Summary Report 2024
University of Warwick Chess Alumni Association
Established 2021.
In the Autumn of 2021, a select group of University of Warwick Chess Society alumni meet to form an official Alumni Association - electing its first organising committee and agreeing its articles of association.
The vision of the Warwick Chess Alumni, is to make it easier for graduated members (and friends) of the Society to stay connected, play chess, and enrich the wider community.
The Association has three specific aims, to (1) provide a welcoming environment and community for its members, (2) organise social reunions, and (3) facilitate competitive chess opportunities for its members. Thank you to all our members, and organisers for making the Association and its many events a continued success.
Introduction
Season in Numbers
Between the Summer of 2023 to 2024, Warwick Alumni have enjoyed a number of events and successes, as follows:
Socials and Reunions:
• Chess Fest & Blitz Tournament, Trafalgar Square (July, 2024)
• Post-Rapidplay Alumni-Society Networking Dinner, Varsity (March, 2024)
• 2nd Warwick Alumni Vs. Society Football Match, Cryfield: 4-4 [5-3 Penalties] (March, 2024)
• 3rd Warwick Alumni Christmas Meal, Clerkenwell (December, 2023)
Competitive Chess:
• World Chess League: 1 team (Group E winners; qualifying for the KO Competition - July 2024)
• Warwick Alumni vs. UK Parliament Chess (June 2024, rearranged due to the General Election.)
• Warwick Alumni vs. Eton College Chess: 9½ - 6½ (April, 2024)
• 6th Warwick University Rapidplay (March, 2024)
• WCL Meme of the Season Award: Holden Davis, and Vincenz Bill. (Sept 2023)
• World Chess League: 3 Alumni teams (22nd, 33rd, 48th Placed - July 2023)
Socials & Reunions
Summary Report 2024
University of Warwick Chess Alumni Association
Established 2021.
4th ChessFest & Blitz Tournament
On the 7th July 2024, ChessFest returned to Trafalgar Square for another year. As ever, the Alumni are proud to support this annual Chess in Schools and Communities’ event, joining with our usual entourage.
This year, the Association organised drinks and a round-robin Blitz Tournament, with a piece handicap to level the playing field, at a members’ club on St James’ Square. With good fortune, the group conveniently avoided the midday rain, before heading to ChessFest, and having dinner in London Chinatown.
Many congratulations goes to Vincenz Bill, who won the Tournament (and a bottle of Club Wine) – travelling in from Edinburgh!
6th Warwick Rapidplay & Dinner
In March 2024, the University of Warwick Chess Society organised its 6th Rapidplay, which has been well known for its low entry fee, and being organised on a cost-neutral basis.
For the 3rd consecutive year, the Association has organised a trip back to Warwick, with many Alumni staying in local Airbnbs and hotels to make the occasion. Fifteen Alumni returned to play, spectate, and some even helped arbit.
After the Tournament, the Alumni and Society held a joint Networking Dinner, at Varsity, on campus, which was very well attended!
2nd Alumni v Society Football Match
Following the 6th Warwick Rapidplay, the Alumni meet at Cryfield for a re-match against the Society’s youthful Football Team.
The Society beat the Alumni 72 in last Season, but this time, the Alumni won on penalties, 5-3, after a riveting 4-4 draw.
Steven Turvey, our oldest player, was by far our fittest. A shout out to Jonathan Fowler, for some exceptional defensive play! Well done to the team, and many thanks to Ben Lee, for captaining and organising.
3rd Alumni Christmas Dinner
Celebrating a successful 2023, the Alumni held its third Christmas Dinner early December in Londonorganised by Association Treasurer, James Munns.
The day began with welcome drinks at The Fellow (Kings’ Cross), followed by a brisk walk to Union Tavern in Clerkenwell for Dinner, before heading to Piano Works, in Farringdon, for cocktails and live music.
All existing members of the organising Committee were re-elected. The present members also elected Jaspar Goodall unanimously to the new position of Hon. Vice President, in recognition of his contributions to Warwick Chess and the Alumni community.
Competitive Chess
Summary Report 2024
University of Warwick Chess Alumni Association
Established 2021.
The World Chess League
Warwick Chess Alumni continue to compete in the World Chess League, one of the largest global online team tournaments.
In the Group Stage, the Warwick Alumni 2200 Team played alongside teams from the Philippines, China, Fiji, and South Africa, which was real delight. The Alumni Team won Group E by ½ point, qualifying for the Knock-Outs, but we were knocked out in the Quarterfinals by Dundee City in a tense 4.5-3.5 loss (July 2024).
It transpires that Warwick University, our sister club also qualified for the Knock-outs, but also stumbled, otherwise there could have been an exciting Alumni vs Society match up in the final rounds.
Well done to the team; and thank you to Dimiter Daskalov for captaining the team from Bulgaria, and to Holden, Vincenz, and Jack for captaining the Warwick Alumni teams, last season.
UK Parliament Match
The Warwick Chess Alumni Association was due to play the UK Parliament Chess Club on the 10th June 2024, however due to the dissolution of Parliament due to the General Election being called; this has been arranged to a future date (TBC). Jack Huffer, our Competitive Chess Secretary will be captaining the team.
Warwick Alumni vs. Eton
It was a pleasure for Warwick Alumni to journey to Windsor in April 2024, to play Eton Colllege Chess Club.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable day with a set of closely fought games (9½ - 6½), followed by lunch, a tour of the Eton College, and a stroll through Windsor.
Thank you to Tom for captaining and organising the team: Mateusz Eggink, Arjun Pyda, Tom Richardson (Capt.), and Sid Panicker.
“It was a great afternoon of chess. Perfect to practice for our National Schools match on Wed 1st May”, J. Moston, Master-incharge, Eton Chess.
Future Events & Organising
Summary Report 2024
University of Warwick Chess Alumni Association
Established 2021.
Summer Chess & Party
Upcoming event!
On Saturday 17th August, the Association will be running its 2nd Summer Party, beginning with welcome drinks at the Red Lion (Mayfair), followed by an outdoor chess tournament, on St James’ Square, and concluding with dinner and drinks in the evening.
Expected to be one of our most well attended events, we will be also be convening to discuss and plan for the future of the Association
For full details, click here: https://tinyurl.com/alumnisummer2024
St James’ Square, London
Online Chess & Prescence
We maintain our membership through our Newsletter mailing list, and our Facebook Messenger Group Chat. We run three Alumni Teams on Chess.com, as well as reach our members through our Website, Twitter, Instagram, and Twitch.
Our 2023-24 Committee:
Hon. President: FM Peter Batchelor
Hon. Vice-President: Jaspar Goodall
Chair: Taran Jina
Vice-Chair: WFM Louise Head
Hon. Treasurer: James Munns
Gen. Secretary: FA Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Competitive Chess Sec.: Jack Huffer
Trips, Tours & Logistics Sec.: Tom Richardson
Events Sec.: Elliot Long & James March
OG Team Captain: Jack Huffer
2200+ Team Captain: Holden Davis
Young Oldies Team Captain: Vincenz Bill
Football Team Captain: Ben Lee
International Chess Sec.: Siti Anwar
Online Chess Sec.: IA Tom Thorpe
Hon. Chief Arbiter: FA Jorel Ali
Committee
Thank you to everyone on the Committee for all the work you do.
Thank you for reading.
Looking forward to an even more successful season, 2024-25.