Latest News
Olton 3C v Stratford C is now on Tuesday October 29th 2024. The Away match against Stratford B has been arranged for Tuesday 15th April 2025.
Opening Results
Birmingham League
Division 1 lost to Warley Quinborne and South Birmingham B.
Division 3A lost to Redditch I in Round 2 of the Terrill Trophy.
Division 3B lost to Shirley and now Lichfield.
Leamington League
Olton 1A lost to Banbury..
Olton 2B dhave beeten Shirley, but lost to Kenilworth D.
Division 3C have lost to Banbury C.
2024-5 Fixtures
The fixtures for the current season are now on the team pages ans available as a PDF file..
Registrations are updated on the Birmingham League page.
Friendly matches
The annual match against South Birmingham took place at Olton and details are on the Friendlies page..
The annual friendly match against Shirley took place on Thursday 15th August. The venue was Wythall Community Centre. Due to holidays, there was a reduced turnout from Olton, the match was played over 7 boards.
Shirley fielded a strong team, most players were outgraded. Roger Threlfall won on board 5 and there were draws for Richard Reynolds, Robert Reynolds, Warren Archibald and Rory Lynas. The match was lost 4-3. The result is here..
Player Stats
Player stats for the 2023-4 season have been added to each team page.
Trophies
The Birmingham League Division 4 Runners-up trophy and Lightning Tournament Section B trophy were collected at the League AGM by Tom Evans.
Jim Gillespie's Division 4 Individual Runners-up trophy was also collected.
Olton Club Summer Tournament
This annual event starts on Tuesday 14th May and will be played over 7 rounds over the coming weeks. Entry fee is £3 adults, £1 under 18s and will be a swiss tournament with entry returned in prizes.
The club AGM will take place on Tuesday 28Th May, starting at 7.30.
Olton lose in the Leamington League U8750 final
The League cup finals were held at the Blossomfield club on Wednesday 8th May. The team were 3½-1½ up but could not pick up a draw to win the match. The results are on the Division 2 page...
Leamington League Lightning Tournament
This was held at Solihull Blossonmfield club on Wednesday 1st May. Five players from the club entered, including Tayeb Kazemi, who scored a creditable 6 out of 9 and beat 2 of the top players. Also present were Yusuf Kazemi, Richard Reynolds, Rory Lynas and Jim Gillespie.
Birmingham League Lightning Team Tournament
The Birmingham League Ten second Chess tournament took place at Tyseley Working Mens Club and featured 14 teams of 4 players in 3 sections. Olton entered 4 teams, but were outclassed in Section A, which was won by South Birmingham. The team, consisting of Mark Cundy, Richard Liszewski and Richard Reynolds, plus Stewart Fishburne guesting from Halesowen on board 1, scored 7 points.
In Section B, Olton B (Andy Cottom, Oliver Harrison, Kacper Drukarczuk and Sam Hughes) finished second equal with 12 points. Olton C won the section with 13 points (Robert Reynolds 3.5, Roger Threlfall 1.5, Tom Evans 3 and Richard Evans 5 points out of 5), who also won the overall individual prize.
Olton D in Section C did well to put 5 points on the board. Tayeb Kazemi, Jim Gillespie, Yusuf Kazemi and Korey Palmer, who were mostly new to Lightning chess struggled against good opposition.
The event was well received and it was encouraging to see so many entries in the second running after the Covid shutdown.
The winning team adjouened to the bar to celebrate.
Latest Results
Birmingham League
Division 1 won against Wolverhampton and Lichfield.
Division 3 lost to Lichfield.
Division 4 have beaten St. Georges and won by default against Kynoch.
Leamington League
Olton 1A have beaten Solihull A, but lost to Kenilworth B. Their match against Kenilworth A has been moved to Tueadsy 23rd April.
Olton 2B lost to Banbury B.
Olton 3C drew with Leamington B and lost to Stratford.
15/08/2023
The annual Friendly match against Shirley & Wythall took place on Tuesday 15th September. See the result.
