1st Week without Dave

David Hardy • 12 September 2025

Dave is off on his holidays for a few weeks and this week Steve, Joel and Pete were left in charge.


  • Steve was in charge of the Tuck Shop - his natural environment
  • Joel looked after Davids group
  • Pete looked after his beginners group.


All went well...Steve got served at his own Tuck Shop by Pete, Joel brought the wrong charger for his laptop and Pete got diverted by road works and had a tour of Ashton.


Highlight of the evening was Pete playing a game in the hall and being pleased to end in a Rook&Pawn vs Rook endgame.   Joel and Tim kindly came over and said Pete should win - but didn't tell him how !   Perhaps a lesson for next week by Joel...


Steve is away next week teaching some Italians how to play their own opening and Pete has a busy social schedule so both can't make it....leaving Joel, Paul and Sacha in charge.


Steve has left instructions on his Tuck Shop layout and how to ensure the cupboard is put away correctly - "as long as it all fits in it will be fine"

Sai

by David Hardy • 24 August 2025
Many congratulations to Sai who played his first Grandmaster drawing with Black - well done indeed!!!

Season 2025-6

by David Hardy • 24 August 2025
This coming season we will be entering 4 teams in the Manchester Chess Federation being in B, C, D and E divisions - ask me or Paul if you want to play more League chess

Manchester League

by David Hardy • 24 August 2025
Another great season in the Manchester Chess Federation where we picked up 2 more trophies to add to the trophy we won in the Stockport League

5th Ashton Rapidplay

by David Hardy • 21 July 2025
Once again this event proved to be a great hit with the players with a full house turning up. Some great chess was played by all - bring on next year's

All Alone

by David Hardy • 18 July 2025
This week Paul was sunning himself on holiday, Steve was in London trying to talk to Southerners and Sacha was in bed with the lurgy. This left Pete in sole charge of the evening. Surprisingly things went smoothly, friendly games were played, the Tuck Shop opened as soon as people waved money and the evening ended on time. 

Quiet Knight

by David Hardy • 13 July 2025
This week saw just Stev e and Pete hold the fort. It was a quiet night so we just played lots of friendly games (Pete won one !) Daves cupboard is looking nice and organised but not necessarily in the order Dave likes.

Dave Away...

by David Hardy • 3 July 2025
Dave is taking a break somewhere more sunny than Ashton and has left Paul, Sacha, Steve and Pete in charge - a rota has even been produced to make sure all is in order. Sacha and Paul have been running sessions in the hall for the more advanced players and Pete has looked after the beginners. Tuck Shop King Steve has rebranded the Tuck Shop with a new logo - designed by a top London advertising agency which has sadly used the profits from the last 2 years...

League results

by David Hardy • 1 June 2025
So far this season we have come 3rd in B division in the MCF after being promoted last season. We are joint top of E division with a play off due against Urmston to decide who goes up and we have won the Rapidplay league. In the SDCL we have finished 2nd in A division after being promoted last year and won the Limit League - brilliant performances from everyone

Meltham rematch

by David Hardy • 31 May 2025
The rematch away at Meltham was a great success both on and off the board. We won the Longplay part 7-1 but lost the Rapid section 10-2. Thanks for taking part everyone.

A Knight of Chaos

by David Hardy • 15 May 2025
This week David was away and he left Pete and Steve in charge of the evening. The knight was quiet to begin with until we had an influx and 3 new members arrived. To keep things simple we all just remained in the hall to play friendly games which did get quite noisy at times. The tuck shop opened as soon as a queue formed (about 6:50 rather than 7:30) and Steve did a great job in upselling chocolate and suggary sweets to the children. The evening finished slightly ahead of schedule so we were able to pack up, tidy up and be ready for the caretaker to throw us out.
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