Chess - Alive And Kicking!
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K.
J. Gandy,
Historical
research from Martyn Griffiths.
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It would be surprising if, during a
coffee break or an evening at one`s local, one found oneself engaged
in a conversation regarding chess rather than the normal topics which
predominate on such occasions. It is interesting to speculate why
this is so. Who in their lifetime has not at some time or another
played a game at the chequered board? Who, as a child upon first
seeing a chess set, was not captivated with the "little
horseys"? And who has not later learnt that they are called
knights and that their movements during a game are the most
frustratingly difficult of all to comprehend and to control?
If asked why they do not play
regularly, people will almost invariably give the self-deprecating
answer "Oh, you`ve got to be brainy for chess!" mistakenly
assuming that anyone who is able to lapse into quiet concentration
must possess some kind of superhuman intelligence. It is this popular
misconception which is partially responsible for keeping many
potential players away from the game.
Another major problem, for which the
blame can be laid fairly and squarely upon the shoulders of chess
associations in general, is the lack of publicity regarding the
whereabouts of local clubs. How many non-players are aware that there
are in fact seven chess associations within or partially within Wales
- Chester and North Wales, Dyfed, East Glamorgan, Gwent, Gwynedd,
North Ceredigion and West Wales - comprised of a total of sixty four
individual clubs? The Vale Of Glamorgan falls under the control of
the East Glamorgan Chess Association and most Vale residents should
find themselves within reasonable distance of one of that
association`s sixteen clubs.
Welsh chess has travelled a long and
winding road to reach this current healthy status and it is
interesting to look back at the way in which its organisation has
evolved.
A new chess club was formed in Cardiff
in 1883 and matches were played between it, Newport and Swansea.
Organised chess in South Wales owes much to the opening of the Severn
Tunnel which saved hours on previous journey times. The tunnel was
completed on the 1st September 1886 and officially opened to
passenger traffic on the 1st December.
Only days later on the 4th December a
third match between South Wales and Bristol & Clifton took place,
but whereas in previous encounters only ten boards had been played,
this event involved twenty five boards and enabled a South Wales team
to be drawn from clubs in many districts. After the match a
suggestion was made of forming a chess association in South Wales and
eventually, after due preparation and consideration, the first
meeting of the South Wales Chess Association was held on Saturday 3rd
November 1888.
The Association saw a coming together
of clubs which had been formed originally by groups of players who
sought more varied and widespread competition. For a brief period of
time the title of South Wales Chess Federation was adopted but this
was soon altered again to the South Wales Chess Union to fall into
line with other units of the British Chess Federation with which it
had become linked. This format continued, with stoppages due to wars
and depressions, until 1954 and was the initial encouragement to most
club activities in Gwent, Glamorgan and even some parts of Carmarthen
but its sheer size was always a problem and Monmouthshire eventually
split away to organise its own activities.
On the 19th July 1954 the Welsh Chess
Union was formed. This new union had the advantage of being an
association of counties, zones and organisations whereas its
predecessor had only been an association of clubs. At the start,
Monmouthshire, West Wales, Cardiff Chess Association and the Welsh
Secondary Schools were the constituent members, but within a few
months the Cardiff organisation had developed into the East Glamorgan
Chess Association. Mid Wales joined in 1959 and two years later the
union became truly representative of chess in Wales with the
affiliation of North Wales. Monmouthshire was the only Welsh
association to have a motto at the time and this was promptly adopted
by the new union - "Ymosodiad Dewr; Amddiffyniad Sicr"
("Bold In Attack; In Defence Secure").
In 1970 the Welsh Chess Union severed
its links with the British Chess Federation due mainly to the fact
that only one Welsh representative was allowed to play in the British
Championships and competition within the British Chess Federation
thus presented only limited opportunities for Welsh players.
Chess in general is now thriving and
league and cup activities within each association along with a
variety of individual area and national championships provide a
variety of opportunity at all levels of play. The days of elderly
besuited gentlemen playing in obscure, foreboding, smoke filled rooms
are long gone and well organised congresses where registered players
can compete for cash prizes and socialise with like minded
individuals are held every weekend throughout Britain.
Chess recognises no barriers of age,
sex, race, religion or disability and newcomers of any standard are
welcomed with open arms to clubs which realise that it is only by
nurturing and encouraging fresh talent they can hope to survive,
expand and perhaps one day even discover someone who possesses the
indefinable quality that makes a great player.
Readers can obtain further information
on their nearest club by telephoning (01446)735202.
9 Mar 2000 - KJG
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