Photo by Nicolas Tissot on Unsplash

I am delighted to report that Surbiton Chess Club have been declared joint winners of the Thames Valley Division 1 Champions, along with Wimbledon.

Thames Valley League accepted an agreement between Wimbledon and Surbiton chess clubs to be declared joint league champions for 2014-15. This reflected the clubs' desire to rectify an administrative error that had an impact on results. The positive agreement to share the league title reflects the fact that each club highly values its, and its players', relationships with the other club and that those good relationships are more important than the pursuit of club honours. Wimbledon have accepted Surbiton's invitation to join their initiative to assist the league executive committee to enhance the running of the league.

In the 66 year history of our club we, up to now, have NEVER WON THE DIVISION ONE CHAMPIONSHIP !!

This has now changed and I want to thank everybody who played in the first team and second team matches and others that were available to play.It was heart warming to note that players who were only able to play in one or two matches early in the season had a marked effect on our fortunes as their playing kept other players eligible for our "super" second team!

Our second team beat last year's champions, Richmond A and previous league champions Ealing A.

Winning Thames Valley Div 1 was a wonderful club achievement!

However that was not our only achievement this year:

* The 2nd team achieved 6 points and comfortably survived in TV Division 1

* The 1st team had their best ever performance (4th) in the Surrey Trophy

* The 2nd team, in the Surrey Beaumont Cup, also came 4th

* The 3rd team was second in the 4th Division of the TV league

* On debut in the Surrey Fred Manning Competition our team won the Trophy!

* Our 1st team came 6th (out of 60 teams) in the 4NCL Div 3 and were within a whisker of what would have been a most unexpected promotion

So we have plenty to celebrate!

The CELEBRATION will take place at the home of Malcolm Groom in Walton on Thames on Sunday 12th July in the afternoon - details to follow.

It is hoped the celebration will be attended by as many members as possible along with their partners and families.

Lifts will be provided to Walton for those that have difficulty getting there.

We look forward to seeing you all then.

Paul Durrant 12/06/2015