Connor Thompson proudly holding the Queens Park Club Championship trophy – congratulations!
Season Break
The last night of chess at Queens Park is Tuesday 21st May. On Tuesday 28th May we will hold our Annual General Meeting for members.
After that, Queens Park Chess Club will be on its summer break – there will be no chess on Tuesdays during this time.
We’ll update the site with information on when we’ll be back for the 24/25 season – this will likely be in September.
Chess over the Summer
If you’re looking to play chess over the summer, the Thursday chess group will run throughout the break.
Chess will be running on Thursday nights 6pm-late at the Corona in Shawlands.
We will also have a stall at Bungo in the Lanes on 22nd June generously hosted by one of our Members, Craig.
Thank You
As usual, thanks to everyone who’s made this season of Queens Park Chess Club possible. We’re looking forward to seeing you in the 24/25 season!
If you’re looking to join the club for the first time next season, contact us at contact@queensparkchessclub.com with your name and email address to be notified when registration opens.
International Master Andrew Greet will return to The Bungo on Tuesday 14 May (6:50pm start) for a simultaneous exhibition match, in which he will take on 22 Queens Park Members at once.
Among a wide range of career achievements and tournament wins, IM Greet is a former Scottish Champion and British Under-18 Champion.
Participants
A call for players was issued to Members in mid-April by email and WhatsApp. Following a registration and selection process, the Queens Park team is as follows (a-z by forename):
Starting Boards
Andrew Speirs
Andy Chisholm
Chris Dinwoodie
Connor Thompson
Craig Thomson
David Logue
Giuseppe Bosco
Greg Forrest
Harry McGrory
Iain Shields
Jack Crawford
Jack Gallagher
Jack Spillane
Joao Carrapico
Jonny Linney
Jordan McNaught
Marianne Burns
Paul Cumming
Ryan McGill
Scott McCartney
Thomas Fowley
Thomas McAleer
Substitutes
Julien Papillon
The event will begin at 6:50pm sharp on Tuesday 14 May. Any starting player who is more than ten minutes late, risks losing their place. It is expected to conclude at 9:00-9:30pm.
Substitutes will swap in for a starting player, as the first three games conclude on the night. Substitutes can play casual chess in the Bungo as the simul begins, and they will be called in to play when a game finishes.
Queens Park will look to improve on last year’s showing, pictured above, in which IM Greet won all 21 games with no draws or losses. The one-sided result doesn’t quite tell the full story, as indicated by the game below (tap/click to see in full), in which Queens Park’s Connor Thompson played superbly. Connor developed a -4 advantage with black in the middlegame, but an ambitious Queen sacrifice didn’t pay dividends.
Connor (black) put IM Greet under significant pressure in the 2023 simul
For further information about simultaneous matches, the format for the evening, and some hints and tips, please have a look at the details for last year’s event.
One significant change from last year’s format is, Queens Park players can choose which colour they wish to play with. Typically in simuls, the opponents always play with Black, so this is a generous change of policy from IM Greet – although it may also speak to his confidence!
IM Greet will also be selecting the three best-performing players on the night, and presenting them with an award.
Queens Park Chess Club has a proud tradition of simuls. Members of the historical Club had the fortune of playing Joseph Henry Blackburne in 1883 and world champion Jose Raul Capablanca in 1919, while the modern Club started playing simuls in 2022, with initial events against GM Jacob Aagaard and AGM Nicolas Skettos.
N.B. This event is open to current Queens Park Members only. The Chess Club is unable to accept new Members at present; those interested in joining in future, are invited to register for our mailing list.
The 2023/24 Queens Park Chess Club Championship is a six round classical tournament at the 60+5 time control. Please visit our Club Championship page for full details of the format and rules.
The tournament started in October 2023 and will conclude in early May 2024. The standings and results are available on the Chess Scotland website.
The winner’s name will be engraved on the Club Championship Trophy
Playing Your Game
By default, all games will take place in The Bungo on the designated date for round five: Tuesday 30 April (7pm).
