When Alekhine defeated the Cuban, Capablanca, in 1927 to win the world championship it heralded in over forty years of Russian domination in the chess world. It came as no surprise then that when a young American, Bobby Fischer, was finally able to challenge for the title, it set of a frenzy of press coverage throughout the world. The battle took place in Iceland in 1972 and the final result, a win for Fischer, led to thousands of people taking up the game and looking for chess clubs to join, all over the world. The West Wales Chess League was no different.

Some of those playing in the league today were crossing swords fifty years ago. The league was flourishing with over 170 players playing in 26 teams from 15 clubs. Only the then new White Knights club is recognisable today. Numbers were massively up on the previous year – in 1972-3 there had been 134 graded players in the area. Just a few years later the league hosted more than 20 clubs and ran competition over five league divisipns.

The clubs in the league included a large number of ‘works’ teams, something which has now disappeared from the chess scene. Is that a reflection of budgetary cuts? British Electrical Repairs Ltd., Dawnays Ltd., Department of Envrionment, Ford, Magnet, Mond Recreation, South Wales Police and Swansea Telephone Area were the works teams. Completing the ensemble were Neath, Pontardawe, Llanelli, Swansea, University, Bishop Vaughan School and White Knights. A sad reflection on today’s list where only White Knights, Morriston and Castell Nedd have substantial numbers, supported by the smaller clubs, Upper Killay, De La Beche and Noah’s Yard. Down from 15 clubs to a mere 6.

Amongst the personnel a few names can still be recognised. Ian Eustis (then playing for Bishop Vaughan) was congress secretary and also organised the Welsh U18 championships in Swansea; Paul Headon (Swansea) was Junior Chess Organiser, and Paul Scott (Llanelli) who played for Morriston a couple of years ago and is still active with the Welsh Chess Union served as Grading Officer.

The 1973-4 league was won by Swansea, breaking a run of seven successive victories for the University. They were led in those days by John Day. Peter George who is still a member of the Castell Nedd club, was then on top board for Neath chess club. Moss McCarthy played top board for the University and also graced board 1 for the county team; and Ralph Cook (Swansea) now of Upper Killay, was also one of the leading county players. The recently ‘chess’ retired Albert Easton, Peter Bevan, Paul Bevan, Keith Downey (all Swansea) and Tony Crossman (Llanelli) were regular league players . The E. J. Clarke was in the form of a travelling Swiss tournament (much as today) and Moss McCarthy won the tournament. At the end of the season a comprehensive report of over 30 pages was circulated to members at the AGM. This grew to over 50 pages by the end of the decade when it was replaced by the Year Book.

The sharp rise in numbers engendered after the Fischer-Spassky match, may never be seen again but improved communications, increasing interest in schools and an active league management will hopefully see our league numbers grow in the coming years.

23/04/2024