The AGM of the Coleshill Chess Club will be held on Wednesday 18th May 2022 at the Coleshill Social Club commencing at 7:30 pm. If you are a member, please do your best to attend. If you are interested in playing, whether league or social chess, please come and have a look. Further details can be had by contacting the secretary, Des Green, on 07736 066825.

The Division five team of Eamon Murphy, Gary Haycock, Malcolm Jones and Des Green recorded their fourth consecutive draw in their last match of the season.

The season ended with a defeat for the Minor Division team of Malcolm Jones, Des Green and Colin Bissell.

The Minor Division team of Eamon Murphy, Oliver Kettlewell and Rob Payne were defeated in their penultimate match of the season against a strong Solihull outfit who gained revenge for the reversal in the previous league encounter.

Coleshill welcomed Rushall for what turned out to be a close encounter against a team placed third in the league and looking for promotion. The team of Ray Bettam, Malcolm Jones, Gary Haycock and Colin Bissell fared well when encountering a team that out graded them on every board. The draw ensured that Rushall will remain in Division 5 for next season.

The Minor Division team of Eamon Murphy, Oliver Kettlewell and Rob Payne earned a hard won  battle against against a strong Solihull outfit. The win is the second in succession for the team and keeps them in third place in the league.

The trip to play South Birmingham resulted in a 3-3 draw which ensures that promotion to Division 2 is now out of the question. The team of Peter Thompson, Mike Wildboar, Graham Barrett, Paul Barrett, Tom Vanes and Des Green (substituting for Covid victim Richard Bailey) played out a close encounter against players who out graded our team on four boards by over 300 points.

The team of Peter Thompson, Mike Wildboar, John Smith, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett and Richard Bailey suffered a defeat against local rival Sutton Coldfield which has seriously dented their chances of promotion to Division Two. They have one game to play, which they need to win to be in with a chance of finishing in the top two.

The team of Ray Bettam, Malcolm Jones, Gary Haycock and Des Green travelled to Mutual Circle and returned with a 2 - 2 draw.

The team of Peter Thompson, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett, Richard Bailey and Tom Vanes returned home from the trip to Mercia with an outstanding 5 - 1 victory to enhance their chances of promotion to Division 2.

The team of Oliver Kettlewell, Rob Payne and Colin Bissell completed a 3-0 double over their opponents.

The team of Peter Thompson, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett, Richard Bailey and Tom Vanes were defeated for the first time this season when they went down in a close match with league leaders Oscott "A".

The University advised us late on Tuesday evening by email that they would be fielding five players only. They further advised early evening on the match date that one of their players was unavailable due to injury and that the remaining four players would be travelling to honour the fixture. An email sent at 6:45 pm advised that due to bad weather the four players would not be travelling. We were surprised as to why contact was not made by phone or text, we therefore claimed the match.

The team of Malcolm Jones, Eamon Murphy, Gary Haycock and Des Green were outplayed on the night and slumped to a disappointing defeat.

The Minor Division team of Des Green, Colin Bissell and Oliver Kettlewell travelled to Solihull to play their "A" squad. The reverse fixture had seen a 1.5 all draw, this time the hosts were the victors with a 2-1 victory.

A strong Shirley & Wythall outfit out graded the home team on three boards and were deserved winners in this Division 5 encounter.

This rematch against Stourbridge was again a very close affair with neither side able to claim the advantage.

The Coleshill team of Eamon Murphy, Des Green and Rob Payne travelled to Solihull for their third match in the Minor Division of the Birmingham Chess League. They suffered their first defeat of the season after three close games.

The team of Ray Bettam, Malcolm Jones, Gary Haycock and Eamon Murphy travelled the short distance to Ward End and returned empty handed following a good performance by the hosts.

The team of Des Green, Colin Bissell and Rob Payne secured a home draw against an evenly matched Solihull team.

The team of Ray Bettam, Gary Haycock, Malcolm Jones and Eamon Murphy went down to previously named Greenlands in four evenly matched games.

