Hi folks!

Guess what the following places have in common?

Moscow, Germany, Cuba, Italy, Tiawan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Ethiopia, The Old Bailey, Bromley, Runcorn, Nigeria and Australia

They are all places our players have been in this year when I was hoping they would be available to play in a Surbiton League match!

We have therefore been playing this season with at least one hand tied behind our backs!

Under the circumstances we have put up a very creditable performance. Here is a brief summary:-

We are through to the semi finals of the Thames Valley Knockout Cup.

In the Thames Valley Div 1 we are currently 2nd equal with 7 points and in Div 2 our 2nd team, playing many league 1st teams, are struggling.

In Surrey we came 7th in The Surrey Trophy (Surrey Division 1).

Our Fred Manning Memorial Trophy team had the distinction of beating Ashstead four nil. Our first team would love to emulate that percentage score v Ashstead!

In the Ellery Williams, although we were never in the running to win the trophy, in our last match of the season we beat the very strong South Norwood 2.5-1.5 who were genuine contenders for the top spot.

Next season we will be strengthened by several new players as well as players returning from university and some current players who will hopefully have more time to play for us.

It all bodes well for a successful next season for Surbiton Chess Club!

Paul Durrant - 10th May 2009