Atticus Chess Club

 

Formed in 1972 Atticus and has a long and proud history. We are based at the Adelphi Hotel, Ranelagh Place, Liverpool, with members meeting most Monday's for matches and during the summer, for casual games and friendly tournaments. The club has use of the large boardroom of the hotel, accessible by lift from reception to the mezzanine, or by grand staircase from the Main Lounge. The hotel is about 500 metres along from Lime Street Station towards the centre of town and directly opposite the John Lewis's shopping centre.

 

Atticus is one of the strongest chess clubs in Merseyside. From 2007/8 we will have six teams in the Merseyside League, three in the cup competitions and more than 45 active members from beginner level to 208 ECF, including three FIDE masters. Some of our players compete in the 4NCL a team tournament with about 600 players taking part during the year. Many also play in tournaments such as the Liverpool, Manchester, Rhyl and Blackpool congresses as well as the British Championship events. Some also play overseas, play team correspondence games and email matches through the ICCF the International Correspondence Chess Federation. Atticus Chess Club is affiliated to the Merseyside Chess Association which in turn is affiliated to the English Chess Federation and FIDE the World governing body.

 

The  Merseyside league season runs annually from September to April, just check out the fixture dates to see when our teams are meeting if you plan to come along. On match nights clocks start at 7.15pm. Excellent facilities at the Adelphi include licensed bars, lounge areas and for the chess club, a spacious and carpeted boardroom which has a balcony overlooking the main entrance. This will be our main playing room with enough space for two matches or more. New club members and team players are always needed and most welcome. 

 

In 2005/6 we won both the MCA Division 1 Championship Silver Rook and the John Ripley Trophy, in effect 'doing the double'. That feat was finally achieved when we overcame Skelmersdale in the JR Trophy final, played on Monday 24th April 2006; Atticus victorious 6-1½ (1½ pts to Skelmersdale on the handicap rule). The Division 1 title had already been secured with a 6-2 victory in our penultimate match against Waterloo. Throughout last season club captain John Carleton provided very perceptive and entertaining match and cup reports. His most recent match reports are here, and cup reports here. John's reports for 2005/6 season can be seen here.

 

At Atticus we don't take ourselves too seriously but we play competitively and always try to win. In common with other successful chess clubs we are fortunate to have excellent team captains and an outstanding club captain, John Carleton; their diligent efforts behind the scenes often going unseen but not unrecognised. They are essential in any sport or game and over many years their contribution to the success of the club has been immense.

 

Each summer we run our handicap tournament, points allocated by results based on the relative playing strength of each competitor. Intended partly as an ice-breaker for new members it also provides good training and practice for existing 'Atticusians' who can play anyone in the club over time limits negotiated beforehand. The tournament is run by Luke Boumphrey. You are very welcome to come along and join in. There is no entry fee and no commitment. The current table, results and 'rules' are here. The event has started and runs on Mondays (excl. Bank Holidays) from until the start of  the new season in September.

 

Atticus have two teams in Division 1, Atticus 1 and Atticus 2 and two teams in Division 2, Atticus 3 and 4. We will also have one team in Division 4 and one on Division 5. Our club secretary Jim Wiseman is the newly appointed MCA Registrations Secretary for 2007/8, David Robertson is the Junior Co-ordinator and Steve Connor, the MCA webmaster. Other members of the club hold positions with the league and MCA, details of which are available on our officials page.

 

Dave Stuttard (left) and Brian Ewart during the early stages of a league match.

A new addition to the website in 06 was our forum. This is available to members and non-members, all we ask is that you register. This is a simple and quick process which enables you to read and post messages or have your say in any of the discussion groups. You can also start a new thread, ask questions and much more.

 

In June 2006 Atticus won the MCA annual lightning event. We fielded three strong teams and came away with first prize. More information, team details and the final table are here. The 2007 event was held on 18th June at the Adelphi. Photo report here.

 

Because of the fabulous work behind the scenes by David Robertson, Atticus member, player and Professor of Public Policy at JMU, there have been some important chess events taking place. The first of these took place in 2006 when Liverpool hosted the European Union Individual Championships from 6th - 15th September. This was followed immediately by the Liverpool Congress on 16th & 17th September. Both events were held in Liverpool’s World Museum, William Brown Street. In September 2007, Liverpool hosted the Summit Match between teams from China and UK and an International Open. Both events were held in the beautifully refurbished Concert Room within St. Georges Hall. See the official site for detailed information, PGN files (games), photos and news reports.  In 2008 Liverpool is hosting the 4th European Union Championships again at the World Museum. See the official site for news and all the details.

David has also managed to bring the British Chess Championships to Liverpool in 2008. This event will also take place in St. Georges Hall from 27th July - 9th August. Further details are being posted on the official  website over the coming weeks and will also be available on our forum.

 

The ECF publish the new grades each year, searchable by individual player or by club, or if you really want it, as a download. Ratings for all Atticus registered players are here. Please return from time to time to see the latest updates as Richard Haddrell does make amendments during the season. Also the new MCA fixtures for 2007/8 will be posted as soon as they're available, on the fixtures and team pages.

 

Each Monday evening until September members will be meeting for blitz, lightning, casual games or just a friendly chat. The club is open to non-members so please come down and take part if you have some spare time. There's no commitment and you will not be pressured to join the club or pay for membership. You'll also be able to speak to someone who can answer any questions you might have.