IMPORTANT! If you cannot make this date, you must contact your opponent in advance to make an alternative arrangement.
Games must be played over-the-board, with a clock at the 60+5 time control, on or before 7 May at the The Bungo (including the Club nights of Tue 23 April and Tue 7 May), or in another public space.
Those using other venues for rescheduled matches, are asked to note the clarifications set out here.
You can contact your opponent by speaking to them at the Club, by posting in the Club Championship WhatsApp group, or by contacting a Committee Member to request their contact details (we have obtained GDPR consent from members to share details with their opponent for the purpose of rescheduling Club Championship ties if required).
If you do not show up for your game on Tue 30 April, and make no attempt to contact your opponent or notify a Committee Member beforehand, you will lose the game by default.
Please use the Club Championship Whatsapp group, or email us at contact@queensparkchessclub.com, or speak to Jordan or another Committee Member at a Club night, if you have any questions.
With round five of the Club Championship just concluded, we are gearing up for arrangements for the final round.
The draw for the sixth and final round, will be made by Committee Member Jordan McNaught at the Bungo on Tue 16 April. The designated date is Tue 30 April, and the final date for all games to be played is Tue 7 May. We will share the draw by email and WhatsApp next week.
As most members were unable to play their round five game on the designated date, we are sharing two notes:
Withdrawing from Tournament
We know some members have particularly busy schedules at present, which may include work/family commitments, travel plans, health appointments and/or exams.
If you are not confident you will be able to find the time for your round six match, or if you no longer wish to take part in the tournament for any reason, you may choose to withdraw from the Club Championship at this stage.
There will be no penalty for withdrawing. Players who take this up, will simply not go into the round six draw, and won’t earn any points for that round.
Please notify us by email (contact@queensparkchessclub.com) or WhatsApp before 6pm on Tuesday 16 April if you wish to withdraw.
If we do not hear from you before 6pm on Tuesday, we will assume you are willing and able to play your round six game, and you will be paired with an opponent.
Playing Outside the Club
A number of round five games were played outwith the Bungo. To support flexibility, we allow this, but ask that all players note the following:
We encourage playing Club Championship games in the Bungo wherever possible. The Committee can set up the playing space, control the environment for noise and distractions, and act as arbiters in case of disputes – this isn’t possible elsewhere.
Games must be played over-the-board in another chess club or an alternative public space; not in a private residence, or online.
Players must use an incremental clock at the 60+5 time control, and record their moves on scoresheets (when a player’s time drops below 5mins, this player can stop recording their moves). You may collect these materials from the Bungo ahead of games played elsewhere, and return the clock afterwards.
The result of any game played outside the Bungo is to be communicated to a Committee Member, or posted in the Club Championship WhatsApp Group, by no later than 7 May.
We are grateful to all Members for taking part in this season’s tournament.
For any questions on the above, or any other aspect of the tournament, please contact the Committee.
The 2023/24 Queens Park Chess Club Championship is a six round classical tournament at the 60+5 time control. Please visit our Club Championship page for full details of the format and rules.
The tournament started in October 2023 and will conclude in April 2024. The standings and results are available on the Chess Scotland website.
Pairings & Results
A live draw for round five was made at the Bungo by Competitions Manager Jordan McNaught during the Club meeting of Tuesday 19 March.
The round five pairings are as follows. This table will be updated with the results as they come in.
Chess Scotland have indicated that the Club Championship is the biggest in Scotland
Playing Your Game
By default, all games will take place in The Bungo on the designated date for round five: Tuesday 2 April (7pm).
IMPORTANT! If you cannot make this date, you must contact your opponent in advance to make an alternative arrangement.
Games must be played over-the-board, with a clock at the 60+5 time control, on or before 9 April at the The Bungo (including the Club nights of Tue 26 March and Tue 9 April), or in another public space.
You can contact your opponent by speaking to them at the Club, by posting in the Club Championship WhatsApp group, or by contacting a Committee Member to request their contact details (we have obtained GDPR consent from members to share details with their opponent for the purpose of rescheduling Club Championship ties if required).
