The 2010/2011 chess season has now drawn to a close.

It brought mixed results for Stourbridge chess club. In the division 2 of the Birmingham league, Stourbridge first team were in contention for promotion to the prestigious first division but could only finish 4th.

They won 6 , drew 4 and lost 2 matches.

Meanwhile the second team in division 3 did not fare so well.

A spate of bad luck with corresponding bad results saw them in an end of season relegation playoff against Mutual Circle.

On the night , the 6 board match stood at 2½-1½ in Stourbridge’s favour with 2 games adjourned.

Upon resumption, Julie Wilson won her game to make sure that Stourbridge seconds will be playing in division 3 again next year.

In the Wolverhampton league division one our first team were at the top of the table halfway through the season.

The opposition took note of this and starting wheeling out their top players against us.

In one match in particular against West Brom, Stourbridge board one Nic Fallowfield found himself facing chess professional and international Master Lawrence Cooper. Unfazed by this, Nic played a great game to secure a draw. (In fact he missed a win).

The game was subsequently published in a national chess magazine.

In the second half of the season the results were not so good and the team ended up finishing midtable.

The second team in division 3 is used to provide games for less experienced players all of who acquitted themselves very well for the team to finish 5th.

The club’s AGM will be held on June 1.

This will be followed by a program of summer activities.

The chess club meets at the Stourbridge institute every Wednesday at 7.30 pm and welcomes chess players of all standards.

If you are interested in coming along, phone Dave Scriven on 01384 423642.