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British Chess Federation

Club of the Year 2002

Checkmate Junior Chess Club & Royston Chess Club (Small Club of the Year)

From some good nominations this year Checkmate Junior Chess Club were selected for the Club of the Year. From it’s founding 12 years ago Checkmate has developed to be the most successful children’s club in the Midlands and one of the top junior clubs in the country. The club satisfies several of the criteria for the award by encouraging children to play and enjoy chess regardless of colour, class or ethnicity. It has a current membership of 35 drawn from several counties in the area. The club has excellent coaching and has developed several juniors to represent their county and country. The late Tony Miles GM was the clubs first president and he spent many hours at the club coaching players. A club with a great community spirit that deserves the Club of the Year award.

Royston Chess Club epitomise the spirit that is required to achieve the Small Club of the Year award. From joining the Hertfordshire league in 1987 the club has managed to beat the giants of the league to win the Division 1 title in 2002. Royston manage to enter three teams in the league and with a venue that can fit two matches at a push this is a great achievement. They put their success down to an excellent club spirit where everyone plays for each other. The award is well deserved.