Yeovil Chess Club was founded in September 1906 and will be celebrating its Centenary in 2006.

This document contains highlights of the Club history, from its beginnings at Hendford Manor Lodge to the present day at the Airfield Tavern.

The most interesting years are probably:-

Famous players who have visited the Club:
In 1908, Joseph Henry Blackburne, who dominated British Chess at the end of the nineteenth century, visited the Club. Mr Blackburne gave a simultaneous display, at which he played 19 games against different players at the same time, for a fee of £2.12s 6d Mr Blackburne gave two other displays - in 1909 and 1911, when his hotel bill at The Mermaid was 6 shillings and sixpence.

WW I
The Club did not meet during the 1914-18 War. In 1919 the Chairman stated," After the long lapse created by the War, it was proposed to re-commence the Yeovil Chess Club on as near as possible its old basis". Subscriptions rose from 5 shillings to 7s6d

Between the Wars:
The Club continued to meet (rent free) at Hendford Manor Lodge until the death of James Bernard Paynter in 1927. At this time the Club moved to Messrs Barter's Cafe,Middle Street, where it stayed until 1929, when room hire for the year was £3. 7s6d. To cover this additional cost, subscriptions rose from 7s 6d to 10s 6d
Following a serious loss of members during 1930 it became impossible to keep the Club in force. In 1932 sufficient interest arose to re-convene, and the Club moved back to the Hendford Manor Lodge where it stayed until 1937.
In 1932, Mrs Lean of Shepton Beauchamp was invited to join the Club and became the first female member.
In 1933 an advertisement was placed in the Western Gazette at a cost of 8 shillings.
In 1936, Harold Pittard, one of the founder members, who had been Chairman and President on several occasions died. A wreath was purchased by the Club for the sum of 10s6d
In 1938, the Club was informed that it would have to start paying for use of the Hendford Manor Lodge, so it was decided to move to the Toc H Rooms, Park Road.

WW II and the Czechoslovakian Brigade
The following two entries were recorded in the October 1939 Minutes:- " The question of continuing the Club was fully discussed, particularly in view of the outbreak in hostilities" "The Secretary reported there was an offer from St John's Club of Yeovil to associate with the Club, as many of the young men were eager and willing to learn the game."
A quote from the November 1940 Minutes reads: " The continuance of the Club's activities was carefully thought out and following discussions with one or two of the members it was decided that in view of the prevailing conditions of war it would not be in the interests of the members to continue to meet as hitherto. The reasons which decide are 1) Other Civil Defence Duties, 2) Difficulty of travel during the blackout, 3) Possibility of air attack during the hours of meeting."
In November 1941 it was quoted that " The position is unchanged from last year. Mr F.H. Senneck is with the RAF. Mr Reynolds is with the Navy. The same decision was arrived at."
1942 Minutes state: "During the early summer of 1942 the Czechoslovakian Brigade was stationed in the neighbourhood and the Secretary (W.H.Masters) took advantage of the position by arranging a match with a representative side of their Army. The match took place at Dr C.W.Gee' s house - we now acknowledge his hospitality - the result being under noted. No publication of the result was allowed for obvious reasons". The result was Yeovil District 4 Czechoslovakian Army 8 with J. Waterman playing on top board for Yeovil, Rev A. Deane (Dorchester) played on board 4 and Rev J. Mogg (Blackmore Vale) on board 9. Mrs C.M. Lean played on board 11.

Post War:-
In November 1945 the Club was restarted at the Half Moon Hotel, Yeovil and 15 gentlemen were present. A room at the Half Moon Hotel was booked for each Friday at 10/0d per night - a steep rise in room rent. To cover the costs it was agreed that each member attending on Club night should pay sixpence toward the cost of the room. Subs would also rise to 10/6d(7/6d before the War).
The first results recorded in the Minutes against other teams are shown in 1946. Yeovil beat Taunton 5-3 away and lost 5.5-4.5 at home. Yeovil played two matches against Bath & Admiralty, losing 9-2 away and winning 5-3 at home.
Another change of venue occurred in 1947, when the Club moved to the Yeovil Art & Technical Institute, where it stayed until 1956.

