This is the first & probably only newsletter of the Autumn 2004 term. A potential collector's item! Thank you to all parents who have come along & helped on Saturday mornings. We couldn't run the club without your support. If you have any skills that you think might help the club, please don't wait to be asked (we are particularly short of people who are able to provide short coaching lessons). As another example, several of our tournament clocks no longer work reliably. These cost upwards of 30 pounds each, & if anyone feels they might be able to repair a clock or two, please speak to one of the organisers.
Held in October. Please see results section.
We shall be starting the British Land UK Chess Challenge in the spring term. The first stage is held in clubs and schools, with players who qualify from the seven club-based rounds going on the regional Mega Finals. The Eastern region Mega Final will be held at Woodbridge School again this year closer to Easter. Players scoring well in the Mega Finals will qualify for the National Gig Final. Last year's event was held at UMIST in Manchester, and the winning Boy & Girl in each age section gain the title Ultimo or Ultima. This year's event is likely to be held at the same venue in July. The very top players from this qualify for the Tera Final. Woodbridge School's chess teacher International Master Adam Hunt is a past winner of the Tera Final.
I hope to form the county Under 9 & Under 11 teams again this year. Last year both teams faced stiff competition in Hitchin, playing teams from ten other counties, including the traditionally strong London regions. We will need approximately 20 players for each team, drawn from across the county. If you fancy representing Suffolk at chess, and are either under 9 or under 11 on the 1st of September 2004, please let me know. Coaching will be provided by IM Adam Hunt, and we are lucky to have such a highly qualified and enthusiastic coach for the teams.