If you do not show up for your game on Tue 2 April, and make no attempt to contact your opponent or notify a Committee Member beforehand, you will lose the game by default. Repeat offenders will be removed from the tournament.
Please use the Club Championship Whatsapp group, or email us at contact@queensparkchessclub.com, or speak to Jordan or another Committee Member at a Club night, if you have any questions.
In 2019, a small group of players gathered to form our Club, formally known as Govanhill Chess Club. It wasn’t long until the COVID-19 pandemic appeared and the Club had to close its doors.
In 2021, the Club re-emerged and adopted the Wellcroft Bowling Club as our venue. The following year, the Club Committee had expanded in numbers and the decision was taken to rename the Club to Queens Park Chess Club, a reincarnation of an older chess club of the same name that came to an end in 1936. With our membership numbers growing rapidly, a decision was made to relocate to our current venue – The Bungo. At the start of 2023, membership numbers continued to exceed expectations, leading to a cap at an incredible 55 members!
With the end of the 2023-2024 season drawing near, the Club has decided to celebrate our 5th anniversary as a Club by hosting a members-only Allegro tournament. We encourage all members to participate!
Tournament Details
Date/Location
The Allegro will take place on Sunday 12th May 2024 at the Bungo.
The event will run from 12pm-7pm.
Entry Cost and Eligibility
The Allegro is members-only and is free to enter.
Tournament Structure
The time control is 20+10 (20 minutes per player, 10 second increment per move). There will be five rounds.
The Allegro will be Chess Scotland rated. Jordan will be managing matters on the day.
Prizes
£250 will be awarded across four different prizes:
1st place – £100.
2nd place – £50.
Intermediate Grading Prize – £50 (Grading Boundary TBC – decided closer to the time based on entrants).
Unrated Grading Prize – £50.
Prizes will be shared equally amongst winners in the event of tied scores. Players will not be eligible for more than one prize.
How To Enter
New entrants (members-only) can enter by contacting the committee directly, either by email or through WhatsApp.
The 2023/24 Queens Park Chess Club Championship is a six round classical tournament at the 60+5 time control. Please visit our Club Championship page for full details of the format and rules.
The tournament started in October 2023 and will conclude in April 2024. The standings and results are available on the Chess Scotland website.
Pairings & Results
A live draw for round four was made at the Bungo by Competitions Manager Jordan McNaught during the Club meeting of Tuesday 20 February.
The round four pairings are as follows. This table will be updated with the results as they come in.
50 players will take part in round four of the Club Championship
Playing Your Game
By default, all games will take place in The Bungo on the designated date for round four: Tuesday 5 March (7pm).
IMPORTANT! If you cannot make this date, you must contact your opponent in advance to make an alternative arrangement.
Games must be played over-the-board, with a clock at the 60+5 time control, on or before 12 March at the The Bungo (including the Club nights of Tue 27 Feb and Tue 12 March), or in another public space.
You can contact your opponent by speaking to them at the Club, by posting in the Club Championship WhatsApp group, or by contacting a Committee Member to request their contact details (we have obtained GDPR consent from members to share details with their opponent for the purpose of rescheduling Club Championship ties if required).
If you do not show up for your game on Tue 5 March, and make no attempt to contact your opponent or notify a Committee Member beforehand, you will lose the game by default. Repeat offenders will be removed from the tournament.
Please use the Club Championship Whatsapp group, or email us at contact@queensparkchessclub.com, or speak to Jordan or another Committee Member at a Club night, if you have any questions.
The 2023/24 Queens Park Chess Club Championship is a six round classical tournament at the 60+5 time control. Please visit our Club Championship page for full details of the format and rules.
The tournament started in October 2023 and will conclude in April 2024. The standings and results are available on the Chess Scotland website.
Pairings & Results
A live draw for round three was made at the Bungo by Competitions Manager Jordan McNaught during the Club meeting of Tuesday 23 January.
The round three pairings are as follows. This table will be updated with the results as they come in.
