Month: August 2025

Hello everyone,

It’s a real honour to be writing this as the new Chairman of Hammersmith Chess Club. I’ve been part of the club for 10 years, and I know how much hard work, friendship, and good humour go into making it what it is.

First of all, I want to pay tribute to my predecessor, John White. It’s impossible to understate how much of our club’s success has been down to him. With his boundless creativity, enthusiasm and generosity, John has led countless initiatives to develop Hammersmith Chess Club into the powerhouse we are today. Without John, the Mindsports Centre that we call our home, simply would not exist.

I’m delighted that John has chosen to remain on the Committee to lead our Events team. He has already been hard at work organising our tour to Marseille in October. It’s guaranteed to be a fantastic weekend, and I’d encourage all of you to come along if possible.

We start this season with some brilliant news — Hammersmith has been named the ECF Club of the Year. That’s down to all of you: the players, volunteers, coaches, and supporters who’ve made our club such a welcoming and ambitious place to play chess. Thank you.

Opening night is Monday, 1st September, and we’re lucky to have GM Daniel King with us to judge our Game of the Season. It should be a great evening — do come along, whether you’re playing, watching, or just catching up over a drink.

This year we’re fielding eighteen teams across four leagues, so whatever your rating or playing style, there’s a place for you. Our Junior Hour and Women & Girls Hour will both be back from Monday, 8th September — two sessions that really show the spirit of the club.

If you’d like to play in a team, please ensure your subs are paid and your ECF membership is up to date. Captains will be in touch with everyone who’s paid up, but do feel free to reach out in advance if there’s a team you particularly wish to play in.

I’m looking forward to seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and enjoying another year of great chess together!

See you over the board,

Adam Cranston
Chairman

The rumours are true – Hammersmith Chess Club has been awarded the prestigious title Club of the Year by the English Chess Federation for 2025.

This recognition is richly deserved and reflects the hard work, dedication, and spirit of everyone involved with our club – from Committee members and Captains to Volunteers and players of all levels.

We are one community and welcome all, regardless of background, ethnicity, colour, religion or gender. We do not judge a chess player by their rating alone – we simply want everyone to embrace being a Hammer and take pride in playing at our club.

This award belongs to every Hammer. Without your enthusiasm, commitment, and love for the game, this would not have been possible.

Our new Chair, Adam Cranston, has great plans for the future, and we encourage every member to support him and the Committee as we move forward together – building on a history that we can all be proud of.

Let’s celebrate Hammersmith Chess Club – ECF Club of the Year 2025!

Hot off the press – Hammersmith Chess Club is heading to Marseille! From Friday 17th to Sunday 19th October 2025, we’ll be visiting the brilliant club of Marseille Échecs for a long weekend of chess, friendship, food, and fun. This promises to be an amazing trip — Marseille Échecs has over 1,000 members and is one of Europe’s great chess institutions. If you’ve ever been on a Hammer tour before, you’ll know they’re simply the best!

🗓 Itinerary (TBC)

Friday 17 October

• • Arrive and settle into the hotel
  • 6pm: Blitz tournament at Marseille Échecs, followed by food and drinks with our hosts

Saturday 18 October

• • Cultural sightseeing in the morning
  • 1pm: Long-play match (winner takes the Challenge Cup!)
  • Group dinner and drinks in the evening

Sunday 19 October

• • More Marseille adventures in the morning
  • Group lunch
  • Return travel home

✈️ Travel Options

Ryanair – Stansted to Marseille

• • Outbound: 07:25 or 14:10 (Friday 17 Oct)
  • Return: 12:50 (Sunday 19 Oct)

EasyJet – Gatwick to Marseille

• • Outbound: 08:00 or 17:20 (Friday 17 Oct)
  • Return: 12:40 or 22:05 (Sunday 19 Oct)

✳️ Recommended: EasyJet at 08:00 Friday and 22:05 Sunday.

🏨 Hotel

We’re planning a group booking at Hotel Life Marseille VP – Vieux Port. Prices will be confirmed shortly.

✅ What You Need to Do

1. Book your flights
2. Email Lord Clueless (John) at jdrw9591@gmail.com by 25 August 2025 with:

• • Your name
  • Number in your party
  • Room preference: Single / Double / Twin

John (with help from Benji) will coordinate hotel bookings.

🌟 Top Things to Do in Marseille

• • Cours Julien (street art, cafés, markets)
  • Notre-Dame de la Garde
  • MuCEM (Museum of European & Mediterranean Civilisations)
  • Electric Bike Tour of the city
  • Palais Longchamp
  • Provençal cuisine!

📣 Join the Tour!

Huge thanks to Matt Perchard and Benji Portheault for making this happen.

Let’s get packing — and make this another unforgettable Hammer trip.
Email now to join the fun!

John White
aka Lord Clueless

🕰️ The New Season Beckons

Hammers, the new season kicks off on 1st September, so please take this as a gentle reminder to:

• • renew your ECF membership;
  • pay your Hammer membership fees this month.

It’s going to be an amazing year of chess at the club, with a packed calendar of events already taking shape. I urge you all to get involved.

🏆 Opening Night: The Hammer Oscars – 1st September

We’ll be launching the season with our traditional Hammer Oscars, hosted once again by our great friend GM Daniel King. This is our opportunity to celebrate last season’s stars – a brilliant evening that always delivers.

A highlight of the night will be the Game of the Season award, chosen by Daniel himself. If you have a game you’re proud of, submit it (with PGN or scoresheet and any context) to our club captain, Gaston, by 10th August. Just email him directly or speak to him at the club.

The winning game will be featured on Daniel’s Power Play Chess YouTube channel.

🌍 Hammer Goes Abroad – Save These Dates

🇧🇪 Ostend, Belgium

Our friends there are hosting a fantastic week of chess, including a 9-round Swiss tournament from 6–12 September.

Tournament details here.

🇫🇷 Marseille, France

Thanks to sterling work by Benji and Matt, we’re lining up a club weekend with the legendary Marseille Chess Club from 17–19 October. This promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Confirmation to follow within 7 days.

🇪🇸 Bilbao, Spain

Early talks are underway for a June 2026 visit to the Bilbao Chess Club. Watch this space.

Enjoy the rest of the summer – and see you soon at the board.

John