14/08/2023
The new season's fixures are now available and are subject to change. The PDF document is here.
31/07/2023
Phil Holt Commemorative tournament
On Saturday 29th July 2023, the club held a tournament in memory of our long standing top board, Phil Holt, who sadly passed away last year, aged 52. We also remembered club players Richard Smith, Ken Allen and Robert Wallman, as well as other local players who are no longer with us.
There were 2 rounds of regular match play. 10 teams of three players took part in 3 sections, featuring Olton, Shirley & Wythall, South Birmingham, Halesowen, Kenilworth and Mutual Circle.
Two teams, South Birmingham and Halesowen B
finished on 4 points out of 6 and agreed to
share the trophy. Trevor Holt presented the
trophy and prize money to both team
captains. It was a fitting commemoration of
Phil's contribution to chess, where all
levels of club chess were represented.
Thanks also go to Margaret Tierney, for
providing an excellent spread and Sarah
behind the bar, who provided the tea urn and
cups. Other scores were -
Halesowen A 3½
Kenilworth Optimists 3½
Kenilworth Pessimists 3
Olton A 3 (Alan Lloyd ½, Trevor Holt 2, Tom Evans ½)
Olton C 3 (Richard Reynolds ½, Richard Liszewski 1½, Garry Evans 1)
Shirley & Wythall 2½
Mutual Circle 2½
Olton B 1 (Mark Cundy 0, Roger Threlfall ½, Jim Gillespie ½)
23/06/23
Leamington League AGM
The Leamington League Under 8750 Knockout trophy was presented at the League AGM last night.
24/05/23
Summer Tournament 2023
The club Summer tournament started this week. The results can be seen here...
Robert Wallman
Update 08/05/23
We have just been informed that Robert's funeral is on Wednesday 10th May at 2.00pm at Robin Hood crematorium, followed by tributes, refreshments and memories at Monyhull Church, B30 3PS.
It is my sad duty to inform fellow players of
the death of former Olton player, Robert Wallman. Robert had stopped
playing over-the-board during the restart after the Covid pandemic
to look after his mother. We had not received any news from him
recently, but he was playing internet chess against League players.
It was only a few days ago that a player had remarked that he had
stopped even that.
Robert had worked in accountancy for many years
and enjoyed running and playing football. He supported West Bromwich
Albion and often went to home matches.
Robert was at the club when I joined in the
early eighties. Playing in our second team. He was
well known for playing extremely quickly, but well at the
same time. Divisions 2 & 3 in BDCL were quite strong, but Robert’s
results justified a place in the team. Robert rarely drew games.
There were lots of double-edged games,
spectacular wins and sharp openings with varied results. Robert was
a keen player, travelling to matches by public transport and on
occasion playing two or three games a week.
Later, Robert would be either in Division 1 or
first reserve from the Division 2 side and contributed greatly to
whichever team he was playing in. He particularly enjoyed the League
10-second tournament.
Having retired, he was hoping to spend more
time on other pursuits, but took up some part-time work. He did not
say much about his personal life, but was happy to discuss chess
games at great length. He was 63.
At is time, we do not have any funeral details.
We will pass on any details when known.
Richard Reynolds
BDCL Lightning Tournament
The Birmingham League Lightning Tournament took place at Olton's venue on Tuesday 14th March, after a 3-year absence. Teams of 4 competed in 3 section at the rate of 10 seconds per move, there were 12 teams in total.
The home club entered teams in Sections A and C. Olton A came 3rd and Olron B won the section. Andy Cottom won the individual prize, with 6/6.
Pictures courtesy of Asim Qureshi.
Latest Results
Birmingham League
Division 1 have lost to Lichfield, but won against Solihull B in the last match of the season.
Division 3A have lost to Rushall and Solihull.
Division 3B have drawn with Lichfield.
Leamington League
Olton 1A have lost to Kenilworth A, but won against Kenilworth B.
Olton 2B have lost to Solihull, Rugby and Shirley..
