Origins of Chesterfield Chess Club
PROPOSED CHESS CLUB FOR CHESTERFIELD
A letter to the editor of the Derbyshire Times, published on Saturday 20th September 1924, served as notice of a meeting to be held on the following Monday, which inaugurated the current Chesterfield Chess Club.
To the editor
“Sir, - Most towns of the size of Chesterfield possess more than one chess club.
In order to form a chess club in Chesterfield a meeting is being held at 7pm.
next Monday, September 22nd (1924) at the settlement, Packers Row, Chesterfield.
It would help matters very much if you would allow columns to be used to further this object and to offer an invitation to anyone interested to attend the meeting.
Yours, etc.”
V.O. Robinson
Moorside Cottage, Chesterfield
A letter to the editor of the Derbyshire Times, published on Saturday 20th September 1924, served as notice of a meeting to be held on the following Monday, which inaugurated the current Chesterfield Chess Club.
To the editor
“Sir, - Most towns of the size of Chesterfield possess more than one chess club.
In order to form a chess club in Chesterfield a meeting is being held at 7pm.
next Monday, September 22nd (1924) at the settlement, Packers Row, Chesterfield.
It would help matters very much if you would allow columns to be used to further this object and to offer an invitation to anyone interested to attend the meeting.
Yours, etc.”
V.O. Robinson
Moorside Cottage, Chesterfield
1924 – 1929
Minutes of the first AGM held on 25th September 1925 and published in the Derbyshire Times
1924
6.10.24 The first club night was held at the Station Hotel.
1925
A.E. Raynes, known as Eric, became the first ever Club Champion. Colonel Robinson presented him with the Robinson Trophy.
25.9.25 The first Annual General Meeting was held. Major Alderman Wakerley J.P. was elected President.
7.11.25 The first Chess column appeared in the Derbyshire Times. It was edited by J Bunting, known as Joe. He was fairly well known as a chess problem compiler.
7.12.25 A simultaneous display of chess was held at the club by Professor Robert Robinson of Manchester University. The Professor won 15 games, drew 1 and lost 3. The losses were to his brother Victor Robinson, the club Champion Eric Raynes and the President, Alderman Wakerley.
14.12.25 Chesterfield Chess Club played a match against the Sheffield Chess & Draughts Club at the Gambit Café in Sheffield. They lost 9 – 2. This was the clubs first ever defeat.
1928
1.10.28 The fourth Annual General Meeting was held at which:
- the entrance fee was abolished.
- the annual subscription remained at five shillings.
6.10.24 The first club night was held at the Station Hotel.
1925
A.E. Raynes, known as Eric, became the first ever Club Champion. Colonel Robinson presented him with the Robinson Trophy.
25.9.25 The first Annual General Meeting was held. Major Alderman Wakerley J.P. was elected President.
7.11.25 The first Chess column appeared in the Derbyshire Times. It was edited by J Bunting, known as Joe. He was fairly well known as a chess problem compiler.
7.12.25 A simultaneous display of chess was held at the club by Professor Robert Robinson of Manchester University. The Professor won 15 games, drew 1 and lost 3. The losses were to his brother Victor Robinson, the club Champion Eric Raynes and the President, Alderman Wakerley.
14.12.25 Chesterfield Chess Club played a match against the Sheffield Chess & Draughts Club at the Gambit Café in Sheffield. They lost 9 – 2. This was the clubs first ever defeat.
1928
1.10.28 The fourth Annual General Meeting was held at which:
- the entrance fee was abolished.
- the annual subscription remained at five shillings.
1930 – 1945
1933
23.10.33 Eric Raynes gave a 16 board simultaneous display to local players and visitors at Chesterfield Chess Club which was, by then, meeting at Hadfield’s café. Eric won 12 games, drew one and lost three. All his losses were to members of the club. This was reported in the Yorkshire Telegraph & Star on 28th October 1933.
16.12.40
The 16th Annual General Meeting was held at the Falcon Restaurant on Monday 16th December. During a discussion about the election of officers for the coming year, the air raid sirens sounded and the meeting broke up.
1941 -1945
Owing to the outbreak of the Second World War there was very little Club activity until peace was declared.
23.10.33 Eric Raynes gave a 16 board simultaneous display to local players and visitors at Chesterfield Chess Club which was, by then, meeting at Hadfield’s café. Eric won 12 games, drew one and lost three. All his losses were to members of the club. This was reported in the Yorkshire Telegraph & Star on 28th October 1933.
16.12.40
The 16th Annual General Meeting was held at the Falcon Restaurant on Monday 16th December. During a discussion about the election of officers for the coming year, the air raid sirens sounded and the meeting broke up.
1941 -1945
Owing to the outbreak of the Second World War there was very little Club activity until peace was declared.
