The Trompowsky Attack, the Nimzo-Indian Defence or the Benko Gambit may be Greek to some, but they are chess moves on the agenda at a café in Stroud, writes Simon Pizzey.
Probably originating in India in the sixth century AD, chess is an intellectual strategic problem-solving game that is globally popular. The online world has seen it become even more wide spread and followed. Chess improves focus, creativity, social interaction and relieves stress. The cross over with Artificial Intelligence has led to new research. Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit has re-kindled interest in the game in recent times.
Club member and Social Media Organiser Tom Weavin writes:
Stroud Chess Club welcomes members of all ages, (presently eight to 80) and abilities.
Our friendly club meets at 7pm at the Star Anise Café in Stroud on Thursday evenings – we hire out the whole café, with a junior focused hour 6-7pm. We cater for the serious and the casual player, so please come along and join in.
Our new website has been popular among members for its built-in calendars, live results table, improvement guide and club history.
Stroud Chess Club was established in 1890 by Mr. William Moffatt (Chairman), Mr. W. A. P. Hughes (Honorary Secretary), and Mr. T. L. Fairweather (Treasurer)? Meetings were first held at the then Imperial Hotel by the railway station. The club began with twenty-five members.
Beyond his role in the club, William Moffatt edited the ‘Chess Amateur’ magazine from 1906 to 1930, also printed in Stroud. He designed chess sets for the visually impaired and published various chess books.
The first recorded female player was Joan Hardy in 1911
I have compiled a history of the club available on the club website
Achievements in the last year have been rising club star, Indy Southcott-Moyers, earning his first title, Candidate Master, laying the foundations we hope for a long chess career.
Talented young player Alex Carey breaking 2000 in English Chess Federation standard ratings.
On the 14th of May up and coming grandmaster Peter Wells will take part in a simultaneous exhibition match to be held at Star Anise. This will test the mettle of 30 players from Stroud and other local clubs.
The last recorded simultaneous match we have information for was in 1910 against Joseph Henry Blackburne, nicknamed ‘The Black Death’ who was the English champion at the time and the fifth rated player in the world, and namesake of the dubious (but dangerous) Blackburne Shilling Gambit!
Pictures by Simon Pizzey.