Over 50 players compete in Queens Park’s Club Championship
Playing Your Game
By default, all games will take place in The Bungo on the designated date for round one: Tuesday 6 February (7pm).
IMPORTANT! If you cannot make this date, you must contact your opponent in advance to make an alternative arrangement.
Games must be played over-the-board, with a clock at the 60+5 time control, on or before 13 February at the The Bungo (including the Club nights of Tue 30 Jan and Tue 13 Feb), or in another public space.
You can contact your opponent by speaking to them at the Club, by posting in the Club Championship WhatsApp group, or by contacting a Committee Member to request their contact details (we have obtained GDPR consent from members to share details with their opponent for the purpose of rescheduling Club Championship ties if required).
If you do not show up for your game on Tue 16 Feb, and make no attempt to contact your opponent or notify a Committee Member beforehand, you will lose the game by default. Repeat offenders will be removed from the tournament.
Please use the Club Championship Whatsapp group, or email us at contact@queensparkchessclub.com, or speak to Jordan or another Committee Member at a Club night, if you have any questions.
The 2023/24 Queens Park Chess Club Championship is a six round classical tournament at the 60+5 time control. Please visit our Club Championship page for full details of the format and rules.
Round one of the tournament commenced in October and resulted in 25 decisive results. All 54 members will take part in round two.
A live draw for round two was made at the Bungo by Competitions Manager Jordan McNaught during the Club meeting of Tuesday 12 December. The round two pairings are as follows. This table will be updated with the results as they come in.
Defending champion Rhys McCrosson (left) beat Tom Cox (right) in round one
Playing Your Game
By default, all games will take place in The Bungo on the designated date for round one: Tuesday 16 January (7pm).
IMPORTANT! If you cannot make this date, you must contact your opponent in advance to make an alternative arrangement.
Games must be played over-the-board, with a clock at the 60+5 time control, on or before 23 January, at the The Bungo (including the Club nights of Tue 9 Jan and Tue 23 Jan), or in another public space.
You can contact your opponent by speaking to them at the Club, by posting in the Club Championship WhatsApp group, or by contacting a Committee Member to request their contact details (we have obtained GDPR consent from members to share details with their opponent for the purpose of rescheduling Club Championship ties if required).
If you do not show up for your game on Tue 16 Jan, and make no attempt to contact your opponent or notify a Committee Member beforehand, you will lose the game by default. Repeat offenders will be removed from the tournament.
Please use the Club Championship Whatsapp group, or email us at contact@queensparkchessclub.com, or speak to Jordan or another Committee Member at a Club night, if you have any questions.
The 2023/24 Queens Park Chess Club Championship is a six round classical tournament at the 60+5 time control. Please visit our Club Championship page for full details of the format and rules.
Pairings & Results
A live draw for round one was made at the Bungo by Competitions Manager Jordan McNaught during the Club meeting of Tuesday 24 October. The round one pairings and results are as follows.
All members are participating in this years Club Championship.
Playing Your Game
By default, all games will take place in The Bungo on the designated date for round one: Tuesday 7 November (7pm).
IMPORTANT! If you cannot make this date, you must contact your opponent in advance to make an alternative arrangement.
Games must be played over-the-board, with a clock at the 60+5 time control, on or before 14 November, at the The Bungo (including the Club nights of Tue 31 Oct and Tue 14 Nov), or in another public space.
You can contact your opponent by speaking to them at the Club, by posting in the Club Championship WhatsApp group, or by contacting a Committee Member to request their contact details (we have obtained GDPR consent from members to share details with their opponent for the purpose of rescheduling Club Championship ties if required).
If you do not show up for your game on Tue 7 Nov, and make no attempt to contact your opponent or notify a Committee Member beforehand, you will lose the game by default. Repeat offenders will be removed from the tournament.
Please use the Club Championship Whatsapp group, or email us at contact@queensparkchessclub.com, or speak to Jordan or another Committee Member at a Club night, if you have any queries about the Club Championship.
