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 across several 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, or just starting out.
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 the August of 1971 the club was formally constituted. The constitution was improved the following year but subsequently lost and it was not until last year that a new Constitution was passed.
Lichfield registered for competition in the Birmingham League in 1971, playing initially in divisions two and 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 seriously. The secretary resigned his post to concentrate on captaincy.
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%.
Gallery
Photos by Andrei Pinzaru
Key Historical Milestones
Early Years
- 1970: Lichfield Chess Club was officially reformed.
- 1971: The club played its first match against Sutton Coldfield. Registered for competition in the Birmingham League, initially competing in divisions two and four.
Growth and Development
- 1972: The club organized 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 won its first county championship (Hickman Trophy).
- 1990s: The club experienced a decline in membership, reflecting broader trends in British chess clubs.
Recent Developments
- 2022-2023: The club saw a significant increase in membership, reaching a record high of 73 members, the highest in its 55-year history. This surge is attributed to a global chess boom, partly influenced by the popularity of online chess during the pandemic.