NEW YEAR 2025 MESSAGE TO CLUB MEMBERS

My best wishes to all members for the coming year.

During the holiday period, a number of matters have arisen that need to be brought to your attention. In the circumstances, I have also decided to update members regarding several longer-term subjects which may be of interest.

Lester Jones

On 19th December 2024, Lester sent me an e-mail which included the following words:-

“I will not be attending the club until further notice. Regrettably, I am giving up the captaincy of the 4B Minus 4 team - certainly for this season. I will communicate with Ted about any further matters.”

Our good wishes go out to Lester and we look forward to him returning to club evenings in the future. Lester was subsequently informed that I propose to undertake the role of captain of the Four Board Minus 4 team, on an interim basis, until the 2025 Annual General Meeting, if that is acceptable to members.

Hull & East Riding Chess Association League teams

St. Andrews ‘A’.

The first team has experienced a difficult first half of the 2024/2025 season. Changes in the composition of other Six Board Division One teams have improved their playing strength and our ‘A’ team currently occupies bottom place with one point from five matches. Moving out of the relegation slot is a priority and the availability or otherwise of team members may mean reserves standing in when required. It you are asked to help, please do your utmost to assist Andrew Bettley.

St. Andrews White Rose.

A draw in the final fixture before Christmas saw the White Rose team move off the bottom of the Six Board Division Two table, with two draws and three defeats. Nevertheless, my calculations indicate that this team has not recorded a victory in over 50 local league matches. My aim, and hopefully that of other team members, is to change that statistic and finish the season in mid-table.

St. Andrews ‘C’.

Two wins, two draws and two defeats have the ‘C’ team in fourth place in Division One of the Four Board League entering the New Year. A good run of results and a title challenge could arise. John Thackray has an unbeaten record of three wins and two draws against strong opposition.

St. Andrews ‘D’.

Two wins, a draw and three defeats have the ‘D’ team in sixth spot in Division One of the Four Board League, two points above the relegation places. Best performer at the moment is David Thrun on 50% from three games.

St. Andrews Minus Four.

Three victories and two defeats have given rise to third position approaching the half way point, with Hull Futures 2 topping the Four Board Second Division on nine league points. Ten club members have featured for this team to date.

Internal Club Competitions

These events are proceeding slowly and have been affected by withdrawals. Those involved are asked not to leave the scheduling of games until a few weeks before the closing date. Lester informs me that he has withdrawn from this season’s Club Championship.

Hull & East Riding Chess Association.

The Club’s relationship with our local association is much improved, compared with this time last year. Meetings of the trustees have been attended by Dan Malbon, John Thackray and me. The relevant minutes of these meetings are published on the Hull & East Riding Chess Association website. If you wish something to be raised at any of these meetings, please inform Dan Malbon, John Thackray or me and we will try to ensure that the trustees are notified.

The St. Andrews Chess Club website

The initiation and operation of a club website was one of my proposals on seeking the office of Club President back in 2023. Congratulations are due to Dan Malbon for his work on bringing it to fruition and updating the material for publication. I have provided some articles and photographs and will forward more in the coming weeks. A wide variety of submissions are needed to attract interest from current and prospective members – games, anecdotes, book reviews, etc. – and if you are reluctant to compose an item yourself, please send me the basic details and I will do the rest.

Challenge Matches.

Having organised such fixtures for a variety of organisations over many years, I was keen to offer such opportunities to St. Andrews members. The first such contest was held on 15th July 2024 against an Appleby Frodingham (Scunthorpe) team at Barton-on-Humber Chess Club. As many of you will know, I have been a member of the Appleby Frodingham Club for several years and previously, a member of the Barton-on-Humber Chess Club. A report of the match, including games and photographs, has now been completed and will be published in the coming weeks. In the next few days, I intend to challenge Grimsby Chess Club to a similar match at the same venue. Another possibility is to enter competitions organised by the Northern Counties Chess Union. Beverley Chess Club participated in some of these events when I was a member. I am currently making enquiries to see if any are scheduled for 2025.

Provision of Refreshments on Club/Match Evenings

A number of local chess clubs are currently offering basic refreshments – tea, coffee and biscuits – to members and guests. This is in return for a contribution towards the cost of such items. I intend to approach our landlord to see if arrangements can be put in place whereby St. Andrews can provide a similar service, if not on every club evening, at least on some of them.

Social Events

I have attended a yoga group in Beverley for around 20 years and once or twice per year, organise a meal for members plus partners/friends at a local public house. Please let me know if you would be interested in such an event. You will not be committing yourself to attending at this stage. If there is a reasonable response – say eight or more – I will make further enquiries at establishments in the Cottingham Road area and issue details of possible dates and prices. Meals scheduled for a Saturday, around midday, tend to offer best value.

Coaching Sessions

I am willing to organise some coaching sessions at our club if members want such a service. The tutor would be a local player from our own or another club. I would require details of the type of instruction being sought. Said tutor would be decided in the light of the playing strength of those attending. For example, I can supply some advice to players rated up to around 1500 but stronger players would require a tutor of a higher playing standard. For this to be successful, we would have to suspend other activities if the coaching was on a club evening. Alternatively, we could try to book an additional night or nights.

First Aid

For several years, I have been trying to persuade the local chess association to fund first aid training for volunteers – at least one per club. My own training goes back many years and guidance changes over time. Despite funding now being available, I am currently the only person willing to attend a basic training course, most of which take place locally over a period of up to one day. Is anyone else willing to give up a day to receive instruction that could save a life or prevent serious injury? I have intervened on a couple of occasions (not at chess fixtures) to prevent helpful members of the public doing things that could have, unintentionally, caused a long-term injury or disability. Several years ago, I was present at a Yorkshire Chess Association match in Hull where a player collapsed and had to be hospitalised. Two weeks later, also at a Yorkshire Chess Association fixture in Leeds, a player suffered a heart attack and was fortunate that the opposing team included three doctors. Soon after I retired, a friend suffered a panic attack on a train journey to Bradford, via Leeds, and benefited from the fact that a large group of doctors were travelling in the same carriage to Manchester for a conference. They liaised with the rail authorities to have an ambulance available at Leeds station to take her to St. James’ Hospital. I understand that the local chess association either has, or will arrange to have, insurance cover for first aid volunteers.

As Joint President of St. Andrews Chess Club, I hope that members know that they have the opportunity to contact me to discuss chess or non-chess matters in confidence. In my opinion, the duties of this post extend beyond opening meetings and using a casting vote in certain circumstances. The general welfare of club members and their friends and relatives is important to me. Despite retiring nearly 12 years ago, I have acquired a variety of skills, working for over 40 years in the civil service, serving as a local officer in the P.C.S. trade union and volunteering as a sports organiser/player/writer for HASSRA (Health & Social Security Recreational Association) and CSSC Sports & Leisure (formerly, the Civil Service Sports Council). I cannot guarantee to assist everyone but will try, at the very least, to listen to what you have to say and, if appropriate, suggest organisations which may be qualified to offer suitable advice.

David G. Mills.

Joint President.

29th December 2024.