Peter Kitchen

Two wins from two offers national league survival hope

Shropshire & Friends have given themselves a huge chance to avoid relegation from division three west of the Four Nations Chess League after securing two crucial victories. Coming into the latest weekend at Daventry bottom of the table, Charles Lowick Higgie’s side beat fellow strugglers MK Phoenix 2 5-1 on the Saturday before dispatching higher-rated …

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Sadness at death of “likeable and sporting” chess player Ray

Shropshire’s chess-playing community has been left saddened following the death of former county elite player Ray Cox. Ray’s best achievements included being part of four title-winning Shrewsbury teams in the 1970s – the first success of which dates back more than 50 years. Despite spending several years away from the game, he returned to Shrewsbury …

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Time ticking for clocks as chess officials look to offload

They used to be a fixture in every chess club in the country – but much like the compact disc, video cassette and typewriter they’ve become obsolete today. The constant ticking of analogue chess clocks amid the surroundings of an otherwise-silent playing hall was a sound many of today’s chess players grew up with. But …

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The future’s bright as Hollands wins title on congress debut

Teenager Sam Hollands was the county’s shining light as he won one of the top prizes at Shropshire Chess Congress. The 14-year-old, who plays for the Shrewsbury-based Telepost club, shared first place in the Minor section of the competition – an especially impressive performance considering it was his first ever weekend tournament. Hollands won his …

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Record-breaking entry shows game is in good health

A record-breaking entry is helping this year’s Shropshire Minor Individual Chess Championship to be the most competitive yet. A number of first-time entrants are included in the field of 21 players – and two of them are right up there among the early pacesetters.  Telepost’s James Holyhead is the current outright leader with a perfect …

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