Spotlight on Bury St Edmunds

The Bury St Edmunds Chess Club has, for a number of years, been the largest club in Suffolk in terms of number of members; it also has a strong claim to be the strongest in the county.   It includes amongst its full members three graded over 200 (Mike Harris 209; David Spence 206; Ed Player 205).

Unusually, its 50 members include several from other clubs.   Its location in the west of the county means that the club plays in two leagues – the Suffolk League and the Bury Area League.   With some people wanting to play more chess against different opponents, four Cambridge City members have joined so that they can play in the Suffolk League, whilst five Ipswich members have done the same in order to play in the Bury Area League.   A special 50% membership rate applies for these players.

The Club currently runs seven teams in the Bury Area League, and four in the Suffolk League.   Other teams include three in the Roger Goldsmith Cup competition, the Suffolk League Under 125 tournament and the Norfolk & Suffolk Cup.

The former Bury & West Suffolk Chess Club folded several years ago and the then Bury Cannons Chess Club, formed in 1998, renamed itself as the Bury St Edmunds Chess Club.

One excellent feature of the club is its spacious, well-lit premises at Moreton Hall Community Club.   On some match nights, as many as four matches can take place, with additional space available for friendlies.

The club’s members include 12 juniors.   The highest-graded juniors are both girls – Emilia Jewell (124) and Anita Somton (109).   The annual membership subscription is £30.00, but there is an additional £1.00 to pay each time a member attends a club night.   For more information about the club, contact Bob Jones.