News

The highlight of the annual general meeting was the decision to keep the senior subscriptions at £40.

Ian Comley, treasurer, thought that this was appropriate although the club had a slight loss last year which was covered by reserves.

A major contribution to the decision was the success of the junior section which was bringing in extra income, plus the fact that the room rental had only gone up by £1.75p a night.

On the juniors, Nathan Goldberg, club development officer, reported that the new section had been a success in terms of attendance and the income.

There had been a record turnout of 11 juniors on the first day of the new session which had brought in more than £100 in subscriptions.

Also, Nathan asked for members' help in .sending him material for the club's new website including games and news. Nathan woiuld manage the site, with the help of James Mannson games editor and Anthony Higgs, fixtures and results editor.

John Cannon, secretary, reported that the club had done well last season in the leagues (see Prize Giving story ). He said the club competitions would remain the same.

John also reported the encouraging news that Steven Hawes is showing some improvement from his serious illness.

The four league captains will be John Cannon, First, Richard Moorhouse, second, Roger Waddingham, third and Danny Holloway, fourth. Peter Harbott, would captain the league KO team.

The importance of being able to use the new digital chess clocks was emphasised at the meeting with Nick Warren demonstrating their usage.

The committe was elected as follows:

Chairman

Peter Alford

Secretary and match secretary

John Cannon

Treasurer

Ian Comley

Tournament controller

Peter Harbott

Development officer

Nathan Goldberg

Librarian

Anthony Higgs

Auditor

Peter Alford

Committee members

Richard Moorhouse, Roger Waddingham, and

Danny Holloway

Horsham Chess Club Grades

August 2004 (2003)

B.P.Donnelly C179 (B173)

G.R.Lock A175 (A171)

D.N.Roberts C173 (C163)

J.C.Mansson A170 (A168)

S.O.N.Hawes D167 (B164)

P.Harbott B160 (C164)

L.J.Cannon B147 (B143)

A.R.J.Higgs A145 (B124)

I.S.Comley B137 (C138)

C.W.Heath C134 (C131)

R.Moorhouse B134 (D128)

N.Goldberg A131 (D134)

N.Warren B118 (D122)

R.W.G.Fletcher B115 (B126)

W.J.Marshall B113 (C125)

R.Waddingham B110 (C106)

P.Taylor D108 (C107)

J.E.Raynard D108 (------)

P.J.Helliwell B104 (C100)

[D.Khoo] D103 (C104)

J Denning B98 (D89)

J.P.Coules B92 (C92)

P.H.Alford A90 (B113)

A.Locke C86 (C90)

M.Warner A76 (A86)

D.Holloway B72 (C63)

R.H.Newman B61 (B65)

A) 30 or more games in 2003-04;

B) 30 or more in last 2 seasons,

with at least 20 in 2003-04;

C) 30 or more in last 3 seasons,

with at least 10 in 2003-04;

D) 15 or more in last 3 seasons,

with at least 5 in 2003-04

E) 10 or more in last 3 seasons,

with at least 1 in 2003-04

The star of the award ceremony was James Mansson who won three prizes including the Hunt Trophy (club championship) for the seventh time in nine years, the Quickplay K.O. final and the all-play-all Lightning Tournament.

Horsham's new top board, Gavin Lock (who didn't compete in the club championship), won the K.O.Cup final against Brian Donnelly (who had been unable to play league chess this season), Chris Heath won the challengers' Bishop Trophy ahead of Richard Moorhouse.

Nathan Goldberg won the K.O.Plate final against Ian Comley and Paul Taylor won 2-1 against Nathan in the Quickplay K.O. Plate final..

David Roberts won the Knight Trophy for the best percentage score (78%) in all club matches, ahead of James Raynard's 75% and Paul Taylor won 2-1 against Nathan in the Quickplay K.O. Plate final. .

Newcomer James Raynard (who has now left Sussex) made the second best score in Division 4 (7 ½ out of 9).

There was a special thank-you award for chairman Peter Alford from Linda Barker, the Assistant District Commissioner for Horsham Weald District Cub Scouts, for the work he has done over many years, helping oversee and judge cub scout competitions.

James Mansson won a grading prize at the Coventry International Open Congress, and distinguished himself by winning the Major section at the Portsmouth Congress for the third successive year.

Anthony Higgs also performed well, coming second equal in the Hastings Major tournament.

Horsham again fielded four Mid-Sussex League teams, one in each division, and they finished in third, sixth, fifth and fourth places respectively Eight Horsham members played a total of 42 Sussex county games, just one more than in 2003, and scored 25 points.

The idea behind the Horsham Chess Festival is to give players a fuller experience than simply playing in chess competitions by also featuring lectures, training sessions and other events.

Organiser Nathan Goldberg said: "At present the competition is on the planning board, it still has to be assessed.

"However, the prospects are exciting and I'm confident we can hold the event towards the middle of next year."

Nathan's website company is hoping to sponsor the Festival as part of its marketing campaign to launch a new international chess training site later this year.

A working party will be set up, initially to conduct a feasibility study.