The Coleshill team of Ray Bettam, Gary Haycock, Malcolm Jones and Eamon Murphy lost their final match of 2021 by the margin 0f 1.5 to 2.5. The visitors were previously known as Greenlands went home victorious in for well matched games.

Coleshill were victorious following a 3-3 draw in the final of the delayed 2019/2020 competition.

Board count resulted in Coleshill winning by virtue of wins on boards 2 and 3 giving a total of 5 as opposed to Stourbridge wins on boards 5 and 6 giving a total of 11, lower count wins.

Coleshill registered their first win in a trophy competition when they defeated Stourbridge in a closely fought battle on Tuesday 14th December 2021.. The 2019/2020 final had been held over due to the Covid epidemic. Olton Chess Club hosted the final and it finished level at 3-3. The board count rule was applied, winning board numbers are added together and the team with the lower total win. Coleshill won on boards 2 and 3 giving a total of 5 whilst Stourbridge won on boards 5 and 6 to give them a total of 11. Congratulations go to Peter Thompson, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett, Richard Bailey and Tom Vanes who were victorious on the night.

With three players crying off on the morning of the match, Coleshill performed well in their last match of the shortened Cannock League season. The team of Gary Haycock, Malcolm Jones, Oliver Kettlewell and Des Green were out graded on all boards but matched their opponents in four close encounters.

The team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett and Richard Bailey outplayed their opponents in recording an emphatic win.

There were two matches involving Coleshill on Wednesday 8th December 2021. The Division 3 team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett and Richard Bailey travelled to play Oscott "B'. They returned with an emphatic 5 - 1 victory to continue their unbeaten start to the season. The Cannock League team played their final match of the shortened season when they entertained Rugeley. A much changed team from the originally selected players, three cry offs on the morning of the match,  performed well but went down by 2.5 to 1.5. Gary Haycock, Malcolm Jones, Oliver Kettlewell and Des Green were out graded on all boards but matched their opponents in four tightly fought battles.

A first win of the season for the team of Ray Bettam, Gary Haycock, Malcolm Jones and Des Green. They travelled to local rivals Sutton Coldfield and returned with a well deserved victory.

The Division five team of Ray Bettam, Gary Haycock, Malcolm Jones and Des Green enjoyed their first win of the season when defeating local rivals Sutton Coldfield 'B' at Minworth.

The team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett, Richard Bailey and Tom Vanes continued their unbeaten start to the season with a victory over Kynoch.

The Division 3 team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett, Richard Bailey and Tom Vanes beat Kynoch 4 - 2 to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

A draw was a fair result between two teams who were matched evenly.

On Monday 29th November the Division 5 team of Ray Bettam, Gary Haycock, Malcolm Jones and Rob Payne returned from playing Kynoch "A" with a creditable draw. The teams were evenly matched and a draw was a fair result.

The team of Ray Bettam, Gary Haycock, Mike Felgate and Eamon Murphy suffered defeat against a very strong South Birmingham outfit.

Kieran Mills was defeated in a close encounter in the Maximum 80 Individual Trophy on Tuesday evening. The following night the Division 5 team of Ray Bettam, Gary Haycock, Mike Felgate and Eamon Murphy were defeated by an extremely strong South Birmingham outfit.

Coleshill commenced their season in the Minor Division with a 3 - 0 victory. The team was Eamon Murphy, Des Green and Oliver Kettlewell.

The team of Eamon Murphy, Des Green and Oliver Kettlewell travelled to Ward End Social on Monday 22nd November for their opening fixture in the Birmingham League Minor Division. They returned triumphantly following a comprehensive 3 - 0 win.

The adjourned game was conceded by Coleshill. This ensured that the match was drawn 3 - 3

On Wednesday 17th November 2021, the Division 3 team played Olton. The result on the night was 3-2 to Coleshill with one game adjourned until 22nd December. On the same evening, Malcolm Jones progressed to the semi finals of the Ray Dolan Trophy with a replay win over Fred Biles from Lichfield.

