Worcestershire Chess Congresses

2024 Closed Congress 13 & 14 July

Joe Friar new champion

The congress was held at King’s School Worcester and was organised by Scott Oxtoby and Aiden Griffiths (both Worcester). Like 2023, there were four rounds omitting a Saturday evening session and prizes were trophies rather than cash to keep entry fees as low as possible. Organiser hoped that the weekend immediately before the main school holidays would attract more entrants, but they were disappointed. Play was in he Dining Hall,, which with its high ceiling made for pleasant playing conditions.

Joe Friar (Kidderminster) won the individual Worcestershire Chess Championship competition. The other winners were: Julie Wilson (Stourbridge) Women's champion; James Allsopp (Mavern) Junior champion; Lee Davis (Malvern) Veteran champion; Darren Whitmore (Longbridge) Senior champion; and Chris Lee (Worcester) Minor champion.

This is the first time Joe Friar has been county champion: he missed out on tie-break in 2023.Joe won his first three games and agreed a draw in an advantageous position as soon as his nearest rivals had settled for draws.

Prizes were presented by controller Aiden Griffiths (Worcester). He was introduced by President Ray Collett who thanked King’s School and its staff for providing the venue and making players welcome. He praised the school’s consistent support for community games, chess as well as other sports, which includes providing a venue for the popular Saturday morning Worcestershire Junior Chess Academy.

Gallery

Cross-table

Winners

Use left hand menu items to view results of previous congresses in Worcestershire