July 2026

The Committee of the Sussex Chess League has set the date for the AGM as 21st July 2026 to be held at Lewes Chess Club (The St. Mary's Supporters Club - Lewes). 

Download Agenda

I shall be grateful if you would reserve the date in your diaries.   In the absence of a Secretary, I will act as Secretary for the purposes of the AGM.  
Although it seems a fair few weeks off it is time to start considering proposals for the Agenda for the AGM on the 21st July 2026.   
The Agenda needs to be circulated at least two week before the meeting, so we would like any proposals for consideration at the AGM 2 weeks before that so the committee can consider and discuss them (with the proposers), particularly if there are similar/conflicting proposals put forward. 

Please take the time to discuss the AGM with your club members.

The timeline is therefore; Initial notice of AGM and request for proposals 14th June 2026 
Clubs submit proposals to the Committee by 28th June 2026 
Agenda circulated  on 7th July 2026 
AGM 21st July 2026.  

Among other things the Committee is seeking a new Secretary. Volunteers are therefore invited to contact any member of the Committee to discuss the role.   We look forward to seeing everyone at the AGM 

Best regards Robert Wall

October 2025

The new Season is up and running with the first results coming in.

As per tradition the first matches are intra club and so far few surprises with; East Grinstead 1 succesful over East Grinstead 2, Worthing 3 over powering Worthing 4, Hastings 2 similarly scoring against Hastings 3, Bexhill 1 and Eastbourne 1 both outgunning their second team opponents. Then Bexhill 3 beat Bexhill 4 and Horsham 2 beating Horsham 3. Brighton have decided to distribute their squads faily evenly with the consequence that Brighton 4 overcame Brighton3.

Mark Attree

Rest in Peace

Uckfield Chess Club is mourning the loss of Mark Attree, who passed away on Sunday 21st September 2025 aged 65 after a long battle.  

Mark was a key member of our club, being Secretary for many years and through a period where our fortunes were low. 

He contributed significantly to the club rising again post-pandemic.  

We have lost a great friend, mentor and teacher as well as a really good player. He will also be remembered as having been the Sussex League Secretary for a shorter period than he intended, which was curtailed due to the illness.  

The cremation service took place on Wednesday 15th October with close family, followed by a celebration for wider friends and family.

Brian Stockham

30th September 2025

The 'proposed' fixtures for 2025-26 are now posted on LMS

If clubs wish to negotiate any changes with opponents, please note the time limits set in Rule 2.6 and that any changes must be notified to me within 7 days.

Uckfield have advised me that they would welcome some fixtures being scheduled during the 4 weeks Christmas / New Year shutdown.  If this appeals to any of their opponents please negotiate directly with Uckfield.

Nominated players - please send these to the Fixtures Secretary if not already done so - and update team captain details.
Will clubs please update their player lists for any new players, whilst any outgoing players might be deleted.

2024-25 Trophy Winners
Division 1 Champions - Worthing 1
Division 2 Champions - Bexhill 2
Division 3 Champions - Worthing 2
Division 4 Champions - Brighton & Hove 4
Knock Out Handicap - Bexhill
Junior Rapid Play - East Grinstead Bookshop 2

Best Player Awards
Overall Tankard - Michael Dams (East Grinstead)
Division 1 Tankard - Luke Rutherford (Brighton & Hove 1)
Division 2 Tankard - James Lumsden (Bexhill 2)
Division 3 Tankard - Peter Larwood (Worthing 2)
Division 4 Tankard - Arran Airlie (Uckfield) Joseph Wright (Uckfield) Adrian Waldock (East Grinstead 3)
Rapid Play Best Player - Smrithi Manoj (Crowborough Bishops)

Deadlines for Entries to Season 2025-26:  
The League Rules specify a deadline of 14th September for all entries to reach the Fixtures Secretary.

There is a further deadline of "before playing any matches" for clubs entering more than one team to declare their nominated players in accordance with Rule 4.1.  Could you please provide this information by 6th October to give time to circulate this on LMS.

The Rules require fixtures list to be circulated by 28th September.

Club News:  There were positive indications at the AGM that a number of clubs might enter additional teams for the coming season.  So far, the only definite information I have is that Uckfield intend entering a second team.

Playing Season:  the first matches will be scheduled on Monday 13th October and continue until Friday 12th December.  There will then be a 4 weeks break until 12th January.  Matches will continue until 27 March before taking a 2 weeks break for Easter.  The final session will run from 13th April till 14th May. 