The unavailability of several players has resulted in the club making a couple of important decisions. The BDCL Division 4 team has been withdrawn and a team has been entered into the BDCL Minor Division. The Cannock League team has also been withdrawn from the new season that commences in early January 2022.

The team of Gary Haycock, Malcolm Jones, Des Green and Colin Bissell recorded their first win of the season in their penultimate match.

A depleted Division 4 team slipped to a 3-1 defeat to local rivals Sutton Coldfield. Despite being heavily out graded on three of the four boards, the Coleshill team were not disgraced and all of the team battled well.

Four very close games ended with honours even. All boards were evenly matched and played in a very good spirit.

The Division 5 team finished their first league match of the season with a draw. Their opponents were unable to field a full team.

The team of Gary Haycock, Eamon Murphy, Rob Payne and Des Green travelled up the M6 and encountered traffic congestion to fulfil their Cannock League Division 3 obligation. The match was played in a good spirit and the visitors returned empty handed after a 3.5 to 0.5 defeat. No one was disgraced despite being heavily out graded on all boards put in a good performance.

Coleshill's team started the season with a hard fought victory over an experienced Lichfield outfit. All members of the team matched their opponents endeavours and came out victorious.

The game on board 3 was awarded to Coleshill player Malcolm Jones after his opponent admitted to using his mobile phone during the match.

A Coleshill team depleted by the non availability of two registered players suffered defeat to a strong South Birmingham outfit on their first outing of the season. Two replacements, one being at the late hour of 6:15pm, performed well and ensured that the club did not default a board.

The AGM will be held on Wednesday 11th August 2021 at the Coleshill Social Club commencing at 7:30 pm.

The Chess Club is up and running again and we are operational on Wednesdays. Covid regulations are currently still in place, this means that you must enter via the rear door, sign the register and make your way upstairs to the playing area. Further details will follow when we are advised which leagues we will be playing in for the 2021/2022 season.

The chess club has been unable to meet since the new regulations came into force. As soon as restrictions are eased, we will let you know.

Coleshill Chess Club is now open and operating under strict regulations.  We are currently open on a Thursday evening from 7pm to 10pm. This will change to our normal Wednesday evenings from Wednesday 14th October 2020.

If you wish to visit you will need to follow the procedures:

1. Enter the Coleshill Social Club at the rear entrance.

2. You must wear a face covering.

3.. You do not need to sign in as we have our register upstairs in the playing area.

4. If you require a drink from the bar you must sit down and a member of the bar staff will organise payment and bring the drink to your table.

5. Make your way through the large dance floor and through the door leading to the stairs.

6. There is a sanitiser at the bottom of the stairs, please use it.

7. Outside the playing area there is a register for you to complete.

8. Once seated you may remove your face covering if you want to.

9. It is suggested that you play the same opponent for the duration of your stay.

10. Sanitise your hands as many times as you wish during your stay.

11. Drinks glasses and bottle should be placed on the bar in the playing area when you are finished with them.

12. It goes without saying that you should not enter the club if you have any signs of Covid-19.

Further details can be obtained from Des Green on 07736 066825 or 012 246 2295

Nothing to report as the Leagues are still suspended. 

The Birmingham & District Chess League and the Cannock Chess League have suspended all remaining matches and individual trophy games until further notice. 

The team of Paul Kelly, Tom Vanes, Ray Bettam and Mike Felgate outplayed Solihull and did their chances of promotion a power of good. Their next big test will be against St Georges who have already assured themselves of promotion.

The team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett and Richard Bailey kept the pressure on Sutton Coldfield in the battle for promotion. The teams are locked on 15 points just two behind leaders Stourbridge.

The team of Malcolm Jones, Eamon Murphy, Des Green and Gary Haycock put up a valiant fight when going down to a very strong St Georges" outfit.

The team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett and Richard Bailey moved into the final for the second successive season with a perfect performance against a spirited Warley outfit.

The team of Malcolm Jones, Paul Tullett, Gary Haycock and Colin Bissell finished off their season with a creditable draw against a strong Lichfield outfit.

