About the club:
Ealing is always looking for new members and offers a warm welcome to chess players of all strengths, nationalities and ages. Whether you are a keen amateur or a budding GM we want to hear from you. For seasoned players we can offer the opportunity of competitive chess in one of our nine league teams. Alternatively, if you just want to enjoy a game of social chess, there are always members happy to oblige with a game. Although we are not a club for complete beginners, we can promise that your chess will improve with regular practice against our stronger players.
Venue
We meet on Mondays from 7.30 pm throughout the year, save for Christmas, New Year and Bank Holidays (when we meet on Tuesdays) in the spacious Sports Bar of The Old Actonians Sports Club, Gunnersbury Drive (off Popes Lane), Ealing, London W5 4LL.
Closest tube is Acton Town on the District and Piccadilly line. Turn left out of the tube. Walk down over the North Circular, cross the road to the BP station and carry on down Popes Lane, Gunnersbury Drive is the first on the right - 50 yards from the BP station - opposite the main entrance gates of Gunnersbury Park, 5 minutes from the tube. Alternatively, take the E3 bus to Gunnersbury Avenue. Some parking is available at the club and on the adjoining roads.
League Teams
In 2016-17, the club will run eight senior teams and a junior team in the local chess leagues, which run from September to May each year, providing competitive playing opportunities for players of all abilities. Our first and second teams involve contests with some of the strongest players in the area, with top boards typically ECF 175+. Conversely, the Thames Valley fourth and Hillingdon League third teams offers a "nursery slope" for the aspiring player.
League Captain Div Team Strength
Thames Valley Alastair Jonstone One 1st Team ECF 140+
Geoff Richards Two 2nd Team ECF 140-
Neville Rowden Three 3rd Team ECF 125-
Richard Onslow Two Juniors A ECF 125+
Middlesex Simon Healeas / One 1st Team ECF 140+
Mark Winterbotham
Leslie Pringle Three 2nd Team
Hillingdon Alastair Johnstone One 1st Team ECF 140+
David Websdale Three 2nd Team ECF 120+
Events
During the summer months, the club runs a number of in-house competitions, such as the Summer Handicap Tournament (with playing time determined by grade) and an Annual Lightning Championship. The club also runs a series of highly popular and fiercely contested graded tournaments. The Club Championship itself is played for a prestigious trophy that has been awarded every year since 1903! From time to time, the club also hosts special events, such as simultaneous displays or instructional talks from strong players. A few years ago we even played host to a visiting team from Mongolia! We have an excellent Club magazine full of interesting articles, members games and reviews of all the teams' performances and results. Members on our e-mail list also receive regular newsletters to keep them informed and entertained.
The club now also has its own Facebook page www.facebook.com/ealingchess where members can stay connected and view a gallery of photos fron our in-house professional photographer!
Player Grading
All games from internal club tournaments and league games are submitted to the ECF (English Chess Federation) for grading. Dont worry if you don't have a grade when you first join - our stronger members will soon form a view of your playing strength and estimate your grade.
Club History
Ealing has a proud tradition as one of the oldest chess clubs in the country. Founded in 1885 we have met ever since, including during the two world wars! It has a long and fascinating history.
Many famous people gave simuls over the years, starting in 1898 with Em. Lasker, who returned in 1934/35. F.D. Yates, the British champion, came regularly from ‘25, and in ‘32/’33 his simul is thought to have been his last public appearance. Reti gave a blindfold simul in ‘22/’23, winning 8, drawing 1 and losing 1. Others who came were Blackburne, Sir George Thomas, Maroczy, the American champion, Pillsbury, and the famous woman player, Vera Menchik. Generally the visitor won about 16 games, and drew or lost one or two.
Thames Valley League Champions 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010,2011
Middelsex League Champions 2009, 2011
Hillingdon League Div 1 Champions 2015, 2016
Hillingdon League Div 2 Champions 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014
Ealing Juniors
In September 2011 a new chapter for the club opened with creation of the Ealing Juniors. The junior club has a team in the Thames Valley league.
Ealing Juniors meet at the London Victoria Sports Ground, Boddington Gardens, W3 9AP every Wednesday from 6.30pm. Training is under the guidance of David Ebbett, British and international Correspondence Chess Master.
Inquiries by telephone should be made to David Ebbett at 0208 997 7872 or by email to davidebbett@ yahoo.co.uk
Are you interested?
If you are interested in joining the club please contact the Secretary,
Neville Rowden - Telephone 07565 897949 - email
secretary.ealing.chess.club@gmail.com
Alternatively turn up at the Club any Monday. Come along, without obligation and see if Ealing is the chess club for you. After three visits, if you decide to join, the membership fee becomes due. The annual subscription is £30 (unwaged £10) due in June each year. Members will additionally be expected to take out membership of the ECF. Full details of the ECF Membership scheme
can be found here:
