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Eric Horwill
Stourbridge chess club stalwart Eric Horwill passed away at home in the early hours of 11th October 2025. Eric’s health had been deteriorating since the Summer. He was 92. Eric first joined Stourbridge chess club in 1946. His brother and father were also members. Throughout his life he has worked tirelessly to support the chess club, having served as club president and captained numerous teams. He also organised the Dudley chess exchange with Bremen Germany which was part of a wider sports exchange. To celebrate the 25th exchange, Eric walked from Dudley to Bremen ! Besides being an excellent attacking chess player. He was also an international race-walker.
Terrill Trophy
The Stourbridge first team plays in division 2 of the Birmingham league. In round 1 of the Terrill trophy, they played away against Central Birmingham’s second team, a division 1 team. The tournament is based on a handicap system so Stourbridge started with a 2.5. point advantage. This meant that they only have to score 2 points to win the 6 board match but even this was a tall order as they were out graded on 5 of the boards. Julie Wilson and John Foxall finished their games first and both lost. This was followed by a great win for Nic Fallowfield who out-played his opponent in a complicated game. Paul Sharrat then lost leaving 2 boards still playing. Joe Friar drew in a bishops of opposite colour endgame and captain Adam Ware played precisely to win his game.
The final score was 3½-2½ meaning that Stourbridge win 3½-5 with the handicap and are through to round 2.
You can view Nic's game below.
Annual General Meeting 20/5/2025
The club held the AGM at the end of the season at the Queen's Head on Tuesday 20th May.
The following awards were made.
- The Presidents Cup, awarded for services to the club, is awarded to Tony Shaw. Despite living in Malvern, Tony has travelled to a large number of matches, captained our successful Wolverhampton division 2 team and helped out with our Birmingham division 3 team.
- The Denis Fernihough Trophy is for the most improved player. This year there was one player who really stood out and that is Adam Ware. Adam has played a large number of matches for the club and his ECF rating has improved by nearly 100 points.
- The Sydney Willets trophy is awarded to the most reliable club player. This year it is awarded to Eric Horwill who at the age of 92 has played in the most club matches this season. Including county matches he has played 30 competitive games.
The following officials were elected:
- President : Julie Wilson
- General Secretary :Dan Billingham
- Treasurer: Steve Alcock
- Website: Julie Wilson
- Publicity :Julie Wilson
- Social Secretary: Julie Wilson
- Safeguarding Officer :Adam Ware
- Birmingham division 2 team captain: Adam Ware
- Birmingham division 4 team captain: Vacant
- Wolverhampton division 1 team captain:Vacant
- Wolverhampton division 3 team captain:Steve Alcock
- Dudley division 3 team captain: Steve Alcock
The club needs more team captains. If you are interested in becoming a team captain or would like to help out, please contact Dan Billingham or Julie Wilson.
The club's venue was discussed at the AGM and it was decided to continue to meet on Tuesday evenings at the Queen's Head.
The club safeguarding policy was formally approved and has now been adopted.
The AGM minutes can be read here.
End of Season report
The 2024/25 chess season has now finished and was a very successful season.
BDCL3
We got off to a bad start with a default against Mercia when through a strange mix of circumstances we could not get enough players. However, after that there was no stopping us. We won 8 matches and lost only to South Birmingham who tied with us for first place. We then beat them in the play-off to take the title. John Wrench put in a good performance to score 4.5 out of 6. Vice captain tony Shaw scored 7 out of 10. The team’s performance was boosted by 2 new members Adam Ware and Dan Jones who were useful reserves and won most of their games.
BDCL4
The second team did well to finish third in this division. The top player was Dan Jones with a perfect 5 out of 5. Adam Ware also played well to score 4 out of 6.
WDCL2
Stourbridge finished 3rd in division 2 and have decided to accept a promotion into division one after second placed Stafford declined promotion. Next season our team will be boosted by the return of Jeremy Fallowfield to the club. Nic and Jeremy Fallowfield both finished on 75% and Julie Wilson scored 64%.