This win against a strong South Birmingham team, who arrived one player short, keeps the pressure on the two sides above Coleshill. The winning team was Peter Thompson, John Smith, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett and Richard Bailey.

The team of Malcolm Jones, Eamon Murphy, Des Green and Gary Haycock recorded their second win in succession in another away fixture.

The team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett and Tom Vanes (deputising for Richard Bailey) won a hard fought battle to move level on points with Sutton Coldfield into second place in the league.

The team of Paul Barrett, Malcolm Jones, Des Green and Colin Bissell gained their first win of the season in their penultimate match.

The team of Kieran Mills, Malcolm Jones, Eamon Murphy and Des Green travelled to Kynoch and returned with an emphatic win and moved up the table to fifth.

The team of Malcolm Jones, Paul Tullett, Gary Haycock and Colin Bissell again met a side who easily out graded the Coleshill lads. Three draws was a good return. The object of the Cannock Division 3 was to encourage novice and lower graded players and the suggestion that only one player should be graded over 100. Boards 1 and 2 for the visitors were 110 and 106!

Coleshill welcomed Walsall Kipping for this venture into the Staffordshire Cup. The team of Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett, Richard Bailey and Paul Kelly matched their opponents and finished 2 - 2. The competition rules stipulated that board count was to be used in the event of a draw. Walsall won and progressed to the semi-final.

A team lacking two of its regular players put up a brave fight against a Rushall side that out graded the lads. Eamon Murphy, Des Green, Gary Haycock (making his chess debut) and Colin Bissell made the Rushall team fight hard and they knew that they had been in a match!

The team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett and Richard Bailey travelled to Shirley & Wythall Chess Club and returned with a hard fought battle to progress into the semi-final of a tournament in which they were runners up last season.

The team of Malcolm Jones, Paul Tullett, Colin Bissell and Des Green were beaten when they travelled to Norton Canes. The opposition played well and thoroughly deserved their win against a Coleshill team that never really got out of the blocks.

The team of Mike Felgate, Paul Kelly, Tom Vanes and Ray Bettam beat a strong Rushall team to move back to the top of Division 6.

The team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett and Richard Bailey travelled to Kynoch and returned with a good win. This move the team into third place in the league with games in hand over the two teams currently occupying the promotion places.

The team of Graham Barrett, Malcolm Jones, Eamon Murphy and Colin Bissell came away with a point when they moved upstairs at the Guild Hall due to the venue being utilised as a polling station.

The "A" team recorded their fourth consecutive win to move to the top of the league. The team of Mike Felgate, Paul Kelly, Tom Vanes and Ray Bettam beat the Police to sit at the top of Division 6 going into the New Year.

The team of Mike Felgate, Paul Kelly, Tom Vanes and Ray Bettam defeated Greenlands "A" to move into second place in Division 6. It is early days but the points are in the bag and they face a trip to West Midlands Police next week with the opportunity of consolidating their position in their last match before the Christmas break.

A strong West Midlands Police team defeated a much changed Coleshill "B" outfit to record their first victory of the season. Eamon Murphy, Steve Charlton, Paul Tullett and Des Green were overpowered by the custodians of the law.

A strong Rugely team completed the double over Coleshill. The team of Paul Barrett, Malcolm Jones, Steve Charlton (making his debut) and Colin Bissell were beaten by a team fielding a 134 graded player on board 1.

Due to a variety of reasons the team travelled to Greenlands without two of their regular players. However the strength in depth of the squad enable them to turn out a team that gave their hosts a tight match. Representing Coleshill were Malcolm Jones, Paul Tullett, Des Green and Colin Bissell who all acquitted themselves admirably despite being out graded on all boards.

Solihull defaulted the match at mid-day on Monday for a match on Wednesday. Their captain advised that they only had three players available. The team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett and Richard Bailey were advised accordingly and were not required to attend.

The team of Mike Felgate, Paul Kelly, Tom Vanes and Ray Bettam defeated the league leaders to move into second place in the league.

