Maurice "Moss" McCarthy: June Volunteer of the Month and Welsh Chess Stalwart

Born in 1953, Maurice "Moss" McCarthy has been a pillar of the Welsh chess community for decades. Moss first arrived in West Wales as a student at Swansea University, and it didn’t take long for him to make a strong impression on the local chess scene. His love for the game quickly shone through as he captured the West Wales Individual Championship in 1974, followed by victories at the West Wales Congress in 1977 and the West Wales Lightning Championship in 1981. Moss also triumphed in the A.O.J. Memorial Tournament in 1987, further cementing his reputation as one of the region’s finest players.

Two of Moss’s proudest achievements came when he shared the Welsh Chess Championship title—not once, but twice—first in 1973 and again in 1987. His peak playing strength reached a grading of 2135, which placed him sixth on the Welsh rankings out of thousands of players, a testament to his enduring skill and dedication.

Beyond individual tournaments, Moss’s love for chess is reflected in his commitment to the wider community. In 1990, he demonstrated his exceptional playing ability by conducting a simultaneous exhibition at Castell Nedd Chess Club, taking on 26 opponents at once. Impressively, he only lost two games and drew two, showcasing not just his skill but his generosity in sharing the game with others.

After stepping away for a period, Moss returned to competitive chess upon retirement. He is an active member of the Welsh Chess Federation, based in Swansea, with a current rating of around 2045, and has continued to compete successfully in recent tournaments such as the West Wales Closed Championship and the West Wales Chess Congress. Only this month he claimed (joint) victory once again at the A.O. Jones tournament, demonstrating that his competitive fire remains as strong as ever.

But Moss’s contributions extend well beyond his performance on the board. This year, he has taken on the vital role of treasurer for the West Wales Chess League and has been instrumental in organizing the hugely successful E.J. Clarke Tournament. His dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed. As a mark of appreciation for his outstanding service, Moss has been named Volunteer of the Month for June.

It’s clear that Maurice "Moss" McCarthy is more than just a player—he is a passionate supporter and builder of Welsh chess, a mentor, a competitor, and now a trusted member of the league’s committee. We look forward to many more seasons of working with Moss and witnessing the positive impact he continues to bring to our chess community.