Formby Chess Club

The place to play chess in Formby

History

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Formby Chess Club was founded in 1937.

Founder member and long-time President J. Rourke MBE, famously once drew with world champion Mikhail Botvinnik in a simultaneous game.  Not to be outdone, current President , C.P. Fisher, once beat Botvinnik’s rival David Bronstein in a simultaneous game.

Venues

The club met at Formby Library for many years.  The junior club met at Victoria sports and social club for some time, but was later incorporated into the club.

After a brief spell at Formby Red Cross Society we moved to our present premises at Ravenmeols Community Centre.

Competitions

The club has always been active in the Merseyside Chess League.  We have won the 5th, 4th, 3rd and 2nd Division titles many times, but the First Division Title still eludes us.

In 1987-8 the club won the National Club Championship—Major Plate.

Formby chess club have entered a team in the Wirral League for many years and we have gradually worked up to the First Division.

We entered a team in the Warrington and District League for the first team last season.

Members

Past members have included J.E. Littlewood, M.Firth, D.G. Horseman, R.A.Barton, Suzanne Connolly, and the Eagle twins, Angela and Maria, now both Members of Parliament. 

Our present strongest member is Stewart Haslinger who achieved his GM title at the British Championship in 2007.  President Phil Fisher has won the club championship for the second time.

Club Champions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Challengers

 

 

Formby Chess club logo

Club Champions

1947

Jim Rourke

1955-6

J.H.McLardy

1956-7

J.H.McLardy

1957-8

J.G. Blencowe

1964-5

W.M. Cunningham

B.G. Jones

1965-6

B.G. Jones

1977-8

J.H.McLardy

R.J. Platt

1978-9

R.J. Platt

1979-80

R.J. Platt

1980-1

P. Bond

R.J. Platt

1981-2

R.J. Platt

1982-3

P. Bond

1983-4

M. Calvert

1984-5

R.J. Platt

1985-6

P. Bond

1986-7

P. Bond

1987-8

R.A. Barton

1988-9

R.J. Platt

1989-90

P. Moulton

1990-1

P. Bond

1991-2

P.Whiston

1992-3

S. Haslinger

J.M.Haslinger

1993-4

M.Fraser

1994-5

J.M.Haslinger

1995-6

R.J. Platt

1996-7

J.M.Haslinger

1997-8

J.M.Haslinger

1998-9

Kevin Howard

1999-2000

J.M.Haslinger

2000-1

R.J. Platt

2001-2

J. D. Evans

2002-3

J.M.Haslinger

2003-4

A. M. Smith

2004-5

R. J. Platt

2005-6

C. P. Fisher

2006-7

R. J. Platt

2007-8

C. P. Fisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Challengers

2003

Andrew Smith

2004

 

2005

 

2006

Kevin Howard

2007

Kevin Howard

2008

André Eagle

2009

Rob Haseman