THE Forest of Dean Chess Club has reflected on a successful year at its recent AGM, as it looks towards the future.

Members gathered at The White Horse, Mitcheldean, for the club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday, September 7, where chairman Clint Mann called it an “exceptionally successful and exciting” season.

The club said it is going from strength to strength, with a growing membership, impressive individual performances and ambitious plans for the year ahead.

Membership is expected to reach around 29 players, and the club is continuing to attract new members, particularly juniors. From this season, junior membership will be free.

Clint Mann, Chairman of the Forest of Dean Chess Club said: “As joint match Captain, I can confidently say that last season went particularly well for our club. The plus points were a growing membership, the fact that we were able to enter two teams into the North Gloucestershire League for the first time, and also become involved in the Herefordshire Marches League, again for the first time.

“We had about 25 different people playing league chess and we have a policy of trying to give everyone an opportunity to play in matches rather than simply trying to win the league. We did not win any league trophies this year but our players enjoyed chess at a range of levels.

“My vision for the club going forward is to continue to create opportunities for people in the Forest of Dean area to play chess both serious and social, and also to enjoy the other range of activities that we arrange: internal competitions, training sessions, a simultaneous display and our mad scheme to have a two day chess marathon involving both club members and challenges from and for the public.”

The club fielded two teams in the North Gloucestershire League, with the Oaks finishing fifth in Division Two and the Acorns fifth in Division Four. In the Herefordshire Marches League, the club finished second out of five teams, with a memorable 5–0 victory over Leicester one of the season’s highlights.

There was further success in the Summer League. The Nomads topped their eight-team pool and reached the semi-finals, while the Saplings finished fourth in their seven-team pool.

Individual performances were equally impressive. Dave Tomlin scored an outstanding 75 per cent in standard-play matches and was nominated as Chairman’s Player of the Year.

However, the season’s star performer was junior member Billy Edwards, who at Rapidplay won 11, drew 1 and lost just 2 of his 14 games — an exceptional 82 per cent score.

Three trophies were presented to the winners of the club’s internal tournaments. Ray Francis was the undefeated winner of the Portman Cup, Lee Davis won both the Winter and Summer Blitz competitions and Clint Mann achieved the highest score in the Challenge League.

Members expressed gratitude to The White Horse in Mitcheldean who made the club feel welcome and will remain the club’s home - where it meets every Monday at 7 pm.

For more information about the club, you can contact Clint Mann via email on [email protected]