This page is for archived news items from 2005.

The results of the NJCA Kings Hall Tournament are now available, Adult sections: Open and Minor; all Junior sections: (under 16, under 12, under 9).

Many more pictures from the 2005 Amsterdam match have been added. (16/11/05)

The only two local players in the recent Hull Congress both did well. Ron Plater (Kings) came =3rd with 3½/5 in the Major, and Geoff Shearing (Eldon Leisure) was =4th with 3½/5 in the Minor.  (11/11/05)

Local prizewinners in the recent Scarborough Congress were: David Eggleston (Durham) came =3rd with 4/5 in the Open, and Kevin Cox (Gateshead Libraries) was =2nd with 4/5 in the Minor.  (9/11/05)

The results of the NJCA Kings Tournament are now available, Adult sections: Open and Minor; all Junior sections: (under 16, under 12, under 9). (8/11/05)

The Northumberland County Congress took place at the Parks Leisure Centre, North Shields during the weekend of 23-25 Sept '05, which was organised by Paul Bielby. Full details are available in these files: Prizewinners, Full results and a Report.    (29/9/05). Some Pictures of the prizewinners were added on 16/11/05.

Many of those who knew him, will be sad to hear that Steve Webster of York died earlier this year of a heart attack. A Memorial Rapidplay Tournament was held in his honour on 26-28 Nov. Steve was a well known character who played regularly in northern congresses. (Updated 7/12/05)

Vladimir Kramik beats Roger Coathup - in a simul on the internet (8 players), that is. (17/9/05).
See also Roger's own description. (19/9/05)

ECF Awards 2005, three honours for the NCA:

Paul Bielby has received the President's Award for services to chess. This will be presented at the KIngs Hall Congress (organised by the NJCA) on Sat 5 Nov. I'm sure that all local players will join me in offering their congratulations to Paul for this award which those of us who know him, will agree is well deserved, especially for his work over many years with junior players. The official citation is on the ECF website and there are more details in the latest NCA Bulletin (Sept 2005).

The NCA Bulletin (editor John Wheeler) is the Magazine of the Year. The official announcement is also on the ECF Website and more information also in the latest issue of itself. Congratulations also to John, and those who have supported him by supplying articles and news. (Updated 14/9/05)

And finally, congratulations to our President John Turnock, who has been awarded the Richard Boxall Trophy, for service to the ECF Championship Congress as Controller 1994-2005. (Added 16/9/05)

There are now some pictures of PB and JT at the official presentations, in the Picture Gallery.

David Eggleston of Durham won the Young Masters title at an event in Somerset in July with 8/10. This was a FIDE-rated, invitation-only event for the country's most promising juniors. Congratulations to David also.  Brother Thomas also did well, scoring 6/10. (Added 5/9/05)

Chris Wardle won the 'Reserve C' section of the Bucks & Berks Congress at Marlow with 4.5/6. (Added 14/9/05).

Tynemouth Trojans beat Kings C in the final of the Summer Knockout competition - congratulations to them, and they dropped only 1½ points over 5 rounds. The Final of the Plate is Forest Hall A v Kings B. (Modified 18/2/08).

Paul Bielby of Jesmond, came first equal in the '5-day Week 1' event at the Smith & Williamson British Championships on the Isle of Man, 1-5 Aug. This was a good performance since there were four other players graded higher than him. (Added 7/8/05)

A report of the 2005 I.B.C.A. World Championship (featuring Les Whittle). There are further details in the Sept 05 NCA Bulletin. (Added 3/8/05).

Death of Les Stuart

Paul Bielby reports:

I was very sorry to learn from the Cleveland players at the British in Douglas that he had died some three weeks ago. in Darlington. He was in his late eighties and had been fighting against cancer for a number of years.

Les, of course, was based in Newcastle for some years around 1950 and won the Zollner Trophy in 1949 and 1951. In 1952 he was placed second in the British Championship behind Bob Wade. He returned to the North, living in Darlington on his retirement in the eighties and has played in many tournaments, both locally and in Italy (His wife was Italian; Les had served in Italy both during and after the war).

One of his games is featured in the Sept 05 NCA Bulletin.

I believe an obituary is due to appear on the Cleveland website.

Last changed:  26/12/09