Transport difficulties in the 1950s:
Transport difficulties were highlighted in 1951 by the following quote from the Minutes "It was resolved that where it was necessary to hire transport for away matches one half of the cost thereof should be borne by the Club."
In 1955 Yeovil played Sherborne School and won 4.5/1.5. Wincanton and Totterdown applied to join the local league.
Also in 1955 Yeovil decided to enter a team in the Postal Chess League, where games are played one move at a time by post. Two years later it was reported that the Club finished 11th out of 16 with 16.5/40 in the Postal Chess League.
It was noted in 1956 that the Club's Golden Jubilee had arrived and that a Congress should be held to mark the event. Unfortunately the 1957 Minutes read "It was reported that due to the introduction of Petrol Rationing during early 1957, it is not possible to continue with the holding of a Chess Congress to mark the Golden Jubilee."
The Club moved again in January 1957. The new venue was the Per Ardua Club (RAFA), 1 Preston Road, where it stayed until 1964.

Changing Fortunes in the 60s:
In 1962 Dennis Bonner was joint winner of the Somerset County Championship. He was a strong player during the late 1950s and 60s and nowadays the current Somerset County Champion is presented with the Dennis Bonner Trophy at the Frome Congress each year.
1963 was a disappointing year for the Club, with the First team coming last in Henry Powell League (top Somerset League), and the Club being unable to raise a Second team.
1964 was even more disappointing than the previous year. Membership fell to only 8 adults and 1 junior. The team finished runners-up in the Charles Marsh Southern Section (middle league). The Club then moved to Park Lodge, The Park, where it stayed until 1967.
In 1965 the Club again advertised in the Library and the Western Gazette.
In 1966 the Club at last won the Charles Marsh League after defeating Bath Whites in the play-off Final.
Friendly matches were played against Yeovil School and Winfrith Heath.
Financial difficulties struck in 1967 and a special meeting was held to discuss the serious financial position of the Club, which was approximately £2.10s in debt. The biggest expense was the cost of hiring the room at £17 per annum. It was agreed that all members present pay a 5 shilling levy. To reduce costs it was decided to move to the Half Moon Inn, Silver Street from September 1967. In addition, the cost of room hire for matches would be charged to the members playing.
The Club branched out and entered both the Charles Marsh League (Somerset) and the Dorset League.
The Club moved to the Youth Centre at Park Lodge from 1968 until 1973.
The acting Chairman in 1969 was Charles Stanford. The Clubs accounts showed a balance of £3. To prevent a loss a board fee (for playing) of 1 shilling per night was introduced. This was in addition to the subs which remained at £1 10s for the year. The Club withdrew from the Charles Marsh League (for one year only), but remained affiliated to the Somerset Chess Association.

Decimalisation, Inflation and the Three-Day Week (70s):-
Decimalisation occurred in 1971 so Subs changed from £1 10s to £1.25p and the board fee from 1 shilling to 5p. The list of members present at the AGM included Robin Thring who is our current Treasurer (a role he has undertaken since 1985).
In 1972 Yeovil withdrew from the Somerset Chess Association, and applied to Dorset for inclusion in Dorset League matches.
Colin Winch (our current Chairman and President) became Match Captain.
In 1973 the Club moved back to the RAFA Club. It is around about this time when we start to see the effects of inflation. The Clubs balance was £39.73p (compared to £3 in 1969).
This year the membership decided the Club should enter both the Dorset and Somerset Leagues.
The Three-day week occurred at this time and Robin Thring remembers the time he was playing a game and the lights went out. His opponent (Charlie Stanford) reached into his pocket and drew out a tobacco tin from which he took a candle and matches and the game continued under candlepower.
In 1975 Mike Carter began a long stint (25 years or so) as one of our match captains.
Yeovil were Dorset League Division 2 Champions in 1977.
Badgers Book Shop and the Oxford University Press donated a trophy for a Quickplay Chess tournament in 1979, and the Club offered book tokens of £5, £3 and £2 to the winners. The Club was becoming ambitious and entered teams in the Henry Powell League (top Somerset League), Charles Marsh West (middle Somerset League) and the Dorset League Division 2.
In 1980 the Club moved to the White Horse, St. Michael's Avenue, where it used the upstairs room until 1995.
Inflation had seen the Clubs Balance rise to £78 and the room rent to £108 for the year. The Club had splashed out by purchasing six Chess clocks for a total of £99.