1945 – 1949
1945
30.10.45 Following the end of the war, the Chess Club held its Annual General Meeting on 30th October 1945.
15.12.45 The Derbyshire County Chess Association was formed to facilitate inter county chess and create the Derbyshire League.
1946-47
Chesterfield Chess club joined the Derbyshire League when it was formed. A trophy, known as the ‘High Peak Vase’, was presented to the Derbyshire Chess Association by the High Peak News in 1947. This competition was contested by clubs from across the County including Chesterfield. The other clubs involved at this time were Glossop, Buxton, Bakewell, Derby, Long Eaton, Riddings and Rolls-Royce. Chesterfield were the first winners of the Trophy in 1947.
1947
Chesterfield also joined the Sheffield Chess Association after the Second World War. Initially they had to play in the second division where they competed for the Weston Trophy. They won this at the first attempt and thereby gained promotion to the Sheffield first division.
That same year they also won the Richardson Knockout Cup.
1948-49
Chesterfield retained the Richardson Cup in 1948 and again in 1949.
30.10.45 Following the end of the war, the Chess Club held its Annual General Meeting on 30th October 1945.
15.12.45 The Derbyshire County Chess Association was formed to facilitate inter county chess and create the Derbyshire League.
1946-47
Chesterfield Chess club joined the Derbyshire League when it was formed. A trophy, known as the ‘High Peak Vase’, was presented to the Derbyshire Chess Association by the High Peak News in 1947. This competition was contested by clubs from across the County including Chesterfield. The other clubs involved at this time were Glossop, Buxton, Bakewell, Derby, Long Eaton, Riddings and Rolls-Royce. Chesterfield were the first winners of the Trophy in 1947.
1947
Chesterfield also joined the Sheffield Chess Association after the Second World War. Initially they had to play in the second division where they competed for the Weston Trophy. They won this at the first attempt and thereby gained promotion to the Sheffield first division.
That same year they also won the Richardson Knockout Cup.
1948-49
Chesterfield retained the Richardson Cup in 1948 and again in 1949.
1950 – 1959
Members of the very strong Chesterfield side, including Joe Hooton (second from right, seated), that dominated chess in Sheffield and Derbyshire during the 1950s. On the left is the High Peak Vase, on the right is the Davy Trophy
1950
Chesterfield Chess Club were responsible for the formation of Chesterfield School League in 1950. Victor Robinson, the Club President, provided a trophy for the competition. This was called the Robinson Schools' Chess Trophy. The league was organised by J.H. Stockton who was the Club Secretary.
1951
Chesterfield School were the first winners of the School League. The trophy was presented by President Victor Robinson.
1952, 53, 54
These were the golden years of the Club. It won the Derbyshire League Vase and the Davy Trophy (Sheffield First Division) in each of these years.
1953
Douglas Sanderson, the then Club Secretary, produced the first Annual Bulletin. It consisted of five pages and recorded the Club’s activities over the year.
1954
Joe Hooton took over the task of producing the Annual Bulletin and did so for the next 35 years until 1990. These provided a fine record of the Club’s activities. Read more here: Joe Hooton's Diaries
1957
Once again Chesterfield won the Derbyshire League Vase.
1958
Chesterfield won the Richardson Cup for the fifth time.
Chesterfield Chess Club were responsible for the formation of Chesterfield School League in 1950. Victor Robinson, the Club President, provided a trophy for the competition. This was called the Robinson Schools' Chess Trophy. The league was organised by J.H. Stockton who was the Club Secretary.
1951
Chesterfield School were the first winners of the School League. The trophy was presented by President Victor Robinson.
1952, 53, 54
These were the golden years of the Club. It won the Derbyshire League Vase and the Davy Trophy (Sheffield First Division) in each of these years.
1953
Douglas Sanderson, the then Club Secretary, produced the first Annual Bulletin. It consisted of five pages and recorded the Club’s activities over the year.
1954
Joe Hooton took over the task of producing the Annual Bulletin and did so for the next 35 years until 1990. These provided a fine record of the Club’s activities. Read more here: Joe Hooton's Diaries
1957
Once again Chesterfield won the Derbyshire League Vase.
1958
Chesterfield won the Richardson Cup for the fifth time.
1960 – 1979
The sixties and seventies were a barren period for Chesterfield Chess Club. Nevertheless the Club did win the occasional trophy.
1961, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1974, 1976, and 1979.
Chesterfield won the Derbyshire League Vase seven times during this 20 year period.
However success in Sheffield eluded the Club.
1977
This was a low point for the Club. For the first time in its history it was relegated from the Sheffield Davy League (1st Division).
1978
The Club immediately bounced back winning the Weston Trophy (2nd Division) and returning to the Davy League.
1961, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1974, 1976, and 1979.
Chesterfield won the Derbyshire League Vase seven times during this 20 year period.
However success in Sheffield eluded the Club.