The team of Malcolm Jones, Eamon Murphy, Kieran Mills and Paul Tullett battled hard against their opponents who head the table, but lost out by 1-3.

The team of Mike Felgate, Tom Vanes, Ray Bettam and Kieran Mills overcame a resilient Kynoch "B" team. The match was level when Ray Bettam "pulled a rabbit out of the hat" to defeat his tough, steady opponent.

The team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett and Richard Bailey suffered their first defeat of the season following their long journey to Stourbridge. There was some highly competitive chess played and the hosts retained their 100% start to the league campaign.

The team of Malcolm Jones, Kieran Mills, Eamon Murphy and Des Green travelled to play Ward End Social. They returned successful with a victory in a hard fought encounter to move to the top of Division 6.

The team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett, Richard Bailey and Eamon Murphy (deputising as a late replacement) outplayed their opponents who suffered their first defeat of the season.

The team of Malcolm Jones, Paul Tullett, Colin Bissell and Des Green battled hard against a determined Rugeley in four close games. The match was close on all four boards, the very reason why this division was created!

The "A" team of Mike Felgate, Paul Kelly, Tom Vanes and Ray Bettam suffered their first defeat of the season on their visit to Kynoch "A".

The Cannock League fixture resulted in a draw. The team of Paul Barrett, Malcolm Jones, Eamon Murphy and Colin Bissell matched their opponents to start the season on a positive note. On the same evening, Kieran Mills and Des Green were successful in their first round games in the Ray Dolan Trophy.

Coleshill travelled to Mutual Circle for a first round tie with Mutual Circle of Division 5. The team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett and Richard Bailey were conceding a handicap of half a point to the home team. A comprehensive victory was achieved with the Coleshill boys having five wins and a draw.

The team of Mike Felgate, Paul Kelly, Tom Vanes and Kieran Mills defeated Ward End Social in their first home match of the season.

The "B" team of Malcolm Jones, Kieran Mills, Eamon Murphy and Des Green recorded an encouraging win over Kynoch "A".

The team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett, Richard Bailey and Tom Vanes overcame a strong Greenlands team to record their first win in Division 4 after being promoted last season.

The first BDCL match of the season pitched the A and B team of Coleshill against each other. The teams finished all square. "A" team: Mike Felgate, Paul Kelly, Tom Vanes and Colin Bissell. "B" team : Malcolm Jones, Kieran Mills, Eamon Murphy and Des Green.

The first match of the season ended in a draw when recently relegated Sutton Coldfield sent a strong team to Coleshill. The home team of Peter Thompson, John Smith, Mike Wildboar, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett and Richard Bailey secured their first point of the campaign with a well deserved point. 

On Tuesday 2019, Kieran Mills travelled to Rugeley to play his first round match against Ryan Wood. They will meet again on Wednesday 23rd October after a closely fought drawn game.

A pleasant evening of chess against a team that we do not play during the course of a season. The team of Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett, Richard Bailey, Paul Kelly, Malcolm Jones and Des Green blew the cobwebs away and enjoyed the hospitality provided by the hosts.

The team of John Smith, Paul Barrett, Graham Barrett, Malcolm Jones, Eamon Murphy and Des Green returned from Acocks Green with honours even. 

At the recent AGM it was proposed that the club have a monthly tournament on the first Wednesday of the months of June, July and August. Tom Vanes organised the first event on Wednesday 5th June 2019. Thirteen members participated in a five round Swiss tournament with each player having to make all moves within five minutes. John Smith was victorious on the night with a maximum five wins. On Wednesday 3rd July 2019, ten members played in a three round Swiss tournament with each player having a maximum of ten minutes to make all moves. Paul Barrett and John Smith tied for first place with a score of two and a half points from their three games. This was again organised by Tom Vanes. The August tournament was held on Wednesday 5th August 2018 and seven members contested a three round Swiss system Chess 960 competition with a fifteen minute per player time limit. The winner on the night was Paul Barrett with a maximum of three wins from his three games. All three tournaments were played in a relaxed but serious atmosphere and thanks to Tom Vanes for his organising of the three evenings.