19/05/26 - WARNDON IN FIRST EVER TEAM MATCH
1 min read
Chess clubs often endure for centuries, so 18 May 2026 marked a truly historic moment for the club: our debut match.
The occasion was a pre-season friendly against Hereford at Warndon. More than 30 players filled the venue throughout the evening, with 14 players competing across 7 boards.
For three members of the team, it was their first-ever experience of competitive team chess. Among the standout performances was new member Pedro De Sousa Pereira, who earned an impressive draw against the experienced 1685-rated John Preece.
The evening built towards a tense and dramatic finale. Ric Griffith-Read (pictured below) was involved in the last game still in progress, with the match score delicately poised.
As the sole remaining player, a draw or a win for Ric would have secured victory for Warndon, and as the tension grew, almost everyone at the club spectated at one point or another, to watch the climax unfold.
After battling courageously for two-and-a-half hours, Ric eventually succumbed in a hard-fought defeat
The match card is shown below. Despite being out-rated on several boards, the team produced an excellent performance to secure a 3.5–3.5 draw.
The night was regarded as a tremendous success by everyone involved. It provided the club with its first real taste of team chess and offered an exciting glimpse of the drama, camaraderie, and competitive spirit that lie ahead in the months to come, and when the 26/27 chess season starts at the end of the summer.
Contact
Alex Nicholls, Club President
Sarah Burgess, Club Secretary
Phone
info@warndonchessclub.co.uk
alex@warndonchessclub.co.uk
sarah@warndonchessclub.co.uk
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