WANSTEAD & WOODFORD CHESS CLUB ARCHIVE
This page provides an index of material relating to seasons prior to 2007/8
2006/7
London League - Teams played in Divisions 2 and 3 (both 10 boards). The first team had a good season, but fell some way short of promotion. The second team was relegated.
Essex League - There were two teams in Division 1, one in Division 2 and two in Division 3. The second team distinguished itself by drawing with Ilford and defeating Shell, Barking and Waltham Forest. The first team was in with a chance of the title until the penultimate match away to Writtle.
North Circular League - The club fielded teams in both Division A and Division B, with the first team enjoying an excellent season.
National Club. The club has entered the Major and the Minor, which are both knockout events with an average grading limit, and the Handicap Rapidplay which took place at Magdalen College School, Oxford on 22 April. An excellent 3½ - 1½ win away to Hackney in the Major was rewarded by a home quarter final against Metropolitan Knights which was lost 2 - 3.. The Minor team also fell at the second hurdle, as a 3-1 win away to Westcliff in the Minor was followed by a ½ - 3½ home defeat against Bedford. The Handicap Rapidplay team had a slightly disappointing afternoon, finishing only equal 10th, but David Smith distinguished himself with a score of 4 out of 4.
Lightning championship- this took place on 26 September and was retained by defending champion Terry Whitton with a score of 6 out of 7. Second was Ian Hunnable with 5½ and equal third Larry Marden, David Smith and Mark Murrell with 5. The under 100 grading prize was shared by Sid Burns and Fin O'Regan on 3. 22 entered.
Club championship. This is a 7 round event (defending champion Ian Hunnable), with rounds scheduled for 3 October, 7 November, 28 November, 9 January, 6 February, 27 February and 20 March.. There are 30 entries. In round 6, Ian Hunnable defeated Philip Staniland to retain the championship with a round to spare. Ian finished on 6½/7, with David Smith and John Duggan joint second on 5.
Blitz championship -.this took place on 2 January 2007 and was won by Robert Hamilton with 6 out of 7. John Duggan was 2nd with 5½ and Larry Marden 3rd with 5. John Tuitt won the U100 grading prize.
Roy Wagstaff Memorial Match. This is a traditional annual fixture with the Insurance Chess Club, which took place at Belgrave Road on 21 February and was lost by a rather convincing ½ - 7½. Philip Staniland saved the whitewash.
Essex knock-out. Two teams were entered in the Summer 2006 competition, but both lost in the first round of the main competition, and neither made progress in the plate either.
Essex team blitz. Two teams were entered in the event all play all event on 15 July. The first team (Ian Hunnable, Terry Whitton, Nayeem Syed and David Smith) scored 17½/32 and finished 5th (out of 9 teams)., and the second (Mark Murrell, Laurie Burtt, Fin O'Regan and Andy Lu) scored 4½ and finished 9th.
2005/6
The 2005/6 season began on 6 September with the traditional "caterpillar" simultaneous display, which was followed on 13 September by a challenge match (as Essex League champions) against the Essex President's team.
London League - After the relegation of the first team from Division 1 after a single season, teams played in Divisions 2 and 3. The Division 2 team finished third, and therefore failed to secure an immediate return to the top divisions, The Division 3 team won its first four matches and drew its next two, but hampered by barrings rather fell away thereafter to finish in mid-table.
Essex League - Five teams were entered, with the second team (which won Division 2 with a 100% record last season) joining the first team who were the reigning champions in Division 1. The first team won its first three matches, with the 6-2 victory away to Southend being particularly encouraging in view of the absentees from the team that night, but the 5-3 loss to Writtle proved decisive and the team finished in second place. The second team struggled early on but got off the mark with a tied match against Upminster, and wins against Shell, Southend and Waltham Forest made for a much higher finish than might have been expected. The fourth team was narrowly pipped for the Division 3 title by Thurrock 1.
North Circular League - For the first time the club fielded a team in Division A as well as Division B. The two knockout rapidplay events (the Lawrence Cup and the Finchley Cup) have also been entered, and two club teams took part in the Capes trophy (a blitz event) on 20 September (for results see the SCCU website).
National Club. The club entered the Major (Average grade < 160) and Handicap Rapidplay events. In round 1 of the Major, Maidstone were defeated 3 -2 away, but we lost on bottom board elimination to old rivals Rose Forgrove in round 2. The rapidplay took place at Magdalen College School, Oxford on Sunday 23 April 2006, but the team did not particularly distinguish itself.
Lightning championship- this took place on 27 September and was won by Terry Whitton. Follow this link for the cross-table.
Club championship (defending champion Steve Gilmour) has been won by Ian Hunnable with the excellent score of 6½ out of 7, half a point ahead of Terry Whitton. The U120 grading prize was won by SId Burns and the U85 grading prize by Fin O'Regan.
Blitz championship -.this took place on 3 January 2006 was was won by Larry Marden. Follow this link for the cross-table.
Roy Wagstaff Memorial Match. This is a traditional annual fixture with the Insurance Chess Club which took place at Wanstead House on 18 February 2006 and was won 5 - 3 by Insurance.
