Forthcoming Events
Chess Club Night every Tuesday at 7.45 pm
Bicester's Premier Chess Club meets in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere at Rodney
House Sports & Social Club every Tuesday Evening at 7.30 pm. Members can enjoy a
quiet game in a comfortable lounge with players of all standards to provide as difficult
a challenge as is desired. An even greater challenge can be had by playing for one of
the club's two teams in the Oxford Chess Association League or for one of the Oxfordshire
County teams. The club holds an annual Club Championship and a Christmas Quickplay
Tournament. Other events such as a Chess Ladder, 5-minute matches and simultaneous
demonstrations are held occasionally.
members to use to help improve their game. The senior players are always ready to help
and advise, particularly for junior members.
from Bicester and the surrounding villages. The current membership contains several
nationalities with ages ranging from 8 years old to OAP and includes a member of the
England National Junior Chess Squad.
The club is run by a committee of four officers in accordance with the constitution.
The Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Captain are elected at the Annual General
Meeting, held in September each year.
The Chess Club was founded in September 1988, 20 years after the demise of the old
Bicester Chess Club. The original idea for a Civil Service Club was enlarged to provide
the opportunity of a larger membership which proved to be a wise option with the gradual
reduction of the Civil Service in Bicester. The name of the club was specifically chosen
to identify the club with the Rodney House Civil Service Club, who were and remain,
the sponsors of the chess club.
The Oxfordshire Chess Association League comprises Chess Clubs from Oxford,
Banbury, Bicester, Cowley, Cumnor, Didcot, Witney, Wantage and Oxford University. The
clubs field 28 teams which are organised in 4 divisions. Matches consist of 6 boards.
In 1988/89, the first season, the club's one team was triumphant, winning both the
Division 4 Championship and the Frank Wood Shield Knockout Tournament.
The following season, 1989/90, a second team was introduced, to continue in
Division 4 after the first team was promoted, with the primary aim of giving league
experience to as many players as possible. During that season, 20 players represented
the club in the league and the first team was again in winning form, taking the Division 3
Championship with a 100% record. Since then, the first team has been relegated and
promoted between Divisions 2 and 3 several times and is currently playing in Division 2.
The second team has also prospered and achieved promotion to Division 3 in 2009.
For further details, please contact the Club Secretary, Colin Cheesman, on Bicester
243280 or colin-cheesman@tiscali.co.uk or come along to the club any Tuesday evening.