Our Club Today
Lichfield Chess Club today is a friendly, active club welcoming players of all ages and abilities. We meet regularly in the heart of Lichfield for social chess, internal competitions, coaching and league matches. With teams competing in four regional leagues, members can enjoy competitive over-the-board chess at a range of levels. New visitors are always welcome, whether you are an experienced player, returning after a break from chess, or just starting out in playing over-the-board chess.
The Early History of the Club
It is hard to believe but the early years of Lichfield Chess Club ended with a punch up in the Guildhall and that in turn led to the club splitting into separate entities in the 1960s.
What happened next is unrecorded but in November 1970 Lichfield Chess Club was formed again and its first meeting was officially regarded as the 17th AGM. The meeting was held at the home of the man who became chairman, John Trickett. He later gave his name to the Club Championship Trophy.
Meetings continued to be held for a time at the homes of members. The first subscription was £3 for adults and 15 shillings for juniors, plus 6p for every meeting attended.
The club played its first match, a friendly against Sutton Coldfield, the following year, an occasion which introduced some of the members to chess clocks for the first time. In August 1971 the club was formally constituted. The constitution was improved the following year but subsequently lost and it was not until recent years that a new constitution was passed.
Lichfield registered for competition in the Birmingham League in 1971, playing initially in Division Two and Division Four. Home premises were established at McNulty’s Restaurant at 8, Market Street. A programme of friendly matches and internal competitions was introduced to ensure that all members could take part in the club’s activities.
Captaincy of the First Team was clearly taken very seriously! The secretary resigned his post to concentrate on the captaincy role.
At the 1972 annual meeting a member expressed the view that, following the high level of interest in the recent world chess championship match between Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer, ‘something should be done’ to tap into the interest. Something was done. It was decided to organise a series of lectures for beginners.
The club was clearly gaining strength, and no fewer than 36 members attended the annual general meeting, held at a Lichfield landmark, the Windmill in Wheel Lane. The secretary revealed that the membership had increased by 150%, and the club had begun its journey to where it is today.
Gallery (2026)
Photos by Andrei Pinzaru
Key Historical Milestones
Early Years
- 1970: Lichfield Chess Club officially reformed.
- 1971: The club plays its first match against Sutton Coldfield, and registers for competition in the Birmingham League, initially competing in Division Two and Division Four.
- 1972: The club organises lectures for beginners to capitalize on the increased interest in chess following the world championship match between Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer.
- 1974: Lichfield Chess Club wins its first county championship (The Hickman Trophy).
Growth and Success
- 1990s: The club has ongoing success in League Chess, winning Birmingham & District Division 1 twice in the decade (1994-5, 1998-9).
- 2003: The first Lichfield Chess Club website is launched, designed by member Mel Cooper with his son-in-law David Dalley. An updated version appears in 2005, and another, redesigned by member Ian Kingston, is launched in 2017.
- 2010: The Club celebrates its 40 year anniversary with an anniversary evening, a cake, and a visit from The Mayor Of Lichfield.
- 2010-2011: A record-breaking season for Lichfield, as we win four trophies in the Birmingham & District League, including the prestigious Division 1 title.
Recent Developments
- 2021-2026: The club sees a significant increase in membership, reaching a record high of 73 members, the highest in its history.
- 2022: Lichfield is recognised as Staffordshire Club Of The Year.
- 2025: Lichfield and four other local clubs - Rugeley, Burton, Norton Canes, and Tamworth - contest the Lichfield & District Summer League for the first time.
- 2026: The latest version of the Lichfield Chess Club website launches.
Banner photo by Elliot Brown on Flickr.com