Firstly, a huge thank you to Richard Buxton for establishing and administering both the Stratford Chess League and the regular Tuesday sessions on Chess.com. I think we all agree that they have been enormously successful and enjoyable events.

Secondly, congratulations to Colin Searle for a tremendous 14 rounds of chess! Colin is again the Stratford Chess Champion having won 13 of the 14 games played. My only consolidation is achieving a draw against Colin in the first round.

Congratulations to Adrian Grimes for taking the hard-fought-for second place, finishing a clear 3 points ahead of the pack, and a big thank you to all those who took part.

Lastly, you have not received much news from me recently, so I would just like to give you a quick update on the status of the Club.

I think we can all agree that Stratford Chess Club is 'defiantly' alive and well, chiefly as a result of the cohesion that the online activities afforded us during the lockdown.

We are however an over-the-board club and as such, we look towards establishing those connections we once had, hopefully, while maintaining the online activities we have all come to enjoy on Chess.com.

The Leamington and District Chess League have suggested that the time may be right to restart the League competitions from September. The LDCL AGM is being held on 21st May and all clubs will be represented there. Richard Buxton will be the Stratford representative and I will be attending as an LDCL committee member.

In advance of the AGM, the club committee will be meeting to draw up provisional plans to effect a return to our venue at Foundation House, and a September restart of the LDCL.

If any members have any concerns, questions or suggestions that you are willing to share with the committee we very much welcome your views.

I look forward to seeing you all again soon.