Essex knock-out. Two teams were entered in the Summer 2005 competition, but both lost in the first round. The 1st team won the Plate with a convincing victory in the final against Upminster. Detailed results are available on the ECA website.
2004/5
The 2004/5 season began on 14 September with the traditional "caterpillar" simultaneous display by Steve Gilmour, Laurie Burtt and Ian Hunnable who scored an impressive 15-7 against the club members. Click here for David Smith's report on the opening night.
London League - After the double promotion achieved last season, teams played in Divisions 1 and 3. The first team found Division 1 tough going and have been relegated after finishing next to last, but the Division 3 team has held its own.
Essex League - Five teams were entered. Division 1 was won for the first time in 18 years and Division 2 was won with a 100% record.
North Circular League - The Club entered one team in the North Circular League which won Division B.
National Club- The Club are defending champions in the Major, and have reached the final where our opponents on 10 July will be Writtle at an as yet unspecified venue. We were runners up to Milton Keynes in the Handicap Rapidplay.
Lightning championship- this took place on 28 September and was won by Larry Marden.
Club championship Steve Gilmour has retained the championship, which he has now won for three out of the last four years, after a last round draw with Laurie Burtt to reach 5½/7, thanks to Terry Whitton defeating the previous co-leader Ian Hunnable.
Blitz championship -.this took place on 4 January 2005 and was won by John Duggan - for detailed results click here.
Roy Wagstaff Memorial Match. This is a traditional annual fixture with the Insurance Chess Club which will took place at Wanstead on 20 November 2004 and resulted in a 4½ - 3½ victory for the club. Three of the participants were eligible to play for both teams, and while Ian Hunnable (Board 2 for Wanstead) and your webmaster (Board 5 for Insurance) both drew, it was Paul Barclay who, captaining Wanstead, scored the decisive victory on Board 3.
Paul Barclay - Martin Page
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Nbd2 d6 6.h3 Be6 7.Bb3 Qe7 8.Nf1 h6 9.c3 d5 10.Ng3 0-0-0 11.Qe2 Rhe8 12.Ba4 Bd7 13.0-0 g5 14.b4 Bd6 15.Bc2 Qf8 16.a4 g4 17.hxg4 Bxg4 18.a5 Qg7 19.b5 Ne7 20.Ba4 Rg8 21.Ba3 Nh5 22.b6 cxb6 23.Nxh5 Bxh5 24.g3 Ng6 25.axb6 a6 26.Qe3 Qf6 27.Bxd6 Rxd6 28.Qc5+ Kb8 29.Qc7+ Ka8 30.Bc6 1-0
Essex knock-out. Two teams were entered in the Summer 2004 competition. The A team qualified for the final by defeating Chelmsford 9½ - 2½ and Writtle on board count, but were edged out 6½ - 5½ by Barking after just failing to overcome a 5 - 1 deficit in the first series of games. The B team lost in the first round to Upminster 7 - 5, but beat Roding & Loughton on board count in the plate semi-final, only to lose 9½ - 2½ to Ilford in the final.. Detailed results can be found on the ECA website.
2003/4
London League - Teams are playing in Divisions 2 and 4. The Division 4 team has completed the season undefeated and won the Championship, while the Division 2 team has gained promotion to Division 1 as runners up in its Division after winning its final match against Woodbridge.
Essex League - Five teams have been entered.
North Circular League - The Club has again entered one team in the North Circular League which, with the restructuring of the League, played an extended programme in Division B and finished in a very creditable second place.
National Club - The Club has entered teams in the Major and the Handicap Rapidplay. For the first time ever we were crowned Major champions, defeating Metropolitan by 4 -1 in the final. The Rapidplay was played as a Swiss event at Magdalen College School, Oxford on 9 November and the club were equal first on points, although Magdalen College School B took the trophy on tie-break.
The Capes Trophy - Two teams were entered in this traditional pre-season lightning event for teams of four organised by the North Circular League which took place at the Angel Community Centre, Edmonton on 26 September. In a 7 team double round robin convincingly won by Powdermill, Wanstead I finished third with 29 (a point off second place) while Wanstead 2 were fifth with 16½.
Lightning championship - this took place on 30 September. Julian Winkworth won on tie-break from Li Wu.
Club championship. This is a seven round Swiss event. Rounds took place on 28 October, 18 November, 9 December, 13 January, 10 February, 2 March and 23 March. Steve Gilmour won the event by a point and a half with the outstanding score of 6½/7. John Philpott was second with 5 and Ian Hunnable, Mark Murrell and Laurie Burtt joint third with 4½. The U120 grading prize went to Bob Heyman and the U85 grading prize to John Tuitt, both with 4.
Blitz championship - this took place on 6 January and was won by Terry Whitton with 6/7. Julian Winkworth was 2nd with 5½ and David Smith 3rd with 5. The U100 grading prize went to Wim de Jong who scored 4.
Roy Wagstaff Memorial Match. This is a traditional annual fixture with the Insurance Chess Club which took place on.15 October at Insurance's venue and was lost by 3½ - 6½.
