Peter M Collins 1943 – 2026

It is with great sadness that we wish to share with members news of the recent passing of Peter Collins. Peter was a former club chairman and long-standing captain of the Lichfield first team, and played for over 40 years for Lichfield sides in all of the local leagues. He was a formidable opponent over the board, with a peak rating equivalent to a 2000-graded player today. He played his last league match for Lichfield in December 2023, drawing his game in Birmingham Division 3. Peter’s passion for chess and many contributions to the club endure. In 2023, he was honoured with a honorary life membership of the club.

Following a long battle with deteriorating health, Peter passed away in the care home where he has been resident for the last year. Everyone at Lichfield Chess Club wishes to share our thoughts and sincere condolences with Peter’s wife Carol and his family.

Any members who wish to attend Peter’s funeral are asked to contact Jukes of Lichfield for funeral details.

Welcome to Lichfield Chess Club

Welcome to Lichfield Chess Club which is one of the largest clubs in the Midlands. We have more than 50 members and cater both for those who prefer just social chess or who welcome an opportunity to experience league chess.

To that end we run no fewer than 14 teams in four different leagues, Birmingham, Derby, Wolverhampton and Cannock. Last year the club also launched the Lichfield Summer League for clubs east of the M6.  The League is a groundbreaking venture in that all teams meet in central locations rather than traditional home and away fixtures. This season we had 37 members who won at least one league match in the four winter leagues.

From beginning of September until the end of April on Thursdays at 7.15pm, we meet in the prestigious Lichfield City Guildhall, first room on the right as you enter from Bore Street in the city centre.  We also meet on the second and fourth Monday evenings each month from August 11th onwards in spacious upstairs accommodation at the Kings Head in Bird Street and in a quiet downstairs area on other Mondays.

Newcomers can attend meetings three times before being asked whether they wish to become members. The annual subscriptions run from July to end of June and are £50  or full members (allowing them to play league chess) and £35 for juniors and social members. 

We prefer newcomers to first contact either John Fryer, Tel 01543 264997 ,email jefryer@talktalk.net or David Short, Tel 01543 304212, email davidmshort42@gmail.com, to ensure that you are expected and not confused with visiting players. If either is not available, an alternative contact is secretary Stephen Smithson, email stephen_smithson@hotmail.co.uk.