Gosforth teams extend lead in Northumbria League

(Newcastle Chronicle, 31 January 2025)

Teams from Gosforth Chess Club are dominating the Northumbria League, leading the first, second and sixth divisions as the 2024-25 season goes into its fourth month. The club, which meets on Monday evenings at Gosforth Empire Club on Salters Road, now has a total of 10 league teams and is the undisputed powerhouse of Tyneside chess.

In Division 1, Gosforth Empire have extended their lead with 13 match points, ahead of Newcastle Dragons on 10, Newcastle University A 8, Jesmond Monarchs 7, Tynemouth A 6, Gosforth Salters 2 and Leam Lane Aces 0.

In Division 2, Gosforth Regents are two points in front on 10, ahead of Morpeth A 8, South Shields Arbeians 7, Forest Hall Dragons and Tynemouth B 6 each, Alnwick A 3 and Gosforth Centurions 2.

Leam Lane Bullets are the clear leaders in Division 3 on 9 points, ahead of Gosforth Ivy 7, Gateshead and Forest Hall Titans each on 6, Gosforth Hawthorns 5, Morpeth B 4, Gosforth Woodbines 3.

Division 4 is more of a three-horse race, with Tynedale A on 10, Forest Hall Phoenixes 9 and Newcastle Jesters 8 in contention. Further back are Newcastle University B 5, Tynemouth B 4, Gosforth Jedis 3 and Alnwick B 1.

South Shields Sand-dancers are leading Division 5 with 11 points, ahead of Jesmond Knights 10, Forest Hall Griffins 8, Tynemouth D 7, Gosforth Otterburns 6, Forest Hall Centaurs 4, Alnwick C and Morpeth C both on 3.

In Division 6, Gosforth Siths reign supreme so far with 12 points, ahead of Newcastle Cavaliers 11, Forest Hall Wizards 7, Newcastle University C 6 and South Shields Custodians both on 6, Cramlington Royals and Morpeth D both on 3, and Newcastle University Women on 2.

After four rounds in the Northumberland Individual Championships, a battle royal is under way in the Zollner (Open) tournament. There are three joint leaders – Tim Wall and Andy Burnett (Newcastle) and Husain Nakara (Newcastle University) – on 3 points. In the chasing group on 2.5 are Gustavo Leon Cazares and Jack Erskine-Pereira (Gosforth), Paul Dargan (Tynemouth) and Chris Izod (Jesmond).

The Sell (Under 2000) tournament has a clear leader, Alex Blake (Gosforth), with 4 points. In equal second place on 3 points are Stuart Skelsey (Forest Hall) and John Awesome (Newcastle).

There’s a three-way tie for the lead on 3.5 points in the Gilroy (Under 1700) tournament between Ian Rook (Forest Hall), Denise Mosse (Gateshead) and David Simm (Morpeth). Their nearest rivals are Darren McCarthy (Alnwick), Jonny Kearney (Tynedale) and James Phillips (Newcastle) on 3 points.