11 players have entered the Club KO. 6 players will enter round 1 with the 3 winners progressing to meet the other 5 in the Quarter Finals. The draw was: Roger Bray v Sam, Steve Whatmore v Alex & John Grant v Stefan. Steve Wilcox, Cosmin, John Staniforth, David Jarvis & Stephen received the byes in a random draw.Ties are to be played on or before Monday 27th November.

We played 2 games this week - sadly losing both. On Thursday we travelled to Tamworth in Cannock Division 1 & despite some heroics from Cosmin on board 1 who drew with a much higher rated player, we lost 3-1. John Staniforth achieved our other half point. Then on Monday we travelled to play a strong Halesowen side in Wolverhampton Division 1. We were outrated on every board, but draws from Steve Whatmore, Cosmin again (who both played players rated over 2000) & Alex meant that we lost by the smallest of margins 1.5-2.5.

the draw was made on monday 4th september for round one of this trophy for under 1640 rated plshyersPairings are on the notice board in the clubroomm

After yoyoing between Birmingham League Divisions 2 & 3 in recent years, we began our new season at home in Division 2 to a strong Shirley & Wythall side, who had finished mid table last season. We performed brilliantly with Steve Whatmore, Alex & Peter Leary all winning with aggressive attacking play. John Staniforth then ground out a win on board 4, after the only loss of the evening by Stephen on board 3. Cosmin's game on board 2 was the most interesting, with what seemed like winning chances for both players. Thankfully, Cosmin came out on top, narrowly queening his pawn before his opponent had the opportunity to queen his. A 5-1 win was therefore the final score. Will this be the season that we finally consolidate our status as a Birmingham League Division 2 team?

Our season officially got underway yesterday with a convincing 3.5-0.5 victory against Norton Canes in the Cannock League Division 4. Our team had a mixture of youth & experience with old hands David drawing on board 1 & (last minute substitute) Stefan winning on 2. The 2 youngsters won their games, with both playing some exciting attacking chess. Amraya came out on top on 4 & Sam won in his first ever rated Classical game on 3. Well done to everyone involved. Our Cannock League Division 1 game against Lichfield scheduled for the same night, was sadly postponed until April as our opponents could not raise a full team. 

After discussions at last night's AGM some tweaks are being made to this season's Club KO. All club members will receive an email soon with the new rules/guidelines & an opportunity to enroll in the tournament.

Rushall have won the prestigious Pittaway cup for the first time.

The trophy is contested by W'ton league first teams in a jamboree pairings event.

Rushall scored 6 points from the 8 board team.

Our team was Cosmin-Constantin Arapu, Steve Whatmore, Stephen Gaskell, John Staniforth, Alex Pready, Peter Leary, Steve Wilcox and John Grsnt.

Mayday Rapidpla

First stephen gaskell. 5 out of 5

Second steve whatmore 4 out of  5

15 players took part

Our first team in the Birmingham League, division 3, captained by Steve Whatmore, have won the Championship with a match still to play.

13 year old Stephen was equal first in the minor section ( under 1700 rating ) at the massive Blackpool congress, 10th to 12th February 2023. His score was 4 1/2 out of 5

• Half season, best percentages in league so far
•                                        played    won   drawn   lost     points    percentage
• Joseph Wilcox                        4      3         1         0       3 1/2        87.5%
• Cosmin-Constantin Arapu        9      6         1          2       6 1/2        72.2
• Steve Whatmore                    14     8         4         2         10           71.4
• Stephen Gaskelll                   12     7         3         2         8 1/2        70.8
• David Jarvis                           6      2         4         0         4             66.6
• Pradeep Shankar                    3      2         9         1         2             66.6
• Alex Pready                          12     6         3         3        7 1/2         62.5     
• Samuel Baugh                       12     6         3         3        7 1/2         62.5 
• Stefan Winman                      12     6         3         3        7 1/2         62.5 
• Peter Leary                           12     6          2         4        7              58.3
• John Staniforth                      15     4          9         2       8 1/2         56.6
• Shane Cooksey                     10     3          5         2       5 1/2         55.0

19/12/22 equal first with 4 / 5 were peter leary and steve whatmore

Steve Wilcox played his 1,000th Rushall team game on Monday 24th October V Rugeley.

Steve wants to thank everyone for the generous gift to mark the occasion

Rushall's 13 year old Stephen Gaskell won the Crewe under 1500 section with a perfect 5 out of 5 for the weekend. Cogratulatios Stephen.

8 teams. Lichfield win with 3 1/2 out of 4

A warm welcome to our first Romanian player. Cosmin-Constantin Arapu came along tonight and played some entertaining games

At the AGM on 15/8/2022 Stephen Gaskell was named Most Improved Player Of The Season

Manpreet Sangha 4 1/2 / 5

Adrian Dibble / Alex Pready 4 / 5

best u/1630 gtade also Adrian

best over 60 y o also Alex

best under 18 Stephen Gaskell 2 1/2 / 5

best score from player with slow start Aryan Shankar 2 / 5

David Jarvis Played 12 - 62.5%, Stephen Gaskell Played 8 - 62.5%, Shriya Pillay Played 14 - 60.7%,

Adrian Dibble Played 7 - 57.1%, Joseph Wilcox Played 9 - 55.5%, John Grant Played 22 - 54.5%,

Alex Pready Played 21 - 52.3%,  Roger Bray Plated 19 - 52.6%.

16/5/22 We win final Cannock league division two match V Rugeley, Winning Championship. Played 6, scoring 9 points.

Top scorer for the ream was Stefan Winman with 3 out of 3

CDCL's Cup Final, Drawn 2 - 2 , but Rushall win on board count.

It is sad to report the passing of Walsall Kipping's David Anderton, who died on 1st April, 2022.

David was a brilliant player for Walsall and Staffordshire. He had been past President of the County as well as first team captain for many years. He had many roles with the English Chess Federation including captain of their international team.

Condolences go to David's widow Doreen, a past member of Rushall Chess Club.

Good News. Steve has decided to play ror us in the WDCL as well.

               RESULTS

Joint Winners ( 4/5 ) Alex Pready, Steve Whatmore, Steve Wilcox(also best over 60 )                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     best under 18 y o  ( 3/5 ) Stephen Gaskell

best under 1640 grade ( 3 1/2/ ) Stefan Winman 

best slow starter ( 3/5 ) Pradeep Shankar

sixteen entered

                                    

                                    

 

On our Links page you can navigate to the ECF ratings page. Here are shown the half season (January) ratings. Only five of our players have increased their grades since the start of the season (July 2021). They are Joe Wilcox +23, Shriya Pillay +22, John Staniforth +17, Peter Turner +6, Steve Whatmore +5.

Please let Webmaster David Jarvis know of any newsworthy items.