Long Service:-
Mr. W.H. Masters was made Life Vice-President in recognition of his long service (58 years since joining the Club in 1922). During his time at the Club he had held the posts of President (for 25 years from 1955 to 1979), Chairman (20 years), Treasurer (11 years) and Secretary (15 years). Charles Stanford was also made Life Vice-President, and the following year was presented with a Tankard in recognition of his services.

Winning Times:-
1982 was the most prolific Trophy winning year for the Club so far. For the first time in 46 years Yeovil won the Henry Powell Shield. They also won the Charles Marsh Central (Somerset league) and Dorset League Division 2.

Chess Computer:-
In 1983 Chris Mitchell proposed that a Chess computer should be entered in the Club Championship, but the members said they would like to see it but not play it!
The First Yeovil Chess Congress was to be held in October organised by Michael Wheeler.
Yeovil won the Dorset League Division 2 for the second time in three years in 1984, but this was the last year that Yeovil entered the Dorset League.
In 1987 the Club had a stand at the Community Day at Westfield School. The Club now had four teams in various Somerset Leagues.
In 1988 Yeovil lost in final of the Somerset Knockout to Weston. The D team won the Vice Presidents (lower Somerset league). This was the first of a 7-year winning streak.

Smoking: -
In 1989 the subject of smoking was to be raised at the next Somerset Chess Association meeting. The Club authorised Jim Fewkes to support any move towards a ban at chess matches.

The 90s:-
In 1990 the Summer Competition was to be renamed the Charles Stanford Competition in his honour following his sudden death earlier in the year.
Jim Fewkes was elected President of the West of England Chess Union. The following year he became Grading Officer for the West of England and a member of the British Chess Federation management board.
In 1991 Yeovil first team lost the play-off for the Henry Powell League to Bath, and lost to Keynsham in the Somerset Cup final. This was put right in each of the following three years when Yeovil won the League and Cup double three years in a row.
By 1993 the Club' s Balance had risen to the dizzy heights of £644
Well-known Chess Master Andrew Martin visited Yeovil Chess Club in 1994 to give a simultaneous display for a fee of £120. Club Member Jack Rudd also gave a simultaneous display during the year for £25 (£1 each entry). These two players repeated their simultaneous displays the following year.
In 1995 the Club had to change venue after being told that the meeting room at the White Horse was to be turned into accommodation. The Club moved to the Mermaid Hotel for 1 year until more suitable accommodation (from a parking aspect) was found.
The Centenary of the Somerset County Chess Association, founded 13th November 1895, was marked with a Quick Play Tournament at the Victoria Club, Street on 12th Nov 1995.
The Club moved to its current venue of the Red Cross Centre, Grove Avenue in 1996. In view of the death of Ken Preston-Wyse (who had been associated with both Yeovil and Weymouth Chess Clubs) it was agreed with Weymouth Chess Club to hold an annual Memorial Match for the Ken Preston Wyse Trophy.
The First team won the Henry Powell League in 1997 with 11 wins and 1 draw from 12 matches, and followed this up by coming bottom the following year
Jack Rudd won the Somerset County Championship at the Frome Congress.

This Century:-
In 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2003 the First team won the Henry Powell League. Yeovil also won the Somerset Knockout Cup in 2000. The Second team won the Charles Marsh East league.
In 2001 Jack Rudd again won the Somerset County Championship by winning the Frome Open, and Tim Chapman won the Frome Intermediate.
In 2002 Jack Rudd, who by now had become a regular competitor in the British Chess Championships, organised the first Yeovil Summer Congress, which was relatively successful and has been held each year since. In 2003 a team from Yeovil attended Weston Chess Club's Centenary Jamboree.