Olton 3C Have lost to Daventry and Leamington, but won against Solihull.
Phil Holt
It is with great sadness that I report the death of the club's top player, Phil Holt, on Sunday 6th November. A full obituary appears here...
Our condolences go to Phil's family, especially his Father Trevor.
The Funeral is on Tuesday 6th December at Robin
Hood crematorium, Streetsbrook Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90
3NLat 12.30.
Then to
Hall Green Home Guard Club, 21A
Doveridge Rd, Birmingham B28 0LS
Richard Reynolds
Friendly matches
Olton met Shirley at Wythall House on Thursday 25th August. See the result here. The match against South Birmingham was plaued on Tuesday 6th September and the result is also given.
Fixtures 2022-23
The full fixture list is here..
Richard Smith's Funeral
Richard's Funeral took place on Monday 22nd August. It was well attended and there was a gathering at the West Warwickshire Sports club afterwards. Here is a game from a trophy match from 2009, where Olton 1 faced Olton 2A. After analysis, the result should have been different, but this game summarises the way Richard's games often went. See the game...
Club Blitz Tournament
A second club blitz was held on Tuesday 9th August played at 10 minutes plus 3 seconds per move.
1 Reynolds, Richard 4.5
2 Reynolds, Robert
4
3 Cottom, Andy
3.5
4 Threlfall, Roger
3
5-6 Hughes, Sam
2.5
Reeves, Dave
2.5
7-8 Islam, Gohar
2
Drukarczyk, Kacper 2
9 Gillespie, Jim
1
Richard Smith
It is my sad duty to report thst club member Richard Smith passed away on Friday 29th July. Richard had been suffering from a rare illness and had been undergoing treatment for some time.
Richard joined the club in 2007 and played in the iirst team for
the duration of his membership. His games were often exciting and
there were many games won in a desperate time scramble. He was
always happy to take other club members to matches and go out of his
way to help.
Our thoughts are with Richard's wife Susan and his family at this time.
Richard's funeral service is 9.30 on Monday 22nd August at Robin Hood crematorium, B90 3NL. Afterwards at West Warwickshire Sports club, Grange Road, B91 1DA. There will be light refreshments, tea and coffee provided and a (paying) bar. Anyone wishing to attend the refreshments should let me know please, with any special dietary requirements.
Richard Reynolds
Club Blitz Tournament
A tournament was held at the club on Tuesday 19th July. Five rounds at 10 minutes plus 3 seconds per move. The results were as follows:
Richard Liszewski 4.5
Richard Reynolds 4
Andy Cottom 3.5
Tom Evans 3
Kacper Drukarczyk 3
Gohar Islam 2
Robert Reynolds 2
Jim Gillespie 2
Akbar Khan 1
Riz Ullah 0
Ken Allen
It is my sad duty to report that Olton club member Ken Allen sadly passed away on Tuesday 5th July. He was 71 years old.
Ken had played for Olton Chess Club since the
2005-6 season, where he appeared in Birmingham League Division 4.
Previously, Ken had played for West Warwickshire club and later
Solihull, when the two clubs merged.
Ken was a keen player and studied his openings.
Arriving for a match, he was always eager to get started on the
game. Whatever the result, would talk enthusiastically about what he
should have done and where the opponent varied from the book.
Last season, Ken played in Division 2. There
were occasional appearances in the Leamington and Worcester League
teams over the years. Mostly these were cover for regular team
members, but Ken was always happy to help out when needed. His grade
at the start of last season was 1728.
Ken’s funeral is on Monday 25th July
at 11.00am at Waseley Hill Crematorium, New Inns Lane, Rubery, B45
9TS
The wake will follow at The Hop Pole Inn, Friar
Street, Droitwich, WE9 8ED
Richard Reynolds
Summer Tournament
The Summer Tournament has begun, the results are here...
