Renaming the Peninsular Cup

At the recent league AGM it was agreed that we would be purchasing a new trophy to replace the missing Peninsular cup. As the trophy was being replaced it is being considered whether the Trophy / Competition should have a new name.

I have created a poll below for league members to vote on. The below names have been sent to me as suggestions for renaming the cup. Please vote ONCE for your preferred option! Closing date 26th June 23.59pm

A little added information kindly provided by a league member who knows the history. The name “Peninsula Cup” came from the leagues earlier link with the Peninsular Regiment ( served under Wellington in the Napoleonic Wars) which was based at the Peninsula Barracks, Warrington.

None of us we’re aware of this history at the recent AGM

Chess Grandmasters prepare to descend upon Warrington!

The fourth edition of our now-annual Warrington Rapidplay is just around the corner, and excitement is building fast.

The event will be hosted at Bridgewater High School on Sunday, 24th May, and it has already attracted the attention of some of the UK’s top chess talent, including two world-class Grandmasters.


Meet the Grandmasters

GM Daniel Gormally

GM Daniel Gormally

Grandmaster Daniel Gormally (peak 2573 FIDE) is one of England’s top professional chess players. With a career spanning over 20 years, he has amassed an impressive number of feats in over-the-board chess. He finished clear or shared first in the 1998 Politiken Cup, the 78th Hastings International Chess Congress (Challengers section), and the 2006 British Rapidplay Championship. He also shared second place in the 102nd British Championship and the 2nd EU Individual Championship.

Daniel is also a renowned author; among his many acclaimed chess books is Calculate Like a Grandmaster: Learn from the World-Class Attacking Players.

GM Nigel Davies

GM Nigel Davies

Nigel Davies became a Grandmaster in 1993 and has enjoyed massive success as both an author and a coach. He has published 22 chess books and actively coaches players across the globe as a FIDE Trainer through his website, Tiger Chess.

Nigel is perhaps best known for his popular Power Chess Program series, which is available on Amazon, starting with The Power Chess Program: A Unique Training Course to Improve Your Chess (Book 1).


Elite Competition & Local Experts

The two Grandmasters will face incredibly tough competition on the day. Last year’s Open champion, International Master Gediminas Sarakauskas, is returning to defend his title, alongside FIDE Master Paul Macklin, who is also confirmed for this year’s lineup.

Representing our local talent, Warrington and District chess player Ethan Norris from Atherton will be the highest-rated local expert competing in the field!


Sections for All Levels – Enter Now!

This event is not just for masters. There will be three graded sections running on the day to ensure competitive, well-matched games for players of all levels and abilities.

Fancy your chances, or just want to test your skills in a fantastic local tournament? There is still time to secure your spot.

👉 Click here to register and enter the tournament via Congress Org UK

Culcheth Players represent Warrington at 4NCL – Rounds 5 & 6

by Steve Potter


Going into the 3 rd weekend at Coventry the Mates were 6th in the table.
Saturday was a match against the Welsh team Rhyfelwyr Essyllwg, lower than The Mates in the table, but with a stronger team on paper.
As has happened on every Saturday so far this season, The Mates lost.

The evening meal was at the hotel. The Mates have eaten there before and it was as good this time as it was last time. There’s been to some interesting evening meal venues in Coventry, but still there’s no go to option yet.


Sunday: The Mates needed to bounce back against Ashfield. Again The Mates were out graded as a team, but only by 8 points. As per every Sunday this season the bounce back happened.

A 5 -1 win maybe flattered us, but a one in the win column, is a one in the
win column, there’s no points in chess for artistic interpretation.

That leaves The Mates with an important question. Why is there a 0/3 score on
Saturdays, yet a 3/3 score on Sundays?
The table leaves The Mates in 5 th place, well above the bottom team, but with a large number of teams only 1 point behind.