Information Needed:  The details I need from each club are as follows:   
Team Entries:  Please confirm the number of teams you are entering, including teams for the Junior Rapidplay.  If you intend reducing your entries, state which team(s) you wish to withdraw.  New teams would normally start in Division 4, but the Rules permit starting in either of the lower 2 divisions.  If you are entering a new team and believe you can justify entering directly into Division 3, you should include the names of players likely to make up that team.  Please also include entries for the KO competition.

Fees:  Entry fees were set at the recent AGM to be £10 per team, including junior teams.  Entries for the KO remain free.  To be included in the Fixtures List, fees are to be paid concurrent with entries.  It would be most helpful if these could be paid by bank transfer to the League's current account.  Please note that the League's banking details have changed since last season.

Club Night:  The day of the week for scheduling your home fixtures.   Double Home Fixtures:  If you are entering more than 1 team, please say whether or not you can accommodate, or would even welcome accommodating, more than one home fixture on the same night.  Unless you advise  a preference adjacent teams will not be scheduled to play on the same night.

Blackout Dates:  Each team is permitted to give up to 15 dates on which they don't wish to have a match scheduled.

LMS Details:  Please review your club page in LMS and update as necessary.  If you don't already do so, it would be most helpful if you could include your club's primary contact, in addition to individual team captains.

Nominated Players (by 6th October):  If entering more than 1 team, you must nominate players for each team except the lowest, in accordance with Rule 4.1.

1st September 2025

2024-25 Trophy Winners
Division 1 Champions - Worthing 1
Division 2 Champions - Bexhill 2
Division 3 Champions - Worthing 2
Division 4 Champions - Brighton & Hove 4
Knock Out Handicap - Bexhill
Junior Rapid Play - East Grinstead Bookshop 2

Best Player Awards
Overall Tankard - Michael Dams (East Grinstead)
Division 1 Tankard - Luke Rutherford (Brighton & Hove 1)
Division 2 Tankard - James Lumsden (Bexhill 2)
Division 3 Tankard - Peter Larwood (Worthing 2)
Division 4 Tankard - Arran Airlie (Uckfield) Joseph Wright (Uckfield) Adrian Waldock (East Grinstead 3)
Rapid Play Best Player - Smrithi Manoj (Crowborough Bishops)

Season 2025-26

Deadlines for Entries:  The League Rules specify a deadline of 14th September for all entries to reach the Fixtures Secretary.

There is a further deadline of "before playing any matches" for clubs entering more than one team to declare their nominated players in accordance with Rule 4.1.  Could you please provide this information by 6th October to give time to circulate this on LMS.

The Rules require fixtures list to be circulated by 28th September.

Club News:  There were positive indications at the AGM that a number of clubs might enter additional teams for the coming season.  So far, the only definite information I have is that Uckfield intend entering a second team.

Playing Season:  the first matches will be scheduled on Monday 13th October and continue until Friday 12th December.  There will then be a 4 weeks break until 12th January.  Matches will continue until 27 March before taking a 2 weeks break for Easter.  The final session will run from 13th April till 14th May. 

Information Needed:  The details I need from each club are as follows:   
Team Entries:  Please confirm the number of teams you are entering, including teams for the Junior Rapidplay.  If you intend reducing your entries, state which team(s) you wish to withdraw.  New teams would normally start in Division 4, but the Rules permit starting in either of the lower 2 divisions.  If you are entering a new team and believe you can justify entering directly into Division 3, you should include the names of players likely to make up that team.  Please also include entries for the KO competition.

Fees:  Entry fees were set at the recent AGM to be £10 per team, including junior teams.  Entries for the KO remain free.  To be included in the Fixtures List, fees are to be paid concurrent with entries.  It would be most helpful if these could be paid by bank transfer to the League's current account.  Please note that the League's banking details have changed since last season.

Club Night:  The day of the week for scheduling your home fixtures.   Double Home Fixtures:  If you are entering more than 1 team, please say whether or not you can accommodate, or would even welcome accommodating, more than one home fixture on the same night.  Unless you advise  a preference adjacent teams will not be scheduled to play on the same night.

Blackout Dates:  Each team is permitted to give up to 15 dates on which they don't wish to have a match scheduled.

LMS Details:  Please review your club page in LMS and update as necessary.  If you don't already do so, it would be most helpful if you could include your club's primary contact, in addition to individual team captains.

Nominated Players (by 6th October):  If entering more than 1 team, you must nominate players for each team except the lowest, in accordance with Rule 4.1.

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