It is with great sadness that we announce the folding of the De La Beche Chess Club at the start of this season.

The club has a long and proud history, competing for many years in both the first and second divisions. Though the name De La Beche was first adopted in 2016, its roots go much deeper, tracing back to the formation of Woodman’s Chess Club in 2011 (named after the Swansea pub where the players enjoyed a pint or two!). Even before this, many of its veteran players carried forward traditions from older teams, including Bishop Vaughan and Riddings, that stretching back as far as the 1970s and 1980s.

The club made its mark early, claiming the Division 3 Tom Hughes Trophy in 2011. From 2011 to 2014, Woodman had a strong run, finishing runners-up in the Stanley Cole Division 2 (2012) and excelling in under-1800 and under-1400 championships. Players such as Paul Bevan earned Player of the Year honours, cementing the team’s reputation for determination and talent.

Though the following years brought some challenges, De La Beche continued to nurture champion Players of the Year such as Peter Smith and Paul Bevan, with consistent top three finishes across several league divisions and tournaments.

The peak of the club’s success came in 2018 and 2019, when De La Beche won both Division 2 and Division 3 in the former, and went on to take the Division 2 title again in the later. That year also brought individual triumphs, with Hugh Jones and Neil Stewart winning the under-1650 section of the A.O.J., John Strange winning the under-1400 and Thomas van Velen securing third place in the lightning tournament.

Sadly, the Covid-19 pandemic took a heavy toll, and the club began to decline in the early 2020s. Much of its strength and survival over the years can be credited to the dedication of its long-standing secretary and organiser, Ken Huntley, whose tireless efforts shaped the club’s journey. His departure from the executive committee marks the end of an era.

We wish the remaining members all the best for the future and hope that other clubs will find space for them within their league teams. The De La Beche Chess Club leaves behind a legacy of passion, camaraderie, and achievement that will not be forgotten.