1977
This was a low point for the Club. For the first time in its history it was relegated from the Sheffield Davy League (1st Division).
1978
The Club immediately bounced back winning the Weston Trophy (2nd Division) and returning to the Davy League.
1980 – 1999
1980s
In the 1980s the Club won the Richardson Knockout Cup three times: 1982, 1983 and 1987. It also won the Derbyshire First Division three times: 1980, 1983 and 1984.
1990s
In 1990 the Club enjoyed one of its most successful seasons. Chesterfield A won the Sheffield First Division and Chesterfield B won the Sheffield Second Division. In addition, Chesterfield also won the Derbyshire League. This achievement was recorded in the Derbyshire Times in September that year and included a photograph of members and trophies.
1991
Joe Hooton, the President, completed 60 years as a club member. To commemorate his enormous service to the Club he was made a Life Member. Sadly Joe died in 1994.
1997, 1998, 1999
The Club won:
In the 1980s the Club won the Richardson Knockout Cup three times: 1982, 1983 and 1987. It also won the Derbyshire First Division three times: 1980, 1983 and 1984.
1990s
In 1990 the Club enjoyed one of its most successful seasons. Chesterfield A won the Sheffield First Division and Chesterfield B won the Sheffield Second Division. In addition, Chesterfield also won the Derbyshire League. This achievement was recorded in the Derbyshire Times in September that year and included a photograph of members and trophies.
1991
Joe Hooton, the President, completed 60 years as a club member. To commemorate his enormous service to the Club he was made a Life Member. Sadly Joe died in 1994.
1997, 1998, 1999
The Club won:
- The Weston Trophy in 1997.
- The Davy League in 1998.
- The Derbyshire League in 1999.
2000 – 2019
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The Club continued to be successful in this period.
It won the Davy League in 2003, 2010, 2012,2015 and 2017. It won the Weston Trophy in 2015. It also lifted the Richardson Knockout Trophy in 2005, 2008 and 2018. In addition the Club won the Derbyshire First Division in 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010,2011, 2013 and 2015. The Club’s success in the Davy League in 2012 is particularly worthy of note because it broke all previous records. Of the sixteen matches played it won fifteen, drew one and lost none. Sheffield Nomads A finished in second place, six Points behind Chesterfield who beat them both at home and away. In 2011, a summer league was introduced by the Sheffield Chess Association. They decided to allocate the dust gathering Edwin Woodhouse Challenge Cup to the first Division winners. Chesterfield won the First Division of this league in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2018. |
Derbyshire League Division A Trophy and Sheffield Davy League Division One Trophy 2010/11 Season. Left to right: Dave Latham, Mike Johnson and George Peters
Derbyshire League Division 3 Winners 2010/11 Season. Left to right: Martin Howard, Brian Crofts, George Peters, Steve Bracey. This team went on to win the Derbyshire League Division 2 in 2012 and Division 1 in 2013
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2020 – 2024
President Andy Mort (L) presents the Derby Trophy to Martin Pettinger (R), captain of the winning Chesterfield team, 2024
2020
The Pandemic put a stop to over the board chess.
2021
Mike Johnson, who had been Club President since 2003, died from Covid in 2021. He had made a massive contribution to the Club over many years.
2022
The Club returned to playing matches by participating in the Sheffield Summer League. It finished in second place.
After a gap of four years, an Annual General Meeting was held in September 2022. Andy Mort was elected President.
2023
The Club continued to thrive after the Pandemic. It won the Derbyshire First Division with nine wins, three draws and no losses. It also won the First Division of the Sheffield Summer League.
2024
Chesterfield A finished tied on points with Nomads A and SASCA A in the Davy League but the championship went to SASCA A on a tie breaker. However the Club again won both the Derbyshire First Division and the Sheffield Summer League.
Chesterfield B gained promotion to the Weston Trophy, Chesterfield C to the Batley-Meek Memorial Trophy and the second Derbyshire League team were promoted to the Second Division.
The Pandemic put a stop to over the board chess.
2021
Mike Johnson, who had been Club President since 2003, died from Covid in 2021. He had made a massive contribution to the Club over many years.
2022
The Club returned to playing matches by participating in the Sheffield Summer League. It finished in second place.
After a gap of four years, an Annual General Meeting was held in September 2022. Andy Mort was elected President.
2023
The Club continued to thrive after the Pandemic. It won the Derbyshire First Division with nine wins, three draws and no losses. It also won the First Division of the Sheffield Summer League.
2024
Chesterfield A finished tied on points with Nomads A and SASCA A in the Davy League but the championship went to SASCA A on a tie breaker. However the Club again won both the Derbyshire First Division and the Sheffield Summer League.
Chesterfield B gained promotion to the Weston Trophy, Chesterfield C to the Batley-Meek Memorial Trophy and the second Derbyshire League team were promoted to the Second Division.
