Dear Member,

Welcome to the start of the 2003/04 chess season. The good news is that we are still in the same premises, the Fitness Exchange at Copers Cope Road. Many members will be aware that we were facing a rent renegotiation from the £15 a week we agreed with the previous management two years ago. The new rent is to be £25 a week which, though a substantial increase on last year, is competitive for this type of room.

However, and there's always a however, on our present membership and subscription rates, we will run at a financial deficit this year. This is not an immediate problem as we have built up reserves in earlier years and the committee has decided to hold full membership rates at the same level as last year. Clearly, this cannot continue for more than a year or two. Either we will need to increase our membership (which should be helped by Andy Heard's excellent new web site for the club); or we will have to increase subscriptions; or move. A number of new members did join the Club during the course of last season and we look forward to seeing them again this year.

Once again the Kent teams enjoyed a successful season. We succeeded in getting four of our Kent teams through to the semi-finals - 2nd, 4th 5th and 6th. Two of the teams lost out on board count but Mark Ruston's 2nd team made it to the final, going on to win the Lewis Cup.

Sadly, in the London League, the first team was relegated from the first division but with the return home of some of our young stars this season we hope to bounce back. The second team held its position in Division 3.  Our two Croydon teams play in the under 110 League giving more opportunity of competitive play to some of the lower graded players..

The Club championship offers the opportunity to all members to play a competitive game if they do not have a league match. It is gratifying to see more of the Club's stronger players entering and a late dash by Dave Smith gave him the Championship; the winner of Participation Trophy was John Lewin. The Rosebowl 5 minute competition at the end of the season was well supported as usual and the winner was Ian Snape.  The Verney Cup (awarded for the most league points gained for the Club) was also won by Ian on a tie break from Brian Crouch. Full details of Club results can be found on www.BeckenhamChess.org.uk - and much more to fascinate the chess enthusiast!

Early in the new season the Committee has to decide how many teams to enter into the three leagues. This depends upon how many members join and how much chess they want to play. If members could indicate what leagues they would like to play in, as soon as possible, to Andy Heard (020 8289 3426 or webmaster@beckenhamchess.org.uk) it would be helpful. The number of teams may be limited by the number of match captains so volunteers please.

I look forward to seeing you all again at the AGM.

Fred Wellings

Chairman