate, Bushbury beat Forest of Dean 3-1. In the Intermediate Plate, Bushbury were beaten on board count 2-2 by Hackney. In the Minor Cup, Chipping Campden defaulted a board and lost ½-3½. The finals were held at Syston, Leics and Golden Lane Community Centre, London on 11July. View the full report by Julie Johnson on the ECF site.

Warwickshire u180 are National Champions
12 July. Moat College, Leicester saw four MCCU county sides battle for championship honours. Local MP Sir Peter Soulsby welcomed players. The u180 competition guaranteed an MCCU champion team with Nottinghamshire facing Warwickshire. Warks ran out winners with a 9 - 7 victory. In the new u100 competition, Warwickshire were put to the sword(s) by Essex. In the u140 competition, Nottinghamshire lost on board count to Hampshire. For other Finals match details, click here. MCCU stalwarts Julie and Cyril Johnson were key organisers of the 2010 counties finals.

David Anderton New President of Staffordshire CA
10 July. David Anderton, captain of Staffs open team, was elected President at their AGM at the end of June. David is a past captain of the England team and has also been President of the ECF and an ECF Director of international chess, a post now held by fellow Staffs member Lawrence Cooper.

For earlier items, please click here.