Essex knock-out. Two teams were entered in the Summer 2003 competition. In the quarter finals the A team beat Roding & Loughton away by a convincing 8½ - 3½ while the B team lost at home to Upminster by an even more convincing 2½ - 9½.. In the semi-final the A team went down by 8 - 4 away to a strong Ilford team. The B team found themselves in the Plate competition and qualified for the final against Chelmsford by beating Roding & Loughton 7 - 5, but despite home advantage went down by 7 - 5.. Detailed results can be found on the ECA website.
2002/3
London League - Teams played in Divisions 2 and 4. The Division 2 team finished in mid-table after 5-5 ties in no fewer than 6 of its 10 matches, while the Division 4 team narrowly missed out on promotion..
Essex League - Five teams were entered, one in Division 1, two in Division 2 and two in Division 3. The runners up position has been achieved in all 3 divisions.
North Circular League - The Club has again entered a team in Division C of the North Circular League. This looked favourite for the title, but last its two final matches, both against Powdermill, who were thereby enabled to overtake it.
National Club - The Club entered one team in the Major which has reached the final only to lose to Basingstoke Juniors on 29 June and two in the Handicap Rapidplay (played as a Swiss event in Kettering on 27 April) which finished third and fourth.
The Capes Trophy - Two teams were entered in this traditional pre-season event.
Lightning championship - this took 24 September and was won by Paul Barclay with 6/7. 2nd was Julian Winkworth with 5½ and 3rd - Terry Whitton and Laurie Burtt with 5. Click here for the cross-table.
Club championship - Rounds took place on 29 October, 19 November, 10 December, 14 January, 13 February, 4 March and 27 March. Your webmaster completed his games to lead with 5½/7, but had to wait a week for Mark Murrell to lose his adjourned game against Laurie Burtt before he could be confirmed as champion.
Blitz championship - this was held on 7 January 2003 and was won by Terry Whitton.
Roy Wagstaff Memorial Match. This traditional annual fixture with the Insurance Chess Club took place at Wanstead House on Saturday 16 November and was won by 4½-3½.. For a report refer to the excellent Insurance Chess Club website.
Essex knock-out. Two teams were entered in the Summer 2002 competition. In the quarter finals the A team beat Chelmsford A by 6½ - 5½ at home while the B team beat Maldon 7 - 5 away. In the semi-final the A team went down by 7½ - 4½ away to Writtle, and the B team lost at home to a very strong Ilford team, which went on to win the competition, by 10 - 2. Detailed results can be found on the ECA website.
2001/2
London League - Teams finished in mid-table in divisions 2 and 4.
Essex League - Five teams played, of which the most successful was the second which looked in with a good chance of the Division 2 title until, affected by the barring rule based on apprearances (ironically abolished for next season) it lost its last two matches. The first team flattered to deceive after winning its first four matches.
National Club - The Major team lost on board count in the home quarter final against Bourne End.
The club also entered the Handicap Rapidplay tournament and won this at the first attempt.
The Capes Trophy - The club entered two teams in this annual team lightning tournament, organised as a curtain-raiser to the season by John Capes of Edmonton.
Lightning championship - This was held on 26 September 2001 and was won by David Sherman with 6½/7. Larry Marden was 2nd with 6 and Terry Whitton 3rd with 5. Mike Nicholson won the U100 grading prize with 3½.Julian Winkworth with 6/7. Larry Marden was 2nd with 5½ and Paul Barclay and Terry Whitton 3rd= with 5. Mike Nicholson won the U100 grading prize with 4½.
Blitz championship - this was held on 8 January 2002 and was won by Julian Winkworth with 6/7. Larry Marden was 2nd with 5½ and Paul Barclay and Terry Whitton 3rd= with 5. Mike Nicholson won the U100 grading prize with 4½.
Roy Wagstaff Memorial Match. The ninth match in this annual series against the Insurance Chess Club was played at 11 Belgrade Road on 17 October 2001 and resulted in a 5-2 win for Insurance. Follow this link for a match report on the excellent Insurance Chess Club site.
2000/1
Essex League The first team had a slightly disappointing season in Division 1, losing three of their matches. The best performances have been achieved by the second team in Division 2, who have finished runners up to a Grays team that achieved a 100% match point score.
London League The Club has had a good season both in Division 2, where there was a chance of promotion until the final match was narrowly lost against Woodbridge, and in Division 4 where a third place finish was achieved.
Lightning championship - this was won by Larry Marden with 6/7. Terry Whitton scored 5½, Paul Barclay 5, Graham Brown and Thomas Winkworth 4½.
The blitz championship took place on 15 May and ended in a three way tie on 5/6 between Steve Gilmour, Larry Marden and Julian Winkworth. For Ian Hunnable's report on the play-off which was convincingly won by Steve Gilmour, follow this link.
Roy Wagstaff Memorial Match. The eighth match in this annual series against the Insurance Chess Club was played at Wanstead House and finished in a 5-5 tie. For a report, see the Insurance Chess Club website.
EARLIER SEASONS