WDCL3
This team was used to provide games for some of our less experienced players. We finished mid table. John Loynes played well to score 4 out of 4.
Worcester and district
Stourbridge finished second with 10 points from 8 matches. We would have won the league but we were deducted 2 match points for paying an incorrect board order in their match with Kidderminster. Adam Ware did well to score 6 out of 7. Daniel Billingham and Steve Alcock both scored 4 out of 6.
The club is hoping for good results next season and already has several new members who are keen to play league chess.
Birmingham League Title
In their last league match of Birmingham division 3, our first team beat Coleshill 5½-½. This made us joint first with South Birmingham and sure of promotion to division 2. We then had a play-off against South Birmingham to determine the division champions. We won the play-off 4½-1½ with wins for John Wrench, John Foxall, Adam Ware and Dan Jones. The team was captained by Paul Sharratt.
Pre-season blitz
On Tuesday 19th August, Stourbridge chess club held its pre-season blitz tournament. It was an 11 round round-robin tournament with a time control of game in 5 minutes which is much too fast for some of us older players. The overall winner was Jeremy Fallowfield with a perfect 11 points. Dan Jones came second with 9 and Nic and Che tied for 3rd with 8 points. It was a good fun event !
Online Chess
Stourbridge has an online club on chess.com. Any local chess players are welcome to join us online. We hold monthly tournaments and play "daily matches" against other clubs.
There is a BDCL meta club which organises events for players associated with the BDCL.
In order to join either club, you need to be a member of chess.com which is free.
Useful links
(Each link opens in a separate window)
Stourbridge Chess Club is now an affiliate of chess.com. If you use one of our links to access chess.com and then take out a premium subscription it will benefit the club. Being an affiliate enables us to offer diamond memberships as prizes in our online tournaments.
Tony Evers/Joyce Evans Match
This annual friendly match against Halesowen was held at the Queens Head on 22nd July 2025. . There was a really nice friendly atmosphere throughout the evening and the Queens Head put on a great spread!. Stourbridge outgraded Halesowen on most boards and beat Halesowen 8-2.
Match Results
Stourbridge |
Result |
Halesowen |
|
|
1. Julie Wilson 1765 |
½ |
½ |
Tony Stokes 1650 |
|
2. John Foxall 1738 |
1 |
0 |
Peter Banks 1535 |
|
3. Chris Evans 1679 |
1 |
0 |
John Southcote 1539 |
|
4. Dan Jones 1637 |
1 |
0 |
Keith Quinn 1424 |
|
5. Eric Horwill 1559 |
1 |
0 |
Frank Hazel 1401 |
|
6. Steve Alcock 1456 |
1 |
0 |
Tony Taylor 1329 |
|
7. Daniel Billingham 1398 |
½ |
½ |
Tyler Sheehan-Ford 1325 |
|
8. Ben Doran 1390 |
1 |
0 |
Tod Wood 1307 |
|
9. Dolapo Otunla UG |
1 |
0 |
Richard Wells UG |
|
10. Simon Whitehouse UG |
0 |
1 |
Steve Baker UG |
|
8 |
2 |
||
ECF Membership
As you probably know, if you’re going to play in any chess leagues or congresses you now need to be a member of the ECF.
If you are joining the ECF for the first time, there is a guide available here:
If you were a member of the Federation last year and wish to renew your membership for the coming season you need the Guide to renewing your ECF membership
If you are unsure what type of membership you need the following link may be useful: different types of membership
Worcestershire Junior Chess Academy
During school term-time the club meets on alternate Saturday mornings 10:00 am to 11:45 am at King's School Worcester, next to the Worcester Cathedral. Enter from Castle Place WR1 2NB.
If you would like to attend, please contact Simon Berry e-mail .
See Worcester Junior Chess Academy for more information.