A quick summary of our results in the recently concluded 2023-24 season.

We currently take part in three leagues, the London, Thames Valley and Surrey Leagues.

London League (for many of our strongest players: matches take place at central London venues): we finished 3rd in Division 1 and won the Eastman Cup (London League knock-out tournament). We might want to think about entering one or two other teams next season. An outstanding performance by our teams against very strong opposition. Details here.

Thames Valley League (traditionally our main league: home and away matches): our A team finished 4th in Division 1, a creditable result given that our neighbours in Hammersmith and Kingston are both very ambitious. Our B team finished 2nd in Division 2, equal with Surbiton B on match points, but just behind on game points. Our C team finished 2nd in Division 3, again equal with Ealing B on match points, but behind on game points. Two excellent results, especially from our C team, who outpointed a couple of teams who were much stronger than us on paper. In the Thames Valley Knock-out Cup we lost to Harrow in the final.

We also run two social teams in the Thames Valley League through our group based at the Twickenham Club. Although neither team won many matches they played a vital part in providing games for our less competitive or less experienced players. For further details of our Thames Valley League teams click here: you can then select League Tables or Match Cards from the menu on the right.

We only recently re-entered the Surrey League so that our newer members will have more opportunities to experience league chess. This has proved very successful. In the Ellam Trophy (Division 3), we finished level with Guildford 2 on both match points and game points, but Guildford won the league by virtue of winning their individual match against us. We also entered teams in the Ellery Williams Trophy (rating restricted rapidplay), winning with a 100% score, and the Fred Manning Trophy (U1600 standardplay), in which we finished 3rd. For more information click here and select ‘fixtures’ or the competition you’re interested in from the menu on the left.

An excellent season, then, finishing 1st or equal 1st in no less than five competitions over three leagues, but slightly frustrating to have lost out on tiebreak in three of them.

None of this would have happened without our excellent match captains. If you’d like to captain a team next season please get in touch before the AGM if at all possible.

Thanks also to everyone who played for us this season, especially to those who provided transport for the more distant away matches.