06/04/22 - Bill Yeomans
I have the sad duty to inform you that Olton
Chess Club Life President, Bill Yeomans, passed a way 2 weeks ago,
aged 94. Bill had played for the club since the mid 1960s and only
stopped playing a few years ago due to ill health. Bill went into
sheltered accommodation after his wife Jean passed away and later
into a home. The pair were inseparable and relied on each other in
different ways.
I first met Bill when I started playing in the
early eighties in the division 9 team. Bill and Dennis Bishop shared
the top boards. Bill was most noted for the ‘Bill Yeomans opening’
which involved a double-fianchetto against any defence. There wasn’t
much more of a plan after that but many a time I would see that Bill
had grabbed a Rook in the corner. He would have a big grin on his
face. He enjoyed chess immensely but would never be anything other
than a bottom team player. That said, he would
have a go against anyone.
Bill once came into the chess room at Tyseley
WMC and asked ‘who that scruffy guy was sitting in the lounge ?”. It
was the late Tony Miles. I am sure Bill knew that.
In the early days, I recall sitting in the back
of his builder’s van on top of a gas cylinder on the way to matches.
There was no preparation or comfort then. I would arrive shaken not
stirred and covered in cement dust. I spoke to Bill’s son Kevin, one
of Olton’s former great players and recalled the people who have
played for the club since those times and still do. I also met
previously Bill’s other sons Colin and Michael.
In 1995, Bill was elected club Life President,
when the previous incumbent was found to have passed away. He was
very honoured to hold this post until his death. Even though
dementia set in, the one thing Bill could do was remember the moves
in chess and he played his grandson up until recently.
Bill’s Funeral will take place at Yardley
Crematorium, on Thursday 14th April at 10:45am
Yardley Road, South Yardley, Birmingham, B25
8NA
Then back to Tyseley Working Mens Club (Olton’s
venue)
573 Warwick Road, Tyseley, Birmingham, B11 2EX
(approx. 12 noon)
Olton Chess Club
Results
Birmingham League
Division 1 are 2-2 with Walsall. The team lost badly to Wolverhampton and also Halesowen.
Division 2 have lost to Sutton Coldfield, Solihull and Stourbridge.
Division 3 have lost to Sutton Coldfield, Oscott A and South Birmingham. They won against Lichfield. They won against Stourbridge and drew with Oscott B.
Leamington League
Olton 1A have lost to Shirley and drew with Kenilworth A.
Olton 3B have lost to Shirley and Banbury. They beat Solihull C.
The open Cup team lost in the final.
League Chess resumes
The 2021-22 season of the Birmingham and Leamington Leagues are ready to start and there will be a friendly match against South Birmingham in the first week of October. Fixtures are available here in PDF format although they may be subject to change.
Summer Tournament
We are running a Summer Tournament in the next few weeeks. Results will appear here.
Club AGM
The club AGM will be on Tuesday 10th August, starting at 7.30pm
Reopening after Lockdown
The club will meet informally whilst the lockdown is eased, we will be in the games room at the club until further notice for a few friendly games. As soon as the restrictions are eased we will move back upstairs to the function room.
Currently, members are asked to use the hand sanitizer when entering the club and whilst moving around. There is a track & trace registration in the foyer and members should use their fobs at the door. Masks are required in accordance with guidelines are required whilst standing and there is table service only. Social distancing should also be observed and groups of no more than 6 to meet.
Tom Evans Snr
It is with great regret that we announce that Tom Peed-Evans (old Tom) passed away early in the pandemic last year. Tom was a valued member of the club and his attacking style in the lower divisions was widely acknowledged. He used to set players interesting puzzles and reel off anecdotes and poems in the bar after chess meetings and was wel-liked bu=y many in the game around the midlands scene.
He also excelled in his early years at snooker and dartrs, playing in the sixties for the Argus charity team. Even late into life he was an excellent ten-pin bowler, playing in teams and leagues with other chess members at Acocks Green Bowl. Tom's Darts explots regularly made the Sports Argus pages.
After falling in the house, Tom has a successful hip operation, but caught covid-19 and passed away in early May 2020. He will be missed by many.